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"No." He stood up. "It's not safe. You can be tracked."
She bristled a bit at his hardline stance. "I have great security. I'll be fine."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're willing to risk Annie?"
"What?" Sudden anger flooded her. "I would never risk her. How can you even say that? What's wrong with you?"
"There's no way to be online and be untraceable—"
"Yes, there is. I've been doing it for years. My ex never found me, and no one has found Annie. I paid a lot of money, more than I had at the time, to get set up so I could teach safely."
"What kind of security? A firewall? Because that's not enough. You can be tracked easily—"
"I have extensive security built into my computer and my entire set up at home. I was assuming you had security here as well, given what I saw in the barn. Am I wrong?"
"It hasn't been tested with the life of a six-year-old."
His words cut at her, right in her heart. "For your information," she snapped. "I've given up everything to be Annie's mom. She's my entire world, and I'd never risk her. But she deserves a life of financial security, and the example of a mom who can thrive in a career, make a difference in the world, and still be safe. I do her no favors if I cower and teach her that that's all women can do."
Jacob stared at her silently, clearly digesting what she'd said.
She poked him in his muscular chest. "I will keep my daughter safe, and I will continue my business. You can help or not help. It's your choice."
"I'm not putting you in danger."
"I'm not putting her in danger either."
He glared at her.
She pulled back her shoulders. "Do not stand in my way, Jacob. Until you've spent time crouched in a closet to hide from the man you're married to so that he can't find you to kill you, you don't get to judge me. Until you've been so broke that you can't afford to leave the bastard, you don't get to hold me back from earning money. I will never be trapped by a lack of money or power again, and I won't let Annie be trapped either."
Emotion flickered across his face. "I understand more than you would believe."
"You're not a woman, so it's not the same."
"I was a boy. A boy without power or money. I do understand."
His words took all the anger out of her with a whoosh. She didn't know what to say. "Jacob. I didn't know."
"I didn't tell you, so that makes sense. Unless you're psychic?"
"Not psychic."
"Then you're off the hook. I have money. What do you want? How much do you need? I can set her up for life."
Phoebe stared at him, stunned by the offer. "I don't want your money." Of course, a part of her wanted to cheer and give him her account number to wire whatever he wanted into it. But she knew better.
"Why not? It's great money. Works as well as anyone else's money."
"No, it's not that. It's just that charity doesn't empower me or her. It doesn't teach her that she can carve her own path, no matter what happens. It doesn't teach her that she doesn't need to rely on anyone, ever, for anything."
"It's not charity. It's giving you both the freedom to live how you want."
"How I want to live is to have a career that changes women's lives and empowers me. Not to hide in fear in a prison, even one as beautiful as the prison you've made for yourself."
He frowned. "I don't live in a prison."
Phoebe sighed. "You do, Jacob. Look around you. You've used the excuse of needing to be safe to trap yourself. It's not living, Jacob."
