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“Are you okay? What happened?” he questions, still examining me.

I nod. “I’m fine. But something happened to Yirah. I went to get dressed, came out and saw her like this.”

He rubs a hand over his face. “Okay, let’s call—"

Yirah groans and opens her eyes. She blinks a couple of times then tries to sit up.

“Don’t move too much. You’re injured,” I say, tightening my hold on her.

She ignores me and sits up. “I’m fine. It just stings a little. They were probably trying to knock me out.”

I frown. “Do you know who did this?”

“If she knew, she probably would have told us by now,” Aiden replies dryly.

“I was talking to Yirah. Not you,” I fire back.

“Well, sorry you lack—”

“Now is not the time,” Yirah cuts in. She looks at me. “Whoever came here was not expecting to see me. They were wearing a mask, goggles, gloves, and tracksuit. They did not want to be identified. But I know for sure it was a man.”

“What could he have wanted with Joyce?” Aiden asks.

Yirah points to my dining room table. “He hit me from behind. Before I passed out, I saw him grabbing the files that were on that table.” She looks down to her lap. “I’m sorry, Joyce.”

I stand and rush over to the table. All the files for Aiden’s case are gone. Not a single paper left. I had brought them all home with me. This is not good. The opening statement I prepared, my notes from all my interviews I conducted, and my list of potential witnesses. All gone, and the first day of trial is tomorrow. Why would someone take them?

“How would they have known the files were here?” I say out loud. I don’t expect them to know the answer. I’m just shocked that someone stole all of my papers for the case.

“My concern is if you were here alone, would they have settled for the files?” Aiden says. I turn to face him, crossing my arms over my chest.

I smile at him. “You are worried about me?” He turns his body to face me and mimics my stance. We are only about one foot away having a standoff.

He replies, “Actually, I’m worried about my case. It probably would’ve been more effective for them to snatch you rather than take the files if they were trying to mess with my case.”

I huff in annoyance. “Gee, thanks. Next time, you should provide them with a strategy to make their crimes more effective.”

He grins. “I’ll make sure to do that—"

Yirah interjects, “Can you both relax for five minutes so we can figure out who did this, and why.” She stands from the floor and touches the back of her head. She winces when her hand makes contact.

I walk over to Yirah and grab her hand. I pull her into my bedroom and gently push her to sit on the edge of my bed. I walk into my bathroom for first aid supplies. When I enter the room again, Aiden is standing in the doorway.

I approach Yirah and say, “Turn your head for me, please.”

She turns her head. I pull out the wipes from the kit and pat her wound gently. She flinches, but doesn’t make a sound.

“You will stay with me,” Aiden states. I pause at his statement. Is he crazy? He can barely stand to share an office with me, now he wants us to live in the same apartment. No way. I enjoy my little piece of sanity.

“I’ll stay with Yirah,” I say.

“I don’t recall offering,” Yirah retorts immediately. I yank her ear lobe and she lets out a yelp. She looks up to glare at me, but I turn her head forward. Traitor.

Aiden sighs. “What about what I said makes you think you have a choice?”

I look up from Yirah’s head and narrow my eyes at him. “I’m Joyce Parker. I always have a choice,” I say haughtily.

He smirks and replies mockingly, “Yet here you are. As my lawyer. Even though you refused.”