As the dancing and wedding games started, Nathan inserted an ear piece into his ear to be in communication with all of the officers. He moved around the perimeter of the crowd when he spotted a couple across the square. Nathan knew exactly who they were.

The man had a tight grip on the upper arm of the woman. They didn’t appear to be a couple in love. When they were stopped by a curvy blonde, the man released the woman, and the scowl on his face softened as a smile stretched his lips.

Nathan eased closer but stayed within a crowd to be less conspicuous. The blonde walked off, and the man sat the brunette at a table. He appeared to whisper in her ear, but she jumped at the words he was saying. When the man walked off, Nathan followed him at a distance. He stood behind a tree with a perfect view of the man…and the blonde in an alley.

The man shook his head as he wiped the tears from her face and softly kissed her. The gentleness Nathan saw in front of him starkly contrasted how the man treated his wife, so he snapped a picture with his phone when he saw the man’s hand venture up the inside of the woman’s dress as he leaned in for another kiss. He turned from the scene and walked back to the brunette.

The woman sat there with her hand covering the side of her face. “Vanessa?” Nathan asked when he was close.

The woman looked around. “Nathan, you can’t stay here. It’ll only make things worse.”

“Worse? Your husband sits you here like a dog that he told to stay,” Nathan points in the direction he just came from, “while he’s around that corner with the curvy blonde you just spoke to—together. Believe me, he’s treating her the way he should be treating his wife. So please tell me, Vanessa, how can it get worse?”

When Vanessa moved her hand, Nathan saw the bruise on the side of her face as Sam's voice sounded in his ear, “Nathan, man, Evan needs you to stay with Ginger.” The bruise may as well have been a gut punch to Nathan because he couldn’t breathe.

“Did he do that because you’ve been working with me?” Nathan asked as he pointed to the bruise.

“It doesn’t matter the reason. There’s always a reason.”

Nathan swallowed hard. “Vanessa, please tell me you’re going to press charges.”

“You just need to go before he sees you,” she pleaded.

“Vanessa—”

“Go,” she said a little louder as she pointed her finger.

Nathan took a couple steps backward before he turned toward the dance floor. I’m going to kill that son-of-a-bitch. “Nathan?” Sam said again.

“Tell him I’m on my way,” Nathan snapped as he walked with angry purpose to his destination.

He knew Evan would call when Ben showed up. There were only three people Evan trusted to watch over Ginger: him, Sam, and Mitchell. Mitchell was busy with Kayla, and Sam was going with Evan, so that left Nathan with Ginger. Even though the stalker turned out to be Ginger’s brother, Evan didn’t trust him yet.

When Nathan walked up, Evan said, “I just need five minutes. Keep her on the dance floor, but where I can see her.”

Nathan signaled the DJ to play a song he’d requested. “Sugar, I think it’s time for my dance,” he said. As they made their way to the side of the dance floor, “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” by Lady Antebellum started to play. When Nathan pulled her into his arms, he said, “Déjà vu?”

Ginger giggled. “This song will always remind me of the night we met.” They swayed to the music, and as they turned she asked, “Why were you so upset when you walked up?”

Nathan’s hands tensed. “Just something I need to take care of,” he said with a smile.

Ginger turned her head to look out across the people. “Who is that man with Evan, Ben, and Sam?”

Nathan turned in the direction she'd indicated. “Ahh. He must be the Secret Service agent Ben is bringing in.”

Ginger looked at Nathan, but he just shook his head. When she looked back, she asked, “Why are they talking to Cat and Thomas?”

Nathan took a deep breath. “You should really ask Evan these things.”

Ginger gave him the doe-eyed look that he knew would cause him to tell her. He closed his eyes. “Evan is asking her to be an informant for us inside the bank. Sugar, you better not get me into trouble with Evan.”

She smiled. “Shouldn’t the Sheriff be included in that meeting?”

“He’s sick. That’s why Sam is there.”

She nodded as Nathan turned them again. With Ginger’s back to the meeting, Nathan said, “I guess Thomas doesn’t like the idea.”

“What?” Nathan turned her so she could see. Thomas and Cat were off to the side, and Thomas’s hands were animated enough that Nathan knew he wasn’t happy. “Oh no,” Ginger whispered.

A few moments later, Thomas turned and walked away from Cat. The anger on his face was evident as were the tears rolling down Cat’s cheeks.

“Nathan, please make sure Cat gets home safely.”

“No worries. I’ve got her.” The words had no sooner left his mouth when a movement caught his attention. He stopped moving and watched over Ginger’s head. Charles Harper shoved Vanessa into their car and squealed the tires as he left. Is he in a rush to beat the shit out of her again or to get to his little blonde?

“Fuck,” Nathan mumbled.

“Nathan, are you okay?”

“Yeah, sorry, sugar.”

The song had changed, but they were still dancing. Nathan knew Evan would be there soon, so he kept them on the dance floor. Another turn of direction and Nathan saw the curvy blonde walking toward some cars. “Sugar, do you know that girl?”

Ginger turned her head. “That’s Linda Gregory. She’s Kayla’s cousin. I’ve met her once and didn’t like her,” Ginger said as she scrunched up her nose. She poked Nathan in the chest. “Stay away from her.”

Nathan chuckled. “Don’t worry. Not interested.”

“What are you laughing about?” Evan asked as he cut in on the dance.

When Nathan turned, Cat was there with a tear-stained face. “Why don’t I take you home, Cat?”

As Nathan walked Cat toward his car, he noticed the other girl who’d caught a bouquet had followed Thomas to his car. Nathan kept his body between Cat and the scene at Thomas’s car because he didn’t think she needed anything else to worry about right now.