when he leaves. I want to know where he goes, who he sees and what he does. And I especially want to know if and when he contacts Bethany, if he sees her or arranges to see her. Under no circumstances do I want him seeing her alone. I’ve let her know she isn’t to see Jack without you or Trevor or myself, but if Jack attempts to seek her out, she may not know about it until he’s there in her face. And I want you in between them. She is to be protected at all costs.”
“Understood,” Kaden said grimly.
Jace walked to the elevator and Kaden fell into step beside him. Jace cast an inquisitive glance in his direction and Kaden’s jaw went firm.
“Sir, it stands to reason that if he’s a potential risk to Bethany’s safety and you’re going to confront him that he’s a risk to you as well. I’d feel better if I was present for this discussion. I will, of course, maintain a discreet distance and keep in confidence anything I chance to overhear.”
Jace cracked a grin as they stepped into the elevator. “You make good points.”
They rode up in silence and when they arrived at the door of the apartment, Jace didn’t knock or announce himself. He inserted his key and went in.
“Bethy, it’s about time,” Jack called from where he was sprawled on the couch in the living room. “I was beginning to think I was never going to get that dinner you promised.”
Then Jack looked up and his gaze became hooded and wary when he saw Jace and Kaden.
“Where’s Bethany?” Jack demanded.
“She’s safe,” Jace said curtly. “And she’s going to stay safe. You and I need to have a discussion, Jack.”
“You have me at a disadvantage,” Jack drawled. “Who the hell are you?”
“I’m the man who intends to make sure you stay the hell away from Bethany, you arrogant prick.”
Jack’s eyebrows went up. “So you’re the boyfriend. Nice place you gave Bethy. Very generous of you.”
Jace’s eyes narrowed at the sarcasm in Jack’s voice.
“She’s not going to be living here anymore,” Jace said.
Jack rose from the couch, his eyes flashing anger. “What did you do, you bastard? Did you kick her out? If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
Kaden stepped forward, his features menacing. Jace held up his hand and Kaden stepped back once more.
“Bethany is moving in with me, and she stays with me from here on.”
Something flickered in Jack’s eyes. Sadness? Jealousy? It was hard to say because the man instantly looked away.
“That’s good,” he said in a low voice. “I told her not to worry about me. She deserves a better life.”
“On that point we agree,” Jace clipped out.
“You here to kick me out then?” Jack asked, the arrogant drawl back in place.
Jace took a deep breath. It was on the tip of his tongue to say yes. To tell him to get the hell out and stay out and never to go near Bethany again. It would be so easy. But if Bethany ever knew, she’d never forgive Jace and he wasn’t willing to risk it. He wanted her happy, and she’d never be fully happy unless she no longer had to worry about fucking Jack.
“No,” he finally said. “You’re welcome to stay in the apartment. I’m going to have Bethany’s things moved to my apartment but the rest is yours to use.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What’s the catch? No way a guy like you just hands something like this to me. You have Bethany. Why would you do this for me?”
Jace advanced, anger tightening his chest. “Let’s get something straight, Jack. I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing it for Bethany. She loves you and she worries about you. As for the catch? There’s no catch, but there are conditions.”
Jack smirked and then flopped back on the couch. “Do tell.”
“You won’t bring drugs into this apartment,” Jace snarled.
Jack’s face whitened and for the first time he looked distinctly uneasy.
“Yeah, I know about the bag. I have it, and you aren’t getting it back. I should kick your fucking ass for bringing that shit into Bethany’s apartment. And what the fuck were you thinking, bringing her painkillers when you know damn well she was addicted to them once? What kind of a fuck-up does that to someone he’s supposed to care about?”
Jack swallowed visibly and went whiter. “I have to have that bag back. You don’t understand. I’m a dead man if I don’t get that back. I left it here because it was safer that way.”
“Safer for you, maybe, asshole. But not safer for Bethany. She could have taken the fall for you.”
Jack shot to his feet again. “Look, I have to have that bag. I have to deliver it. After that, you won’t ever see that shit again. I swear it. I won’t bring it here. I won’t take it near Bethany. I’ll be done. But if I don’t deliver that bag tomorrow, my life won’t be worth a shit.”
