darkest part of his history.
She deserved the answers she wanted, but there were only so many he could give her. “He is someone I used to know.”
One brow lifted. “Just someone you used to know?” She huffed out an unamused laugh. “That explains why he wants to ruin you. Former acquaintances do things like that all the time.”
“His brother was married to my sister.”
Mona’s mouth opened. Then it closed.
Then it opened again. “So he was your in-law.”
“I’m not sure either of us would claim that.” Pierce rounded his desk, pulling open the drawer on the left and lifting out the bottle of scotch he tucked there when all this started. He poured a couple fingers into one of the tumblers hidden in the same spot.
Then he added a little more.
“His brother was abusive to my sister. Mentally.” Pierce tipped back the glass, swallowing everything down. “Physically.” He rocked the tumbler in a circle, rolling it against the edge of the base as he stared at the cut glass. “I tried to end it.”
“What does that mean?” Her voice was so soft. Each word careful and quiet as it passed through her lips.
“It means I found him.” Pierce lifted his eyes to hers. “Made it clear what would happen to him if he hurt her again.”
He’d put Rafferty in the hospital that night. Part of him wanted the man to die then and there.
If only he had. So many things would be different.
“Did he?”
Pierce focused on Mona’s face as he tried to pull from the past. “Did he what?”
“Did he hurt her again?” The hesitation was there.
Because she already knew the answer. It was there in her eyes.
“Yes.” Pierce poured another fill of scotch, swallowing it like the last. “He killed her.”
Mona’s gasp was barely audible but it hit him like a wave. “Then why is Anthony trying to hurt you?”
Pierce tapped his fingers against the smooth surface of the desk. “Because I did what I said I would.”
“You killed his brother.” She didn’t ask.
“I did.” Pierce capped the scotch.
“But his brother killed your sister.” Mona was pleading a case that was long decided by money instead of courts.
“And he suffered the consequences for it.” Pierce set the liquor back in place, closing the drawer. “I did not.”
“So he wants to kill you.” She shook her head. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“His brother paid a price for what he did. Anthony believes I should pay that same price.” It was a partial explanation, but more than he’d ever given anyone.
“By that logic someone will have to kill him for killing you.” Mona scoffed. “This is insane.”
“This is the way it goes when people are raised without limits.” Pierce stood from his chair. “They believe they can do whatever they want without repercussions.”
Mona stayed seated. “So what do we do?”
He smiled in spite of everything. “We figure out how to do what needs to be done.”
“I should go get Heidi.” Mona finally stood. “She’ll be able to find him.”
“It can wait until the morning.”
Mona turned to him. “How can this possibly wait until morning?”
“GHOST will work through the night on it. You were correct in your belief that they want out of this. In order to get out of this they will do what it takes to find Anthony and clean up the mess he’s made.” Pierce stepped closer. “The best thing we can do is stay safe until they figure out how to accomplish that.”
“I’m not sure that’s possible.” Mona glanced toward the door of his office. “We went through this before.” Her fair skin paled a little. “There might be someone else here who—”
“You should stay with me.” It was a perfectly simple solution. One that would ensure her safety and his sanity.
Mona shook her head. “No. That’s not a good idea.”
“You were curious about my showering habits, were you not?”
The paleness of her skin was gone in an instant, replaced by the flush he should feel bad for causing. He’d done it on purpose. With complete and total intent.
A reminder that Mona most definitely considered things she might not be willing to admit.
Yet.
“No.” She shoved a finger his way. “You were the one who brought up the showering. You’re the one focused on showering habits.”
His eyes dipped. “That is absolutely true.”
The flame of her cheeks deepened. “I can’t stay with you. It just can’t happen.”
It definitely could. And should.
And would.
It was decided the minute he thought of it.
“There are only a handful of men I would trust with your