more depressing.
She said nothing, merely folded her hands. She could survive this. Whatever he wanted to say, she would listen and then she would leave. Just a few more minutes and she could escape.
Clayton Madden strolled in behind Jack, his focus solely on Florence. “What did you think, love?”
Her sister ran to her partner and threw her arms around his neck. “It was fantastic. Beyond exciting.” She whispered in his ear and Clay’s expression turned positively predatory.
Clay shot Jack a glance and hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “We’re going to make ourselves scarce in the adjoining room.”
Jack nodded once, not paying them any attention. He thrust his hands in his pockets and continued staring at Justine. If she didn’t know better, she would say he looked nervous.
The door closed and silence settled in the small room. She didn’t know what to say and he seemed in no hurry to speak, either. Her heart gave a twinge of longing and regret at the sight of him. He looked tired but slightly more put together than the last time she’d seen him. That was good. At least one of them was on the mend. Soon he’d return to his charming ways, overseeing the criminal empire he refused to give up.
Good, good.
Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. “Why am I here, Jack?”
He nodded toward the window. “Did you like the show?”
“You must be very happy that your archenemy is now out of the way. Congratulations.”
“I am thrilled beyond measure, but that isn’t why you are here.”
“No? I assumed you wanted to gloat.”
“Gloat?” He approached where she stood at the windows. “What on earth for?”
“That it has all worked out for you, exactly as you wanted.”
“Except that it hasn’t.”
“Well, I haven’t a clue as to what else you need. O’Shaughnessy is gone, and you’re able to return to your throne. You may continue overseeing your kingdom.”
“I still don’t have the one thing I need, though. Have you not guessed what that is by now?”
The intensity of his stare was beginning to rattle her. She had never seen him so serious, so focused. “No.”
“You, mon ange. I need you.”
Disappointment crashed through her at the same time that her heart leapt in delight. “You said I was better off without you.”
“That’s still undoubtedly true, but I can’t give you up.”
“Too late. You already gave me up.”
“That was a mistake.”
“I cannot do this again.” She rubbed her brow tiredly. “We are still circling round and round when we’ve both made our feelings clear. It’s exhausting.”
“No more circles, no more confusion. It’s very simple. I’ve given away my kingdom with no intention of reclaiming it. Furthermore, I have just removed the only obstacle to a future with the woman I love.”
“Love?” She blinked at him, struggling to comprehend. Had he really said love?
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“Yes, frankly. You walked away from me so easily that night at your house. You told me whatever was between us needed to end.”
“You did the same to me once, if you’ll recall.”
True. “And that was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Justine, nothing about that night was easy for me. I miss you with a ferocity that frightens me. I’ve been worthless for days. Only until I decided on this plan for O’Shaughnessy have I been able to function.”
“Plan? You mean . . .”
The side of his mouth hitched in the most adorable way. “You don’t believe the Secret Service just stumbled upon counterfeit bills in O’Shaughnessy’s possession, do you?”
She glanced down to the street, where policemen and agents were gathered in front of the saloon. They were carrying out safes and lockboxes, ledgers and papers, loading all of it into a wagon. Ellison and the Secret Service agent were there, directing the operation. “You planted the bills?”
“Well now, that would be wrong.” He moved next to her and crossed his arms over his chest, his attention on Ellison and the others. “However, it turns out the Secret Service takes counterfeiting quite seriously.”
That was a nonanswer and they both knew it.
“Jack . . .” His name came out on a long, frustrated sigh. “Tell me what is going on.”
Taking her shoulders, he gently brought her around to face him. His hands were warm and strong, and the simple touch sent tiny shock waves all through her. “I wanted a future with you, but I had to deal with O’Shaughnessy first. Unless I moved to another city and changed my name, I would always be at risk.”
“Except you pushed me