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Ash popped her head up at my raised voice.
Pepper recoiled. “Is he . . . capable of that?”
I plowed a hand through my hair. “I honestly don’t know. I’ve seen a car that looks a lot like his at several fire scenes lately. Ones with bodies.”
The thoughts I hadn’t dared let myself think tumbled out. I shouldn’t burden her with this, but she was holding something back. Something to do with him.
“You think . . .”
“It’s a stretch. I’m not sure it was his car. And if it was, maybe he’s just watching me.” There were a thousand explanations for what I’d seen. I simply wasn’t sure which one was correct. But I didn’t like where my mind and gut instinct were taking me.
She swallowed hard. “If he’s responsible for any of it, there’s no reasoning with him.”
“If he’s not, there’s no reasoning with him,” I countered.
She hung her head. Was quiet for far too long. What did he do to her?
When she lifted her eyes to mine, they were tormented. I couldn’t stand it.
“I didn’t realize it until I was presented with the options, but I want you to keep the life you’ve built. I—I care about you.”
Her words washed over me like a soothing balm. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to hear them. She wasn’t always easy to read. She seemed to keep me at a safe distance.
Now, Pepper made herself vulnerable. For me.
She knotted her hands in her lap. “I have to decide between your happiness and mine. There doesn’t seem to be a way to do both. And I can’t choose.”
Gently, I placed Ash on the floor. Then I stood, planted my hands on either side of her, and leaned in.
“But I can. Tell me what I have to do so you keep everything you love.”
Her face was etched with lines of pain. “I knew you’d say that. I’m not sure that’s the way it works.”
I kissed her forehead. “Either you tell me what I’m up against or I go in blind and pay him a visit.”
“Teague, your job is your world. You have a purpose. You’ve worked hard to get where you are.” She was almost pleading, desperate. I had worked hard for my career, but lately, more than being a firefighter had become my priority. My every thought.
“The damnedest thing happened.” I brushed her nose with mine. “A dog pissed on my tire and my life hasn’t been the same since.”
She clutched my shirt. “Choose yourself.”
I grinned at her. “If I choose myself then I choose you.”
Chapter Nine
Pepper
Only one personhad ever put me first.
Miss Adeline.
Until Teague stormed into our lives.
If his father hadn’t kidnapped me, would I have ever admitted to myself that I cared about him? I was pretty sure I’d have never told him that.
He didn’t even have to think about what he wanted. Deep down, I’d known he wouldn’t.
But seeing his quick reaction?
