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“Do you want me to?” he asks, hurt lacing his words.
I put on a smile. “Of course not, Jace. If I could keep you here with me forever, I would. But I know how much you want to go home. And don’t lie to me about it. You have your duties and responsibilities, I don’t want to come in between.”
“I told you, I’ll come visit. I meant it.”
Shrugging, I stand up. “I’ll make you some snacks for the road.”
I quickly run off before I can cry in front of him. Damn hormones. I get moody over the smallest things now, I don’t know how to control myself.
So what If Jace wants to go back home? I can’t blame him. I’m a mess.
Chapter10
Jace
“So, I guess you two made up? I haven't heard from you in days and assumed it must be all the monkey sex you’re having.”
I roll my eyes even though Danika can’t see me and swallow my chuckle. She sounds pissed at me for not returning her calls or replying to her unnecessary texts about Carli and the baby. She and I were living in our little bubble of bliss the past few days. Yes, I didn't leave the next day after our argument, knowing Carli would have spiraled with overthinking. And I wasn’t ready to let her go yet. We avoided the subject of getting her to come to Rockport and me going back home, pretending we have our entire lives in this small town, inside her apartment and on her bed.
“I told you, unless it’s important, I didn't see the point in answering.”
“Why did you call me now, then? It isn't staying up anymore?” Danika laughs loudly at her own stupid joke.
I shake my head in disbelief before sitting on the couch. It’s still early and Carli has gone to work at the diner for a bit. I told her I’ll stay in and clean up a few things. I’ve gotten used to meal prepping for her, making sure she’s getting her nutrients. And tidying up the house knowing she’d be too tired after she comes back. I like being domestic like this and helping her out even though I’m not used to it. The thought of being a father fuels a sort of energy I’ve never felt before.
I ignore Danika’s remark. “Give me an update on everything. Anything I need to know of? I told Tax to take care of the security at my place, the beach house and Carli’s home. Did he do it?”
“Yep. He grumbled about it the whole of yesterday because apparently you told him to improve his systems. He didn't like hearing that. But everything’s good to go now. And as for anything important…” she drags.
“What?” I snap impatiently.
“It’s Devon,” Danika sighs, and I pinch my eyes close.
“That fucker. What has he done now?”
“Getting out of hand. I heard from a few people that he’s assaulting anyone who tries to defy him. You remember Jeremy from the hardware store? Apparently Carli stopped there before she went MIA and Devon tried to get information out of him. Jeremy didn't give him what he needed, and so he shot him.”
“Fuck,” I curse again, sitting straight. He’s trying to find Carli and getting frustrated. I have no doubt he won’t hesitate to shoot anyone else in his way. “Is Jeremy okay?”
“Yeah, he’s in hospital but he should be fine. Everyone else is taking precautions though. No one knows where you and Carli are except me, and I’ll keep it that way. But Devon is going to ask anyway, he’ll take people out one by one until someone agrees to spy on us for him.” She pauses. “Unless someone is already doing that.”
“You need to be careful too,” I tell her with concern. “Devon knows I trust you, he might target you next.”
Danika scoffs. “Like he can take me. I won’t let anything happen to Carli, I care about her too. If he comes to me, I might kill him and I’m not joking.”
“Don’t be cocky, Danika. I know you can take him, but it sounds like he’s gotten more powerful. He could take you off guard. So do me a favor, get a burner phone to call me and I’ll do the same here. And then add more security at the bar and your house, okay? Tell Tax I want the developed systems soon. It needs to be strong enough not to hack.”
“You got it, boss.”
“If anything else comes up, give me a call.”
“When will you be back?” Danika questions and I flinch. It’s a touchy subject because I don't know. I don’t want to bring this up with Carli as well. I have to return someday, if not soon, and I understand why Carli isn't ready to come with me.
Except there’s too much danger now.
My initial plan of giving Carli some basic gun training doesn't feel enough. I need to be with her, she needs to be with me. If anything happens to her while I’m gone, I’ll never forgive myself. Thinking of ways to break the news to Carli is difficult. I’m not sure if she’ll react the way she did before and become cold and distant, or if she’ll understand where I’m coming from as well and be willing to go back to Rockport with me.
“Soon.”
