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“Maybe I should hang back at the hotel tonight.”

I glance in the rearview mirror. “What’s that?”

He finally meets my gaze. “Maybe this will be easier if I stay at the hotel.”

Oh, no, he doesn’t.If anything, having Owen there will help keepmefocused.

But how to tell him that without looking weak in front of Susa?

I settle on the easiest default. “No.”

I return my focus to the highway. That should be the end of it, but Owen tries again a few minutes later.

“I don’t want to cause trouble, Sir.”

“You’renotgoing to cause trouble,” I tell him. “You’re likely going to keep him from blowing up as much.”

Susa snorts.

“Whatwas that, pet?” Yes, I drop into full-on Master mode, without apology.

She’s wearing an adorable smirk that makes me want to pull over right there and spank her, and then fuck her.

“Daddy is going to blow his top. I don’t care if it’s only you and me, or the three of us, or the entire goddamned Florida legislature standing there when it happens—it’s going to happen.”

“Is that going to be a problem for you, pet?”

“Not really. Not for me. I’m used to it. House and car are in my name, and he can’t revoke the trust. I’m set until well after law school.” I glance her way and realize her smile’s faded. “Iamworried about you guys, though. Well, mostly you. He’ll probably ignore Owen.”

“Me?” I ask. “What’s he going to do to me?”

“Remember I told you about the ratfuck he pulled on that guy in Miami-Dade? Sanchez? If you have the slightest thing in your past, he could blow it up into a massive deal and make your future professional life…difficult. At least in Florida.”

There’s only one thing that could be used against me like that—besides Owen—and I know damn well those people aren’t talking. Not without far greater risk to themselves than to me.

Besides, Benchley’s reach might be great, but unless he has contacts in Germany, they aren’t even going to scratch the surface of my past. I left no proof anyone could leverage against me. Burner phones and texting apps that can’t be traced back to me. No pictures—none that are compromising, anyway—and like hell would I ever admit any of it.

I was young and stupid, but notthatstupid.

Chapter Nine

When we arrive at her parents’ home in Tallahassee, Susa doesn’t knock, she just opens the front door and ushers us inside, calling out to them.

“Momma? Daddy? We’re here.”

Poor Owen looks terrified, and I give his shoulder a quick squeeze before following Susa deeper into the house.

It’s okay, because part of me feels terrified, too, but I’ll never let it show.

Especially not in front of my pets.

Senator Benchley Evans rises to hug Susa as we enter the living room. My girl looks not quite as terrified as Owen does when she introduces us.

“Daddy, this is Carter Wilson and Owen Taylor. Guys, this is my father, Senator Benchley Evans.” He’s about my height and maybe two of me, a politician’s gut on him. Fortunately, Susa seems to more closely resemble the woman who comes to join us.

I go for broke and hold out my hand. “Senator, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He shakes with me, but carefully eyes me as he does, trying to get a read on me. “Benchley.”