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"Be good to her," Jack said quietly

There again in his eyes was that flicker that told Jace that Bethany

"You need to understand this isn’t a te that he was being merciless Jack needed to understand where Jace stood and that Bethany was never going to be a possibility for Jack

"Yeah, I get it," Jack muttered "I knew I never had a chance with her, but she’s always belonged to me"

"Not anymore," Jace said "She’s mine and I protect what’s mine You ever try to hurt her and I’ll crush you"

"Just make her happy That’s all I ask"

"You canup your act," Jace pointed out

Resignation was dark and churning in Jack’s eyes For the first ti the other rip too

"I’ll try," Jack said flatly

Chapter thirty-four

Jace and Bethany spent New Year’s Eve with Gabe, Mia and Ash Things were less aard for Bethany this time, but Jace still kept close watch on her Jack was a constant worry for her and Jace cursed the selfish bastard for putting her through this

The day after Jace had given the pack back to Jack, Jack had disappeared, and he hadn’t returned to the apartment since Nor had he phoned Bethany or attempted to contact her in any fashion Jace knew this because while Trevor kept close watch on the apartment, Kaden watched over Bethany froh Jace had made it clear that Kaden was to shadow Jack’swatched because he made certain he disappeared and that his steps weren’t traceable

So while Jack was off doing whatever the fuck Jack did, Bethany had made herself sick orry

Jace had enlisted the aid of Gabe, Mia and Ash in an atteive Bethany a New Year’s Eve where she would relax and enjoy They’d gathered at Jace’s apartht if they entertained in a place Bethany felt at home that perhaps she would feel more at ease--and Jace had ordered in all of Bethany’s favorite finger foods He also made certain he had plenty of black cherry soda--Mia’s favorite--on hand, and he’d quickly discovered that Bethany loved it at first taste He iular basis

"I wanted you all to be the first to know this," Gabe said when conversation had quieted down

Jace turned his attention to his future brother-in-law He and Mia were sitting on the love seat, while Jace and Bethany were cuddled on the couch Ash occupied the armchair on the other side of Jace and Bethany

They’d eaten the room with drinks, the television on in preparation to watch the ball drop in Tiested they all venture down to the square for the event, but Gabe and Jace had vetoed the suggestion, not wanting to brave the crowds There was also the fact that since Jace had no idea where Jack was or if he’d cleared up theany chances with Bethany’s safety

Gabe gazed tenderly down at Mia, who returned his s with excitement

"We’ve finally set a date," Gabe said after a long pause "Or rather, Mia has set the date," he added dryly

Mia thu his arm in erly "Oh, that’s wonderful, Mia! When?"

"She’s roan "She wants a spring wedding I tried to convince her to elope toas on New Year’s Day I can’t think of a better way to start the year thanthe woman I love officially mine"

Mia’s face went absolutely soft as she stared up at Gabe Jace felt a tightening in his own chest and he squeezed Bethany back against hi herout with his family The people who meant the most to hi his sister with the man who loved and adored her beyondwasAsh Not that Ash wasn’t here But Ash was conspicuously single The only loner in the group

"You ument for that elopeleamed mischievously "Does that mean you’d consider it? I could have the jet fueled and ready to go in an hour"

She whopped hi My brother giving orgeous dress, a beautiful cake and for everyone to see me become Mrs Gabe Hamilton"

"And I want you to have whatever you want," Gabe said in a serious tone that dropped all pretense of teasing "All I want fro on that beautiful cake you want"

She leaned up and kissed him and Jace rolled his eyes in Ash’s direction Ash shook his head in response

"This means we’ll be subjected to this shit for the next four lowered in both Jace’s and Ash’s directions Then she turned her attention to Bethany

"I’d like you to be an attendant in , Bethany," she said softly

Bethany went tense against Jace, her enuinely befuddled and at a loss for words Jace squeezed her reassuringly

"But you hardly know ated to include me because of me and Jace"

Mia s to Gabe, and every girl should have things exactly her way on her big day And I want you with loith pleasure at Mia’s request Jace wanted to hug his little sister forBethany feel important and included

"Then I’d love to," Bethany said quietly

Mia beairls and I are going out this week to Vibe"

Before she could go any further, Gabe broke into a groan and Jace added his own

"Shush, you two!" Mia adetically at Bethany "As I was saying My girls and I are going to the club and we’d love for you to colanced quickly up at Jace as if seeking his approval and he frowned

"Of course you can go," he whispered so the others couldn’t hear "You don’t need ested she was adhering to the rules of their relationship Soreed upon by both of the to cede power and control to hi to be a bastard about it either He’d daive her the moon if she wanted it

Besides, he already knew Mia had planned to invite Bethany for a night out with the girls When he’d explained the situation with Jack and hon and worried Bethany had been the last several days, Mia had seized the opportunity and declared that what Bethany needed was a girls’ night out

"I’d love to," Bethany said to Mia