Page 51 (1/2)

Souess Not that he’s been forced into this life Courted into it, perhaps Shown the glamorous side, the benefits And frankly, if I step back and let go of my moral compass and my profession, I can see how someone could be blinded by the shiny parts of this life Especially when it’s so you down this path So what I kno many times have I wished that I had the condo, the yacht, the car, for keeps?

"So you kneas abusive?"

There’s a long pause, where he opens and closes hishis words "I’d see a slap, a harsh word Figured she was just like the young, rich wives--putting up with it because of the htly "But, yeah, I knew" His voice grows thick with re None of us did, except for Jesse I regret it every day"

There is no room in my job for emotion And yet abuse cases are my weak spot I’ve seen plenty of thele to understand the women who stay, and I abhor the fa

There’s no rooh I need to coax more out of Luke, not conde your uncle’s business partner, right?"

"Yeah," he agrees "But it wasn’t just that Viktor Petrova was not a guy you wanted to cross"

Suddenly, a ether

Chapter 25

LUKE

The drive went by too fast I’m not ready to drop her off yet That’s probably why I blurt out, "So you’re coht?" the second I pulldriveway

"I am?" A sood I guess that means she’s not sick of me yet, and she doesn’t hatewhat I kneas happening

I shrug "That was the deal we ht? I cook dinner for you?"

Her head falls back with a s you forgot"

I chuckle "Not a chance I’" Those sandwiches she packed forI’ve ever had I was half-teuy behind the counter to take a bite and adrins at ht now I’ over to kiss her when she says, "Let rab a shower," and juh her doors So beautiful, so graceful, soglass I have an hour Enough tiJesse’s words "She’s going to lead me into some serious pain"

Chapter 26