Page 160 of The Secrets She Keeps

"Is it because of how he looks? Such a pretty boy?"

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Powell couldn't believehe was just standing there, pointing a gun right at her, asking these kinds of questions.

Wasn't something going to at leasthappen? She needed to get her dad help here. And Gunnar. Gunnar was bleeding. She could see it. And where was Daniel?

Her eyes met Heather's. The other woman nodded. She wanted Powell to keep him talking, didn't she?

Heather had shifted a little. Gotten closer to Gunnar.

Powell pressed against her father's neck again. His pulse was strong and steady, and she thought his eyes had flickered open a moment ago. She shifted in front of him a little.

That man had a gun pointed right at her. She knew what kind of a position she was in right now.

And her dad was helpless in the middle of it all. "I don't care how pretty Gunnar is, though I do think he is the most beautiful man in the world. Followed closely by Commander Rodriguez because of how much he loves his children, then probably Heather's brother-in-law Norm because of how he looks at his wife, and of course, my three brothers. Those three baboons are annoyingly beautiful men. My father, mostdefinitely. Then...Murdoch and Jake and Dom and Daniel—Gunnar’s teammates. Do you know what separates them from you?"

"You're a damned badge bunny? Getting it on with a cop triggers your wild side? I've heard that before."

"Hardly. Male cops can be the most stubborn, obstinate, infuriating creatures on the planet,” Powell said softly.

"Agreed," Heather saidsnarkily. "You forgot arrogant and demanding and annoying. But the same can be said for the Barratt brothers, Powell. Or so I have noticed."

“Very true. My brothers do rather fit that description.”

"So why Gunnar?" Gunnar asked. "I'd really like to know."

Powell looked at the father of her baby. As he nodded and shifted again. "Because of how...good...you are. How kind. That was it at first. Even though he seriously annoyed me up until that point. Seriously annoyed. After the choir shooting. Heath, you should have seen him, wandering around FCGH in pajamas. Trying to get in to sit with Charlotte, Shelby, and Zo. Just because he cared about them. He was hurt himself, and he was concerned about them. And I saw how he was with Mads. Holding her while she cried. Taking care of Jake. Jake was an absolute mess. And Charlotte's dad. And with Pen. I watched him holding Pen while that kid cried as if her world was ending early that next morning. I have never forgotten how he looked then. It made me realize…he wasn’tjusta pretty face. That he genuinely cared about people."

"You know, I can imagine it. Gun is one of the best men I have ever known. Norm, my late brother-in-law Nick—your pal Eastman killed Joy's husband, Timothy. Almost killed Joy too. Did you know that? And Miguel is on my list forever, of course. Those are my top most-beautiful-guys-in-the-world list."

Heather shifted again. Miguel shifted again.

Powell understood then. They were boxing the Grundenmans in between the three of them.

To protecther.

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Timothy didn't knowwhat todo.He couldn't go to prison. What would happen to Leena then? She was in a hotel all alone, clear across the city from where he was now. Drugged. He'd drugged his baby girl to keep her quiet. What if there was a fire in the hotel? No one would know she was even there. What if she woke up and needed him? Or what would she do if he went to prison and he wasn't there when she woke?

Timothy had to get out of here. He just had to.

They weren't watchinghim.

Their attention was onTrey.

Because Trey had the gun.

And Trey was too close to Powell Barratt and her father right now.

Why wouldn't Trey just put down the damned gun and end this? What was his son hoping would happen here? Some sort of miracle?

Utter terror went through him when he considered maybe Trey was wanting to commit suicide by cop? That was athing,wasn't it? That some criminals did to avoid prison?

Trey wouldn't survive long in prison. He just wouldn't. He had powerful people out there with no morals. No hesitation. Something...something could happen to his son in prison.

Timothy couldn't stop any of this.

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