My former boss.
 
 The man who cornered me in a locked hotel room and tried to disguise it as amisunderstanding.The man who lied to HR and walked away with a glowing recommendation while I left with trauma I carried in my bones.
 
 And now he’s here. Sitting across from me like this is some kind of twisted joke.
 
 “You’ve really grown into yourself,” he says, his gaze sweeping over me with that same, oily familiarity. “I always said you had leadership potential.”
 
 I can’t move.
 
 Can’t breathe.
 
 This isn’t a coincidence.
 
 He found me. Lied to get me here. Pulled me into this room on purpose.
 
 My fists curl at my sides, nails biting into my palms.
 
 “I’m leaving,” I say, my voice like ice, sharp and jagged.
 
 “Oh, come on,” he says, holding his hands out in mock innocence. “Let’s be civil, Mac. You’re here now. No need to be unprofessional.”
 
 I step forward, my glare locked on his. “You want civil?” My voice drops lower. “You don’t get civil. You get reported. Again. And this time? I’ll have evidence. And I’ll have more backup than I did last time.”
 
 He flinches. Good.
 
 “You must be talking about the biker trash you’ve picked up.” His tone turns smug again as his eyes dart past me, like he’s checking the hallway. “Don’t think anyone came with you. Maybe you’re not that important to them after all. I mean, they have plenty of whores around. One goes missing, another steps in.”
 
 The venom in his voice is deliberate. Designed to dig under my skin.
 
 He moves fast. Too fast. Lunging forward, his hand shooting out. I pivot to bolt for the door, but his fingers snag my ponytail, yanking me backward so hard I slam into his chest. The breath rushes out of me.
 
 Something cold and unyielding presses into my side.
 
 “Try anything and I’ll put a bullet right through you,” he hisses into my ear. His breath is hot and sour. “No one else is here. I’ll be long gone before anyone finds you.”
 
 His other hand twists in my hair, pulling at the roots until a cry rips from my throat.
 
 Every nerve in my body locks tight. My heartbeat surges into a painful, pounding thud in my ears.
 
 I can’t think about fear. Not now.
 
 I need to think about my next move. Very carefully.
 
 Chapter Twenty-Two
 
 Logan
 
 Don't wanna lose you now
 
 Baby, I know we can win this
 
 Don't wanna lose you now
 
 or ever again
 
 ‘Don’t Wanna Lose You Now’ - Backstreet Boys
 
 Mac should’ve called by now.