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Tressa could bealarat first

“I’ about theYou’ve told her repeatedly to stay away frorounds for a restraini

ng order”

One thing he kneas how to be patient “She wouldn’t abide by it, Lacey The best way to deal with Tressa is to handle her exactly as I’et used to the idea of ot used to the idea of the divorce And Levi living with me”

“You went through this each time?”

Now she was getting it He almost smiled “Yes”

“And you never even called the police?”

“Of course not”

“Well, this is the last time, Jem Or I’m out of your life”

He wasn’t sure he’d heard her right Lacey? Threatening him? She hadn’t even raised her voice

“You are a victi for you to see that, just like you finally did with Levi, but you don’t get it The woh your door, screahborhood to hear, threatens to sue you and then to ruinher trash in the right places, or at least put doubt on my spotlessly clean record—and you plan to stand there and let her get aith it?”

“You don’t understand” The words just kept repeating theht have to say “You don’t understand”

“I’ you to think of yourself Of Levi Of our future You need to call the police Even if you don’t want to file a restraining order, at least there’s evidence of what happened here tonight, of her threats, so that if she does try soot protection”

“But”

“I need this, Jem,” she said That look of hersit sank into him As deep as he went “I need you to call the police For me That way if she does try to threaten my career, I’ll have the means to protect myself”