“I should get going, Nick,” she said, her tone void of emotion.

“Maybe,” he said. The single word made her flinch, and he found himself feeling a bit guilty about it, though he didn’t understand why. There was no reason for that. “I have an appointment at the courthouse. I’d like you to come with me.”

Nick was almost as stunned as she obviously was when those words came out of his mouth. Why was he taking her down there? Especially with an almost certain knowledge she was working with her father. Maybe it was because a part of him wanted it to not be true.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Nick,” she said softly.

“Is there a reason you shouldn’t go with me?” he prodded.

She looked down, and he wanted to demand she look him in the eyes, but he forced himself to stay where he sat. She took in a few deep breaths before looking up again, but this time she didn’t quite meet his gaze.

“No reason,” she said, her cheeks turning a bit red as she chewed on her bottom lip.

“Good, then it’s settled. I’m going to shower.” He got up and walked away before he said something he might regret later.

Nick avoided Chloe until it was time to go. He was a little surprised when he found her at the front door, clutching her purse in front of her as she shifted from foot to foot. This time she didn’t argue when he walked to his old reliable truck and held open the passenger door. Instead, she slipped inside, practically pressing her body to the door when he came around to the driver’s side.

Though the ride there was uneventful, Nick’s muscles were tense as they parked and made their way inside the marble building. Chloe walked beside him, silent and chewing on her lip. Maybe he’d insisted on her joining him because he feared she wouldn’t be there when he got back. It was inevitable that was going to happen anyway, but for some reason he wasn’t yet ready to let it happen.

“Nick.” The familiar voice of his uncle calling out to him pulled him from his thoughts.

Sherman, Cooper, and Mav were walking toward him. He met them in the middle, and they exchanged hellos, the atmosphere full of tension.

“What’s going on, Uncle Sherman?” Nick asked.

“Let’s have a chat in private,” Sherman said.

“I’ll go and get coffee,” Chloe told him.

Nick didn’t try to stop her as he moved in the other direction with his uncle and brothers. They found a waiting room, and Mav shut the door once they were all inside.

“The suspense is killing me, so it would be great if someone would start talking,” Nick said.

“You’d better sit down,” Sherman advised.

“I don’t want to sit down,” Nick thundered. “Just spit it out.”

“Okay,” Sherman said. “I’ve been able to speak to your brothers already, but since you’re the one being attacked I began doing some digging since you told us about the allegations against you. You already know your grandfather was a horrible man, but it seems he was even worse than I really knew.”

“What does our grandfather have to do with any of this?” Nick asked. This hadn’t been what Nick was expecting.

“Unfortunately, it has everything to do with what’s happening to you,” Sherman said. “Your grandfather was in the military for a short time in his younger days.”

“So what? We all know that,” Nick said.

“He was in a unit with Robert Williams and Mitch Reynolds.” The bombshell dropped and Nick waited.

“And I’m guessing things didn’t go well?” Nick said.

“Apparently, the three of them committed a crime together, which your grandfather and Robert Williams got off scot-free for, while Mitch Reynolds received a dishonorable discharge. Your grandfather got killed before Reynolds could seek revenge, but he’s been blackmailing Judge Williams ever since, has the man in his pocket.”

“Why come after me?” Nick asked.

“Because the man is filled with hate and vengeance. He tried to go after your father and was never successful, so he set his sights on you. We’ve found enough evidence to meet at Judge Hampton’s chambers. Neither Mr. Reynolds nor Mr. Williams knows what’s about to happen, but your case is getting dismissed. The witness came forward and said he was bribed by Mr. Reynolds to testify against you.”

Nick sat silently for several moments as he processed what Sherman was saying. It was a hell of a lot to take in. He should be feeling joy and relief, but all he felt was an ache that Chloe might have been a part of this conspiracy.

“Nick, your attorney is waiting, but I wanted to be the one to tell you,” Sherman said as he patted his shoulder.

“We better get this over with then, shouldn’t we?” Nick said, his tone devoid of emotion.

“Brother, this is tragic that someone has held a vendetta against us so long, but you’re about to be exonerated of all charges. I would think you’d be a little happier,” Mav said.

No one was smiling. “I think Chloe was a part of all of it,” he finally admitted.

“How?” Cooper asked.

“She’s Reynolds’s daughter.” The words were almost as quiet as the room after they were spoken.

“Damn,” Mav said.

“Yeah,” Nick agreed.

“Have you asked her about it?” Sherman logically asked.

“Not really. I’m afraid of the answer,” Nick admitted.