The man adjusted the knot of his black tie, which was paired with a dark suit jacket and black dress shirt. He was taller than Colin, and his shoulders were even broader. A five-o’clock shadow covered his hard jawline.

I’d swear I felt the strong aura surrounding him cut into me, hitting me deep down inside, especially when he zeroed in on my face.

“How’d you even track me down? I had a hood on.”

Oh, Colin. Really?

The man shot a well-deserved, disgruntled look at my son. “You lowered your hood once you were on the street. I tapped into the CCTV footage outside. You have a record, so I got a hit.”

Oh shit. “Are you law enforcement?” Did my son rob a . . . Are you a detective? FBI? Did officers dress in custom-fit suits that looked like it cost more than my rent?

“No, I’m not.” He was looking at my son now. Piercing him with a steely gaze that I’d prefer to be pointed at me. “You should make new friends.”

I’d always take the hits for my son, even when he was in the wrong.

And it appeared the hits would keep coming because he made my day even worse by informing me, “His buddies were attempting to boost an Aston Martin when I advised against it.”

“He’s lying.” Colin’s protest was weak, and all I had to do was look him in the eyes to know he was the dishonest one.

“Go to your room,” I ordered, trying not to tear up. “Now.”

“I’m not leaving you alone with this rich asshole.”

“You looked me up, did you? Checked my ID. What else did you do while you had my wallet?”

Colin stepped forward like a dare. Not what he should have done, dang it. “All I know is it looks like you own Park Place, Boardwalk, and all of⁠—”

“This isn’t Monopoly,” the man grunted. “This is real life.”

“Just go to your room while I beg for mercy for you for the second time today.” My voice nearly shattered that time as my son’s dark eyes found mine. How did I steer you so wrong?

Colin opened his mouth to protest but smartly backed down. Before heading to his room, he turned his stare back on the man. “If you so much as touch my mother, I’ll kill you.”

Perfect. We made two enemies today. One of the best defense attorneys in New York and possibly one of the city’s wealthiest men.

Once Colin finally retreated, I turned toward problem two of the day. “Come to the kitchen. The least I can do is get you an ice pack while I apologize again.” I used my motherly voice, which meant I wasn’t giving him a choice. He seemed to understand that and followed me into our narrow galley kitchen. “Please, sit.”

We only had a three-person table by the bay window, and when he went over and chose that seat of all seats, my chest tightened.