Jack was behind her instantly, wrapping his arms around her and laying his head against her back in a gesture that was part support, part restraint, and part hug.

"Please don't," he pleaded, hiding his face against her shirt. "I already messed up so bad with Oliver. No matter what my reasons were, he won't be able to see past the fact that I made him a prisoner a second time."

His grip tightened, his voice thickening. "Please, please don't let me ruin things up with you too."