A grin climbed to my face as I watched her as she strode out of the alley, the tail of that red coat whipping in the wind as freezing cold rain continued to beat down from above.

“That’s right, Lil’ Redd. Run. Because I’m really going to enjoy the chase,” I murmured so quietly into the howling wind, forcing myself to remain standing as she raged down the sidewalk with her chin held high.

Hot waves of lust rippled through my muscles that strained with the effort of restraint. I wanted to chase her down. Push her a little further.

There was something about this woman that had me hanging on by a thread.

I wanted to get deep inside her.

I’d made that much clear.

But there was something more. Something dangerous about the way she forced me to slow down and listen. Take note. The intrigue and respect she commanded with the clear passion that burned through her spirit was never so clear than when we’d sat through the meeting this afternoon.

She’d stood there so sure and defiant, threatening to file the property with the National Register of Historic Places to stall our purchase of the building. Stating it was a historical landmark and citing all the reasons we should leave it standing.

As is.

Clearly, she was no fool, and she knew as well as I did there was little she could do to hinder or halt our plans. Instead, she’d appealed to our better natures with the thinly veiled promise of legal recourse.

She knew she had little grounds. Still, every word had been delivered with strength and an undercurrent of her base faith in humanity.

Somehow, it’d made me crave her all the more.

It was sheer strength that had forced me from her office.

Biding my time.

All too eager to show up at the bar this evening, knowing she would do the same, the lure too much for her to resist.

Shaking myself off, I turned the opposite direction and headed to my hotel, the luscious taste of her still on my tongue, my cock hard as stone as I rode the elevator to the top floor. Entering my suite, I went straight for my laptop still open on the conference table.

You are delicious. I knew you’d be. I can’t wait for the full meal.

It took all of five seconds for a message to show in my inbox—just like I knew one would.

I’d rather starve.

I chuckled beneath my breath. God, there was nothing I liked more than a feisty woman. And I was beginning to think I liked this one best.

* * *

“Your father is pushing to close this deal by whatever means it needs to be done. So far, he hasn’t sent anyone down there, but you know what will happen if he does.”

Anger ratcheted up in my chest as I stared out the window from the backseat of the Lincoln, my attention hooked on the old building that had seen far better days. “I told him this was my deal and to stay out of it. I’m tired of him making a mess of things. There are protocols that need to be followed.”

James sighed. “He’s not exactly a man who listens to reason. What’s the end goal here?”

I swallowed hard. “The same as it always is.”

“Then I’ll try to hold him off.”

I nodded, even though I knew he couldn’t see it. “Thank you for giving me the heads up.”

“You know I always have your back.”

“I do.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Okay,” I said as I killed the call, giving myself a few moments to study my surroundings. Finally, I sucked in a breath, pushed open the door to the car, stood, and straightened my jacket as I headed straight for the door.

I didn’t hesitate.

I just swung it open and strode inside as if I owned the place.

It was only a matter of time before I did.

My entrance didn’t seem to faze the elderly woman who stood hunchback behind the counter. She just tilted her head a fraction to reveal her knowing, gray gaze.

Ah. No doubt, this was a woman who had seen many things. Made wise through the wounds of life.

“Addelaine Tindall,” I said, my voice low but somehow soft.

She gave a slight nod. “Mr. Wolfe.”

“I take it no introductions are necessary?”

A deep, short laugh echoed from her as she shook her head and went back to organizing the papers she had strewn across the counter. “That fancy suit you’re wearing is really what gives it away. Considering I’m the only one in these parts who could make something so fine, I know you must be from out of town.”

I began to wander the small storefront on the bottom floor, taking in the old pictures on the walls. The vast majority of them featured beaming brides in their custom wedding gowns. Others were family portraits that served as thank yous and endorsements. Proof of the talent that resided within these walls.

“Besides, men who look like you don’t typically walk through that door, Mr. Wolfe.”

I barely glanced back at her. “And what do I look like, Mrs. Tindall?”

“You look like a broken heart.”

I hummed in question. “Do I really look that dangerous?”

The small sound she made was somehow both disbelieving and affectionate. Catching me off guard, it made me pause and shift so I could read her expression.

“Wasn’t talking about you breakin’ the hearts, young man. I was referring to your own.”

I started to correct her ridiculous assumption but before I could, she winked.

A smile threatened, but I bit back my amusement. How was this woman making jokes when I was the one dragging her right up to the line?

I turned back to wandering the store, studying the pictures, my eyes going wide and my feet faltering when my sight landed on a cluster of pictures arranged on the wall near the counter.

Image after image of a raven-haired girl.

Young.

Beautiful then.

But different.

Broken.

Timid.

Not the bold woman who’d captured my thoughts and stoked my desire.

“She’s something, isn’t she?” Addelaine said from right behind me, startling me.

A lump suddenly felt prominent in my throat. I forced the heavy words around it. “I didn’t realize she’d worked here.”

Mrs. Tindall tsked. “Men like you often don’t take the time to realize a lot of things. Look closer. You’ll see she didn’t just work here. She found herself here. I’d reckon this place was more like a home. A safe haven, if you will.”

Realization settled into my bones. “Which is why she wants to save your store?”

She shrugged a thin shoulder. “Women like Lillith fight for what they believe is right. For what they believe is fair.” She eyed me without fear. “So, why don’t you tell me what you’re doing here, Mr. Wolfe.”

I fully turned around. “I came here to find out what it is you think is right.”