CHAPTER 36
Jasper shut the door behind him and paused in the entryway, forcing himself to breathe. The keys rattled as he tossed them into the ceramic bowl by the mirror.
Light spilled in from the living room. He squinted, walked that way slowly, and stopped in the doorway.
“Surprise,” a voice said before he could speak.
Lynn rose from the armchair. She was wearing an oversized hoodie, her hair pulled into a high ponytail, a mug cradled in her hands.
“What are you doing here?” Jasper asked, lifting an eyebrow. “Didn’t you insist I buy you your own place so you wouldn’t, quote, feel someone breathing down your neck?”
Lynn sighed, stepped closer—and froze as she really looked at his face. One second later, her eyes widened.
“Dad… what happened to you?” Her voice dropped to a frightened whisper. “Were you attacked?”
He shook his head, careful to mask the ache in his body.
Especially his ribs. He should probably swing by urgent care in the morning—nothing felt broken, but an X-ray wouldn’t hurt.
They’d beaten the hell out of him. What pissed him off most was the memory of lying there on the ground like a useless idiot.
“No,” he said lightly. “Just a bad sparring session. Boxing training. One of those days when your jaw’s slower than the other guy’s fist.”
Lynn crossed her arms and looked at him closely.
“You’re lying,” she said calmly. “I’m not stupid.”
Jasper smirked—and immediately winced. And, not for the first time, noticed how much she looked like Nina when she was angry. Too much.
“Alright, you got me,” he said, heading toward the kitchen. He stopped and tossed over his shoulder, “Decided to chase a beautiful woman. Turns out she was married. Husband found out. This is the result.”
Lynn blinked, then rolled her eyes.
“You’re ridiculous,” she muttered, reaching for the first-aid kit that always sat on the kitchen shelf.
Jasper watched her, something tightening in his chest. She was already so grown. Not afraid of blood. And way too good at reading him.
“Lynn,” he said more quietly, “I’m fine. Really.”
“No, you’re not,” she snapped. “Not if you come home looking like this and try to joke it off like a clown.”
“I’m not joking,” he said honestly. “I’ll be more careful next time. I swear.”
She studied him for a long moment.
“More careful with women,” she asked, “or with their husbands?”
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 was under 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 tea in 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.”
She yawned and headed to her room. Jasper watched her go. Then, without turning on the light, he sank back into the chair. Jasper crossed one leg over the other and closed his eyes.
Damn it.
Nina wouldn't leave his head. It was bad. And far too dangerous. But it seemed it was already too late.