Page 49 of Jace
Tonight?
I don’t know what he’s planning as we climb the ladder and step onto a narrow brick landing before we’re greeted by a modern keypad that clicks the antique gate open.
Clearly, Luca Mercier and his wife, Scarlett, have their security on lock. This shit is covert and clever.
Greeted by fresh air and sunshine, Jace regains his color. He grabs his phone from his jacket and makes a call. “Lock it down,” he barks, then hangs up.
“Lockwhatdown?”
“Delta’s.”
“Is that where we’re going?”
“That’s where we’re staying tonight.”
“Tonight? But Jace, I have to go home, or he’ll?—”
His eyebrows lower like a predator. “He’ll eat my fucking fist for breakfast; I don’t care. He’s a tadpole, while we’re swimming with sharks.”
“But I?—”
Jace presses a fingertip to my lips. “Viv?”
“Shut up?” I sputter.
He grins. “Yousaid it, not me.”
I roll my eyes before he reaches into his jacket, pulling his gun out of his undercover shoulder holster. He aims it low withone hand and takes my hand with his other, leading us through a maze of alleys, old carriageways, and even private gardens until we’re standing at the brick wall to the courtyard behind Delta’s.
With a shrill whistle, Jace calls out. It’s immediately mocked by one on the other side of the wall.
“What is this?” I marvel at the sky. “A bird sanctuary?”
“No.” Jace grins, lacing his fingers together and squatting. “It’s your boarding call over this brick wall. Come on. Up you go.”
My fists land on my waist. “I amnot?—”
He cocks a brow.
“Fine.” I huff, stepping into his hands like a basket. “I want so much fucking ice cream for this.”
“You got it, Smokeshow.” Lifting me like a balloon as I grab the top of the wall, he praises, “Anything to have your hot ass in my face; just sayin’.”
I could glance back and sass him, but I’m too busy being catapulted over a brick wall and falling into Grant’s waiting arms.
“Pussy falling from the sky!” Grant booms. “My prayers have been answered.”
With a heavy thud, Jace lands on booted feet beside us.
“Who?” Grant asks him as he sets me down.
“One of them.”
“One of who?” Why do I ask? Like either will answer.
Jace points to the roof of the house next to this one and the one across the street. “Snipers,” he tells me. “Up there to protect us fromwho. Don’t worry. You’re safe.”
I squint, scanning the rooflines. “I don’t see them.”
