Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 259

CHAPTER 149-2

Maybe because forgiveness was not about prètending the past had never happened.

Maybe it was about deciding that the past no longer deserved control over the future.

I finished my coffee and returned inside and Jace was standing in the kitchen, and he looked at mé carefully.

“Everything okay?” Jace asked.

“Charlotte apologized.” I said and he nodded.

“And?” He asked.

“I told her I am willing to give her a chance.” I said as his eyebrows lifted.

“You trust her?” He asked.

“No.” I said.

“Good.” He said and I laughed quietly.

“You really don’t like surprises.” I said.

“I like surprises when they involve cake, not family drama.” He said and I smiled.

“I’m not trusting her yet.” I said.

“I know.” He said.

“I just don’t want to spend the rest of my life hating her.” I said as Jace walked closer.

“You don’t have to.” He said as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

“Whatever happens, you get to decide what relationship you have with her.” He added as I leaned against him.

“That is what I told her.” I said.

“Then you handled it.” He said and I looked toward the window.

For the first time in years, I didn’t feel like I needed to prove anything to anyone.

I had said what I needed to say, and Charlotte had heard me.

Whatever happened next would be up to her.

The afternoon passed quietly, and everyone slowly returned to their usual routines.

Ben worked on a motorcycle in the garage, Mia organized the next week’s appointments, and Jace helped Derek inspect the security cameras around the property.

I was halfway through sorting invoices when my phone rang.

CHAPTER14

Derck’s name appeared on the screen and I answered.

“Hey.” I said as his voice sounded different.

“Paige, where is Jace?” He asked.

“Outside.” I said.

“Get him.” He said as my stomach tightened.

“What happened?” I asked.

“I need both of you.” He said and I stood immediately.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“At the road near Charles Lawson’s place.” He said and I exchanged a look with Jace as he walked through

the door.

“What is going on?” I asked as Derek was silent for a second.

“We found someone following Charles.” He said and my heart dropped.

“What?” I asked.

“Someone has been watching his house.” He said and Jace stepped closer.

“Who?” Jace asked.

“We don’t know yet.” Derek said.

“Are they still there?” Jace asked.

“No, they disappeared before we could get close.” Derek said and I looked at Jace.

“How long?” I asked and Derek answered.

“Long enough to know they weren’t there by accident.” He said and Jace’s expression hardened.

“Send me everything you have.” Jace said.

“I already did.” Derek said and I ended the call as Jace looked at me.

“Charles is being followed.” Jace said and I nodded.

“And after everything that has happened, I don’t think that’s a coincidence.” I said.

Neither of us spoke for several seconds and then Jace reached for his jacket.

“Stay here.” Jace said as I shook my head.

“Not happening.” I said and he gave me a look.

“Paige.” He said.

“Charles is my father, and if someone is watching him because of what he knows, I need to know why.” I

23

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify