Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 261

CHAPTER 150-2

“I know.” She said.

“You okay?” I asked.

“I will be.” She said.

That answer told me enough.

Paige was worried, but she was also refusing to let fear make decisions for her.

“I’ll see you later.” I said.

“Jace?” She asked.

“Yeah?” I asked.

“Thank you.” She said and I leaned against the counter.

“You don’t have to thank me for protecting your family.” I said.

“I know, but I’m still going to.” She said.

She ended the call, and I looked at Derek.

“Let’s get people around Charles without making it obvious.” I ordered and Derek nodded.

“We can rotate two bikes during the day, keep another vehicle nearby, and have someone check the property at night.” Derek said.

“Do it.” I said and Mason stood.

“I’ll take the first shift.” Mason said.

“No. You have other work.” I said.

“I can handle both.” Mason said as Derek shook his head.

“I’ll take it.” Derek said.

The room fell quiet for a moment before I nodded.

“Fine, but nobody makes Charles feel like he’s under arrest.” I said and Mason laughed.

“Considering how much he hates being told what to do, that might be harder than dealing with Victor.” Mason said.

That earned a few quiet laughs, and the tension in the room eased slightly.

By late morning, the first security measures were in place and Derek parked down the road from Charles’s property, while another member made a slow pass through the neighborhood every hour. Nobody approached the house, nobody made a scene, and nobody told Charles that his quiet suburban street had become part of our security perimeter.

CHAPTER 1602

Idrove uver myself shortly after lunch because twanted to speak with him directly.

Cam

Charles opened the front door wearing a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his expression immediately changed when he saw me.

“Jace.” He said.

“Charles.” I said as he stepped aside.

“Come in.” He said.

The house was quiet, almost unnaturally so, and I understood why Paige had always described her childhood home as a place where silence could become uncomfortable.

Charles led me into the kitchen.

“Coffee?” Charles asked.

“I’ll take some.” I said and he poured two cups and sat across from me.

“You’re here because of the man following me.” Charles asked and I didn’t bother pretending otherwise.

“You’ve noticed him?” I asked.

“I’ve noticed the same car more than once.” He said as I studied him carefully.

“Why didn’t you tell Paige?” He asked and his expression shifted.

“Because she has enough to worry about.” He said.

That answer surprised me and Charles looked down at his coffee.

“I’ve spent years making her life harder, and I don’t intend to add another burden now that we’re finally trying to repair things.” Charles said.

There was no easy response to that, so I simply nodded.

“We’re increasing security around the house.” I said as Charles looked up.

“You’re doing that for me?” He asked.

“I’m doing it because you’re family.” I said.

He stared at me for several seconds before slowly nodding.

“Thank you.” He said.

“You don’t need to know where everyone is or what they’re doing, but if anything feels wrong, you call me. I said.

“I can do that.” He said.

“And don’t confront anyone yourself.” I said as a faint smile touched his face.

“Paige already gave me that lecture.” He said.

CHAPTER 10

Then listen to her.” I said.

usually don’t.” He said.

“I’ve noticed.” I said and he laughed quietly, and for a few minutes the room felt almost normal.

When I left, Charles stood on the porch and watched me walk toward my bike..

I didn’t tell him Paige had been the one to insist we protect him.

She didn’t want him feeling indebted to her, and respected that.

As I reached the motorcycle, my phone buzzed.

Derek.

I answered.

“Talk to me.” I said.

“We’ve got movement.” Derek said as I looked back toward the house.

“What kind?” I asked.

“Van.” He said.

“What about it?” I asked.

“It has been parked across from the Lawson mansion for twenty minutes.” He said and my entire body

went still.

“Plate?” I asked.

“Covered.” He said.

“Driver?” I asked.

“Can’t see him.” He said.

I stared down the street, but the van was too far away for me to make out anything useful from where I stood.

“Keep your distance.” I said.

“Already doing that.” He said.

“Don’t approach unless they move.” I said.

“Understood.” He said.

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