Gabriel rubbed his temples. It’d been two days since he’d started hearing that internal dialogue. It wasn’t the proverbial “voice in his head.” He’d handled cases where his clients claimed that’s what compelled them to commit crimes. They were lying, of course. But he’d researched the phenomenon enough to counsel them on how to present their symptoms in a believable fashion.

Gabriel knew he was hearing his own unbidden thoughts. Yet they made no sense.

“You’re hoping it doesn’t go well.”

That voice came from right behind him. Rose.

“You’re hoping he won’t be able to handle it, and he’ll leave her.”

Ice seeped into his voice. “I realize you may not think much of my ability to empathize with others, but I would never wish to see Olivia hurt like that.”

“Good. Because the only acceptable reason for hoping that is if you planned to take advantage of the situation and offer yourself as a replacement, which I doubt.”

“That would be correct.”

“Then stop staring out that damn window, hoping you’ll see Ricky Gallagher storm out of her life.”

He fixed his aunt with a look known to make even expert witnesses quail. She didn’t flinch.

“You want her all to yourself,” she said. “Her time and her attention. If you wish to speak to her, she’d better be there to take your call. If you wish to see her, she’d better be available. And she sure as hell better not be sleeping with another guy, even if you can’t bring yourself to cross that threshold yourself. That’s not fair, Gabriel. You might be accustomed to getting what you want, but you aren’t going to lock Olivia up on your terms. You just aren’t.”

“I have never expected—”

“Then step away from the window. Because if it doesn’t go well with Ricky tonight, she’ll find someone else. Someone you’ll like and respect a whole lot less than him. Someone who will be a hell of a lot less understanding about how much time she spends with you. Olivia appreciates men. Unlike some people, she’s not going to be content to bury herself in her work.”

“I’m well aware of that, too.”

“Then, as I said, the only reason you should be at that window is if you plan to offer up yourself as a replacement.”

“Olivia is an employee and a friend. My feelings for her don’t extend beyond that.”

“Save the bullshit for a jury, Gabriel. Your feelings extend well beyond that. You just won’t do a damn thing about them, because you’re terrified of trying.”

“Terrified?” He gave a short laugh. “While your choice of words is highly dramatic—”

“—my sentiment is dead-on?”

“Hardly. I have no interest—”

“You have every interest, and it’s driving you crazy. Would it change anything if you knew she’d reciprocate?”

“No.”