Fever (Breathless #2)(96)

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 f**k 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 f**k 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 f**k-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 f**king 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 f**k 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 f**k Jack did, Bethany had made herself sick with worry.