Madigan put down the plate, unable to eat, hurt and anger clawing their way to the surface again, and spewed out, “I’m just so mad. I feel stupid. I can’t believe Tobias killed someone. I know it’s true, but I can’t see him doing it.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.

Her mother embraced her. “It’s okay, honey. You should feel that way.”

“No, it’s not. I trusted him. He made me feel safer than I’ve ever felt with a guy, and I totally let my guard down in a way I swore I never would. And I know he’s guarded, but he was slowly opening up to me, which I knew was hard for him, but I never in a million years would’ve thought…I should’ve sensed something.”

“You can’t blame yourself, honey. Deception comes in all shapes and forms.”

“But that’s just it. I want to feel deceived and lied to, but he didn’t deceive me or lie about his background.” She dried her eyes, frustration taking the forefront. “He said he wasn’t the kind of guy I should be with, and he was honest about not wanting to get tied down. But I wasn’t looking for a relationship, and I was so drawn to him. I felt something between us that was deeper than chemistry, like we were supposed to meet, so I went for it, which you probably don’t want to hear, but it’s true. I wanted to be with him, Mom, and I didn’t care if he didn’t get along with his family or was leaving town soon, because our connection was that intense.”

Her mother’s expression turned even more serious. “Were you falling for him?”

“No.” Madigan shook her head, refusing to go there.

“Are you sure? Because I know you, baby girl. I see how you look at Maverick and Chloe, and Tank and Leah and the girls, and Gunner and Sid. As much as you claim not to want a relationship, I think that heart of yours might have other ideas.”

“It doesn’t,” she insisted, refusing to explore the ache in her heart that had been tugging at her all day. “I wasn’t secretly hoping we’d fall in love and ride off into the sunset. I thought he was mysterious and intriguing and maybe even the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. And yes, I liked that he was elusive, a little gruff, and not a people pleaser. I mean, look around us. That’s the kind of men I grew up with. And then I dropped my Vespa off at the auto shop not knowing he worked there, and when I told him I was going to take an Uber to work, he drove me so I wouldn’t get into a car with a stranger, and he waited to drive me home afterward.”

“That’s interesting.”