"No. Or at least I have never told him. And you... cannot tell anyone about this. Not even Brooke." He rubbed his hand down his face and moved away from the door and toward Stephanie. He stopped about arms' length out because he knew she was processing it.

"I didn't tell you until know so you'd have protection. Legally, at least. Not like the men I go against can hurt you, but you have goals you're driven to. I wanted to make sure that knowing me wouldn't... it wouldn't mess up your plans for your future. If you still want to live here with me, I figured you should know."