His arrival shocked everyone in the living room. I hadn’t told them that I invited him over, nor had I told them that I’d decided to go to the police. I needed to know that Lincoln had my back, would be by my side, before I made any declarations. Lincoln made small talk with everyone as we all yawned like we’d been on no-sleep binges.

Ten minutes ago, Grace went to bed, and after confirming Lincoln was staying with me fifteen times, Rex and Carolina went home. It’s nice, knowing I have so many people who care about my well-being. I should’ve known I wasn’t so alone earlier.

“Scared of Quinton?” Lincoln asks, stopping to stare at me from across the room.

I nod. “After my arrest, he threatened me, my family, to do things to us. I’m terrified he’ll retaliate.”

Lincoln peels off his shirt, revealing his six-pack. “He seems more bark than bite.”

“How do you know?” I raise a brow, eyeing him up and down—not only in curiosity, but also because, damn, he’s hot. Even in situations like this, I’m still attracted to him in every sense.

He blows out a breath. “Honesty is the best policy, right?”

“Honesty is the best policy.”

“Your brothers and I …” He rubs at his forehead. “We tracked Quinton down.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I mutter.

“Quinton’s family owns a competing business to my family’s. After my father’s and my arrests, his family went and poached all of our clients, forcing us to shut the company down. As soon as I found out the name, I knew who it was.”

“So, you’d met him before?”

“Before tonight? No. But I know his brother. We went to school together.”

“Whoa, what do you mean, before tonight?”

“I paid him a visit … told him to leave you alone.”

That’s when my eyes travel to his hands. I noticed a few scratches on one but didn’t pay it too much mind because there’s already enough stuff on my mind. Now, it makes sense. “Is that what the messed-up fists are from?”

There isn’t one inch of shame on his features. “Possibly.”

“Lincoln”—I release a heavy sigh and sink down on my bed—“I don’t want you getting in trouble over me.”

“Cass,” he says, his voice soft-spoken. “I’ll never stop standing up for the woman I’m falling in love with.”

Good thing I’m sitting because this is the moment I’d fall on my face.

Our conversation comes to a halt.

My brain, though?

It spirals, spinning with countless emotions and questions.

I’m not sure how I’m looking at him, but as he peers at me, panic sets over his features.