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“I told you so.”

He laughed without humor. “We both knew they were lessons, but I wanted to see you so I lied and said they weren’t because you would have said no and… dammit Meg, I wanted to see you. I let you buy me coffee after because it made you feel better, and because I got to spend more time with you.” This time there was humor in his laughter. “My point is, it wasn’t about protecting you, not at first. I wanted to spend time with you…” Jack cupped my face gently and used his thumbs to wipe away the tears rolling down my cheeks. “But now it’s both. I’ll destroy anyone who tries to hurt you. Not because it’s my job or out of pity. I’ll give my life to protect you, because I’m in love with you.”

Chapter 43

Jack

Dad sent Doug and AJ home, but he and Jamie waited for me. I quickly gave them the details I thought they needed.

Dad seethed after hearing Meg’s father sold her to cover his debts. “That wasn’t in the trial transcript. It’s not bad enough he raped her-”

“WHAT?” I cut him off. As if everything I learned today wasn’t enough of a mind fuck.Christ, no wonder she doesn’t trust anyone.She’ been through so much.

“Fuck.” Jamie said softly from behind his desk.

“I’ll kill the bastard myself.”

“Calm down Jack. You can’t help her if you're a wreck.” Dad walked around his desk and put his hand on my shoulder. “We'll figure this out together. I won’t let another son lose the woman he loves.”

“Thanks dad.” I sighed. He’d known I was in love with her all along. How was I the only one who hadn't realized it? It didn't matter. Now that I'd taken my head out of my ass and owned my feelings, I was going to do whatever it took to win her back and protect her.

Meg didn’t seem to realize Sullivan didn’t have to leave Boston to get his revenge, but we did. He had a gang of associates ready, willing, and able to grab her and drag her back to him, and that terrified me. We didn’t know if he had Meg’s new name or location, but we had to assume he was doing his research.

“Jackson.” Dad must have called me at least twice to sound so annoyed.

“Yeah, sorry. Just thinking, we don't know how much Sullivan knows.”

“Unfortunately, no.” He paused. “We have a few more questions. I know she’s been through a lot already.” The sympathy on his and Jamie’s faces mirrored my own. It felt cruel to pick at open wounds. The downside to being an investigator, sometimes you had to ask hard questions to help someone. “But do you think she’ll talk to us for a few minutes?”

“I’ll ask her.” I put on a brave face as I walked back to my office. Meg had enough to deal with, she didn't need me adding my fears to hers.

Chapter 44

Meg

“Because I’m in love you.” He was in love with me? How? Why?Oh God. I can’t believe I just told him everything. I only felt brave enough because I thought he already knew.

I tried to process it all while he talked to his dad and brother, but my mind was spinning out of control. After a few minutes, he came back in and kneeled in front of me. He carefully placed his hands on the armrests. It was like he was trying to embrace me without actually touching me. His soft smile didn't hide the pain or fear in the depths of his eyes.

“All I want to do right now is hold you in my arms and chase away your pain.”

All I wanted was to let him. I nodded. He opened his arms, and I leaned into him.

The flood of emotions that erupted when he held me against his chest and placed a soft kiss on the top of my head was more than I could handle. I broke down and sobbed as he held me, my tears flowing like a river onto his shirt. After a few seconds, I wrapped my arms around him. Out of habit, I told myself I couldn’t trust him, but I could, because for the first time in my life, I felt safe.

Jack relaxed his hold when he felt me pull away. I plucked a few tissues from the box he was holding and blew my nose. When I finally opened my eyes, I noticed the wet spot on Jack’s shirt. “I’m sorry, I got your shirt all wet.” I wiped at it with a fresh tissue.

Jack grabbed my hand and held it until I made eye contact. “I don’t care about my shirt.” He gave me a soft smile.

I nodded and smiled back. I grabbed my water bottle and finished it, needing to focus on anything but Jack. It was too much to handle right now. I needed to regroup. The loud growl from my stomach interrupted my thoughts. I’d been too nervous to eat most of the day.

“I don’t suppose you’ll let me buy you dinner?” I shook my head no. All I wanted was a hot shower and a nap. He didn’t give up. “Can I at least get you something to eat? I’m sure I have a protein bar or something floating around.”

I nodded, not fully trusting myself to speak. What was I going to do? My head was a mess, my emotions were all over the place. Fuck. What was I thinking, asking SSI for help? I was leaving in a week, though I still didn’t know where I was going. I needed my savings for the move, but I could do it on less if I had to. And Mary could give them my last paycheck. I’d have to make payments for the balance. Though I didn’t know how I’d manage without a job. Fucking hell, If I move and don’t tell them where I am, how can they help me? God, what was I thinking? I just told Jack my darkest secrets and gave him permission to share them.What have I done?

Part of me felt relieved knowing I wasn’t alone anymore. It was also terrifying to think about them knowing my history, judging me, pitying me. How am I ever going to face any of them again? Fresh tears flowed down my cheeks. I was too overwhelmed, too exhausted to hold them back.

Jack kneeled down in front of me, a protein bar and a fresh bottle of water in his hands. “Want to talk about it?” He tucked my hair behind my hair to expose my face.

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