Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 164

CHAPTER 99-2

“Jace.” I said and he smiled.

“You’ve become part of this family, Paige, and I want everyone here to know how much we appreciate you.” He said.

Applause erupted around the table and I blinked rapidly because tears had already started forming. Mason was the first to stand.

“He’s right.” Mason said and Derek nodded.

“Absolutely.” Derek said.

Emma reached across the table and squeezed my hand. Then Mason grinned.

“And since we’re making official declarations tonight, I have one.” Mason said and everyone laughed as he looked at me.

“Lawson Customs is officially an Iron Vipers partner business.” Mason announced.

For a second, I didn’t understand what he meant. Then everyone started cheering and I stared at Jace.

“You did this?” I asked as he smiled.

“It was everyone’s decision.” He said and I looked around the table and Mason raised his glass.

“To Lawson Customs.” Mason said as Derek lifted his.

“To Paige.” Derek said as Emma smiled.

“To family.” Emma said.

“To family.” Everyone said.

I covered my mouth as tears slipped down my cheeks. I wasn’t embarrassed. I couldn’t be. This meant too much.

I had spent so long wondering whether I belonged here, and now they had answered that question in front of everyone.

I stood slowly.

“I don’t know what to say.” I said as Mason called out.

“Try something emotional.” Mason said and everyone laughed as I wiped my cheeks.

“I guess I’ll start by saying thank you.” I said and the laughter quieted.

“I’ve never expected any of this.” I said as I looked around the table.

“When I first came here, I thought I was just fixing motorcycles and trying to keep my uncle’s business alive. Then everything changed. You all became people I cared about, and somewhere along the way, you became my family.” I added as I looked toward Jace and Emma smiled.

CHAPTER

Hknow there are difficult days ahead. But I promise that I’m going to keep standing beside you.” I added ast lifted my glass.

“Whatever happens, tawson Customs will stand with the Iron Vipèrs.” I announced.

The table erupted again and Jace stood and pulled me into his arms and laughed through my tears

“I love you.” I said.

“I love you too.” He said as he kissed my forehead.

The rest of the evening passed with music, dancing, and laughter.

The children eventually became tired, and several fell asleep on couches while the adults continued talking.

I helped clean the kitchen afterward, washed the dishes, and wiped down the counters while Emma packed away leftovers.

When I finally returned upstairs, I changed into comfortable clothes, brushed my teeth, and climbed into

bed.

I fell asleep feeling happier than I had in a long time.

Across town, the atmosphere was very different.

Victor Kane stood inside a dark warehouse while the Black Reapers gathered around him.

Several men stood near the tables, and the mood was ténse and Victor looked around the room.

“The small attacks are over.” Victor said as nobody spoke.

“We’ve tested them. We’ve watched how they react, we’ve studied their movements, and we’ve learned what matters to them.” He said as he placed his hands on the table and his voice hardened.

“Now we stop playing.” Victor said as one of the men nodded.

“What do you want?” The man asked.

“Total war.” Victor said and the room went silent.

“We destroy the Iron Vipers piece by piece. Their businesses. Their money. Their security. And the people they love.” He added as he looked around.

The men exchanged glances as Victor walked toward a large map spread across the wall.

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