“Give me one goddamn reason I should give a shit,” Jace bit out.
Jack flinched and then looked away. “Because they know about Bethany.”
Jace flew at him in a rage, grabbing Jack’s tattered shirt and doubling it in his fists. He slammed him back against the couch until Jace was hunched over him, his face mere inches from Jack’s.
“What the fuck have you done?”
Jack closed his eyes. “I had to give them something they could use against me as insurance and Bethany is all I have. She’s all that’s important to me.”
A low growl echoed through the room and it took a moment for Jace to realize it had come from Kaden, who stood just a foot away, bristling with rage.
“You stupid son of a bitch,” Jace swore.
“Look, just give me the bag and I’ll be out of her life,” Jack said. “You’ll never see or hear from me again.”
Jace shoved him back with enough force that Jack’s neck snapped against the couch and his head bobbed.
“While I’d love nothing more than for you to disappear and stay the fuck out of Bethany’s life, it would hurt her, and she’s all I’m concerned about. For once, think about someone other than yourself,” Jace said in disgust.
“I am thinking of her,” Jack said quietly. “She has you now. She doesn’t need me. She’s never needed me. She likes to think that I took care of her, but that wasn’t the case. It was always her taking care of me. She deserves better than a life on the streets with a fuck-up like me.”
Jace glanced in Kaden’s direction. “Can you go to my apartment and get the bag? I only want you to bring it back here to him. After that, he’s on his own. I don’t want you involved. And I don’t want that shit staying here. If he doesn’t leave with it as soon as you deliver it, then I want it turned over to the police.”
Kaden nodded, and Jack paled again.
“Consider it done,” Kaden said tersely. He glared at Jack the entire time, never once lifting his gaze to Jace during the exchange.
“You can stay here,” Jace said to Jack. “You can contact Bethany. You can see her. But only if Kaden, Trevor or I am present. If you bring drugs into this apartment or if you bring them anywhere near Bethany, I’ll have you arrested so fast you won’t know what hit you. We clear?”
Jack nodded.
“Furthermore, if you ever fucking offer Bethany drugs again, I’ll kick your goddamn ass. That clear too?”
“Yeah,” Jack muttered.
“I have to go into the office,” Jace said to Kaden. “I’ll give you a key to my apartment and I’ll let Bethany know you’re coming by. I don’t want her to know anything of this. Just get the bag. It’s sitting inside the door on the floor.”
Kaden nodded and caught the elevator key card Jace tossed to him.
Then Jace fixed Jack with his stare, putting emphasis into his words.
“You can stay here, but this isn’t a free ride. Get your shit together and get a job. I don’t give a fuck what it is. The utilities will be paid and groceries will be delivered twice a week. Anything else will be on you.”
“Be good to her,” Jack said quietly.
There again in his eyes was that flicker that told Jace that Bethany meant more to Jack than a sibling.
“You need to understand this isn’t a temporary thing with me and Bethany,” Jace said, not caring that he was being merciless. Jack needed to understand where Jace stood and that Bethany was never going to be a possibility for Jack.
“Yeah, I get it,” Jack muttered. “I knew I never had a chance with her, but she’s always belonged to me.”
“Not anymore,” Jace said. “She’s mine and I protect what’s mine. You ever try to hurt her and I’ll crush you.”
“Just make her happy. That’s all I ask.”
“You can make her happy by cleaning up your act,” Jace pointed out.
Resignation was dark and churning in Jack’s eyes. For the first time, Jace got a glimpse of the demons driving the other man. Demons that had once held Bethany in their grip too.
“I’ll try,” Jack said flatly.
chapter thirty-four
Jace and Bethany spent New Year’s Eve with Gabe, Mia and Ash. Things were less awkward for Bethany this time, but Jace still kept close watch on her. Jack was a constant worry for her and Jace cursed the selfish bastard for putting her through this.
The day after Jace had given the pack back to Jack, Jack had disappeared, and he hadn’t returned to the apartment since. Nor had he phoned Bethany or attempted to contact her in any fashion. Jace knew this because while Trevor kept close watch on the apartment, Kaden watched over Bethany from a discreet distance.
Even though Jace had made it clear that Kaden was to shadow Jack’s movements, Jack must have been aware that he was being watched because he made certain he disappeared and that his steps weren’t traceable.
