Liv smiled from the passenger seat of her Jeep as Nick walked out of the security booth located in front of Bart’s home.

“Well, hello, Miss Olivia. It’s been a while. Sure is good to see your pretty face,” Nick greeted.

She liked the man more than she could say. It helped that he was sweet as pie and reminded her of Santa Claus with his white hair and beard.

“Hey yourself, St. Nick,” she replied and returned his smile. Liv swore there was a twinkle in his dark blue eyes the very first day she met him, and she quickly nicknamed him after the jolly old man. “Nick, this is Lawson Scott. Lawson, this is Nick Quinn,” she introduced.

Lawson stuck his arm out of the driver side of her vehicle and offered his hand. “Pleased to meet you. Liv has said nothing but good things about you,” Lawson divulged and shook Nick’s hand.

“I promise the feeling is mutual. Bart asked me to tell you to bypass the crowds waiting at the front door, and drive around to the back. Patricia will show you where to go from there,” Nick informed them.

“Okay, thanks. So good to see you again,” Liv admitted and waved to Nick as Lawson pulled away from the gate.

“He seems nice,” Lawson commented as they followed the driveway leading to the enormous house.

“Yeah, he’s the best. Holy moly, would you look at all the reporters,” she pointed out as they drove past the crowd of onlookers.

She counted at least half a dozen vans plastered with news station logos, and twice as many people standing by the front door.

A low whistle left Lawson’s lips as he stared at the gathering. “I gotta give it to Bart. When he decides to make a move, he doesn’t play around. I’m definitely curious about his intention,” he admitted and pulled around to the back of the house then parked beside the guest quarters.

They climbed out of the Jeep, and Liv straightened her sweater and jeans. She didn’t realize Bart was inviting so many to this meeting, and she wished she’d worn a dress. Then again, her formal attire was at Safe Haven, and they drove straight to Chattanooga from the Packard’s cabin, so casual attire would have to suffice.

The back door swung open and Patricia, Bart’s chef, stepped outside. “Hello, Olivia,” she said then turned to Lawson, “Mr. Scott. Very pleased to meet you. Follow me,” she instructed and led them into the house.

The home had the expected décor for a governor. Traditional Cherrywood furniture, large Persian area rugs, and leather sofas. It was done in good taste, but Liv didn’t care for the style. Too stuffy for her.

They followed Patricia to a room Liv hadn’t seen before. It was a typical conference room, with a large oak table occupying most of the space.

“Please have a seat. Bart will be here momentarily. Can I get you anything? Water? Tea, Liv?” she asked and smiled. Patricia knew Liv loved her sweet tea.

“Tea would be great,” Liv replied and glanced at Lawson who nodded his agreement.

“I’ll be right back,” Patricia replied then closed the door to the conference room.

Liv squirmed in her seat as she looked around the room. “Why do I feel like I’m in some kind of trouble?” she whispered and adjusted her sweater again.

“Why are you whispering?” Lawson asked, his deep voice echoing around the room.

“Shh,” Liv ordered and kicked his shin.

“Ouch! What the hell?” he blurted, and she covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kick you that hard. I’m so nervous,” Liv admitted and pulled at her collar. Did someone just crank up the heat?

“Why are you nervous?” Lawson asked as he looked around the room.

“I don’t like the unexpected. Bart offered little explanation to this meeting, and I don’t care for surprises,” Liv admitted.

With everything that happened between them, this was out of the norm, and Liv suspected Bart had his own agenda regarding shifters. One that didn’t necessarily match hers.

“We’ll be fine. We’re in this together, right?” Lawson asked and leaned over, placing a tender kiss to her lips.

Liv sighed and gave herself to the kiss. Lawson had a way of soothing her anxiety and making everything right.

A throat clearing made Liv jump. She jerked her head to see Bart standing in the open doorway, holding two glasses of iced tea. She quickly sat back and wiped her mouth as she felt her cheeks redden. It would’ve been embarrassing for Patricia to walk in, but it was downright mortifying to see the disdain on Bart’s face.

