All Good Things (27 page)

I flicked off the lamp in the entryway before walking slowly through the condo to Olivia's bedroom. I opened the door to find her sprawled on the bed with her cat curled in her chest. As soon as I stepped into the room, the cat gave a growl of sorts before jumping off the bed and wandering away. My eyes were focused on Olivia. Dim light spilled over her features from the lamp on her end table, making her dark brown hair appear to have streaks of red. She looked peaceful in sleep. Her lips were soft and her eyes were relaxed. I wanted her to feel that way when she was with me. I wanted to be the one to relax her.

Fuck. I had been an ass not texting her and letting her know I was all right. I should have listened to my Mom. A small chuckle escaped my lips at the thought and I tugged at my tie. When it was loose, I let it fall to the floor before working on the buttons of my shirt.

Olivia stirred and I froze. I didn't want to wake her up. She looked so damned peaceful.

Her eyes fluttered. "Jace?" She sat up on the bed, her brown eyes wide and dark. "You're here."

"I said I would be here, Angel."

"What time is it?"

The air was tight in my chest. I felt as though I was about to suffocate. If she was angry with me and told me to leave, I think I might die. I just realized without a doubt that I am in love with her, and I have been stupid enough to throw our already fragile relationship into a grinder. Shit.

"It's late."

She nodded. "How late, Jace?"

"It's after one."

She dropped her gaze and I couldn't help but notice how her bottom lip quivered when she took in a deep breath. "Where were you? Why didn't you call?" I sighed and fear tainted her eyes. "I know I don't have a right to demand anything of you...but, I waited."

Well fuck! I was in the wrong and here she was afraid I would leave her alone because of a fucking question? What kind of a man was I? The answer to the question flooded into my heart from the blackest corners. I am becoming my father.

I quickly closed the distance between us to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. Her knees were pulled up to her chest now and her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her skirt as she peeked up at me through thick lashes. My heart felt as though it were going to be ripped from my chest in the most violent of ways.

"You have every right to question me, Olivia." I said sternly. Her eyes flashed with surprise and her lips formed an O, but she didn't speak. "I'm sorry I didn't let you know I would be late. I'm not used to having someone waiting for me."

I hoped that was enough of an explanation for her. I hoped she jumped into my arms and forgave me with kisses, but this was not a utopic world where the mistakes of a man were so easily overlooked. This was a place for judgment and, by the look in Olivia's eyes, it may as well be judgment day.

"I was worried about you, Jace." She skimmed her bottom lip with her teeth, making the pink skin burn red under the assault. "I was afraid something happened to you."

Why would she have jumped to that conclusion? Why would she think I was hurt? "Olivia," I breathed in. I was treading thin waters as it was. "I'm not used to having someone worry about me, either."

"Well, I did. I do worry about you." She stated loudly. Firmly.

I cocked my head, watching her reaction carefully. She was afraid. It was more than just worry. But what had happened to make her react this way? "Why were you worried about me, Olivia? What happened?"

Her eyes darkened and her shield banged down between us. "Nothing happened, Jace. But, anything could have happened."

There was something she was not telling me. I forced myself to hold back from the interrogation I wanted to force her through as I skimmed my knuckle over her cheek. "I am sorry, Angel. Can you forgive me?"

She smiled. "Only if you never do that to me again."

I didn't say anything as I leaned in to kiss her. Promises weren't my thing. I did not like making them when I felt confident I wouldn't be keeping them. There would be times when I shut Olivia out just like I shut everyone out, but I hoped her feelings for me were somewhat as intense as mine were for her. I knew I would do nearly anything for her, including forgive her for almost anything. I guessed that was love. It was ruthless. It made even the strongest, most defiant men, crumble.

Love makes men weak. That was what my father had always said. But I didn't believe that. Love holds the power to both build and destroy. I knew, if I played my cards right, I would build something great. But, if I played them wrong, all hell would, surely, break loose.

I pressed my lips to her forehead and pulled away. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was measured. "Take your clothes off, Olivia."

Her eyes opened. "But,"

"I want to feel your skin against mine while I sleep." I said. "Take them off."

