I nod, even though I’m surprised Z remembers that much about it. It seemed to make a big dramatic splash in the news for about a day, then quietly went away. The kind of corruption they’d been accused of was behavior so ingrained in the way business was done in the legislature the arrests and scandal came as a shock. Too many powerful people had a vested interest in making the case go away.

And too many others needed to make sure the charges stuck.

“They had put years of work into this investigation and didn’t want my silly little rape to screw up their larger corruption case.” The bitterness in my voice surprises me. After all, I’ve had a few years to work through the injustice. It shouldn’t still sting this much.

The outlaw biker lurking beneath Z’s charming surface peeks through. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“No. They strongly suggested I rethink the damage it would do to my career and personal life. Reminded me that my ‘past’ would be brought up.”

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“I was thoroughly vetted when I was hired. I never hid that I used to be a dancer.”

“Still not seeing the connection?”

“Danced naked for money equals slut who deserves to be raped. I thought I put that part of my life behind me, but apparently I can never move on from it.”

“Jesus Christ. You put yourself through school to—”

“I’m aware. When that threat didn’t work, they questioned how much I knew about the corrupt transactions. I had nothing to hide.” I reach out and touch his leg. “But the final straw was that they swore all of my current associations would be thoroughly investigated.”

“You were worried I’d make you look bad?” he asks.

“God no. I was worried I’d bring trouble to your door. That your club might come under investigation.”

“Fuck that, Lilly. My club can handle some government intrusion.”

“Let me finish.”

I wait until he nods.

“I was afraid if you went after him when he was being so thoroughly watched, you’d be the one to end up in prison.” My voice breaks. “I didn’t want that. No matter how I resisted falling for you at first, I knew how much I already loved you.” My hoarse voice dies out and I shake my head, unable to form another word.

“That was my decision to make, Lilly.” He kneels in front of me and takes my hands. “I get that I haven’t always been forthcoming with information about what I do, but I’m not a stupid man. I don’t act impulsively. I also don’t let anyone hurt the people I love.”

“I was terrified. They wanted me to go back to work as if nothing happened.”

“What? How?”