Jasper smiled. The worry eased a notch.
“Both.”
She snorted and went to the kitchen for ice. Jasper sank into the armchair, exhausted.
“Here,” Lynn said, handing him the ice pack. He shook his head, smirking.
“Too late. Besides… that same married beauty already gave me first aid.”
Lynn frowned, unimpressed.
“Stop that. It’s not funny.”
She sat down beside him, set the ice on the coffee table, and went quiet. Worry lingered in her eyes, and he knew what she was thinking.
He stayed silent too. Inside, everything boiled—not from pain, but from helplessness.
His father’s death six months ago had been both a release and a trap. Along with the family business came all of his father’s shadow deals. The pressure had started almost immediately. But Jasper wasn’t his father. He was a surgeon. He saved lives—he didn’t clean up after criminals with more money than conscience.
He’d refused them. And the problems had started almost right away. Then came the attempted kidnapping of Lynn.
She didn’t know she wasunder watch twenty-four seven now. Jasper had hired the best. He let her believe it had just been random trash, that she hadn’t been the target. It was safer that way. Still, she was scared. That was why she kept coming back here instead of staying at her own place. Jasper couldn’t wait for it all to be over—for those bastards to finally leave him alone.
Lynn looked at him, then picked up the ice again and offered it gently.
“For the first time in forever, you’re telling me you liked someone,” she said, her voice softer.“But why a married woman? Want to let me handle this? I understand women better than you do.”
Jasper laughed—and immediately hissed, biting back a groan.
“I don’t doubt it,” he said,“but I’ll handle it.”
“Seriously,” she went on, stretching her legs onto the edge of the couch.“You’ve been alone for years. It’s time you got married.While you can still father another kid. You loved my mom so much you just can't look at anyone else?”
Jasper sighed and stared at the ceiling. The ice slid off his cheekbone, and he caught it.
Lynn had come to her own conclusions long ago, and he’d never corrected her. It was easier that way.
She shot him a sharp, knowing look, then yawned and stretched like a cat.
“You know… I feel calmer here. Safer. I sleep better. I might move back in. And I’ll make sure no married women circle around you anymore.”
Jasper smirked.
“You’ve got an alarm system on every window. A panic button. You said you were grown—and here you are, running back to your dad’s house after two months.”
“Security can't make me mint teain the morning,” she said, burying her face in a pillow.“Doesn’t know I hate pancakes. You do.”
Jasper fell silent. His throat tightened. He wanted to say something simple and true—but the words wouldn’t come.
“I’m lucky to have you,” he finally said.
Lynn reached out and squeezed his hand. A few seconds passed. Jasper noticed her head starting to nod. She was exhausted. Worried. Carrying too much inside. In that, they were alike.
“Alright,” he said, standing and setting the ice aside.“Off to bed. Early morning tomorrow.”
“And you?”
“I’ll stay up a bit. Make a few calls.”
