Page 47 of Burning Secrets

Only then did Jo realize that tears wet her face. She wiped them aside, hard. “I just can’t do it again, Skye. I just can’t love someone who could die. Not again.”

“Who died, Jo?”

She breathed out a breath. Shook her head.

“Jo—”

“My fiancé, okay?”

A beat. “You were engaged?”

“Sort of. I was eighteen. Right out of high school. We were going to get married after he finished basic training. Ryan was…too tough for his own good. Wanted to save the world.” She sank back into the chair. “He joined the Marines. Was killed during a training accident.”

She had to look away from Skye’s expression.

“I lost my father when I was young, so yeah, I was a little needy, and maybe Ryan and I would have split up—I was already second-guessing everything—but…it didn’t matter.”

Skye went silent. Then she uncrossed her legs and leaned forward. “This isn’t about Crew and his dangerous job. Or even the risks of fighting evil.”

JoJo met her gaze.

“This is about you being terrified of being broken.”

“Please. I jump out of planes. I’m hardly scared of getting hurt.”

“Jumping out of a plane proves to yourself, over and over, that nothing can control you, not even fear. But love…loveis terrifying. Love tethers you to someone else. Love can break you.”

JoJo stared at her.

“I know you’re scared, Jo. I get that. You’re afraid of trusting someone and having them not show up, so you hold on to your heart. Hold on to control. But love is being willing to get hurt, believing that no matter what happens,Godwill never leave us. That His love is bigger than our wounds, our fears, and that in the end, He will deliver the good He promises.”

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his lovefor those who fear him.

And she didn’t know why that verse found its way in, but…

“How do I love someone who risks his life?”

“I guess by believing in grace and mercy and faith. And that God is enough.” Skye got up. “I’m rooting for you and Crew. I just want you to go in eyes open.”

Maybe too open.

“Hopefully that’s over,” she said, also rising. “He found the biochemical warehouse. Burned it to the ground. What more is there?”

The look Skye gave her put a fist in her stomach.

“What?”

“I think he and Rio are having that discussion right now in our cabin.”

JoJo gave it one long beat, then headed for the door.

“Jo!”

“He’s not going back in, Skye!” She hit the door. Turned. “Over my dead body.”

Skye winced, shook her head.

JoJo ignored her, headed out to the guest cabin, where Skye and Rio stayed in a suite the few times he came around. The woman also snuck out to meet him at their home in town.

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