Page 17 of The Widow's Dom

“That motherfucker.”

She nodded. She agreed wholeheartedly. “Yes, he is.”

“How does he think he can do that? A bank is considered a federal entity. He’s breaking a bunch of laws right now just threatening you.”

“He said he could make it look like an accident. The thing is, he already did.”

“What?” Nick asked.

“I went to my other bank to transfer the account to them, but Trevor froze it.”

Nick held her hand in the middle of his massive ones, warming her and even calming her enough to think straight. They both listened to the recording, but it was so muffled they couldn’t understand most of it.

“He has to give a reason. He can only do it if you were breaking the law.”

“I thought so, too. Julie at the other bank said that also. She said she’d keep trying and checking into a reason. After that bank, I went to see Anson Gardner. He’s been my lawyer for years. He’s also going to do some digging. He told me to go home and rest, and he’d call me tomorrow.”

“You look wiped out.” His fingers skimmed the side of her face.

She nodded. “A bit. Why don’t you head home? You don’t need to be part of this.”

“Look at me,” he said.

She raised her head.

“I’m not going anywhere, and you’re not alone. I’ve got a shitload of resources and contacts that owe me.”

She shook her head. “No. I don’t want you to get in any trouble.”

She gasped when he lifted her onto his lap and hugged her tightly to his chest.

“I won’t. Let me help you with this.”

She sighed and relaxed against him. The tears caught her by surprise. She wasn’t one to cry about anything.

His grip on her tightened, and he tucked his face into her neck. “Let it out. I’ve got you.”

Her arms came around his neck, and she held onto him because, at the moment, he was the only solid thing she had. Eventually, her tears slowed and then stopped. Her eyes slid closed, and she rested. She had no idea how long they stayed that way when she finally raised her head.

“I’m sorry, Nick. This is the last thing you wanted to deal with today.”

He reached for a napkin in a holder on the table and gently wiped her face before pressing it against her nose.

“Blow,” he said.

She almost balked, but she was too tired to fight it, and she had to admit it felt good having someone take care of her since she’d always been the one to take care of others.

“How about we get you into a bath so you can relax? I’ll bring you some wine.”

“I’m serious, Nick. I can’t thank you enough, but I’ve taken you away from what you wanted to do.”

He grunted. “It’s not going to happen, little squirrel. I’m staying. Now, let’s go.”

She knew her face was blotchy and red, and her eyes were a bit swollen, but he looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world.

He lifted her onto her feet and nudged her toward the door. “Come on. Do what I said. Let’s go,” he said again.

She heard his footsteps behind her, up the stairs and down the hall, felt his body’s massive heat, and shivered.

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