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Jace cracked a grin as they stepped into the elevator "You ood points"

They rode up in silence and when they arrived at the door of the apartment, Jace didn’t knock or announce himself He inserted his key and went in

"Bethy, it’s about time," Jack called fro rooet that dinner you proaze became hooded and hen he saw Jace and Kaden

"Where’s Bethany?" Jack demanded

"She’s safe," Jace said curtly "And she’s going to stay safe You and I need to have a discussion, Jack"

"You have e," Jack drawled "Who the hell are you?"

"I’m the man who intends to ant prick"

Jack’s eyebroent up "So you’re the boyfriend Nice place you gave Bethy Very generous of you"

Jace’s eyes narrowed at the sarcas here anymore," Jace said

Jack rose froer "What did you do, you bastard? Did you kick her out? If you hurt her, I’ll kill you"

Kaden stepped forward, his featuresJace held up his hand and Kaden stepped back oncein withflickered in Jack’s eyes Sadness? Jealousy? It was hard to say because the ood," he said in a low voice "I told her not to worry about me She deserves a better life"

"On that point we agree," Jace clipped out

"You here to kick ant drawl back in place

Jace took a deep breath It was on the tip of his tongue to say yes To tell hio near Bethany again It would be so easy But if Bethany ever knew, she’d never forgive Jace and he wasn’t willing to risk it He wanted her happy, and she’d never be fully happy unless she no longer had to worry about fucking Jack

"No," he finally said "You’re welcos moved to my apartment but the rest is yours to use"

Jack’s eyes narrowed suspiciously "What’s the catch? No way a guy like you just hands so like this to me You have Bethany Why would you do this forhis chest "Let’s get so it for Bethany She loves you and she worries about you As for the catch? There’s no catch, but there are conditions"

Jack smirked and then flopped back on the couch "Do tell"

"You won’t bring drugs into this apartment," Jace snarled

Jack’s face whitened and for the first time he looked distinctly uneasy

"Yeah, I know about the bag I have it, and you aren’t getting it back I should kick your fucking ass for bringing that shit into Bethany’s apart her painkillers when you know damn well she was addicted to them once? What kind of a fuck-up does that to someone he’s supposed to care about?"

Jack sed visibly and hiter "I have to have that bag back You don’t understand I’et that back I left it here because it was safer that way"

"Safer for you, maybe, asshole But not safer for Bethany She could have taken the fall for you"

Jack shot to his feet again "Look, I have to have that bag I have to deliver it After that, you won’t ever see that shit again I swear it I won’t bring it here I won’t take it near Bethany I’ll be done But if I don’t deliver that bag tomorrow, oddaive a shit," Jace bit out

Jack flinched and then looked away "Because they know about Bethany"

Jace flew at hi it in his fists He slaainst the couch until Jace was hunched over him, his face mere inches from Jack’s

"What the fuck have you done?"

Jack closed his eyes "I had to give theainst me as insurance and Bethany is all I have She’s all that’s ih the room and it took a moment for Jace to realize it had coe

"You stupid son of a bitch," Jace swore

"Look, just giveand I’ll be out of her life," Jack said "You’ll never see or hear froh force that Jack’s neck snapped against the couch and his head bobbed

"While I’d love nothing more than for you to disappear and stay the fuck out of Bethany’s life, it would hurt her, and she’s all I’m concerned about For once, think about soust

"I a of her," Jack said quietly "She has you now She doesn’t need me She’s never needed me She likes to think that I took care of her, but that wasn’t the case It was always her taking care of me She deserves better than a life on the streets with a fuck-up like o toit back here to him After that, he’s on his own I don’t want you involved And I don’t want that shit staying here If he doesn’t leave with it as soon as you deliver it, then I want it turned over to the police"

Kaden nodded, and Jack paled again

"Consider it done," Kaden said tersely He glared at Jack the entire tie

"You can stay here," Jace said to Jack "You can contact Bethany You can see her But only if Kaden, Trevor or I as into this apart them anywhere near Bethany, I’ll have you arrested so fast you won’t knohat hit you We clear?"

Jack nodded

"Furtherain, I’ll kick your goddamn ass That clear too?"

"Yeah," Jack o into the office," Jace said to Kaden "I’ll give you a key toby I don’t want her to know anything of this Just get the bag It’s sitting inside the door on the floor"

Kaden nodded and caught the elevator key card Jace tossed to hi emphasis into his words

"You can stay here, but this isn’t a free ride Get your shit together and get a job I don’t give a fuck what it is The utilities will be paid and groceries will be delivered twice a week Anything else will be on you"