Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 136

CHAPTER 85-2

then we’re done.” She said and I gave her a faint smile.

“That sounds very official.” I said.

“It is.” She said and I laughed quietly, but the sound disappeared almost immediately because the

warning still sat heavily inside me and Sarah squeezed my arm.

“Be careful, Paige.” She said.

“I will.” I said.

She walked away, and I remained there for a moment, staring at the darkening sky.

The evening had been so perfect before she spoke to me. Now every shadow looked different and

I hated that. I hated how quickly fear could take something ordinary and turn it into something

suspicious.

I returned to the backyard, and Jace immediately noticed the change in my expression so he

walked toward me.

“What happened?” He asked.

“We need to talk.” I said and his face hardened.

“Now?” He asked and I nodded so he glanced toward the others.

“I’ll be inside.” He said to them

We walked through the house and into the kitchen, where the noise from the backyard became

muffled and Jace closed the door behind us.

“What did Sarah say?” He asked as I leaned against the counter.

“She warned me.” I said.

“About what?” He asked.

“The violence between the clubs is escalating.” He said and his expression didn’t change, but I saw

something flicker in his eyes.

“What else?” He asked.

“She said I’m in danger.” I said as Jace’s shoulders stiffened.

“She said that?” He asked.

“Yes.” I said.

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CHAPTER 85-2

“What exactly did she tell you?” He asked.

Claun

repeated everything Sarah had said, including the warnings about traveling alone, watching unfamiliar vehicles, and refusing to answer questions about him or the club.

Jace listened without interrupting and when I finished, he rubbed a hand over his jaw.

“I knew things were getting tense.” He said.

“Apparently they’re worse than you thought.” I said.

“I don’t like that Sarah came to you.” He said.

“She wasn’t trying to scare me.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“She was trying to protect me.” I said and he looked at me.

“I know.” He said as I reached for his hand.

“Jace, I’m not asking you to tell me everything the club does.” I said.

“I wouldn’t.” He said.

“I just need you to understand that I can’t live constantly afraid.” I said as his fingers closed around

mine.

“You won’t.” He said.

“You can’t promise that.” I said.

“I can promise I’ll do everything I can.” He said and I looked into his eyes.

“That’s different.” He said.

“It’s the only promise I can make.” I said and I nodded because I knew he was right.

For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

“I don’t want this to change what we have.” I whispered.

“It won’t.” He said.

“You don’t know that.” I said.

“I do.” He said.

His thumb moved slowly across the back of my hand.

“Because whatever happens outside these walls, I’m not letting it take you away from me.” He

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added and my chest tightened.

“don’t want you getting hurt either.” I said.

“I’ll be careful.” He said.

“You’d better.” I said and a faint smile crossed his face.

“Was that a threat?” He asked.

“Maybe.” I said.

“There she is.” He said and I laughed despite myself.

The tension didn’t disappear, but it loosened enough for me to breathe.

We returned outside a little while later, and I tried to act normal.

The kids were still playing, the food was being packed away, and everyone was talking about doing

another dinner soon. Nobody needed to know how quickly the mood had changed for me.

Later that night, after everyone had left, I stood beneath the shower and let the hot water run over

my shoulders.

I washed my hair, brushed my teeth afterward, and changed into an oversized shirt before climbing into bed. Jace was still downstairs and I checked the curtains. Then I checked the window.

Then I hated myself for doing it. Sarah’s warning had gotten inside my head and I climbed beneath the blankets and turned off the lamp, but sleep refused to come easily.

Across town, Victor sat behind his desk while one of his men stood in front of him.

“The Lawson woman knows she’s being watched.” The man said and Victor leaned back in his

chair.

“Then watching her isn’t useful anymore.” Victor said.

“What do you want us to do?” The man asked and Victor looked at the photographs spread across

his desk.

Paige with Jace. Paige at the shop. Paige with the club members.

He had spent days gathering information, but now he understood something important. The club

was expecting an attack and the police were watching.

Paige was becoming cautious. So continuing the same way would accomplish nothing.

Victor slowly pushed the photographs into a neat stack.

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