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and to start caring for the safety of those who mattered. It would be hard to leave them
behind, but it would also be selfish of me not to.
Maybe Robert Mayfield was bluffing, but at this point I couldn t risk not believing him.
It would be the hardest decision I had ever made, but it was the right choice. It would be
the choice that would come with the smallest risk a broken heart. I could deal with that, but I
wouldn t cope with fear and regret keeping me awake at night, knowing their lives might be at
risk because of me. And if this man was right, maybe sooner or later, hopefully not too late, the
tides of life might turn in my favor.
Chapter 13
THE WALK TO Jett s expensive neighborhood was long but gave me enough time to
understand what had just happened. By the time I arrived at Jett s apartment, the sun was long
gone and my mind had settled, accepting that fate had made my decision for me, which meant
this would be my last day with Jett.
I greeted the concierge in the foyer and rode the elevator up to Jett s penthouse, my gaze
shying away from the mirror. I couldn t bear to look at myself because my image reminded me
that soon I wouldn t be Brooke anymore. I pulled the keys out of my handbag and let myself in.
For the umpteenth time, I wondered how Jett would react if he knew his father was still alive
and that he was the threat Jett feared. Would he believe me?
Feeling tired and defeated, I opened the door, expecting an empty apartment since Jett
spent much of his time at the office lately until I saw the lights switched on.
Where have you been? Jett was standing in the doorway, his hands buried in his
pockets, a frown on his face.
I grabbed a coffee with Sylvie. I avoided his gaze as I kicked off my high heels. We had
a girl talk. You know Sylvie. She couldn t wait to tell me all about her relationship with Kenny
and her new job offer, so I stayed a little longer than anticipated.
I peered up at him and instantly noticed the dark shadows under his eyes and the soft
line on his forehead. As much as I wished to hug him, I couldn t because I was afraid I d break
down in tears if I did.
Change the topic. Don t think of tomorrow. Don t go there.
How did your business meeting go? I asked casually. I didn t expect you to be back
this early.
It s been delayed. He hesitated. Nate has decided to stay with us for a while to help me
go over the data. If we re lucky, we won t have to sell shares in the company. As soon as
everything s sorted out, I hope we ll have more time for ourselves. He walked over and
wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me against him.
My heart felt as though it was being ripped apart. I cast my eyes down and leaned my
head against his chest, the reminder we would not spend any more time together too painful.
Today all I could think of was you. Naked. In my bed. I ve missed that. I ve missed you.
Like fucking crazy, he whispered and kissed my neck.
I m grateful my brother s staying because it makes things so much easier. I m looking
forward to spending more time with you, Brooke.
I couldn t help myself. Tears started to roll down my cheeks. I buried my face against his
chest in the hope he wouldn t see them as I fought against the tornado threatening to rip my
chest apart. My fingertips brushed his neck. Hearing the sound of his voice and the steady
rhythm of his breathing, smelling his scent and feeling the warmth of his body was just too
much. I couldn t bear it.
They reminded me too much that in a little more than sixteen hours, our time was up. I
swallowed hard to get rid of the bile in my throat, which only made my tears fall harder. I
could feel the first wave of sobs rippling through my chest. If he kept going like that, I d break
down. I couldn t afford that, so I stepped back and turned away hastily, heading straight for the
bathroom as fast as I could and locking the door behind me. Pounding steps followed right
behind. A moment later, he knocked.
Brooke? His tone sharpened with a layer of worry. Are you okay?
My heart pounded painfully hard, the tiny movements piercing me like knives. I wiped
the tears away with my sleeve and drew slow, measured breaths to calm myself.
I m fine. My voice shook.
Did I say something wrong? I didn t mean to upset you.
How could I tell him that, yes, he had done something wrong by saying all the right
things?
No. It s me. I inhaled and held my breath as my heartbeat spiked again. I m tired,
emotional, and a little bit sick. My hormones are acting up, which is normal.
That part was true. My gynecologist had told me when I went to see him to confirm the
pregnancy upon my return from Italy.
Want me to get you anything? Maybe order dinner?
No. I shook my head even though he couldn t see me. I won t be able to keep anything
down.
God, it was so hard to pretend in front of him but so much easier to lie behind closed
doors. I d never let him see how broken I was.
I m going to take a bath and go to bed early. I paused for his answer. When it didn t
come, I continued, Don t worry about me. Just give me a little time alone, Jett. It s been a long
day.
We fell silent, but I knew he lingered outside. Inches separated us, and yet they felt like
miles of sand-covered dunes ready to pull us apart if we tried to near each other. He might not
know me well enough, but he was an expert in reading body language. If I opened the door, I
feared I might confess. I had to stay strong, for myself, for him, for our baby s sake.
Brooke. His voice was like silk caressing my senses.
Yeah? I held my breath.
He let out a sharp breath. I know I ve been neglecting you us those past few days.
His hand brushed over the door. Or maybe he was leaning against it. I couldn t tell, but I
imagined him out there, sensing something, worrying, and my heart broke just a little bit
more. I m sorry I didn t spend as much time with you as usual. I just didn t want to stress you
out with my problems.
My eyes moistened again. I wanted to assure him that I understood because I knew that
losing his father had been hard on him, but didn t. Instead I said, You don t have to explain.
Let s go out for dinner tomorrow after work. I ll book us a table wherever you want. You
pick.
Too late.
By tomorrow evening, I d be in Oregon and Jett would be waiting for me, wondering
where I was. He d call my cell, then Sylvie s, after which his worry would magnify. How long
would he wait before filing a missing person report? Would he hire Kenny again to find me?
Probably, only this time there would be no credit card purchases and no flight tickets to show
me boarding a plane. Tears ran down my face. There would be many more in a future that
seemed blank and depressing without him.
Baby? Jett said, jerking me out of my depressing thoughts. His tone was pleading, and I
realized he had misinterpreted my silence. I want to make it up to you. Maybe this weekend.
No phones. No work. Just you and me, white beaches, and good food.
I d love that. I smiled bitterly, meaning every word. Now was the time to tell him all the
things I wouldn t get the chance to say to him in the future. I thought of the one thing I could
say without raising his suspicion. I couldn t wish for a better boyfriend than you, Jett. Thank
you for always being here for me and for loving me the way I am.
Thanks for everything.
I walked over to the huge corner bathtub and turned on the cold-water stream, and
shrugged out of my clothes.
I ll be in my office, Jett said softly. Call me if you need anything.
I waited until he walked away. Only when I was completely sure he was gone did I step
into the freezing water, knowing that not even the cold could numb the pain. Pulling myself
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