Fever (Breathless #2)(95)

And if he were honest—and he was—he knew that it had been weeks since he’d been able to give work his undivided attention. Maybe he’d never make work his number one priority again. He had Bethany now and she was the most important thing in his life. Not work, not business, not even his partnership with his two best friends.

• • •

Forty-five minutes later, he strode into the apartment complex and was met by Kaden in the lobby.

“He’s still here?” Jace asked shortly.

Kaden nodded. “Yes, sir. He hasn’t come down since he arrived.”

“Very good. I’ll want you and Trevor to constantly monitor his presence. Even 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 f**king 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 f**king ass for bringing that shit into Bethany’s apartment. And what the f**k were you thinking, bringing her painkillers when you know damn well she was addicted to them once? What kind of a f**k-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, ass**le. But not safer for Bethany. She could have taken the fall for you.”