The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)

by Joanna Shupe

“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 away.” “Because I couldn’t see a way out. I assumed I would need to wage a war against O’Shaughnessy to get rid of him. At the very least, I thought I’d have to kill him. Instead, I found a way to have him put away for a long, long time.” She tried to feel outrage over Jack’s machinations . . . but O’Shaughnessy deserved it. He had tried to kill Jack and threatened to assault her. If given the chance, he likely would have followed through on both. “And you didn’t kill him.” His expression softened, tenderness blazing in his bright blue eyes. “You asked me not to.” “So, all of this”—she gestured to the scene below—“was about proving something to me?” “I want you in my life, by my side. You are more important to me than anything else in the world and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you.”