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He nodded "Just scraped up That was a week ago She’s fine now"

Her brow furrowed "Why haven’t I met her? Why hasn’t anyone met her?"

"I plan for you to," he said quietly "I want her to spend Christmas with us I don’t want her to be alone and I da to spend Christ toher too"

"Of course not Of course we’d love to have her," Mia said in a rush "I’ with you? Surely you didn’t let her go back to the streets"

Jace scowled "Hell no I’ve put her up--temporarily--in your old apartment"

Her eyebrow rose "Temporarily?"

"Very temporarily," Jace muttered "Just until I move her in with me"

Mia’s mouth formed the same O of surprise it had earlier "You’re serious about her"

"Do you think I’d be bringing her to Christmas if I wasn’t? When have I ever risked what you andin an outsider? You’re my family, Mia All of you No way I’d let just anyone enter that inner circle"

"Then I really can’t wait to htful "Does she have any friends? It doesn’t sound like she has anyone at all How old is she?"

Jace shook his head "She’s your age She’s had a hard life Never had a chance, really But she’s shts up the entire room I can’t explain it, Mia"

Mia’s smile broadened "Oh, Jace, I’h she could benefit fro by the apartirls"

Jace hesitated, hating what he had to say next But Ash knew and it was likely by default Gabe knew Mia would have to know so she didn’t do anything to put her foot in her ood idea," he said slowly "Bethany has had someissuesin the past with addiction May not be a good idea to throw alcohol at her and I know you and your girls tie one on when you go out"

"She can drink water with ood tolerance for alcohol anyway The ie and make friends Unless you have a proble his head "No No probleel I’ She’s quiet and she’s definitely shy It would be easy to overwhelm her and I know your friends can be a little pushy"

Mia shot hilare "They’re the best kind of friends and they won’t be mean to Bethany I wouldn’t let them, even if they were the type to do it"

Jace smiled at her ferocious defense And she didn’t even know Bethany yet

"I have every faith you’ll take good care of her But, Mia, there’s so else you need to know and Gabe will be et Gabe involved?"

"When it comes to your safety, yeah, I do"

Her brow furrowed up and her nose scrunched into an adorable line

"I’ve assigned bodyguards to Bethany As I told you already, sohed her up I’ any chances until that situation is resolved Which o too and they look out for you and your girls We clear?"

She rolled her eyes but nodded

"I’d like to see the poor fool who tries to take irls on," Mia muttered

Jace chuckled because she likely had a point But still, he wasn’t taking any chances

Mia rose and then caed tightly "So you and Bethany will come for Christirl You can count on it"

As Mia headed for the door, she nearly collided with Ash on his way in Ash put his hands out, grasped her shoulders and then laughed

"Whoa there, sweetheart"

"Hey, Ash," she said in a cheerful voice

Ash dropped an affectionate kiss on top of her head "I need to see Jace about so I’ll see you around later, okay?"

She held up her hands "I knohen I’o see if Gabe has time for me"

Ash snorted "As if he wouldn’t Ever"

She grinned, waggled her fingers and then disappeared down the hallway

Ash turned back to Jace and then closed the door Jace lifted his eyebrows in question as Ash made his way to the chair Mia had vacated He tossed another folder onto Jace’s desk before sitting down Jace was really starting to hate those daood

"Bethany’s brother’s debt is taken care of," Ash said with no preahed her up weren’t interested in anything but getting their money back Plus sizeable interest, of course"

"Of course," Jace said acidly

"Bethany should be good now"