She nodded, obligingly. She stood and worked the belt at her waist before undoing the buttons of her cardigan. When she finally slid out of her last article of clothing, I stood from the bed and pulled back the covers for her. She climbed between the sheets and I pushed my pants down, leaving my boxers on. I wanted her like usual. But, tonight I would do nothing more than hold her. I wanted to be someone she deserved. I wanted her to know how I felt about her without having to say the words. I was not nearly ready to say the words.

I climbed into the bed beside her and pulled her into my arms. Her naked backside pressed against me made me throb with a need that, for the first time in my life, I ignored. I tucked her head beneath my chin and closed my eyes.

"Goodnight, Jace."

"Goodnight, Angel." I replied. I reached up and flicked off the light. I fell into a troubled sleep with troubled dreams.

***

I woke before Jace. His breaths were hot against my shoulder. My dreams had been filled with both relief and fear. Jace was here and he was all right. No one had hurt him...yet. I needed to read the letter, but I didn't know how I was going to do that with him in the room with me. I didn't want him to see the letter or even know of their existence.

Holding my breath, I wiggled slowly from under his arm. When my feet hit the floor, I looked back at his sleeping form and sighed a breath of relief. I crept to the desk, pulled the unopened letter from the drawer and ran to the bathroom. I looked once more at Jace's sleeping form and closed the door, locking it quickly behind me. I moved to the toilet and sat down on the lid. I took in a deep breath and held it in my lungs. It burned and when I couldn't take another moment, I released it. I closed my eyes and tried to find the courage I needed to open the letter.

Finally, I tore at the sealed paper and pulled the neatly folded paper from the envelope.

Dear Olivia,

You have chosen not to listen to me. My warnings seem to be of no consequence to you. Either you do not care for yourself the way you should, or you care for Mr. Rush too much. Neither of these pleases me.

Since you do not listen as you should, I have decided I need to up my act. I will no longer write my warnings to you, but instead, I will do what I should have done so long ago. I will eliminate Jace Rush from your life and from the world. He is no good for you. In order for you to live your life and prosper the way you should, I need to help you. This was never my plan, Olivia. You have forced me to take actions I never intended to take. It is because of you Mr. Rush will cease to exist.

Do not warn him. It will do no good.

In the end, you will thank me. When the fog his influence has over your mind has run its course, you will see he was never the one for you and you are better off. You will thank me and I will be waiting, ever patient, for that day.

Love always,

Your Savor

I dropped my hand into my lap. The words on the paper made my blood turn so cold, it hurt. I felt as though my veins would surely explode. My heart broke with the thought of loosing Jace. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to save him. I thought about calling Gabe. Jace would be livid with me, but I didn't know what else to do. I had to call someone and I didn't think the police would be able to handle a crazy, insane person, like the writer of the letters.

I trusted Gabe.

I trusted him with my life and since Jace's life was ten times more important to me than my own, I trusted Gabe with Jace's life.

I folded the letter that threatened the only man I had ever loved and shoved it in the envelope. I walked back to the door of the bathroom and opened the door. I peeked into the space and was surprised to find my bed empty. Where the hell was Jace?

I stepped into the room and slid the envelope into the drawer. I walked quickly to my bedroom door and pressed my ear to the wood. Relief filled my chest when I heard Jace and Trisha talking. I rubbed my forehead, grabbed my housecoat from the door and slid my arms into the holes as I ran to my phone.

I dialed Gabe's number and held my breath.

"Olivia?" Gabe's tone was all business.

"Gabe, I need you to come to my condo." I took a deep breath. "Jace is in danger."

"Does he know this?"

"No."

"I will be right there. Do not let him leave." Gabe hung up the phone and I let it fall into my pocket with shaky hands. His instructions were clear. And, within them, I could hear the stress that accompanied the fear for Jace's life. He truly cared for Jace. More than Jace knew, I was sure.

I took a deep, calming breath and stepped into the hall. I was not nearly ready to face Jace with what I had done. But, at least, I would have Gabe here when it finally came time to let it all out. I could only hope in the end, he would forgive me.

Chapter 20

"Oh, thank God." Trisha huffed as soon as I stepped into view. "You're up."

