“You will stay away—”

I cut off his pathetic attempt at a demand. I needed to wrap things up. I had a date to continue. “This stays between us. I’d hate for you to meet your end in some tragic accident. Freeing your wife and son of the plague that is you.”

The idea sounded more pleasing the longer I thought about it.

“You’re not a cop anymore. Stop with the heroism. We both know you’re no warrior of justice.”

Henry glared at me. “I still have connections.”

“The last time you came after us didn’t work out so well, did it?” I pointed to his leg. “Do I make myself clear?”

Henry ground his teeth. “Crystal.”

There was still a visible fight in his eyes that I planned on snuffing out. I gestured for us to go back toward the cars. He leaned heavily on his cane as he headed toward the parking lot.

“Tex is nothing like Brycen.” I didn’t look at him as I spoke. I owed this man nothing, and neither did Tex. But I found my lips moving on their own. “He is loyal, headstrong, ambitious, and a far better man than you.”

Henry scuffed. “He is a drug addict who made nothing but messes for me to clean up.”

“It’s a shame that is all you see out of him when I see someone who, regardless of their hardships and shortcomings, has made something of themselves. Could you say you’d be able to do the same in his shoes?”

Henry was silent next to me as we approached the cars.

“He still ended up with a murderer.”

I caught his gaze. “Don’t worry. You’re safe from me for now. We’re going to be family.”

“Everyone knows I wouldn’t have anything to do with you or that vile family of yours,” Henry spat.

“It would be a simple task to change that opinion. The headlines would read: Hero cop, crooked and corrupt. All his achievements connected back to the mafia.”

Henry went stock still.

“Just as you have connections in the NYPD, so do I.”

I opened the car door and stared at Henry as he moved toward it. He glanced at the building as if hoping Tex would come down. A man like Henry Caster was all about his reputation. On paper, he was the perfect man; a hero, a family man, and an all-around good samaritan. To have that tarnished would ruin everything he held dear.

“I look forward to meeting you on more official terms as Tex’s partner.”

Henry visibly bristled as he slipped into the car. He attempted to yank it closed, but I held it firmly.

“Henry, oh my goodness, your face. What happened?” Kate reached out to her husband.

he batted her hand away, never taking his gaze away from me. “I’m fine. Slipped.”

Henry cleared his throat and tugged at the door handle. I let it go, sufficiently happy that the last bit of spark in his eyes was gone. He knew I’d follow through. I’d do anything to protect Tex. Henry pulled out of the parking spot and was gone in a matter of seconds.