Intense feelings of unease kept the hair on the back of my neck standing on end.

Something about Kendra felt off. Even though what she did to wake me out of my deep slumber was hot as hell, I questioned her internal motives for acting the way she did. She was trying to make a statement, starting with her appearance in that camouflage dress paired with her over-application of makeup. It all had me rubbing my neck, feeling like she was trying to be someone other than the person I knew she was.

When the light changed to green, I eased my foot up off the brake and readjusted my hand on the steering wheel.

I hated that Bella was comparing herself to Nora. Hated that she wanted to be called a whore. That was more than role-playing and I knew it was because of what her mother had said when she found out what Kendra was doing to make money. It wasn’t like that, though. That wasn’t how I saw it. Even though no one could ever replace the life I’d had with Nora, Kendra meant the world to me.

Flicking my eyes to the clock, I knew time was running out.

Refusing to let anxiety sink into my quivering bones, my mind kept drifting to Kendra when it should have been on my upcoming meeting with Stone.

Even our sex felt forced—like it was something we had to do instead of something we wanted to do. Shifting in my seat, my current situation with Kendra was eating me alive, leaving my nerves feeling raw.

What I’d had with Nora was great and something I never wanted to forget, but it should never have been compared with what Kendra had with me.

By the time I arrived downtown, I pulled into the parking lot and took the first empty spot I came across. Gathering my briefcase, I headed inside County and went through security as quickly as possible.

“Black,” Oscar’s voice boomed from down the hall.

Turning to look, I found Oscar approach in small strides.

He was coming from the direction I was heading. I wanted to hear what he had found—if anything—since our last meeting so I’d allow him a few minutes of my time.

When our eyes met, a smirk curled his lips.

It was impossible to forget how I’d stolen Kendra away from him when Madam refused to give her to me. I could only imagine the resentment he must have felt and how that turn of events eventually led him to Angel—the woman I knew he was risking his career to cover for.

“Any news from your Chief worth sharing?” I asked as we both came to a stop in the middle of the hallway.

Oscar narrowed his eyes as he stared.

We’d had our dog fights over the years, but now it seemed more like desperation and revenge-seeking than it did an honest challenge between opponents. A part of me refused to believe that Madam had anything to do with it, but I knew better. Ever since I saw Oscar with Mario coming out of Madam’s building that fateful afternoon, I knew Madam was only interested in herself.

“You don’t know where she is, do you?” Oscar asked after he saw me glance at the folder he had pinched between his fingers.

I was hesitant to respond, unsure of the cards he was holding. I wasn’t about to discredit the fact that he might have learned of my recent visit to Sylvia’s apartment. If he did, Oscar would be the kind of asshole to find a way to nail my ass for breaking and entering or tampering with the scene of a crime.

I raised one brow. “Do you?”

“The article she wrote must have gotten under your skin.”

Refusing to show the emotions playing out behind my eyes, I asked, “Has Mario’s autopsy report come back from the coroner?”

He looked away and shook his head. “Why do you keep asking? The bastard is dead and it’s good for everyone.” He rolled his gaze back to mine. “Move on, Kelly. Accept your loss. Keep your focus on Stone.” He paused to catch his breath. “That is, if you want to have a chance at saving face from complete humiliation.” He snickered.

“Keep thinking that,” I smiled, “and this will be the easiest victory of my career.” I slapped my hand between his shoulder blades.

His voice lowered to a near whisper when a couple uniformed officers passed in front of us. “Kelly, my office is moving forward with pressing charges for Tonya’s murder.”

Suddenly, I was hit with the realization that he had the evidence—planted evidence—of what I saw inside Sylvia’s apartment safely contained in the folder he kept tightly pressed against his thigh.

“And who is the lucky winner?” I inquired.

When Oscar turned his head and laughed, I knew this was Madam’s way of gathering her allies. She wanted Sylvia’s head on a platter. As much as I wanted to see Sylvia brought in myself, I didn’t have time to discuss how I thought charging Sylvia with Tonya’s murder was bullshit. I just needed Sylvia to come in so I could continue my relationship with Kendra and work to bring justice to Maria and Mario in the process.

“Keep your eye on the news,” Oscar said.

“C’mon, just tell me now.”

He shook his head. “Rumor has it, another big story is about to be released and it might just give both of us what we’re after.”

“Sylvia?”

His eyes knowingly flickered.

“How do you know this?”

“You know I can’t reveal my source.” He chuckled. “But believe me when I tell you that my C.I. is as reliable as they get.” He started to walk away, but before he got too far he turned and said, “And before I forget, tell that bastard Stone I said hi.” He flipped the folder he was holding open and pulled out the top sheet. Handing it to me, my brows knit as I read the updated report on Tonya’s murder. “Sylvia’s working with Stone. Always has been.”