The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)

by Joanna Shupe

“Whatever I do next?” He lifted his arms and let them fall. “Justine, I am plotting to kill O’Shaughnessy. That is what I am doing next. I am reclaiming my empire.” “But . . .” Her stomach sank. “I heard you give your word.” “Just like O’Shaughnessy gave his word that he’d allow me to walk out of there? We’re liars and thieves. We cannot be trusted.” “Please, Jack. Do not kill him. Do not be that man. You are better than that.” He gave a gruff, bitter-sounding laugh. “No, I really am not.” “You are. Promise me you will not kill him.” He said nothing, so she pressed her case. “Don’t you see? This is your chance. You could walk away. Disappear. We could go somewhere together. Be happy, just living away from the city.” “I can’t do that. This will always be hanging over my head. Waiting to come back and destroy whatever life I’ve managed to build for myself. O’Shaughnessy cannot let me keep breathing. He knows my men would follow me again in an instant. He will track me down if I don’t get to him first.” “So you are choosing this”—she swept her arm to indicate the hidden house—“over a future with me?” “You were right to walk away. There’s no happy ending for a man like me, one with enemies everywhere. And I cannot allow that to ruin your life. You deserve better.” “You are making decisions that affect me without my input. What about what I choose?” “I won’t do it, cara,” he said softly. “I watched you put yourself in danger, hold a man at gunpoint, and I was terrified that you...