“I didn’t know Daniel was the type to hit a woman. I’m not down with that. Like fuck no.” He slashed his arms in the air. “I’m suspended because I swung at that asshole for hitting his girlfriend.”

The attorney’s son. Yeah, about him. “You really are like me,” I muttered, probably too low to hear.

But when he angled his head, pointing his attention straight at me, I realized maybe he had. “Are we done now?”

“Not even close.” I tore a hand through my hair. “What kind of favors did Jamie force you to do so you could stay in Lennon’s life?” I tried to offer him patience, even if I had none left. “Yeah, I didn’t forget about that.”

He scrunched up his face in obvious disapproval of my question. “Fine, fine,” he relented.

Smart choice.

“I’m good at lifting things.” He held out his hand to silence me, obviously expecting a lecture. “I’ve never stolen anything from someone who didn’t have it coming.”

“Including me, huh?” I bit out, then shook my head, angry at myself for snapping. “Just so I’m clear,” I said, tempering my tone, “I’m glad you did.” But before he could respond, I let my emotions get to me again. “You lied to me this morning. You said you didn’t work for Jamie.”

“I didn’t lie. I just didn’t tell the truth.” His outstretched arm flopped to his side.

“Be sure to use that excuse in court because the next time you⁠—”

“There won’t be a next time.”

I wanted to believe him, but I had to face the fact that I didn’t know him well enough to trust his word.

“I didn’t lie. I was never paid. Favors and blackmail aren’t exactly work.”

I supposed he had a point. As I processed that, another thought slammed into me. “Was the fight at the rave staged? Did anyone bother Lennon, or did you provoke that guy and swing first? Did Jamie need you in that room upstairs with him? He knew he couldn’t get you an invite, so he devised a more creative way.”

Those three steps he walked back, bumping into the coffee table, sent me five forward.

“Fine, yes, you’re right,” he rushed out as if playing defense. “It was all planned. I hit that dude so I could go up there. Lennon accused him of grabbing her ass on the dance floor, which didn’t actually happen, giving me a reason to fight.”

The last thing I wanted was to be right. “What’d Jamie want you to steal?”

“I didn’t have a chance to steal anything. You showed up, screwing Jamie’s plans.”

And I could breathe again. “I told you this morning what those men would have done to you had I not been there.”