So while Jack was off doing whatever the fuck Jack did, Bethany had made herself sick with worry.
Jace had enlisted the aid of Gabe, Mia and Ash in an attempt to give Bethany a New Year’s Eve where she would relax and enjoy. They’d gathered at Jace’s apartment—he’d thought if they entertained in a place Bethany felt at home that perhaps she would feel more at ease—and Jace had ordered in all of Bethany’s favorite finger foods. He also made certain he had plenty of black cherry soda—Mia’s favorite—on hand, and he’d quickly discovered that Bethany loved it at first taste. He immediately made a mental note to stock more on a regular basis.
“I wanted you all to be the first to know this,” Gabe said when conversation had quieted down.
Jace turned his attention to his future brother-in-law. He and Mia were sitting on the love seat, while Jace and Bethany were cuddled on the couch. Ash occupied the armchair on the other side of Jace and Bethany.
They’d eaten themselves silly and then relaxed in the living room with drinks, the television on in preparation to watch the ball drop in Times Square. Mia had suggested they all venture down to the square for the event, but Gabe and Jace had vetoed the suggestion, not wanting to brave the crowds. There was also the fact that since Jace had no idea where Jack was or if he’d cleared up the matter of the drugs, he wasn’t taking any chances with Bethany’s safety.
Gabe gazed tenderly down at Mia, who returned his smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“We’ve finally set a date,” Gabe said after a long pause. “Or rather, Mia has set the date,” he added dryly.
Mia thumped him on the arm in reprimand and he chuckled, holding his arm in mock pain.
Bethany smiled and leaned forward eagerly. “Oh, that’s wonderful, Mia! When?”
“She’s making me wait until April,” Gabe said with a groan. “She wants a spring wedding. I tried to convince her to elope tomorrow so we could marry in Vegas on New Year’s Day. I can’t think of a better way to start the year than making the woman I love officially mine.”
Mia’s face went absolutely soft as she stared up at Gabe. Jace felt a tightening in his own chest and he squeezed Bethany back against him, enfolding her more firmly in his embrace.
This was nice. Hanging out with his family. The people who meant the most to him in this world. The woman he loved in his arms. Him watching his sister with the man who loved and adored her beyond measure.
The only thing missing was . . . Ash. Not that Ash wasn’t here. But Ash was conspicuously single. The only loner in the group.
“You make a very romantic argument for that elopement,” Mia murmured.
Gabe’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Does that mean you’d consider it? I could have the jet fueled and ready to go in an hour.”
She whopped him again and rolled her eyes. “Nope. I want a wedding. My brother giving me away. The whole shebang.” Her expression grew wistful. “A gorgeous dress, a beautiful cake and for everyone to see me become Mrs. Gabe Hamilton.”
“And I want you to have whatever you want,” Gabe said in a serious tone that dropped all pretense of teasing. “All I want from the deal is you as my wife. Anything else is just icing on that beautiful cake you want.”
She leaned up and kissed him and Jace rolled his eyes in Ash’s direction. Ash shook his head in response.
“This means we’ll be subjected to this shit for the next four months,” Ash groaned.
Gabe laughed and Mia glowered in both Jace’s and Ash’s directions. Then she turned her attention to Bethany.
“I’d like you to be an attendant in my wedding, Bethany,” she said softly.
Bethany went tense against Jace, her mouth opening in surprise. She seemed genuinely befuddled and at a loss for words. Jace squeezed her reassuringly.
“But you hardly know me,” Bethany said. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to include me because of me and Jace . . .”
Mia smiled. “I don’t. I want you there. It’s my big day, according to Gabe, and every girl should have things exactly her way on her big day. And I want you with me.”
Bethany’s cheeks went pink but her eyes glowed with pleasure at Mia’s request. Jace wanted to hug his little sister for making Bethany feel important and included.
“Then I’d love to,” Bethany said quietly.
Mia beamed at her. “And while I’m in command mode, my girls and I are going out this week to Vibe.”
Before she could go any further, Gabe broke into a groan and Jace added his own.
“Shush, you two!” Mia admonished. Then she looked apologetically at Bethany. “As I was saying. My girls and I are going to the club and we’d love for you to come.”
