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“No.” She sat up straighter. “I want to be strong and independent and keep them far from Treven’s grasp or even on his radar.” She looked down. “Even though I’m not proving my bravery right now.”
Jensen didn’t want her to leave his arms. “You can be a strong and independent woman and still trust the men in your life. I’ve seen that with the royal family and the women they’ve fallen in love with. I’m sure you’ve seen that with your parents and other couples you respect.” He longed to be one of the men in her life. The man she loved, trusted, and laughed with.
Sadly, until she wasn’t under attack by Treven Rindlesbachers’ friends, that couldn’t happen. If he let himself get emotionally involved right now, it would cloud his mind and risk Livvy. With the danger she was in, it was the wrong time to form an attachment and unfair to her until she was safe and healed. He had to put his focus where it was needed—shutting down Treven Rindlesbacher and his friends and capturing Naomi.
“I understand what you’re saying,” she said slowly. “But I also want to be strong on my own.”
With those words, she slid off his lap and onto the cushion next to him. Disappointment washed through him, but he respected her independence and knew she was right. He needed to understand what being strong on her own meant to her, because she’d also said she didn’t want to be alone. A dead bird and a note was one thing; a hole blown through her wall and attempted kidnapping was quite another. He’d underestimated Treven’s determination once again and it had almost cost Livvy her freedom and possibly her life. As the police chief and the man who quietly loved her, he had to insist on protective custody at this point.
She wrung her hands together. “How did Treven escape from prison?”
He studied her. Was she confused or simply so terrified she’d been deluded? Nobody would blame her for either. “He didn’t.”
Livvy straightened so quick, her back slammed against the cushion. “Yes, he did. It was him. I know his voice, his shape, his face, and his bluish-gray eyes are unique. It was definitely Treven.”
“Livvy.” Jensen swallowed hard. He didn’t want to tell her she was imagining things, but it wasn’t possible for Treven to be out of prison. With the explosion and all the stress and fear, her vision and thinking would’ve been cloudy. “I checked with the prison on my drive home earlier and again on my drive over here. Treven Rindlesbacher is sleeping in his cell. They sent me a picture the second time I asked them to check.”
“You’re wrong. Somebody switched him places or something.” She jutted out her chin.
Jensen blew out a breath, not sure what to say. He couldn’t discount what she’d seen, and he hadn’t been here tonight. Still, it was impossible for Treven to have escaped. “I’ll have the top-ranking official at the prison tonight wake Treven up and determine it’s him in the cell. As soon as you’re in a safe spot, I’ll go to the jail and talk to Treven myself.”
She studied him, her dark eyes clearly frustrated that he didn’t believe Treven had escaped. He wanted to believe her but what she was saying was impossible.
Finally, she nodded.
“Are you comfortable with protective custody?”
“What other options do I have?”
Jensen shrugged. “Hiring private security or going to stay in the military facility.” He didn’t like either option. He shouldn’t have even brought up the military facility. Major Chad Prescott was a fabulous guy, but he’d be all too happy to charm and guard the beautiful, talented, sweet, and enticing Livvy Moser.
“What would protective custody look like?” she asked.
“I’d take you to a secure location and my most trusted officers would stay with you.”
“Not you?”
Jensen’s heart raced at the idea. After he talked to Treven at the prison, he could stay with her. This case and finding Naomi Rindlesbacher were his top priorities right now, and Ray had his own men, Interpol, and Sutton Smith’s men helping him with the second task.
“I could go there and stay with you after I talk to Treven, if it would make you feel better.”
She blinked up at him, mesmerizing him with a single glance. “It would.” She looked at her coffee table. “But I don’t want you to see me as the victim. I don’t want to be the victim. I’m done with that life.”
“Livvy … you have proven how brave you are. Reaching the top level of your career, traveling and performing all over the world, living on your own even after Treven’s nonstop threats, learning how to fight and use a gun, fighting those men off tonight. You don’t act like someone who is victimized, and I don’t see you as a victim.”
He saw her as the woman for him. Could he ever tell her that?
“Thank you, Jensen,” she whispered.
His name on her lips was delicious. The only thing better would be his lips on her lips. He nodded to her and stood so he wouldn’t act on that impulse. Holding out his hand to help her up, he was filled with a surge of protectiveness as she placed her smaller hand in his.
She pulled her hand free too quickly. “I’ll go pack some things.”
“I’ll get everything set up.”
Nodding, she walked out of the living room. Jensen watched her go. She wanted him to stay at the safehouse with her. It wasn’t procedure. Far from it. But what good was it being chief of police if you couldn’t give extra attention to the most important case on your desk?
Would he be able to maintain his distance if he was right there with her?
