Page 164 of Malice and Surrender
My gut told me not to give him any ammunition. He could simply be looking out for Jace since he was his manager and agent, but I had an uneasy feeling in my stomach. Had Jace really told him that he loved me? Do I confirm it?
The song Jace was singing ended, and both Allen and I clapped. Putting two fingers in my mouth, I blew hard, making a loud shrill whistle. Jace turned, looking at me, and I smiled. He was infectious. Avro’s description of him was very accurate. Butterflies took flight in my stomach as my body warmed, and it had nothing to do with the huge crowd.
Jace had a way of penetrating your senses. His touch lingered long after he let you go. If I didn’t know better, I would think the man was a walking morning glory flower. Jace and all of this felt like an illusion.
“So, do you have an answer,” Allen said, and I wanted to punch him in the face.
Even though I didn’t want to, I smiled.
“Honestly, I’m just surprised he told you at all. We were keeping the news quiet, but I guess taking me to the awards show derailed any plans you were making, and it forced his hand,” I said, as if I had a hell of a lot more knowledge than I did.
I lifted a shoulder and let it drop casually. “As for how that’s not really any of your business unless Jace wants to tell you.” I looked away from his expression, which was darkening by the second. “Since it’s obvious you don’t know, it’s not my place to say.”
I could feel him ready to explode beside me. He was like a volcano about to erupt, and I felt tremors. My hands twitched in my lap as my heart rate spiked. Jace was well into the next song when Allen spoke again.
“I will find out if you’re just here to use Jace to climb out of that shithole bar.” He bent over so his face was near mine. “Even if it means digging up everything in your life to do it. There will be nothing that is not out there for public consumption.”
The pounding of my heart got worse as I pictured my childhood, my parents, the assault, the depression I suffered, and the anxiety meds I took. Then finally, my involvement with Kai splashed over every social media site. My painful and sordid story would be out there for anyone to read and judge. I could picture the twisted tales now.
Abused drug addict using Jace Everly to climb the social ladder while she continues to have relations with a known criminal and MC enforcer. The same man was charged with her assault. Does this girl just like trouble? What are her real intentions with Jace Everly?
Allen’s glare told me he was going to do just that. He would have someone look into me and leak it, regardless of what Jace wanted. That thought made my throat close up.
“Do we have a problem here?” Jace’s voice made me jump, and I jerked away from Allen.
“No, of course not,” Allen interjected. “I was just getting to know the love of your life a little better. Considering you never mentioned her until the other day, I was curious about her.” Allen smiled like a snake oil salesman and clapped Jace on the shoulder. “Great concert as always.”
The crowd was cheering for an encore, but Jace didn’t budge as he stared Allen down. Without batting an eye, Allen turned and walked away. I watched Jace as his eyes tracked Allen.
“What did he really want,” Jace asked his voice on the verge of seething. I looked over my shoulder to where Allen was now talking to one of the crew. If I said what happened, I knew Jace would do something that neither of us could come back from. Visions of Jace punching Allen in the face flooded my mind, so I decided to keep my mouth shut, at least for now.
“He seems overly concerned and confused as to where our relationship began. He was asking some questions about how we met.” I shrugged. “You know, he’s the person that looks out for you. If I were him, I’d have questions too.”
Jace’s silver eyes were drilling holes into mine, making me so hot that I wanted to rip my clothes off. He was acting more intense than normal, so I slipped off the stool and stood not to feel quite so small as he towered over me.
“So he didn’t threaten you?” He glared, his jaw twitching as his eyes flicked to Allen and back to me. “Cause if he threatened you…so help me god…” Jace growled, and a shiver raced down my spine. This was exactly what I was worried about, and quickly shook my head. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I rose up on my toes and kissed him.
“All is well. Now come on, you need a shower. I thought only athletes got this sweaty.” I stepped back and held my arms out as if disgusted, making Jace laugh.
I squealed as he picked me up, and I was forced to wrap my arm around his neck. “Jace, put me down.”
“Nope, I intend on making it so that you have to shower with me.” Smirking, he kissed me hard and wiggled his chest against me.
“That’s disgusting,” I said, laughing.
“Maybe, but I plan on having you sweaty very soon.” Jace had a way of deepening his voice at just the right moments that made you shiver, and I did now, which only pulled up the corner of his mouth in an arrogant smirk. “Three whole nights of me, all alone. You think you can handle it?” We turned the corner to the dressing rooms.
“Can you,” I asked as he walked to his room and closed the door with a kick.
Jace buried his head in my neck, his lips brushing against my skin. “Oh Peaches, the little bit I’ve done with you is only the tip of the iceberg. You’ll scream until you pass out. That’s a promise.”
Jace’s voice was husky, and there was not a doubt in my mind that he wouldn’t follow through on his promise or threat, depending on how you looked at it. The old me would’ve jumped out of his arms and ran screaming. But that girl, scared of new emotions and experiences, had packed her bags and disappeared. I never wanted to see her face again.
Jace walked us right into the shower with all our clothes on and hit the water, making me squeal with the sudden burst of cold. We laughed hard until our lips met again, and Jace pulled my shirt off over my head.
I was a whole new me. I was going to live life and experience what it had to offer, and right now, that was Jace Everly, the rock star with a commanding personality. Life was way too short to do anything else.
Avro
