“After the dust settles with the divorce, I’d like to see her,” Rick said.

The elevator shuddered as it reached their floor. Tonya’s own body shook, less from the impact than from Rick’s sudden interest. She didn’t want her daughter’s self-esteem at all reliant on gaining his approval. Her kid had been happy not knowing her father. Surely, she could be happy again without him.

Tonya watched the doors open in silence.

“Tell her I only need to work out a few more things and it’s complicated,” Rick continued. “Tell her I’m trying not to unnecessarily upset people because of circumstances, you know, but once everything is out in the open, there won’t be anyone more to hurt. We can meet then.”

Tonya headed into the hallway, ignoring Rick calling her name. The way he’d phrased his request warned against responding. Rick didn’t think there was anyone to hurt after his divorce finalized. But that was only because his consideration didn’t extend beyond his immediate family. There was still someone who could very much be hurt by him. There was still Layla.

Fingers suddenly pressed into her shoulder. “I said wait!”

Tonya wrested from Rick’s grasp as she whirled around. “Don’t touch me.”

He held his hands up in mock surrender. “You wouldn’t stop. And I wanted to ask you…” Rick winced. He leaned forward and gripped his ribs. His breaths became short and shallow.

“Are you okay?” Tonya asked. She didn’t really care, she told herself, but she needed him alive and working to pay his child support.

“I had an accident. It’s given me some perspective.” He straightened with difficulty. “Are you really staying with your boss? Philip Banks?”

Tonya bristled. Had she known about Rick’s interest in seeing Layla, she wouldn’t have mentioned where she was staying. “What does it matter?”

“He’s not a good guy.”

Tonya tilted her head to the side, amazed at Rick’s capacity for selfishness. Rick had never been friends with Philip, so she doubted that he knew anything about the man. He simply didn’t want Layla around anyone remotely connected to his social circle. “You’ve nothing to worry about. I won’t tell him you’re Layla’s father, and Nate won’t either, obviously.”

Rick sneered. “Philip’s a thief. He stole from me, Nate, and another investor in Coffre. Guy totally misappropriated funds. You can’t trust him.”

“You think I should take your word for it?”

Rick gripped his side tighter. He looked like he needed to sit. “In this case, yeah. I know what he’s capable of. He’s a violent guy.”

Tonya crossed her arms over her chest. “Takes one to know one, huh?”

Rick’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”