He had been alone for as long as he could remember. Everyone was a snake, waiting for the moment to strike. The truth of it wasn’t comforting; it only deepened the anger that simmered beneath the surface.

His fist tapped against the desk, his jaw tightening as frustration clawed its way through him. The familiar rage rose inside, but he fought it down. He couldn’t afford to lose control, not again. He had learned to cage that part of himself long ago.

Without thinking, Nathan found ...