Mother is hugging me so tightly that I can barely breathe.

After we handed Lionel over to the police, and after Jace did no matter it’s that he does to guarantee that he isn’t arrested for bashing individuals’s heads in with a bat, he drove me dwelling to my residence. I wanted a really lengthy and scorching sizzling bathe to clean off the recollections of being grabbed and tied up like that. My wrists are nonetheless somewhat uncooked from the place the zip ties have been digging into my pores and skin. However after I had gotten dressed, I rubbed some soothing gel on them.

Then I walked again into the lounge and was virtually ambushed by my mother and pop.

Apparently, Jace had known as them whereas I used to be within the bathe. And he has additionally made dinner.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Mother sobs into my neck as she continues hugging me. “I used to be so nervous.”

I hug her again. “Yeah, me too. However I’m okay now, Mother. I promise.”

Dad, who was the primary to swoop me right into a crushing hug the second I stepped out into the lounge, is now standing awkwardly subsequent to the kitchen desk whereas Jace units down plates stuffed with meals on it.

The whole room is crammed with the mouthwatering scent of garlic and parmesan and fried mushrooms and herbs.

Dad clears his throat, trying very self-conscious, as he appears to be like as much as meet Jace’s eyes whereas Mother releases me from her squeezing hug.

“I, uhm…” Dad begins, after which clears his throat once more. “I needed to apologize.”

Jace appears to be like up from the place he’s setting down the ultimate plate, and frowns in confusion. “What for?”

“For firing you. For treating you want… like I did.” He shifts his weight uncomfortably and scratches the again of his neck. “When Lionel known as me, he made it sound as in case you have been… profiting from my daughter.”

Fury streaks by way of me like lightning strikes on the point out of Lionel’s title. On the reminiscence of what he put me by way of as we speak. And at the truth that he dared to intrude with my life in any approach. That he virtually ruined my relationship with Jace.

Waves of anger roll by way of me. Possibly I ought to double the bounty on Lionel’s head?

“However I can see now that I used to be unsuitable,” Dad continues. His blue eyes are stuffed with distress and remorse as he glances between me and Jace. “I used to be so, so unsuitable. And I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright.” Jace shrugs and flashes him a smile. “I get it. You have been simply attempting to guard her.”

Dad winces. “As have been you.”

“Yeah.” Earlier than Dad can apologize once more, Jace motions in direction of the desk. “Now, please eat earlier than the meals will get chilly.”

Wooden scrapes towards wooden as all of us pull out chairs and sit down across the desk. Mother and Dad subsequent to one another reverse me and Jace. Jace slides a hand over my thigh and provides my knee somewhat squeeze. It’s such an off-the-cuff gesture of affection that my coronary heart stutters and I virtually drop my fork.

After one other nod from Jace to dig in, Mother and Dad begin consuming. However they cease midway by way of the primary chunk and snap their gaze as much as Jace. Astonishment pulses throughout their faces.

Dad swallows the chunk. “That is… scrumptious. Did you make this?”

A small smile tugs on the nook of Jace’s lips. “Sure.”

“Wow,” Mother says.

Dad nods.

Subsequent to me, Jace is trying totally too happy with himself so I jab my elbow into his facet. He simply grins at me.

“Kayla,” Dad abruptly says.

Dread rolls down my backbone on the severe and virtually painful observe to his voice. I swallow and switch again to satisfy his gaze. “Sure?”

“We have to speak about your safety.” He provides me an apologetic look. “Immediately, greater than something, has demonstrated the necessity for a bodyguard.”

“I don’t desire a bodyguard,” I reply. And even I’m shocked by the sharp metal in my voice. “I don’t wish to spend my total life monitored and watched and shadowed by somebody.”

Dad winces. “I do know. And I perceive. However I don’t know the way else to maintain you secure. That Gregor Doyle creature continues to be on the market and he would possibly need revenge. To not point out that another person would possibly get impressed by his actions and attempt to kidnap you as properly.”

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