“So, what now?” I ask, knowing he speaks the truth. There is no way Lee would be here right now if he had any question about whether Lia was his daughter. “I’m not sure of what kind of reaction you are expecting from her.”

“That’s why I sought you out first instead of Lia. I thought maybe you would have some suggestions as to how to approach her.” The surprise I feel must be written all over my face. He gives me a wry smile, saying, “You’re involved with her, so it stands to reason that you know her much better than I do.”

Before I can formulate a reply, a voice sounds from the doorway. “Luc, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company. I was just going to sit with you for a while.”

I jump to my feet, noting the break in her voice and the redness of her eyes. She’s been crying again. I cross the room in a couple strides, pulling her into my arms. “Are you okay, baby?” I ask, feeling her shudder against me.

“Just a bad dream,” she whispers against my neck. Looking toward the man who sits staring at us, she pulls out of my arms. “I’m…um…just going to take a shower. Sorry to interrupt your meeting.” Lowering her head, she quickly turns away, seeming embarrassed as she pulls nervously at the loose clothing she is wearing.

“It’s fine,” I assure her. “I’ll be in to check on you in just a minute. Why don’t you wait for me before you shower?” I don’t like the thought of her possibly falling while I’m not close enough to hear her. She nods before walking back down the hallway. When I can no longer see her, I close the door quietly and turn to find Lee in my face. “What the…” I choke off as his hand comes around my neck, pinning me against the door I had just shut.

“How dare you lay hands on her!” he hisses as he draws his fist back. I am momentarily confused, thinking he is pissed off about me hugging her before it hits me. He had seen her face. He thought I…

“Fuck,” I bite off as I reach out to hold his fist. “I’d never hurt her.” I jerk out of his hold, shaking my head. “You don’t know, do you? Apparently your employees aren’t as thorough as you thought.” My neck throbs from the crushing hold he’d had on my windpipe. Lee might wear a thousand-dollar suit, but he packs some serious muscle underneath. His calm demeanor makes more sense to me now I know he had no clue as to where Lia had been for the last five days. I can’t understand how his people had missed something so recent, though.

“You need to stop talking shit, Quinn, and tell me what happened to her. If you did that to her, I’ll find out, and I’ll visit the same on you, only much worse.” Rage radiates from every pore of the other man’s body, leaving me in little doubt that he means every word. I don’t want to have this conversation with Lia awake, but I know there is no way Lee is leaving without some answers. Maybe a part of me even hopes the truth will cause him even a piece of the pain Lia has felt all of these years.

Rubbing my neck to ease some of the tension, I say, “Lia has been in the hospital for the last five days. I just brought her home today. Her stepfather tried to rape her and would have probably killed her had something not interrupted him.”

“WHAT?” Lee roars, clenching his fists.

“Keep your voice down,” I demand, looking toward the door. “I don’t want her to know we’re talking about this. If you would like to hear this, then you’re going to have to refrain from yelling.” Giving me an incredulous look, he motions for me to continue. “If you didn’t know that, then you probably don’t know that she was abused for years by her mother and her stepfather. She—”

“Maria hurt her?” he interrupts, looking pale as a ghost. I am surprised a man like Lee Jacks would be shocked by anything, especially violence. He doesn’t appear to be acting, though. He genuinely looks like he might pass out.

“Yes, she did,” I answer truthfully. “Then she married Jim Dawson, and he did everything short of raping her for years after that.” When the other man sinks down into the chair he had vacated earlier, I go back to my own before telling him all that I know, including the courtroom drama we’d had recently. A part of me even feels a tiny bit sorry for him, as he looks sick to his stomach.

“I…I didn’t know any of this,” he says quietly before rubbing his temples. Looking down at his hands, he adds, “She’s had a horrible life, hasn’t she? Goddammit, I can’t believe this!”

I sigh, feeling my anger at him drain away. There is no denying the fact that he is devastated at the news I’ve delivered. I hadn’t doubted he would be angry over what Lia has endured if for no other reason than someone had dared to touch a Jacks. What I hadn’t expected was what appeared to be a father’s anguish over his daughter’s pain. It doesn’t really seem to fit with the detached person I’ve known him to be. “Her life hasn’t been easy,” I agree. “But she’s an amazing woman. She’s the most intelligent, determined and strong person I’ve ever known. She’s taken everything that has been done to her and turned it into a stepping stone to survive.”

He raises his head, and his eyes blaze. His words, when they come, are spoken so softly I almost don’t hear them. “Anyone who has ever hurt her will pay; I can promise you that.” He stands, walking toward the door. “I’ll be in touch,” he adds before walking out.

I slump back into my seat, feeling drained from the encounter. Strangely, I also feel myself relax more than I have since Lia’s attack. I have no idea what his intentions are where she is concerned, but there is one thing I’m certain of: he’ll rain Hell down onto anyone who even thinks of hurting her again. I’m also certain that there is no corner of the world big enough for Jim Dawson to hide in now. I’m under no delusions that he plans to suddenly turn into father-of-the-year, but his loss of control where his emotions were concerned seemed very real. The only thing that makes me uneasy is how this revelation will affect my relationship with Lia. I’d love nothing better than for her to finally have a family who cares for her as she deserves, but I don’t know if Jacks will ever offer that. I don’t want this to be another source of pain for her. He is a powerful man, but I’m not without contacts and allies of my own. If I have to protect Lia from her own father, then I will… without hesitation.