“Hi, Bart. How are you?” she asked and stood to greet him.

“I’m doing well. And you?” Bart inquired as he walked over and set the crystal goblets in front of her and Lawson before giving her a brief hug.

The strain in their relationship seemed to be growing instead of lessening, and she hated it. She missed her friend.

“Oh, can’t complain, I guess. I’ve made lots of progress at S&K. You should come by so I can update you,” she offered with a smile, hoping their partnership would bridge some of the gap.

“I’ll see what I can do. Lawson,” Bart said with a nod as he glared at Lawson. Yeah, no love lost between those two.

“Hello, Bart. So, why exactly did you ask us here? It looks like you’ve got a lot going on, given the crowd on your front lawn,” Lawson suggested as he took a drink of tea.

“I’m about to hold a press conference and felt someone should be here to represent shifters. Who better to do that than you?” Bart commented with a snarl.

Liv couldn’t believe the malevolence coming off the guy. She never expected that from Bart. Maybe he was better suited to politics than she realized.

“Great. Is there anything I should know beforehand?” Lawson replied and sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

Liv couldn’t help but smile. Lawson was cool and collect, despite the way Bart was treating him.

“No. I think you’ll be pleased with what I have to say. Of course, there might be some questions for you. Are you prepared to answer whatever is asked?” Bart presented with a sneer.

“Absolutely. I’ve been waiting for this moment. Lay it all out for the world to hear,” Lawson replied, allowing his animosity to be heard.

Liv’s gut churned as the tension mounted between the two men. She had such different hopes for this meeting but felt it going south, and fast.

“Okay then. We’re on the same page. Let’s do this,” Bart said and straightened his tie before walking to the door.

He was too confident for Liv. She knew him well, and Bart had a game plan. Always. This wasn’t in their best interest, and she had the urge to grab Lawson and run for the exit.

Liv took a deep breath as she and Lawson followed Bart down the wide hallway. Liv tried to calm her nerves but was unsuccessful. She wasn’t quite sure why she felt anxious, but she did. Her palms were wet with sweat, and her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat.

Bart stopped at a set of double doors and grabbed the handle then paused, turning toward them. “Don’t be nervous,” he assured and met her gaze. “I’ll do the talking, and hopefully it will end with that. If anyone wishes to ask questions, I’ll direct them to Lawson. Your role here is as a microbiologist, nothing else. Are we clear? This isn’t about your personal crusade to save shifters,” he instructed and gave her one of his stern looks.

His expression was cold and detached, and it sent a chill through her veins. Did he hate her that much because she fell in love with a shifter? Liv stood tall and held her head high, staring into Bart’s brown eyes.

“So long as you understand I won’t keep quiet if reporters turn questions into an interrogation,” Liv snapped.

“Understood,” Bart countered then opened the door.

“Damn, you’re sexy when you’re pissed,” Lawson whispered in her ear as he held the door for her.

As they stepped into the massive open space, cameras went berserk, trying to capture an image of the most eligible bachelor in Chattanooga, perhaps even Tennessee. Admittedly, Bart was handsome. His shaggy, blond hair and tanned skin reminded Liv of a California surfer, not a politician.

Bart motioned for Liv and Lawson to have a seat in the chairs provided as he stepped to the podium. “Thank you for coming. I’ll keep this brief and to the point. As you know, we have a vast shifter community in the state of Tennessee,” Bart began, and Liv watched all eyes turn to Lawson.

It was no secret that shifters stood out from humans. They were taller, with broader shoulders and larger hands and feet. Lawson was easily seven feet tall, so there was no question who the shifter was in the room. Liv reached over and squeezed his hand, offering support. She wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed by him and wanted him to know that. He smiled and twined their hands, showing the world they were a couple.

