Ace stares at me, frozen and silent, until Jordyn goes to her and takes her hand, pulling her deeper into the office. As she studies my cut-up, bruised face, tears well in her eyes, and I can’t stop myself from striding over to her.
“I’m so sorry. For everything,” she says, her lips trembling. A tear streaks down her face, and I wipe it away with my thumb.
“Come here.” I reach for her, and she immediately meets me halfway. As I wrap her in my arms, she melts and clings to me, her body shaking. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
She holds me like she’s afraid to let go, and if I’m honest, I might feel the same way. Things have been messy since I met Ace, but I can’t stop thinking about her.
“I promise I’ll never lie about anything to you ever again,” she says quietly against my chest. “I don’t want you to hate me. It has nothing to do with you.”
Sliding my hand up and down her back, I rest my chin on top of her head. Cash and Jordyn have returned to the chair Cash was sitting in earlier, with her propped on his thigh, snuggling into him. I appreciate that they’re giving us a somewhat private moment.
“I don’t hate you, angel. Not at all. I think I understand why you kept your identity a secret, but I hope, when we go home tonight, you’ll tell me everything in detail.”
She nods and squeezes me tighter. “I will.”
After we have that conversation, we’re also going to have one about us, because it doesn’t matter that I’ve only known Ace for a short time.
I can’t do casual with her.
She’smine.
And I’m going to make that crystal clear tonight.
CHAPTER 27
Ace
All I wantto do is snuggle up with Kian and hide for a little while. But first, I’ve got to face Jordyn. I instantly had a connection with this woman, from our very first meeting, and I’m about to tell her I’m a fraud.
Kian says he doesn’t hate me, and that’s a huge relief. But I’m pretty sure I’ve ruined something potentially good with him before it even started, and that’s all on me.
After slowly releasing my arms from around his waist, I tilt my head back to gaze up at him, his dark eyes studying me. I’m glad he doesn’t look any worse than Luciano, though they both look terrible. Cuts and bruises cover his face.
“I texted you a little while ago to make sure you were okay. I was worried.” That he was never going to speak with me again, but I’m going to leave that part out. The last thing a man like Kian wants is a stage-five clinger.
He chuckles and reaches out to brush some hair away from my face. “You were worried aboutme, angel?”
More than I’m willing to admit. My only hope is that Luciano loves me enough not to kill anyone I care about. I should probably ask Kian not to kill Luciano, but right now might not be the time.
“Maybe a little,” I say with a playful smirk that makes him smile, and I turn into jelly for the man standing before me.
We stare at each other in silence, our gazes locked on each other for a long moment. Even though I can smell Jordyn’s cherry perfume from here, it feels like Kian and I are in our own little bubble. And I don’t want it to pop.
“Are you doing okay, Lacey?” Jordyn finally speaks up, breaking our spell.
I turn to face her, suddenly feeling heavy again as I take a few steps over to the sitting area where she’s snuggled up on Cash’s lap. Cash nods toward me, and I give him a weak smile, then look at Jordyn.
Swallowing, sweat forms at the base of my neck as I try to find the courage to confess. “I need to tell you something.”
Jordyn grins. “That you’re Lacey Ricci? I know that.”
I glance back at Kian, his dark gaze watching me in his silent, observant way.
Right.
Kian probably already told her.
Fuck.
