On the drive to Quinton’s campus apartment, my mind raced with reminders of Rex and Kyle telling me to wait for them and Archer warning me to stay out of trouble. Going back to prison isn’t something I want, but if it’s for Cassidy, I’ll do it.

The new address Rex provided was correct. No one spared me a look as I took the stairs to the fifth floor, knocked on the apartment door, and asked if he was Quinton. The moment he said yes, I gripped him around his scrawny throat, dragged him through the entryway, and threw him against the wall—similar to what it appeared he’d done with Cassidy.

He yelled, “What the hell?” at the same time I kicked the door shut with my shoe, blocking out as much noise as I could.

He cries out when I draw back my fist and punch him. My fist stings when it connects with his jawbone, a throb shooting up my veins. He slides down the wall and slumps to the tiled floor like a crumpled pile of laundry.

I kneel down to his level, inches from him, spit flying from my lips as I snarl, “Go near her again, and I’ll kill you.”

It’s not an empty threat.

Cassidy’s bruise will haunt me until the day I die. I’d do anything in my power to prevent any harm or hurt to Cassidy.

“Fine, whatever,” he groans, his head falling against the floor, small sprinkles of blood next to him. “She isn’t worth this shit.” He nearly rolls into the fetal position, in fear of another strike from me. Sweat lines his forehead. Blood, alongside slobber, drips from his mouth.

I bend my knee back, gearing to give him a swift kick to the ribs, but he cowers, staring up at me in alarm.

“Hurt me any worse, and I’ll make sure you go back to prison.” His eyes are panicked, his words sputtered. “Don’t think I don’t know who you are, Lincoln Callahan.”

I scoff, my hand sore and shaking. “Go to the cops? How about we go now, huh? We can explain why I beat the shit out of you.” I deliver a mocking smile. “It’ll be fun.”

He spits at my feet.

“Stay away from her.” I bend at the knee, my face in his. “Her brother is a cop. I have connections from being locked up, and we’ve hacked into your shit. Mess with her again, and you’ll regret it. Your daddy won’t be able to get you out of that mess with your drug-dealing ways.”