“It has recently been brought to my attention that shifters are being kidnapped and held prisoner against their will,” Bart continued, and Liv heard several gasps from the crowded room. “Furthermore, they are being experimented on and beaten, often tortured to the point of death,” he added, and the room fell silent. Liv watched as cameramen recorded Bart’s every word.

“Yes, you heard correctly. Shifters are being murdered. This is unacceptable, and I refuse to allow this treatment to any being. I am in the process of putting together a task force that will find these perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Bart announced and looked straight into a camera lens. “This stops now.”

“Can you give us any names?” shouted a reporter from the front row.

“Not at this time, Mary. Hopefully, the malevolence ends with this broadcast. If not, those responsible will be punished to the full extent of the law. That is all for now, but again, I thank you for coming today,” Bart concluded.

“What about you, sir?” one woman asked as she looked at Lawson. “Are you a victim?”

Lawson released Liv’s hand and sat straight. “Yes, that is correct,” he replied, and suddenly all microphones and cameras pointed his way.

The woman tilted her head and smiled. “Can you tell us your name?”

Was she seriously flirting with him? Did she not see Lawson holding Liv’s hand? The woman was shameless, and asking for an ass-whooping, Liv surmised.

“My name is Lawson Scott,” he answered.

“And, can you tell us your experience?” she hedged.

Liv watched Lawson swallow and wipe his hands on his jeans. “I don’t want to go into detail, but I will tell you I was held captive for three years,” he explained. Another round of gasps filled the air.

“Did you say three years?” she asked incredulously.

“Yes.”

“Who did this to you?” she questioned. The silence in the room was deafening. Liv could hear her heart thumping in her eardrums.

Lawson glanced at Liv, and she panicked. Was he going to tell them Jim’s name? If he did, they would put out a search for him, And, that would lead to the discovery that the man was missing. Wouldn’t be hard to put two and two together.

“I have given that information to the governor. You will have to ask Mr. Smith,” Lawson replied, and Liv looked at Bart. It was in his hands now.

Bart leaned down, speaking into the microphone on the podium. “Like I said before, I will not release every detail as it is currently under investigation. That is all for now,” Bart announced and motioned for Lawson and Liv to exit the room.

Liv and Lawson followed Bart back to the conference room, and he closed the door behind them. He went to the head of the table and sat down, crossing his arms on the large wooden table. He stared at Liv then Lawson.

“I hope this is what you wanted because they will be relentless, searching for answers to who, when, and where. I cannot protect you from this point on, and you might not like the consequences,” Bart divulged.

“I will protect what’s mine,” Lawson countered. “You took a stand today for shifters, and I appreciate it. I hope you meant what you said and that you intend on shutting down these facilities,” he added.

“I meant every word,” Bart admitted and reached in his suit pocket and retrieved his cell phone.

“Good. Then we’re on the same team. I’d like to think we’re allies,” Lawson suggested.

Bart glanced at his screen. “Well, looks like the fun has started. I better get to work. I’ll be in touch,” he relayed and shook Lawson’s hand then turned to Liv. “Always a pleasure to see you. You look happy, and that’s all I ever wanted for you,” Bart said before he gave her a hug.

“Thank you for everything. Please come and visit soon,” she muttered as she hugged him close. She wanted the business crap put aside so they could focus on the personal.

He pulled away and smiled. “Patricia will see you out. Take care of her,” he ordered Lawson. So much for her offer. He wasn’t going to visit. In fact, he didn’t care about her at all.

“You can count on it,” Lawson assured and grabbed Liv’s hand.

Patricia walked them out, and they slipped out the back without being seen by reporters. Liv saw her cell phone flashing and checked her notifications. Three missed calls from Cassie within the past hour. That couldn’t be good.

She pressed the call return, and on the second ring, Cassie answered. “Where the hell are you?” she blurted.

“We’re leaving Bart’s. He held a press conference about the kidnappings. I’m sure it will be on the news tonight. Why? What’s going on?” Liv asked as Lawson pulled onto the highway.

“Get to my house ASAP. Ryan was here!” she shouted.