Page 29 of The Guardian

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I standin the lobby of Juliette’s office building, waiting for her to exit the elevator. When I see her, I feel my breath catch in my chest. It’s almost like every time I’m away from her, I forget how stunningly beautiful she is.

Her eyes meet mine and she walks straight toward me, her hips swiveling slightly with each step. It takes everything within me not to grab her and pull her toward me, kissing her so everyone in this building knows not to look twice at her. But the second that thought enters my head, I remind myself that that’s is not what this is about. I’m caught up in lust—in desire—nothing more. There’s no room for exclusive relationships and emotions in my life or my heart.

“Still in the suit?” She gives me a coy grin.

“You like it?” I step toward her, my hand instinctively coming out to rest on her hip as she stops in front of me. I might have kept it on for this exact reason. I saw the way she looked at me in her office earlier today.

“It’s okay.” She shrugs. “You clean up nice. How’s Chloe?”

“Thanks. She’s fine; Luka’s been checking in with me.” I look down at her for a second, her eyes staring at me like she trusts me—like she’s fighting something. I reach up and stroke her cheek. “It’s going to be okay. Let’s head out.” I keep my hand on her lower back as I usher her out of the building toward my car. I open the passenger-side door, guiding her into the car before climbing in the driver’s side. “I know you already said no, but the safe house discussion isn’t over.” I pull the car into traffic.

“What do you mean not over? I can’t go into hiding, Alex. I have to do my job, and I can’t do everything remotely. I told you if my bosses find out I’m being threatened, they’ll pull me from the case. I need to do this. I need toprovethat I can do this.”

I can see the stress in her eyes and hear the strain in her voice. I know she wants to prove herself to this new firm. I get it. But the risk is too great if we don’t do something more.

“Juliette, I understand. I know how important this case is to you and I don’t want you to be removed from it. I know these people need you, but we have to come to a compromise. Clearly, whoever is threatening you is following you. We already know they know where you live, and while they understand I’m protecting you, I might not be able to get there fast enough if they somehow get inside your home and I’m parked across the street.”

“What are you suggesting?” She turns slightly toward me in her seat as I pull onto her street. I give Luka a wave and he starts his car, pulling away.

“I move in,” I say, putting the car in park.

“Yeah, okay,” she laughs, but just as quickly, she realizes I’m not joking. “No, no way.”

“Then what, Juliette? I’m getting really fucking tired of you making my job so goddamn hard!” She jumps when I raise my voice, but I’m done fighting with her on this issue. “Chloe can handle the truth, or at least a watered-down version of it. Hell, even if she can’t, she needs to know, for her own safety. You can’t choose this life—this job—and then bury your head in the fucking sand.”

Her eyes fill with tears as she flings the car door open. She steps out and slams the door. I jump out after her, reaching forward and grabbing her arm before she can cross the street.

“Let go of me!” She jerks her arm, but I tug her backward till she’s up against my car.

“Stop it!” I shout, placing my hands on either side of her body. “You don’t get to call the shots in this situation. I’ve been far too accommodating, Juliette, but that ends right now. Do you understand me?”

“You think I don’t know or understand the concerns with Chloe? I’m her mother, so I have to live with that fear every single day!”

“Then let me do something about it. Stop acting like this is all just going to go away when you know damn well it won’t. You saw how those men reacted in your meeting today, and while I wasn’t in there, I can tell you for damn sure that after being in an elevator with them, they won’t hesitate to annihilate any problems they think are standing in their way. I’m done asking, because clearly you’re never going to make the right decision for you and your daughter.”

She scowls. “I am not a child, Alex.”

“Then stop acting like one.” Her eyes grow wide then quickly narrow to slits.

“You’re a bastard, you know that? Try having empathy for one damn second.” I look down at her hand as she uncurls her fingers.

“Are you going to slap me again?” I cock my head to the side, goading her. It’s fucked up, but she’s pushing my buttons.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“I can promise that if you slap me again, I’ll make sure you never do it again. I don’t care if we’re in the middle of the fucking street, I will have you bent over my knee learning a very painful lesson.” Her pupils dilate; she likes this. I step forward again, pressing my body against hers. “Do we have an understanding, Juliette?”

“Yes.” She says the word through clenched teeth.

“Good. Now,” I place my hand against her neck, my thumb perched beneath her chin, “I’ll give you until tonight to talk to Chloe about it. If I have to, I’ll sleep on your porch, although I’d rather sleep inside.”

“There’s a guest bedroom. I’ll have it ready,” she responds coldly, her eyes staring right past me.

“Thank you.” I pause, waiting for her gaze to soften, but it doesn’t. I run my thumb against her jaw, up and over her lips. I lean in a few inches, so tempted to fully close the distance and kiss her. I know she’s angry at me, and I know she’s hurting, but I want to make her feel better. I want to take it all away. I pause, our lips so close before pulling back. “I’ll see you tonight.” I step aside, letting her go.

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