Chapter 44

Vanessa looked down. When she raised her head, her expression was stubborn. “I’m not letting anyone keep chasing me out of my own home,” she said. “I'm tired of it. I’ve done nothing wrong or illegal, and if my husband stole money, I didn’t know anything about it.”

Paul sighed. “I know. But even if you are totally innocent in all this, do you really think that makes a difference to the bad guys?”

Vanessa's proud expression fell. For a moment, she appeared shattered, devastated by the horrible possibility Paul outlined. Alaric had to suppress a surge of anger at Paul. While he understood—and even respected—the man’s reasoning, he hated seeing Vanessa hurt. Even for her own good.

“Nothing will happen to me,” she declared, her voice steady and strong. “Alaric will make sure of that.”

Alaric felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Paul's gaze swung to him before landing back on Vanessa. “What if they kill Alaric?” Paul asked, the coldness in his voice giving the