"This is Billy McDonald." Emma went on. "He's quite the lawyer." 

McDonald.

Would have laughed and sung the nursery if he hadn't looked so dashing. 

Man.

With a five O' clock and luscious golden hair he was the ultimate fatale for males. 

God. What was all this about? I had a husband. 

Yeah a husband that could give a shit less about you. 

Billy extended a hand, expensive cuffs and rings covering the tan flesh. Now this was what turned me off about the guy. 

Flaunting wealth like it was a prized heifer ready for purchase.

There was something calculating about the action. Definitely not my type. 

Thank God. 

"Nice to meet you, Mr. McDonald. Emma said you'd be able to help with the... Situation." 

He chuckled straightening his silk tie. 

"Mrs. Tiffin. It is an honor. When I was told about the tape-" 

A distasteful scoff escaped.

This man was a lawyer for Christ sake.

Shouldn't he have some type of decorum to abide by? 

"I'm sure you have heard of it. Was the butt of the joke before leaving Chico State and got summoned by the cops more times than I can count." 

Billy frowned, clearly affronted by this revelation. 

"No disrespect intended. Certainly you know that I am the most sought out attorney in the state and only wish for this debacle to end." 

Most sought out in the state? And he was a friend?

Why had he never been mentioned?

Emma gathered me in her arms, smoothing a hand through silky red hair.

"Things have been hard lately, but just bear with me on this. He's a good guy and willing to listen. Please." 

The urge to push this fat cat right out the door was strong, but the look on my mother's face stopped all thoughts. 

If things really were going south with Hero again, it wasn't opportune to push away the only people that had my best interest at heart. 

Didn't matter how long I'd known her and Archie: they were blood for life- same with Eleanor. 

"My apologies. Afraid my anger is too much to handle sometimes. What did you have in mind?" 

Billy grinned, materializing a large briefcase. 

"Excellent. My sources tell me that the tape was taken without your knowledge. Fortunately, I don't believe such rumors. Prefer to hear it from the horses mouth." 

Well, that was a pleasant shock.

It had been awhile since anyone asked for my input on the matter.

As the suave man stared with an appealing interest, Emma made her way to the couch. 

Damn. Why was it so hard to look away?

"Please know that you're safe here." He pressed. "The aim with this lawsuit is to win on all accounts and I assure you that will happen." 

Wait... Lawsuit?! No. That couldn't happen. 

"I'm sorry, but that's not necessary. The way it happened..." 

I trailed off, carefully eyeing Emma. She was usually understanding, but what would she get from the confession?

The lawyer cleared his throat, shuffling a few papers. 

"My dear. Are you uncomfortable talking about it in front of a third party?" 

There was no need to answer.

Emma politely excused herself, carrying Eleanor on her way to the master bedroom.

Such a surprise she still hadn't woken.

"Mr. McDonald...." 

"Please. Call me Billy." 

Dear God. Was that a twinkle in his eye? Fuck. This was not appropriate at all. 

"Look... There were a lot rumors pertaining to that tape. It was... Mortifying and... My husband did film it in the beginning of our relationship, but it's all water under the bridge." 

This caused him to groan. 

"Kristina... This is off the record: is your husband abusive to you?" 

What the hell! How dare he! 

Before much could be corrected on the assumption, a pair of footsteps echoed through the home.

The sound of the front door hadn't emitted but none of that mattered now. 

"Better question would be why you're smoozing my wife, fucker."

I gasped, jumping to my feet. 

"Hero! What are you doing here?" 

He glowered, giving out the rough vibes such a bad boy would.

"You're delusional if you think I'm going to leave things sour between us. But it seems you've moved on quick." 

This made me tear up instantly. 

"No... Baby... I..." 

This was not good at all. Just as the tension seemed to recede, Emma appeared with our little girl in her arms. 

"What is he doing here?" 

Ground swallow me up now. 

That must have been the last straw for Hero because his wrist snapped forward, popping Billy in the jaw.