Jace glanced over his shoulder. He was flipping eggs. And damn, did he ever look good doing it. The muscles in his back rippled with each miniscule movement, and I couldn't stop the bloom of desire that pooled in my belly. I wanted to run my fingers over the rippled contours. I wanted to do so much more, but there was a part of me that feared I would lose him when he realized the seriousness of the letters...and, I hid them.

"I told you she was awake." Jace's words shattered my thoughts and I tried to smile. The motion felt awkward and forced. It felt wrong.

Trisha rolled her eyes, thumbing over her shoulder at Jace. "Does he really know how to cook?"

"Yes." I replied and Trisha frowned. Her eyes coated with weariness and her shoulders stiffened as she looked to Jace, before pinning her inquiring gaze on me.

"Are you all right, Liv?" She asked. My heart raced as Jace's shoulders stiffened and he glanced back at me again. His brows were knitted with worry I wanted to smooth away. I didn't want him to worry about me. Not when he was the one who was in danger...and I had put him there.

"Yeah." I smiled a smile I hoped was reassuring. "I just have a bit of a headache." I rubbed my temple for good measure.

"I'm surprised that's all you have." Trisha stated as she moved to the coffee pot. "You drank an entire bottle of wine yourself last night."

I blushed. "Don't remind me."

Trisha handed me the coffee. "Drink this."

"Thanks," I took a sip, praying for the caffeine to run through my veins and calm my anxiety.

"Is that all that's bugging you?" Trisha asked.

"Of course," I smiled again. Jeez, sometimes her perceptiveness really ticked me off. Couldn't she see I didn't want to talk about it? Couldn't she tell, whatever was chipping at the fringes of my mood was not something I was ready to share with Jace...yet?

Jace coughed. He placed an egg onto a buttered piece of toast and handed me the plate. "Eat. You need something in your stomach." He went to work setting up the other two plates. I smiled genuinely when he handed one to Trisha.

Jace came to sit beside me. He rubbed the small of my back with his hand and I bit back a moan. His touch was divine. "Jaylah ran to my Mother not a minute after meeting with you yesterday," He spoke softly and horror flooded my system. Oh God. Was he angry? "She came to my office late last night."

I looked up at him. Could this day get any worse? "I'm so sorry, Jace."

He frowned. "For what?"

I could feel Trisha watching us closely and I suddenly wished this conversation could have occurred in private.

"Well, if you aren't ready for your Mother to know about this..." I paused. He had said I was his girlfriend...but, I still didn't feel like I was anything more than his bedroom buddy. He hadn't taken me out on a date, and I didn't feel like we were dating. Nothing in our relationship had changed...apart from the passion in the bedroom...so why would I feel as though he was all right with his Mother, of all people, knowing about us.

"You are a part of my life, Olivia. I want to share you." Jace said sternly and tears stung my eyes at the sudden flow of happiness that coursed through me. "My Mother wants to meet you. And, I would like for you to meet her. She has invited us to dinner tonight." He looked deep into my eyes. His blue eyes were soul-searching and breathtaking. "Say you will come."

I smiled...or beamed up at him. A giggle erupted from my lips and I nodded. "I would love to meet your Mom."

"I'm glad." Jace grinned, and for the first time since meeting him, his eyes glowed like a boys on Christmas. My heart swelled. "Eat your breakfast, Olivia." He commanded, back to his regular old self.

I caught Trisha's small nod of satisfaction and I was certain Jace didn't miss the action either. I felt great. Suddenly, the day didn't seem so dull. I would just have to get this thing with Gabe over with, and then we would be on our way to meet his Mother. At least, I hoped that was how it would go.

Trisha shattered the silence, and my hope in one infinitesimal moment. "So Jace, are you going to have another letter delivered when you leave here? You know, you could save time and money by just giving them to her before you go."

Jace stiffened. He placed his toast on the plate and looked with hard eyes at Trisha. "What letters?"

Trisha paled and her eyes shot to mine. I looked down at my plate, praying they would both forget about it. I didn't want to do this alone. At the thought, my eyes swept over the face of the clock. Where in the world was Gabe? What was taking so long?