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He left his office behind, his eyes sliding up the staircase as his mind turned to Julia. He wanted to check on her, but he worried he’d give something away. And he didn’t want anyone stopping him from going to this meeting.

Instead, he forced himself through the front door and made his way to the garage to quietly retrieve his car. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel as his mind raced ahead to the upcoming confrontation.

As the buildings filled in around him, casting long shadows in the late afternoon sun, his stomach twisted into a tight knot. He pulled into the parking lot, second-guessing his decision to kowtow to Lydia’s whims, particularly without telling anyone.

He pushed himself to open the door and stand. With every step he took, he firmed his resolve. He would bring an end to this war with Lydia. And he’d keep his family and his company safe.

Riverside Park loomed ahead. Long shadows clawed across the path, mirroring the dread that tore at his insides. The air, crisp and biting, seemed to carry Lydia’s cold malevolence, setting his nerves on edge.

He wandered into the park, searching the area for the woman he’d somehow once been married to. He questioned how that had happened for the umpteenth time. How could he not have known what she was back then?

She’d started her path of destruction even then. Their marriage had been rocky. No matter what he’d done, she hadn’t accepted it. She’d always wanted more. And then she’d left. And left her five-year-old daughter behind.

It had devastated Sierra, scarring her for life. Until Julia had come along. She’d been the first woman to take the time to really get to know her.

He’d be damned if he let his horrible first choice in a spouse harm the family he’d finally built.

His stomach clenched as he spotted her form at the edge of the lake. He swallowed hard, pushing himself forward, determined to put an end to this.

“Lydia,” he barked out, forcing his voice into a low growl.

She twisted to face him, a smirk on her features. “Grant.”

“How did you manage to get out of jail?”

She lifted a shoulder as she let out a small laugh. “I have some…connections.”

“Connections?” he asked. “I don’t know what idiot judge let you out, but it won’t be for long.”

Lydia set a hand on her hip with a coy smile. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so certain. My husband has made certain I’ll remain a free woman.”

“Husband?” He nearly choked on the word as he wondered what poor sap had married her.

She fluttered a massive ring at him. “Mmm, yes. Rich, handsome, young.”

“What did you blackmail him with, Lydia?”

She flicked her eyebrows up, her features settling into an unimpressed glare. “He knows who to hitch his wagon to for results.”

“Does he know his wagon’s now hitched to the devil herself?” Grant asked. “I mean, who was stupid enough to marry you?”

“Alexander Knight,” she said with a cock of her head.

Grant recognized the name. He’d been the man Julia and Kyle had investigated. He’d been involved with Lydia for over a year. Grant wondered what she had on him to force his hand. “Unbelievable. Well, I don’t care how much money he has–”

“Don’t forget the young, handsome part.”

Grant’s jaw clenched as she interrupted him. “I don’t care. After what you did on that roof, you’ll be back in jail for a very long time.”

“I wouldn’t count on that,” Lydia retorted. “I’ll be around for a very long time.”

His nostrils flared as he sucked in a breath, trying to keep his anger at bay. “What do you want?”

“Impatient,” Lydia said, grinding a heel into the cobblestone under her feet. “That’s typical.”

Grant shook his head, his fingers curling into fists. “I want this over. You’ve done enough damage to my family. So, what do you want?”

Her features twisted into a sneer. “Everything.”