Page 2 of Single Greatest Threat (Atlantic City’s Most Wanted #6)

The phone disconnected in his ear, making Shaw sigh.

He knew his dad cared about him. This was just who he was.

It chafed, but he couldn’t change him. With only thirty minutes to spare, since it would likely take him half an hour to get to the restaurant, Shaw checked his email.

They were mostly junk with the smattering of inquiries about not hearing from Joesph.

Until Joesph abandoned him a month ago, he hadn’t realized how much he had turned the place over to him.

Everyone called, texted, and emailed Joesph first. The only reason they contacted him was to find out why they couldn’t reach Joesph.

At one point, he supposed that was what he wanted.

He kept Joesph tied to him while he did whatever he pleased.

He liked knowing he had the control. It was only recently he realized exactly how miserable he was and how much his life had been on a downward spiral.

He had heard people could be depressed and not know it.

It had taken Joesph walking away to make him realize how bad things had gotten.

Maybe it was a midlife crisis or maybe being completely unloved had finally caught up to him.

Being alone showed its true form. It wasn’t by choice.

No one wanted him. Not for real. He knew that was his fault.

Shaw was an asshole. He was stubborn and argumentative.

Shaw was a good lawyer for a reason. But those personality traits didn’t stay in the courtroom, and no one wanted that at home. He didn’t know how to change.

With nothing left to do, Shaw headed out.

He avoided looking at Joesph’s closed office door and had Kayla hold his calls.

Shaw climbed into his hundred-thousand-dollar car and drove slowly—like going to his judgment day—to the restaurant.

He made it ten minutes early and stared at the door.

As always, his dad showed up at exactly eleven.

The man was as precise as the earth’s rotation.

Shaw put his emotions on lockdown and endured.

The food was good. That was why the place was always busy.

Shaw focused on his plate rather than the conversation.

His dad rattled on about family Shaw never saw.

Plans were made for his mom’s birthday. Lunch only lasted an hour, and it was the longest hour of his life.

Being with his dad drained the hell out of him.

The guy was retired and still ran everything.

For the millionth time, Shaw wondered what would happen if he walked away.

He could buy a place in Malta. Live the slow life. Nothing was stopping him.

“Look. It’s Joesph with J.D.’s son.”

Shaw’s gaze shot to the door at his dad’s comment.

Sure enough, someone held the door open as Dodge pushed Joesph’s wheelchair inside.

A pain sliced through Shaw at the sight of Joesph’s bright smile.

It was real. He was happy. Of course he was.

He was with the most beautiful man on the planet.

Dodge won everyone, including every man Shaw wanted.

“That’s a good sign. Maybe he’ll lure all that Rochester money our way.”

His way. Shaw fought hard not to remind his dad that the practice belonged to Shaw now.

It was his money. “Maybe.” He knew it wasn’t happening.

Not only had J.D. been fiercely loyal to his attorney before he passed, but their firm also represented one of J.D.

’s ex-wives. Dodge would never touch them.

The bill came and Shaw paid, even though lunch had been his dad’s idea. He shouldn’t have gotten distracted.

“Joesph!”

Shaw cringed as his dad shouted, as if they were in a barn and not in the middle of a nice restaurant.

He watched Joesph look their way and his smile turn fake.

Shaw couldn’t breathe. He had to get out of there before a panic attack hit.

Therapy had been helping, but today wasn’t a good day.

Too much was happening at once. He was under his dad’s microscope and Joesph was there with another man.

It didn’t matter that man was engaged. Joesph hated Shaw, and he had been Shaw’s only real friend.

Shaw had destroyed that. The room pressed in on him, choking him.

Shaw stood as Dodge pushed Joesph their way.

The silverware rattled as he hit the table with his knees.

His dad looked his way, irritated as always.

Shaw fought a hysterical laugh at his thunderous expression, as if Shaw had embarrassed him and he hadn’t been the one shouting moments earlier.

His anxiety no longer cared about being polite.

He mumbled his goodbyes and headed for the door without looking back.

Shaw never met Joesph or Dodge’s stare. He knew he looked like an ass, but it couldn’t be helped.

For months now, Shaw’s mental health had been falling apart, and no one noticed or gave a damn.

Sometimes he feared what he might do. It was time to get back to the office. He had to drown himself in work.