CHAPTER 23
Jasper sat behind his desk, pretending to focus on a stack of lab results, though his mind refused to cooperate. Across from him, Nolan lounged in a chair like he owned the place—relaxed, smug, effortlessly irritating.
The irony wasn’t lost on either of them. Years ago Nolan had been Jasper’s client. Now the roles had reversed: Nolan Cross, of all people, was his patient.
Nolan flicked his lighter open and shut, over and over, clearly suffering over the fact that Jasper had forbidden him to smoke. Given his current condition, it wasn’t up for debate.
“She’s something, your new little crush,” Nolan drawled suddenly.
Jasper lifted his gaze, brows knitting.
“Who are you talking about?”
Nolan grinned, wolfish, delighted with himself.
“Oh, come on. The lovely nymph named Nina—the one you asked me to help.”
Jasper’s jaw tensed. His past was the last thing he ever wanted dragged back into the light. Yet here it was, twenty-two years later, clawing its way out of the grave.
“She’s just an acquaintance,” he said, voice cool, eyes dropping back to the papers. But the moment the image of Nina flashed in his mind, concentration vanished entirely.
Nolan snorted.
“Right. And since when do you ever have just acquaintances who happen to be women?”
Jasper didn’t dignify that with an answer. He clicked his mouse, waking his laptop. Nolan knew him too well. Women rarely stayed in Jasper’s life—and almost never by his choice.
Nolan went on, amused:
“Fine, relax. None of my business. Still,” he leaned forward, narrowing his eyes, “I’m curious… what’s the story there? She’s not exactly a simple woman.”
“There is no story,” Jasper snapped.
Nolan’s grin widened.
“Sure. You totally dropped a favor worth a fortune on some random stranger. And you totally aren’t sitting here looking like someone’s sanding the inside of your skull.”
Jasper bit back a sigh of irritation. He wasn’t about to share anything—especially not his history with Nina.
Nolan stood, wandered to the water cooler, and poured himself a cup.
“For a second I thought she was related to you,” he admitted casually. “She’s so damn similar to Lynn.”
The pen almost broke between Jasper’s fingers.
“But then I looked into her background—no connection. My mistake. Whatever. You don’t want to talk, that’s your right.”
Nolan dropped back into the chair, flicking the lighter again.
“But her husband…” he added, pausing deliberately, “absolute scum.”
Jasper opened his mouth, ready to tell him to shut up if he wanted to leave with the right medication, but a soft knock on the door interrupted him.
And then Lynn slipped inside—light on her feet, like a breeze.
White coat, ID badge, hair pinned back.
My girl, Jasper thought. My pride.
He still sometimes couldn’t believe he had a daughter this grown. Being a young father had its advantages, after all.
She was still in college, but worked part-time at the clinic’s reception desk. Soon she’d be an intern. And eventually—if she wanted—he’d hand her not just knowledge, but an empire.
“Dad—” She stopped short when she noticed Nolan.
Almost instantly she straightened, cleared her throat, shifting into her professional posture.
“Dr. Garth,” she said formally. “I brought the lab results you requested. The system should be back online within thirty minutes—the malware attack affected everything.”
She stepped forward and placed the folder neatly on his desk.
When Jasper lifted his gaze to thank her, he saw the flush on her cheeks. Soft pink. Completely out of place.
He narrowed his eyes.
His gaze drifted to Nolan—and instantly he didn’t like what he saw.
Nolan reclined in the chair, openly assessing her. Not leering, but looking. Evaluating. The way a man looked at a woman, not a kid. And Lynn was doing her best to pretend she didn’t notice him at all.
Nothing overt. Nothing anyone else would’ve caught.
But Jasper felt every instinct sharpen to a deadly point.
“Thank you, Lynn. You can go,” he said, icy calm.
She nodded quickly, offered a polite goodbye, and slipped out.
Jasper waited until the door closed. Then he turned to Nolan.
“Don’t even think about it.”
His voice was arctic. Nolan lifted both hands, feigning innocence.
“What? I didn’t say a word.”
“You didn’t need to. You thought it.”
Nolan’s grin stretched wider.
“Maybe I was just appreciating a promising young employee?”
Jasper’s jaw clenched.
“You’re here for a consultation, not to stare at my daughter.”
Every muscle in his body went tight. Anything involving Lynn always flipped a switch in him—instinctive, territorial, absolute.
Nolan leaned forward, not looking remotely apologetic.
“Relax, doc. Message received.”
But Jasper knew him too well to relax.
“I know what you’re like,” he said. “And I know exactly how you look at women.”
Nolan let out a dramatic sigh.
“You make me sound like a monster.”
“You’re a problem,” Jasper corrected coldly. “And problems aren’t something my daughter needs in her life.”
He gave Nolan a stare that would’ve shut up any sane man.
But Nolan Cross was not most men. His smile only grew more insolent.
“Calm down,” he said lazily. “I’m not here for that.”
“Then keep your eyes on your charts, not my daughter.”
Jasper’s glare could’ve cut steel. Nolan didn’t even blink.
“I heard you the first time,” he said with a shrug. “You really think I’d go after your daughter?”
Jasper didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. His silence said everything.
Nolan raised his hands, still grinning.
“I’m reckless, not suicidal. Hitting on your kid? Come on. She’s too young. Too… straight-laced. Not my type.”
Jasper exhaled through his nose.
“Good.”
“But,” Nolan added, folding his arms, “you might want to brace yourself. Your little girl isn’t little anymore. Pretty, smart, confident… guys will line up. And not all of them will be decent.”
Jasper’s jaw tightened again.
He knew that. He knew it better than anyone. And he hated it.