“Don’t put this on me, Jace. Keep denying it, but we both know your motorcycle meant more than I did.”
Jace went over to the windows, jerked the drapes shut. His jaw tensed, as if he was trying to keep back words he wanted to spill out.
“It never did, Kara. You were unreasonable. I never much liked your habit of taking an Uber to the grocery store, but I never asked you to give it up. Yet you insisted I give up my bike.”
“Motorcycles are dangerous!”
“And I told you, I’m careful. I was willing to give up time with my bike, but you sure as hell weren’t willing to compromise so we could spend more time together.”
Guilt rippled through her. “You knew how important my work was.”
“I felt like you were penciling me into your schedule just so we could have dinner once a week, and even then you canceled.”
“And you roared off on your bike even when I tried to make time for you. God only knows where you went. You never told me. For all I know, you went to see your family—the family you refused for me to meet. Even after you asked me to marry you, you changed the subject when I asked about meeting your parents.”
“Don’t go there, Kara,” he said in a low voice. “You know this wasn’t about my bike, or my family.”
She bit her lip. “This is pointless. Answer my question. Why are you here?”
“Came to make sure you were home and going to stay home and not anyplace near Cannon Avenue tonight.”
The blunt answer set her back on her sneakered soles. “Why should you care what I do tonight?”
Especially on the same street as my store?
He raked a hand through his messy hair again. “Things are...going down tonight, Kara, and it could get intense in that area. Big party with a lot of people you don’t like. That’s all I can say.”
Lifting her chin, she glared at him. “You and your biker buddies planning a party on Cannon? Or something that would break the law?”
Jace drew in a breath. “Listen to me, Kara. For once, please, listen to me and do what I say. Stay inside tonight, for your own sake.”
“Tell me what’s going on.”
“I can’t.”
He looked so conflicted she almost felt sorry for him.
She softened her voice. “Jace, please, what’s wrong? I know you, even if you have changed. You’re worried about me. Why?”
Those blue eyes, as deep as the ocean and just as concealing, studied her. “Will you do as I ask?”
Kara folded her arms. “Not unless you level with me.”
Jace’s gaze flickered. Then he snapped to military-straight attention and looked around. He spotted her cell phone on the coffee table and pocketed it.
For a moment in pure disbelief, she stared. “You’re stealing my cell!”
“Yeah. Just for tonight. I’ll return it tomorrow morning, when I find you here, safe and sound.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Just did.”
“What if I have an emergency?”
He pointed to the sophisticated alarm system blinking on the hallway wall. “That’s a Fontaine special. Know them well. Press a button and first responders will be here in a few minutes. If that fails, you can run across the street to the neighbor who kept watering her lawn every time I passed by this afternoon. I’m sure she’ll let you use her phone.”
Jace headed for the door, then turned slightly and spoke over his shoulder. “I’m sorry for the way we broke up, Kara. I really am. But I do still have your best interest in mind. I wish you would trust me in this.”
She rubbed her temple as she followed him to the door. “I want to, Jace. But...my phone!”
Turning, he reached up and ran a thumb over her cheek, evoking a shiver of recognition. Jace always did that to calm her worst fears. “It’s for the best, babe.”
When the bike growled away, Kara locked all her doors and windows.
Then she set the alarm on her house, and headed to bed to take a long nap. Jace had never given her bad advice before. Despite his nefarious acquaintances, he seemed on the level. His old protective streak still ran strong.
Maybe she should stay home tonight to avoid trouble. Or not.
She dressed in green sleep pants and a bright pink T-shirt, and climbed into bed. A smile lit her face as she touched the cell phone on her nightstand.
Jace hadn’t stolen her phone with the address of the biker clubhouse. No, he’d swiped her business phone, one she only used to advertise her business on social media and for soliciting clients.
If Jace’s criminal pals planned to steal from her, she knew where to find them.
Chapter 7
He risked a lot meeting with his team leader in person, but Jace needed an update, fast.
