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“The one and only,” Theo says with a scoff. “I’m actually suing her as well.” Theo glances at me then sends a can you believe her look toward Mr. Davidson.

“Actually, I was here to meet with you about that,” I tell Mr. Davidson, doing my best to control my anger. It’s not his fault Theo is an asshole.

“Oh dear.” He fidgets with his glasses, clearly uncomfortable. “Theo has already retained my services. . .” He trails off. The rest left unsaid.

And now I can’t help you. A stone drops into the pit of my stomach. The check slips from my fingers and flutters to the floor. Theo bends to pick it up, winking at me as he rises.

“Sorry, Cal.” He holds my check between two fingers like it’s contaminated. “Guess you’ll have to find someone else to help you steal my art.”

Rage burns through me, and I take a step toward him, snatching the check. “You son of a bitch.”

“My, my. That language.” He tsks like I’m a naughty child. “Didn’t your mother teach you better?”

“Don’t you fucking talk about my mom,” I growl, hands shaking. I ball them into fists. “How much did you pay him?”

“Enough. You always were terrible at thinking ahead, weren’t you? Still that silly little girl who thinks she can run away from her problems.”

The words bitch slap me. Past me was an idiot for telling him anything. I thought I was confiding in my boyfriend, but now he knows exactly where to aim to hurt me. My past, my mistakes, my insecurities. Theo collects them like trophies.

“I’m sorry, Callie.” Mr. Davidson’s voice is genuinely apologetic. “I can give you some referrals to other attorneys in the county, but⁠—”

“That’s okay,” I say quickly. Theo would only go after them too. I spin on my heel and storm out. The late afternoon sun blinds me as I burst through the office doors. My SUV waits in the parking lot, but it feels miles away as the door opens behind me. I fumble with my keys, my hands still trembling with rage and humiliation.

“Running away again?” Theo’s voice follows me across the asphalt.

Pressing the fob as I reach the driver’s side, breath heaving out of me, I fight the scream building in my throat. I yank the door open.

“You know, I’ve been eyeing some property up by Sawmill Creek.”

My face scrunches and I glance at him. “What are you talking about?” There’s only one piece of property that’s by Sawmill Creek and as far as I know, the Williams brothers aren’t selling.

“I was thinking about paying a visit to my future house and wanted to invite you, but maybe you’ve already been there. It’s a cute little house with blue siding.”

My hackles rise. How does he know where I’ve been? I don’t like it. He knows too much. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but the Williams property isn’t for sale.”

Theo shrugs and sticks his hands in his pockets. “Tax liens are fascinating, maybe you should look them up.” His eyes are so cold and calculating, soulless.

Some people think evil appears with horns and hooves. I can’t help thinking evil shows up in pretty packages. Theo is the ideal man, but his teeth are razor sharp and he’s practically salivating at the thought of taking something from my men. Giddy at the prospect of ruining more lives.

“Fuck you, Theo. Go bother someone else.”

“Did you forget that you belong to me, Callie?”

When my guys say that, I love it, but the unhinged, practically feral possessiveness in Theo’s voice makes me want to throw up. He doesn’t say it with love. He says it with ownership.

“You’re wrong.” I slide into my seat, glaring at him. “I was never yours.” My heart always belonged to the Williams brothers. I slam the door, lock it, and crank the engine right as Theo appears in front of my car. He plants both hands on the hood and leans forward, that goddamn smirk still plastered across his face.

“Get out of my way.”

“No.”

God, I fucking hate him. I rev the engine in warning, hoping it’ll scare him.

“You can’t run me over, Callie.” His voice is taunting. “You’re already in enough trouble as it is.”

Yeah no thanks to you, asshole. Running him over might be worth it. My foot hovers over the gas pedal. The engine purrs beneath me, all that barely contained power waiting to be unleashed. One quick press and all my problems would disappear in a spray of blood and twisted metal.

“Do it.” Theo’s irises glint in challenge. “I dare you.”