Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 193

CHAPTER 114-1

Paige’s POV

I noticed something was wrong with Jace before he said a word, because he had been quieter since returning from the police station, and even when he smiled, there was something distracted behind his

eyes.

We were sitting at the kitchen table at the clubhouse the following morning, and I watched him stare into his coffee without drinking it.

“You’ve been looking at that cup for five minutes.” I said and he glanced up.

“I’ve been thinking.” He said.

“I noticed.” I said.

He picked up the coffee and took a sip, although I could tell his mind was somewhere else and I pushed my breakfast plate aside.

“What’s going on?” I asked but he hesitated.

“The weapons shipment.” He said and I nodded.

“The one stolen from the Black Reapers.” He added.

“Yeah.” I said as he rubbed his jaw.

“Something about it doesn’t feel right.” He said as I leaned forward.

“What doesn’t feel right?” I asked.

“Everything.” He said as he looked toward the window.

“The Black Reapers are convinced we took the shipment, but we didn’t, and whoever actually took it knew exactly what they were doing.” He said as I stayed quiet.

“They didn’t kill anyone. They didn’t destroy the vehicle, and they didn’t take anything except the weapons.” He continued.

“So it was planned.” I said.

“Very carefully.” He said and I wrapped both hands around my coffee mug.

“Do you think they’re trying to make the Black Reapers attack you?” I asked as Jace looked at me.

“That’s what I’m starting to think.” He said and my stomach tightened.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because someone keeps creating situations where Victor has a reason to blame us.” He said as he started counting the incidents on his fingers.

“The rumours about Lawson Customs, the fire, the salvage yard break-in, the missing journal pages, and

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now the weapons shipment.” He added as I stared at him.

“When you put it like that, it doesn’t sound random.” I said.

“It isn’t. I think someone is trying to start a larger war.” He said as he leaned back and the words made my heart start beating a little faster.

“A war between the Iron Vipers and the Black Reapers?” I asked.

“Yes.” He said.

“But why?” I asked.

“I don’t know. That’s the problem.” He said as he looked frustrated.

I reached across the table and touched his hand.

“Then don’t give them what they want.” I said and his eyes returned to mine.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“If someone is trying to make you react, then reacting is exactly what they want.” I said as he remained silent.

“Jace, you’ve spent weeks trying to stay one step ahead of Victor, and you’ve done that by thinking before acting.” I added as he nodded slowly.

“I know.” He said.

“Then don’t change that now.” I said and he squeezed my hand.

“I’m trying.” He said.

“I know. You don’t have to solve everything today.” I said and he gave me a tired smile.

“That sounds easy when you say it.” He said.

“It isn’t easy. But it’s necessary.” I said as I shook my head and he looked down at our hands.

“You always do that.” He said.

“Do what?” I asked.

“Make me slow down.” He said and I laughed softly.

“Someone has to.” I said and he smiled.

“I appreciate it.” He said as I squeezed his fingers.

“I just don’t want you walking into something because Victor expects you to.” I said and he nodded.

“I don’t either.” He said.

We stayed there for several minutes, and for the first time that morning, I saw some of the tension leave his shoulders. Then Mason walked into the kitchen.

2/3

CHAPTER 1+

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