“Yes, I do. He came after me, and he came after Emily. If I stay silent, I’m letting him off the hook.”

I take her face in my hand and find her lips. Kiss her. “He’s not off the hook. He’s in jail.”

“You just said that the only way to make this stop was a conviction.” Jane’s voice heats, and I’m instantly rock hard. Her sweetness gets me that way. So does her passion. “I’m not leaving a single thing on the table.”

“It’s a risk.”

“How so?”

“Because if they don’t convict and that bastard walks free, he’ll know what you said about him. You’d be putting yourself on the line for a chance to make Emily’s life easier.”

“It would also be a chance to make Paige’s life easier.” Jane winds one of her legs around mine, pressing her body in close. “Damn it, Jane. Why can’t you make my life easier instead?”

“How would I do that?” I can’t take it. The innocent tone. The sweet voice in my ear. “Tell me. I’ll do anything to make you feel better.”

“Come here.” I pull her on top of me and settle her thighs over my hips. “You don’t have to testify. I don’t want you in any more danger than you already have been.”

“I’m not worried about it.”

“This isn’t making my life easier, sweetheart.”

It’s a half-truth. Having her with me like this is a hell of a lot easier than being alone.

“Why would I worry about it when I have you to protect me?”

“Because I’m a goddamn human. It’s possible for me to fuck up. I’ve done it before with you. And you’re going to sit here and tell me it’s okay for you to testify? It’s not just Joe.”

“I know,” she says. “It’s the whole police department. It’s any of those guys who still worship him.” Jane rocks her hips. She’s fighting dirty. It’s a damn good way to win this argument. “But if nobody speaks up, they just get to keep doing what they’re doing. How is that better?”

I put my hands on her waist. Her curves under my palms wipe out most of my critical thinking abilities. “I want what’s better for you. I don’t give a shit about dirty cops.”

“Yes, you do.”

“Not right now I don’t.”

“Then stop fighting with me.”

“I’m not fighting with you. I’m telling you not to testify.”

“And I’m telling you that I’m going to testify. For Emily. For Paige. For every woman in this town who’s had a bad experience with one of those officers. You’re not going to let them get to me.”