Her attitude over the last six days had changed so drastically, she wasn’t even sure she knew herself anymore. But she liked what she saw, and she was really hoping that the world wouldn’t end so she could explore more of the new and improved Marina.

It was a bit of a hike from Luke’s truck to the house and Marina said a prayer of thanks that she didn’t let Halcyon convince her to wear that awful Lycra thing. Of course, the fact that she would have been passed out after another minute of wear would have probably prevented her from leaving the house in it, but still.

As they approached the front door, Luke slowed and looked over at her. “Are you ready for this?”

“I’ve been looking forward to it all day.”

“Okay. But before we enter, if anyone starts trouble with you, how would you like me to handle it? And I don’t mean how I would handle it for you. I have zero doubt you can handle things on your own and quite frankly, I’m looking forward to seeing it. But I need to know at what point or in what situation you would like backup.”

Marina felt her chest tighten for just a second. This strong, confident man believed in her. Believed she was strong and confident, too. And by God, she wasn’t about to prove him wrong.

“If I’m about to cross a line that will make our current legal situation worse, then intervene,” Marina said.

“And if things get physical?”

“Good Lord, they’re assholes, not thugs. They’re not going to throw down in front of witnesses.”

“You’d be surprised at the things I heard during my time working the legal system.”

She blew out a breath. Before this week, she wouldn’t have thought Avery capable of launching at someone either, but everyone had their breaking point.

“No. I probably wouldn’t be surprised, come to think of it,” she said. “I suppose if things get physical, then try to break it up before I punch someone. My dad was a big boxing fan and taught Halcyon and me how to box from the time we were little. I might look all made of sweetness and light but I have a wicked right hook that would get me into a lot of trouble.”

He stared at her for a moment, then grinned. “The more I know about you, the more I like you. I don’t suppose you taught Avery that right hook.”

“Guilty.”

“Ha! Let’s do this.”

She took his arm and they rang the doorbell. One of the caterers answered and invited them inside, pointing toward the back of the house. Down the hallway, she could see into a large living room where people stood holding drinks and napkins with finger food. She tightened her grip on Luke’s arm as they stepped into the room.

And then, as people caught sight of Marina, they stopped talking and began casting nervous glances between her and Preston, who was standing near a huge fireplace, talking to Patricia. His deputy lackey, Kyle Pitre, was standing nearby, as always, and leaned over to whisper something to Preston.