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chest. “ I’m here to help people – including Riordan St. James – and I will do it.”
    Natalie let out a deep breath. Damn, it felt good to stand up to her father. It’s no wonder she’d gone on such a hellacious streak back in high school and college. The rush felt better than Space Barley beer with whiskey chasers.
    He started to the door. “Helping people is a noble philosophy, Natalie. Helping St. James is a waste of your time.” Turning around, he said, “If you won’t put a stop to it, I will.” He walked out the door.
    She growled, long and low, her fists clenched. Inhaling, she forced herself to open her hands and shake them loose. If she wanted to maintain any kind of sanity, she should avoid Riordan. He was a danger to her in more ways than one, but…
    He flat out scared Dan Meeks. There weren’t many men that could pull off that feat.
    Why Riordan scared him was the twenty-thousand dollar question.
    At this early stage, her best option was Mitchell Jacobs. He usually had the answers and if he didn’t, he had the resources to find them. However, he wouldn’t hand them over without a good reason.
    Natalie bit her bottom lip to stifle a grin. Oh, that’s right. She had one – his new agent.
    #####
    Natalie hit the checkout button on the handbag website as she waited for Mitchell to answer the phone. Between her ridiculous attraction to Riordan and her father’s ridiculous reaction to him , yesterday had shot her stress levels to marked peaks.
    A major purchase was in order.
    After a fitful night of tossing and turning, with dreams of Riordan laying her back on the concrete and making love to her by the pool, she’d decided to come into work early. Lying in bed had only served to enhance her dreams to near virtual reality, so she’d gotten up, determined to keep herself busy with work.
    Only now, her work was Riordan.
    Purses bought, she closed her web browser before she gave into the urge to peruse tattoo websites.
    “Natalie.” Mitchell sounded winded. “How did yesterday’s session go?”
    Leaning back in her chair, she propped her legs on the desk. “Very well, I think. He actually opened up to me.”
    “Good. I ordered him to cooperate. If he acts like a jackass in any way, let me know. I won’t tolerate behavior like that again.”
    Natalie had dreamed bad behavior between her and Riordan that would put his initial escapades to shame. She felt her face heat.
    “Well Mitchell, he showed up with a new haircut and a tie.”
    “Saint?”
    She laughed into the phone. “Yes.” And, he looked damned fine, too.
    “Good to hear.”
    Taking a deep breath, she sobered. Her gut warned her that making this request ensured trouble. She uttered the words anyway.
    “Mitchell, I need a favor.”
    His silence reminded her of the Senator’s standard issue response of quiet, rather than outright no.
    “What is it?”
    She took a mental breath. “I’d like all files you have on Riordan.”
    No response.
    “If you want my help, I need any and all information you have on him. His case is a bit unusual.”
    After her father’s reaction, her gut told her unusual didn’t quite cover it.
    “That file is confidential.”
    “So is mine.” Wincing to herself, she waited for Mitchell to blow.
    It never came.
    “Look Mitchell, you came to me because you knew I could keep things under wraps. But I can’t help you or Riordan unless I have all information at my disposal.”
    “What are you hoping to find?”
    “Answers. He needs them to move on. He deserves them, Mitchell.”
    She thought she heard him curse low but she couldn’t be sure.
    “You said you wanted him ready for the field. As a professional, I’m telling you what he needs. Isn’t that why you hired me?”
    He made a loud sigh into the phone. “I’ll give you access to our servers tonight. Passwords change each time you sign on and you’re only receiving one.”
    Grinning into the phone, she did a fist pump. “Thank