Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 177

CHAPTER 106-1

I barely slept after my mother’s phone call, and when morning finally came, I felt like I had spent the entire night arguing with myself,

Part of me wanted to cancel the meeting. Another part of me knew I couldn’t keep avoiding the questions that had been building for months.

I showered, brushed my teeth, pulled my hair into a loose ponytail, and dressed in jeans, boots, and a clean Lawson Customs shirt before heading downstairs.

Jace was already in the clubhouse kitchen, and he was pouring coffee into two mugs when I walked in and he looked at me for a few seconds.

“You didn’t sleep.” He said.

“I slept.” I said as he raised an eyebrow.

“That wasn’t convincing.” He said and I smiled faintly as he handed me a mug.

“I kept thinking about Mom.” I said.

“Are you still meeting her?” He said.

“I think so.” I said.

“You don’t have to.” He said.

“I know.” I said.

“You can bring me with you.” He said.

“I know.” I said as he watched me carefully.

“But you want to go alone.” He said and I nodded.

“I need to hear what she has to say without everyone else sitting there.” I said and Jace sighed, but he didn’t argue.

“Then call me when you’re done.” He said.

“I will.” I said.

He reached across the counter and took my hand.

“Whatever she tells you, don’t let it make you feel like you have to fix everything.” He said and I looked at him.

“I won’t.” I said so he kissed me.

“Good.” He said.

I finished my coffee, grabbed my keys, and headed outside.

The drive into town took less than twenty minutes, but I spent most of it thinking about Charles.

Yesterday, he had walked into Lawson Customs with a smile and offered to invest in my business.

I had refused him because something about the offer hadn’t felt right Then my mother had called and warned me not to trust him

The timing was too perfect.

I parked outside a small café on Main Street, and for a moment, I remained inside my truck with my hands resting on the steering wheel.

The café was the kind of place that belonged in a quiet town, because it had a red brick front, wide windows, an old wooden sign above the door, and a row of pickup trucks parked along the curb.

I took a breath and climbed out and Victoria was already inside.

She sat near the window with both hands wrapped around a coffee cup, and when she saw me, she stood.

“Paige.” She said.

“Hi, ‘Mom.” I said.

We hugged briefly, although it felt awkward because neither of us seemed to know what kind of relationship we were supposed to have anymore.

I sat across from her and a waitress approached, and I ordered coffee before looking back at my mother.

“You said you wanted to talk about Charles.” I said.

“I do.” She said.

“Then tell me what’s going on.” I said and Victoria looked toward the window.

“Charles is struggling.” She said.

“With what?” I asked.

“With losing control.” She said.

“What control?” I asked.

“Over the family.” She said and I leaned back.

“Charles doesn’t control me.” I said.

“I know.” She said.

“Then why is he acting like he does?” I asked and Victoria sighed.

“Because he’s always believed that everything connected to the Lawson family belongs under his influence.” She said and I stared at her.

“Lawson Customs isn’t his.” I said.

“I know.” She said.

He didn’t build it.” I said.

“I know.” She said.

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