page38 (1/2)

“It won’t bite you”

“Funny What is it?”

“Soratitude in a more concrete fashion”

She shook her head “That’s not necessary I’ve told you that”

He reolden box in her palainst her skin

“Please at least open it,” he said softly

She bit her bottom lip Whatever was inside this box—and it had to be expensive jewelry—she couldn’t accept Not only because of department rules, but her own ethics wouldn’t allow it She tried to tell herself she didn’t want to see as inside, but frankly, yeah, she did What was the har?

Before she could do anything, Trey took the package fro a black leather case He re the face The thin, supple band gleamed in his hands as he showed it to her, and she sucked in a breath at the sight She’d never seen such an exquisite piece of jewelry

She re tiers warm and steady She stared at the jewels, transfixed But where would she ever wear this, even if she could keep it? She raised her ar Swiss and faift had cost more than her car

“This token is nothing compared to the life of my son,” Trey said “I hope you’ll accept it”

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed

“So you like it?”

“Of course” She shook her head “But I can’t keep this, Trey”

“Why not?”

Kelly removed the watch and placed it back in the box She closed the lid with a snap, rereedy eyes

“Even if I thought it was right, that I deserved a reward for doing ave me was a stretch”

“No one has to know,” he said, placing his hand on the box,it toward her

“I would know,” she told hiaze from the box to meet his “And you would know”

He stared at her for a long moment, then nodded “Okay I understand”