The Devil of Downtown (Uptown Girls, #3)

by Joanna Shupe

“I almost got her killed!” he shouted. “Or raped. You should have heard what O’Shaughnessy said. Fuck, Rye. Don’t you get it?” Several seconds passed. “Ah.” Rye nodded as if all the problems of the world suddenly made sense. “You love her.” “You’re not listening to me, old man,” Jack growled. “I hear every word, even the ones you aren’t speaking. You’re scared. You love her and you’re scared.” Jack dropped back into the chair, put his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands. “How I feel doesn’t matter. Not anymore.” “Wrong. You don’t believe me, fine. Why not go see the one person who can really help you?” There was no doubt as to whom Rye referred. “And why would I bother?” “Because you can’t hide out in this big house, alone, for the rest of your life, drinking and bowling yourself to death.” “I won’t be alone.” “Yes, you will,” Rye said. “Because Cooper and I won’t sit around and watch you destroy yourself. Go and talk to him, Jack.”