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“But you agreed You didn’t say anything, so I assureed there’s too much hurt, too much history, between us”

“No I realized there was nothing I could say to make you believe I wouldn’t o I had to do so that would make you believe”

ShakingThat’s insane”

“What was I giving up? Boston earing onho my mom now that my dad’s retired I’d lost most of the friends I had becauseside of the law and thought I was a sellout My closest friends are your faot close to them because they were your family

“When you left, I got in contact with the sheriff’s office here, and I spoke with Jeff King I considered it fate that he needed a detective with experience” He thankfully halted when there was still enough space between us to allowup on so up on what matters”

No, no, no! Hi here was … no!

Every day Michael would teht s for hiht my emotions I had to

“Tell me you love me,” he said

My eyes jerked up from the floor to stare into his They were filled with love and desire and everything I’d ever wanted hi turned to shit Tears shone in my eyes because I couldn’t say those words Those words would change everything

A muscle in his jaw ticked “Fine” He bit out “I’ll leave If you tell me you don’t love me”

Horror filled me

No

I tried to coerce the words to ue However, even knoas at stake, I couldn’t physically force out the words They were like sandpaper against the inside of my throat

The ire in Michael’s eyes dissipated at whatever he saw in me Confusion and affection replaced his disappointment, and I froze as he crossed the distance between us Holding still, ht and my belly fluttered as Michael bent his head toward ne wrapped around ainst his impact

A shiver caused the hairs on the back of my neck to rise as he whispered in ”