Page 92 of Redeeming Melodies

Couldn't help grinning at that. "They learn quick?"

"Quick enough." Rio finished half a donut in one bite. "Though one genius tried arguing with Hank about property rights. Thought he was gonna shit himself when Hank started quoting local ordinances."

"Been doing my homework." Hank didn't smile, but satisfaction rolled off him. "Figure if they want to play lawyer, might as well speak their language."

The sunrise painted everything gold, making even the media vans look almost peaceful. Almost. Could see them setting up for morning broadcasts, probably spinning more bullshit about Elliot's "crisis" or my town's "backward ways."

"Need more bodies out here?" Asked even though I knew they'd say no. Pride ran deep in Oakwood Grove.

"Got it covered." Rio crushed his coffee cup, suddenly serious. "Town's behind you both, you know that right? Nina's been keeping a list of which reporters to accidentally spill drinks on."

"Thanks. For all of it." Jake said.

"Just doing our jobs." Hank's gruff voice carried more meaning than the words. "Now go see that boy of yours before he thinks we're keeping you hostage out here."

The drive to his place felt longer with cameras tracking my cruiser. Knew they were probably getting shots of the sheriff visiting his "secret boyfriend." Wondering if this was the scandal that'd finally break us. Fuck 'em all.

Elliot answered my knock looking too perfect for this early, every hair in place like armor against the world. But the moment that door closed, something in him cracked. His kisstasted desperate, hands fisting in my uniform like he needed an anchor.

"Missed you." The words came rough against my mouth. Been less than twelve hours since I'd seen him, but felt longer with all this shit between us.

"Missed you more." He tried for light but his smile didn't reach those green eyes. "Coffee's ready. Figure we need it for this conversation."

My stomach dropped. Nothing good ever followed "we need to talk." But I let him lead me to the kitchen, grabbed him before he could start stress-cleaning. Pulled him into my lap because fuck it, needed him close for whatever was coming.

"Jake." His voice caught on my name. "Vanessa called yesterday."

"Fuck." Tightened my arms around him, feeling him shake. "What'd she say?"

"She's got photos. Of us. Someone's been watching the house, documenting everything." His laugh came bitter. "Guess I should've expected it. She always was thorough about gathering ammunition."

Red filled my vision. Someone watching us, turning our private moments into weapons. "I'll find them. Whoever's been spying"

"That's not-“ He cut me off, fingers pressing against my lips.

“She's using them for leverage. Says if I don't drop the custody case, she'll release everything. Make sure every tabloid knows about us."

The implications hit like a punch to the gut. My quiet life, my carefully built reputation, all of it exposed. But more importantly, what this could do to Elliot's case. To his chances of keeping Tommy.

"I'll step back." The words burned coming out. "Give you space until the hearing"

"Don't you fucking dare." His kiss landed fierce, claiming. "Not letting her dictate this. Not letting her use us against each other."

"But your case"

"Is stronger with you in it." His hands framed my face, making me look at him. "You're stability, Jake. You're roots and pancake mornings and everything Tommy needs. Everything I need."

Fuck if that didn't undo me completely. "El"

"No, listen." That familiar stubborn set to his jaw. "I've got a PR team. Let me call them, get ahead of this. Do it our way instead of hers."

"You sure?" Had to ask, had to know he wasn't sacrificing everything for me.

His smile finally reached his eyes. "Only thing I'm sure of lately is us. This. Whatever we're building here."

"Okay." Pressed our foreheads together, breathing him in. "Okay, we do it your way. But promise me something?"

"Anything."

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