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“I can?—”
“No, you can’t,” I said immediately. “Leaving everyone is not an easy thing. My parents haven’t seen me since Parker was born. They’ve never even met him in person. You have no idea what that’s like, and I never want you to.”
“I can make this work,” he pleaded. “You just have to let me help you.”
“Pete—”
His lips crashed down on mine as he pulled me tight to his body. I couldn’t deny that there were sparks between us, but I didn’t feel half of what I did for Jack, and that was the only sign I needed.
I pressed my hands to his chest, gently pushing him away. “I can’t,” I whispered.
“Because of him?”
My face flamed at his words. There was no accusation or anger on his part. Pete was a really good guy, and that’s why I couldn’t do this to him. “Pete, it doesn’t matter what I feel for you or for him. The fact is, Baz is not someone you mess with. This is myproblem and I won’t ruin your life by dragging you into my mess.”
“I’m already there,” he whispered.
“Not entirely, and I thank God for that every second of the day.” I pressed my hand to his cheek, wishing things were different. “You have a gift, Pete. You’re an amazing cop. This is what you were meant to do. This city needs more men like you, and I won’t be so selfish to take you away from your calling.”
He huffed out a laugh, rolling his eyes. “I think you’re exaggerating my abilities and talents.”
“Not even a little,” I said sadly. “Trust me, if I thought this would work between us, I would take your offer in a heartbeat. But you’re going to meet a woman who will turn your world upside down and give you all the things I can’t.”
He stepped back, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck. “You sure have a nice way of letting a guy down when he’s willing to risk everything for you.”
“If you weren’t a nice guy, I would take you up on your offer,” I grinned, though we both knew it wasn’t true.
“So, what about Jack?”
“What about him?”
“Is he…worthy of helping you?”
“You don’t even like him.”
“We’ve come to a…mutual decision when it comes to you.”
That was fascinating to learn. “And what is that decision?”
“That your safety always comes first.”
“Another man trying to save the day,” I chuckled.
“Only because you’re worth it.”
“Well, you can relax. Nothing is going to happen between me and Jack.”
He seemed surprised by that. “Why’s that?”
This conversation was getting uncomfortable. While nothing was going to happen between me and Pete, I didn’t want to talk about what might have happened with Jack. I could see myself falling hard for that man, but like Pete, I wouldn’t drag him into my life.
“You know, I’m surprised you would want me with Jack. He’s been to prison.”
“I know, but…maybe he’s the kind of guy you need. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t like what he did, but maybe the best way to outrun a criminal is with a guy who knows how they think.”
Even if that were true, that didn’t mean Jack would want anything to do with me. He made it pretty clear that any kind of relationship with me was off the table. None of that mattered anyway. I had to focus on the one thing that I needed to accomplish to keep my son safe. I had to find a way to get out of the city without Baz finding out.
“You still haven’t told me what happened in that locker room,” Pete said, following me over to the window.
