Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 253

CHAPTER 146-1

The next morning, I arrived at Lawson Customs before eight, and for once, I wasn’t thinking about Victor, Charlotte, or the recording that had changed everything.

I was thinking about work.

The replacement window had been installed, the damaged fencing was secure again, and the motorcycles that had been hit during the attack were lined up along the service bays waiting for repairs.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was getting there.

I had just finished making coffee when I heard a vehicle pull into the parking lot.

I looked through the front window, and my stomach tightened when I saw Charles Lawson step out of his

car.

Alone.

He stood beside the vehicle for several seconds as though he was gathering the courage to walk inside, and that alone told me this wasn’t going to be another conversation where he arrived expecting me to listen while he told me what I should do.

He walked toward the entrance and I opened the door before he could knock.

“Charles.” I said.

“Paige.” He said as he looked past me toward the workshop.

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” He said.

“You are, but come inside.” I said.

He nodded and stepped through the doorway.

His eyes moved across the repaired window, the damaged motorcycles, and the tools scattered across the workbenches.

“I heard about the attack.” He said.

“Most people have.” I said.

“I’m sorry.” He said as I studied him.

“Thank you.” I said.

He looked uncomfortable, and I realized I had never seen him look that way around me.

Usually, Charles Lawson seemed completely certain of himself.

Today, he looked like a man who had finally run out of excuses.

“Can we talk?” He asked and I nodded toward Uncle Will’s old office.

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CHAPTER 14

Inside.” I said.

We walked into the office, and Charles stopped when he saw the flowers sitting on the desk.

His eyes moved toward the handwritten note beside thern.

“Those are from Victoria.” He said,

“Yes.” I said as he looked at me.

“Did she come here?” He asked.

“She left them outside.” I said and Charles nodded slowly.

“I owe you an apology too.” He said as I leaned against the desk.

“You already apologized.” I said.

“I know.” He said as he looked down at the floor.

“But I didn’t say what I needed to say.” He said as I waited and Charles took a breath.

“I failed you.” Charles said.

The words were simple, but they carried more weight than anything he had said during our previous meetings.

“I failed you when you were young, and I failed you when you needed a father who would listen instead of deciding what was best for everyone.” He continued and I folded my arms.

“You weren’t there.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“You believed Charlotte.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“You allowed her to manipulate situations between us.” I said and his expression tightened.

“Yes.” He said as he looked directly at me.

I

“Charlotte learned very early how to make people feel sorry for her, and I allowed myself to believe every version of the story that made you look difficult.” I said.

I felt old anger rise inside me, but it didn’t have the same sharpness it once carried.

“She lied.” He said.

“She did. And you believed her.” I said.

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