Bethany glanced quickly up at Jace as if seeking his approval and he frowned.
“Of course you can go,” he whispered so the others couldn’t hear. “You don’t need my permission.”
She sent him a look that suggested she was adhering to the rules of their relationship. Something agreed upon by both of them. And he loved her for that, that she was so willing to cede power and control to him. But he wasn’t going to be a bastard about it either. He’d damn near give her the moon if she wanted it.
Besides, he already knew Mia had planned to invite Bethany for a night out with the girls. When he’d explained the situation with Jack and how down and worried Bethany had been the last several days, Mia had seized the opportunity and declared that what Bethany needed was a girls’ night out.
“I’d love to,” Bethany said to Mia.
Mia’s face lit up in delight. “Good! It’s settled then. Night after next, we’ll hit the club. I’ll run by and get you from Jace’s apartment and then we’ll swing by to get the other girls on the way. Gabe’s providing a driver for the evening.”
“Damn right,” Gabe muttered. “Last thing I need is a bunch of drunken girls wobbling all over fucking Manhattan.”
Ash chuckled. “No shit.”
“Our apartment, Mia,” Jace corrected gently. “It’s mine and Bethany’s apartment. Not mine.”
Mia flushed, her eyes growing worried. “Of course! I’m so sorry. I’m so used to calling it your apartment. I’m sorry, Bethany. I wasn’t thinking.”
Bethany looked embarrassed and sent Jace a frown of reprimand that had him grinning. He wasn’t the least bit repentant for reminding the others of Bethany’s place in his life.
“It’s okay, Mia. I knew what you meant,” Bethany said.
“Oh look!” Mia exclaimed. “It’s almost midnight. The countdown is on!”
Their gazes jerked to the television just in time to see the clock wind down to midnight.
“Happy New Year!” Mia cried.
“Happy New Year,” Ash said, raising his glass in toast.
“Happy New Year,” Gabe echoed.
Jace leaned down, touching his lips to Bethany’s. “Happy New Year, baby.”
“You too,” she whispered as she kissed him back.
“Know what I plan to be doing New Year’s Day?” he whispered.
“What?” she whispered back.
“Making love to you. They say whatever you do on New Year’s Day you’ll be doing the entire rest of the year.”
She grinned. “For real?”
“So the saying goes.”
“In that case, I vote we do exactly that,” she said before kissing him again.
“No arguments from me.”
“And they say we’re bad,” Mia grumbled, jerking Jace back before he completely lost himself in Bethany’s kiss and forgot where they were.
He shot his sister a glare. “Oh please. Like anyone is worse than you and Gabe.”
Gabe looked amused but kept his mouth shut.
“Try being me,” Ash muttered. “Jesus, it’s like a couples’ retreat around here.”
“So find you a woman,” Mia said lightly.
Ash rolled his eyes and then drained his wineglass. “No hurry there, sweetheart. Besides, who in their right mind would ever marry into my crazy-ass family?”
Mia gasped. “Did he just insult us?”
Jace smiled, loving her even more in that moment. Ash looked dumbstruck for a moment and then a warm smile lit up his entire face and his eyes gleamed with affection.
Mia had effectively reminded him that they were Ash’s family. Not his father or mother or batshit crazy siblings. Here in this room was Ash’s real family. The ones who supported him unconditionally.
“Never that,” Ash said. “And thanks for the reminder, sweetness.”
Bethany was looking at the others with something akin to wonder. Her smile was achingly filled with longing. For what the others shared. That unbreakable bond. One that extended to her now, even if she hadn’t fully grasped it.
“They’re your family too,” he murmured into her ear.
She turned to him, her eyes bright with happiness for the first time in days. They were clear and not clouded with sadness and worry.
“Yeah,” she breathed. “I guess they are, aren’t they?”
He kissed her lingeringly, hugging her tightly to his chest. “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
“It’s the best,” she said fiercely. “It’s something I never imagined having. I still can’t believe it. I still wake up and have to tell myself this is really happening and not some crazy dream I’ve hatched.”
He smiled gently, his chest aching with the love he felt for her. “Believe it, baby. It’s real and it’s yours.”
chapter thirty-five