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I stood from the couch and walked into the kitchen. As I moved, something caught my eye against the dark floor of the entrance and I froze. The hairs on my arms stood erect and the skin over the back of my neck tightened as I stared at the crisp, clean white envelope. My eyes widened and my heart thrashed in my chest.
"Jace," I whispered. I couldn't move. He turned around, still holding the phone to his ear. I could only see him from my peripherals, but I knew his face paled as soon as he caught sight of me.
"He's here, Gabe." Jace said quietly into the phone before hanging up. I knew it would only be a matter of minutes before Gabe joined us at the apartment.
Jace turned his body to face mine, signaling for me to get away from the door. I couldn't move. My legs wouldn't move. My heart hammered against my chest in fear as I imagined a bullet flying though the wooden door, splintering it before hitting home in my chest. I was terrified and completely paralyzed by fear.
"Olivia," Jace shook his head. His movement was so quick. One moment I was standing in line with the door and the next, I was in his arms and he was carrying me to the bedroom. "Don't scare me like that." He set me down on the bed. "I'm going to go see if I can find him."
That kick-started me into gear and I quickly clutched at the jacket of his suit, pulling him down to me. I knew my eyes were frantic - but I was frantic. "Jace, no." I cried. "You can't leave me. You can't leave me."
I must have looked a ruin, because he pulled me into his arms crushing me to his chest. "Shh," he cooed. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here."
I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my face into the nook of his neck. I breathed him in and sighed a shaky release of breath. "I can't face losing you."
"You'll never lose me." He assured gruffly.
"You're not invincible."
"Angel, I love you so much." He hugged me tighter. "I only want you safe. Why the hell did you leave the café?"
"I was mad at you." I admitted. "You shouldn't want to talk about things that involve me without me."
"I don't want you to be afraid."
"Not knowing is more terrifying then knowing." I whispered, nuzzling him. This was right where I needed to be. In his arms, I was certain there was no safer place.
"You are mine to protect, Olivia." Jace replied tightly.
"I'm yours to love and cherish, Jace." I said. "That's what you asked for when you asked for me to marry you."
"I asked for everything when I asked you to marry me, Olivia." He tightened his hold on me. "Including the right to protect you even if it pisses you off. Get over it."
I frowned and nibbled his neck. "No. I won't get over it. You need to share with me. Talk to me. Don't shut me out."
He growled low in his throat. "You're going to be the death of me. Why can't you ever accept anything I say?"
"What?"
"You challenge me on everything, woman." He pulled back to look at me. "It's infuriating."
I raised a brow. "Woman? Did you just call me woman?"
He cocked a grin, shattering the tenseness that took over his handsome features a few hours prior. "If that's what it takes to get your attention."
"Jace?" Gabe called out, interrupting us from our easy bantering. The sound of his voice quickly washed over us like cold water, bringing us back to the situation at hand.
"Be right out, Gabe."
"How did he get in?" I asked wearily, eyeing Jace as he walked to the door.
He tossed a sheepish grin over his shoulder. "I made him a key."
I gritted my teeth. "Are you serious? I'm changing the locks. Soon the entirety of New York will have a key to this place. Moo-moo isn't safe."
Jace tightened his hold on my hand. "You will do no such thing. And as for the cat, he is the safest cat in the city with a bodyguard like Gabe."
"Oh, whatever." I snapped feeling irked for no good reason.
I followed Jace into the living room and curled on his lap when he sat on the couch. Gabe was already seated in the chair. He was reading the letter that had been slipped beneath the door and his face was stern. I felt ill watching him. I couldn't help but wonder what this letter would say.
Gabe sighed, placing the letter facedown on the table. "This letter is not for Olivia." He stated and I sighed in relief. Oh, thank God. I was getting paranoid at every little thing that came under the doorway now. How ridiculous could I be?
"Who is it for?" Jace asked, his thumb massaging small circles into my back where it rested.
Gabe looked at Jace, his face grim. Oh shit. "It's for you."
