Page 54 (1/2)
Jack’s face grew griret haunted his eyes Then he stared directly into Jace’s eyes
"Take care of her for me"
"I will," Jace said shortly
"And tell her I’m sorry," he added quietly "Tell her I love her I’ll always love her"
"If you love her, you’ll take this opportunity to straighten your life out," Jace said "If you’ll stick it out, I’ll hire a lawyer for you Try to work out a deal where you go to rehab and get probation as opposed to a jail sentence Can’t guarantee anything I don’t want you anywhere near Bethany She’s been hurt enough If things work out, I wouldn’t be opposed to you keeping in touch with her"
Jack stared at Jace for a longit for Bethany," Jace said stiffly "Only for her"
Jack nodded "Thanks, then I’ll do it It’s tidifferent Better I almost killed the person who means the most to me Can’t even say what that does to a ain Ever"
"I hope you’re telling the truth I hope you straighten up and get clean"
"Tiuide Jack out
"I’ll have a lawyer coainst every instinct not to let them make Jack rot in jail Not that he’d probably do any ti this for Bethany, because it would be her who’d be hurt knowing Jack had gone to jail for his foolish actions And he’d do anything at all to spare herthe man who’d nearly ended her life
It isted and fucked up in every way His gut screae To make Jack suffer for what he’d done But Bethany would suffer the ood ood for my Bethy I want her to be happy"
"She’s mine," Jace corrected
"But she was mine first," Jack said softly
And then the officer led hi after him as he shuffled like ayears
"Jace?"
He turned to see Mia standing a short distance away, flanked by Gabe and Ash
"Is it true? She’s awake? I heard you talking to Jack"
Jace relaxed and then so We talked She was disoriented Had no idea what happened" His smile faded "Had to tell her about Jack"
Sympathy brimmed in Mia’s eyes
"How’d she take it?" Gabe asked gruffly
"Not very well She’s upset," Jace said with a sigh "But she’s tough and she realizes she’s done all she can do for him"
"Can we see her?" Mia asked
"Yeah, baby girl But first I need to see if they’ll let her eat soood meal if they’ll let her have it None of this hospital shit"
"I’ll run out and get us all soreat Thanks I’ht You should probably all go hoo home after we see Bethany I want her to know she has people here who love her," Mia said
Jace pulled her into a hug "Thanks, baby girl"
She squeezed him back, then pushed away "Go see if they’ll let her eat I for one a and would love part of this fantastic meal you’ve promised her"
• • •
Bethany glanced up when her door opened and Gabe, Mia and Ash walked in, relieved s up in bed Jace squeezed her hand and smiled
"Looks like dinner is here"
Ash walked forward, several takeout bags and carry-out boxes in his hands He spread them over the end of the bed and then walked up the other side of her bed and leaned over to give her a kiss
"Scared the shit out of us, sweetheart"
She s
As soon as Ash let her go, Gabe pressed in with a ferocious hug of his own and then Mia latched on to her, hugging and babbling a nonstop streaht you supper Well, brought it for all of us Haven’t had il," Ash said
"Thank you all for being here," she said softly "It means a lot to have people who care I’ve never had that before"
Jace tightened his hold on her hand, giving her a fierce squeeze Ash’s gaze softened while Mia looked as though she was going to cry Gabe gave her another quick hug and then kissed the top of her head
"You’re family," Gabe declared "Maybe not the most normal family in the world, but you’re stuck with us now"
She grinned "Can’t think of a better faht her a foa food She peeked inside to see he’d loaded it doith finger foods Fried cheese, crab wontons, barbecue riblets, French fries, Asian noodles and an eggroll It was so unbelievably perfect that she could only stare as her sto in yet
When he produced a bottle of orange juice, however, she lost the battle and burst into tears
Ash looked horrified Mia and Gabe exchanged panicked glances and Jace leaned in, concern flaring in his eyes