was sent by someone?”
“I know what you told the cops, but I’m not them. I heard that asshole talking to you. What did he say?”
“Nothing.”
“Why are you lying to me?”
She bit her bottom lip but kept her chin high and put her hands on her hips. “No. It’s your turn to answer some questions. Namely, why are you here?”
“I came to see you.”
“No shit. I’m asking, why. What happened to you that day, and...how did you even find me?”
“It wasn’t easy.” He sat down on the bed closest to the door. “After the Feds took you away, they...”
Jay hesitated, almost as if he couldn’t decide what he should say. When he finally spoke again, what he told her broke her hardened heart.
“They booked me on a bunch of bullshit charges from way back. I was sent to county and then transferred here, to Texas.”
A look of shame crossed over his face and Juliet found herself tempted to go to him. Instead, she sat down on the other mattress and rested her hands in her lap.
“You’ve been in jail?”
Guilt filled his sweet eyes as he bypassed what she imagined was an embarrassing admission.
“They said you’d been put into Federal protective custody.” He shook his head. “Didn’t matter what I said or who I threatened, I couldn’t get anyone to tell me where you were.”
“They took me to some FBI safehouse in the middle of the freaking dessert. They wanted me to testify against my father.”
“Why? You didn’t know anything about his business.”
“That’s what I told them, but they didn’t believe me.”
Because you were lying.
“So what happened after they took you away?”
“They kept me under their protection until the trial was over. Gave me a new name to use if we were ever in public somewhere. For my safety,” she scoffed and rolled her eyes. “They claimed it was to keep me safe, but in reality, I was their prisoner. They questioned me nearly every day. About my childhood. My parents. My brothers. For two months, they kept me locked away like I was the criminal.”
“I’m so sorry, Jules. If I could go back...”
She glanced over at him, the sadness in his eyes chipping away at her anger. “It wasn’t your fault, Jay. And neither was tonight.” Juliet pushed herself to her feet. She took a tentative step toward him. “In fact, I’ve acted pretty ungrateful for what you did tonight.” Another step. “You saved my life, and I should’ve said thank you. So...thanks.”
“Ah, baby.” Jay stood and walked toward her. “You don’t ever have to thank me for that.”
Her heart gave a hard thump. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
He frowned. “What?”
“Baby.” She licked her lips. “It’s been two years, Jay.”
“Two years.” He shrugged and took a step closer. “Two minutes.” Another step. “Time doesn’t matter when it comes to you. As far as I’m concerned”—he closed the gap—“you’ll always be my baby.”
“Jay.” Juliet’s heart began to beat in a way it hadn’t since the last time she saw him.
“Shh..” He frowned again. “Don’t talk. Let’s just...”
“What?” She tilted her chin upward. Eyes lost in his gaze, she whispered, “What is it you want to do?”
“This.”
Jay’s lips pressed against hers in a kiss so light...so loving...it made her knees weak and her pulse skyrocket.
Two long years she’d dreamed of being with this man again. Two long years she’d spent lost in fantasies of his return.
The kiss started out soft, but then Jay growled as he began to devour her. Just like in those fantasies. But never, in all that time, had she ever imagined their reunion would be like this.
You almost died tonight.
A picture of the man on top of her, pointing her own gun at her head, flashed through her mind.
Jay killed a man tonight.
She could feel the warmth of the intruder’s blood all over her face.
He killed a man...for you!
“No.” Juliet jumped back, just out of his reach.
“Shit, Jules. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
“No, it’s not...your fault.”
Her breathing became rapid. Shallow. Her mouth suddenly became dry and a dizzy spell hit her out of nowhere.
“I...I...” Her knees started to give out.
“Whoa.” Jay grabbed ahold of her shoulders to keep her from falling. “Easy, there. Here. Let’s sit.”
“Sorry.” She huffed out another breath. “I don’t...I don’t know what’s...wrong.”
“You’re hyperventilating.” Juliet felt his callused hand on the back of her neck. “Lean forward. Put your head between your knees.” She did. “Good girl. Now take slow, deep breaths. In through your nose, exhale out of your mouth.”
“Why is my...head between...my