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“You don’t know. You weren’t there. You just don’twant to face up to the fact Lyric was all over me behind your back.”

“Lyric would never do something like that. She’d never hurt someone like that. And why the fuck would you want a woman who would do that to a guy?”

“It’s them. They just like to mess with our heads.”

Mason had enough of this twisting of the truth. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe it’s not them, it’s you?” Mason probably shouldn’t antagonize the guy, but he seemed to be in a chatty mood, and he needed to stall for time so Nick could get there and save the day.

Mason didn’t even care about the ribbing he’d take from his brother for getting taken by surprise by this prick when worse men hadn’t been able to touch him. But as long as he got back to Lyric, he didn’t care.

Rick rolled his eyes. “They say one thing, then they change their minds.”

“Lyric tried to be nice at first, but then she told you she wasn’t interested. You didn’t want to hear it. I get it, man. She’s a beautiful woman. Smart. Talented. Kind. Caring. She takes care of people. I get why you’re drawn to her.”

“Maria told me you had a thing for her. You think you’re so smart. I saw you with her at the hospital. Her sister drove you two to your place.”

So that’s why Maria had showed up the next morning, asking about Lyric.

“You’ve been trying to take her from me.”

That sounded a lot like something Maria might drill into his head to get him to do what she wanted and keep Lyric away from him.

“Lyric and I were something before you ever met her in Nashville. It’s not her fault she wanted to bewith me and not you. She feels the way she feels. And you need to respect that.”

Rick turned his back on Mason. “You have no idea how she feels about me.”

“I know how she feels aboutme. And I won’t let you hurt her.”

The front door flew open, and Lyric stood in the opening, her breath coming in quick pants like she’d run from the car and up the porch steps to get to him.

“Angel, get out of here. Run!” He tried to break the bindings but remained trapped in the chair.

She met his gaze and breathed a sigh of relief. “I promised I’d come for you.”

His heart overflowed for this woman, even as a feral need to protect her came over him. “Damn it, Lyric, leave me and go.”

She dismissed him with a disgruntled sneer and focused on Rick and the gun in his hand.

Luckily, it remained at his side.

Lyric moved.

Rick did, too, keeping Lyric from getting to Mason, but also blocking him from seeing her. And then someone put a hand on the nape of his neck. Too small to be Nick’s. He couldn’t have gotten here this fast. But Lyric hadn’t come alone.

He went still. A knife blade cut through the plastic and wire on his right hand. Blood rushed into his fingers.

“What do you want, Rick? Another song? More of my time? What?” Lyric sounded ready to give him anything while keeping Rick distracted. “Tell me, and it’s yours. Just leave him alone.”

Rick raised the gun and pointed it at her. “I just want you to listen to me.”

“Okay. I’m listening.” She’d gentled her voice, spoken slowly and with interest, keeping Rick focused on her.

“I didn’t try to kill you. It wasn’t me. It was her.”

“Maria?” Lyric asked.

“Yes. You have to believe me. I wouldn’t do that to you.Shewantedhim. You were in the way. She was supposed to help me get you. Instead, she went behind my back and tried to take you away from me.”

“Okay. I understand.” She sounded so calm, but Mason knew she had to be frantic to get to him. “You didn’t want to hurt me.”