“Maybe a grilled cheese instead then?”
I opened my mouth, but a deep, gravelly voice replied, “Lola always did make the best grilled cheese.” My heart thumped in my chest, my eyes widening. What the hell was he— “You not gonna invite me to join you, Lola?”
I swallowed and turned, Cade beside me as I stared at the man on the opposite side of the diner. He took two steps forward, his clunky boots bashing against the floor in a warning sign.
“Jace,” I breathed. His slight limp was noticeable, and the scars on his face shone like a beacon. Scars that hadn’t been there the last time I saw him. “What are you doing here?”
He glanced around, his grin turning into a sneer when he looked at Cade. I wanted to take a step in front of him, to protect him from Jace, but he’d see the move as threatening, so I kept as still as I could.
“Can’t an old friend join in the party?” He took another step closer and pulled something from behind his back. “I figured it was about time we caught up, no?”
His dark-blue eyes narrowed, and my stomach lurched as he lifted his hand and scratched the side of his head with a gun. Cade’s hand reached out, grasping mine, and I wasn’t sure if he was seeking comfort or trying to give it.
“I…we could catch up,” I managed to croak out, hoping Brody would turn up any second.
“Good.” Jace grinned. “I take it this is Brody’s spawn?” he asked, pointing the barrel at Cade. “And that one too?” He aimed it at my stomach, but I couldn’t get a word out. “Answer me!” he roared.
“Yes,” I replied, the word coming out in a rush. “Yes.”
Jace nodded, but I got the feeling he already knew that. “See, this funny thing happened after Ford killed Ted.” Ford had killed Ted? “Hut didn’t trust anyone but me.” Jace raised a brow and leaned against a booth. “He didn’t trust you most of all.” He shook his head. “So he had me go…hmmm…undercover I suppose.” He winked. “Oh the irony.”
My pulse thrummed, whooshing sounding in my ears. I wasn’t sure if I was swaying or if the ground was moving beneath me.
“Some interesting things have happened over the last few months, don’t you think?” He didn’t give me a chance to answer. “First, you disappear. Then Brody arrests Hut, and Hut is killed by some mysterious person.” My breath caught in my throat, and from the look shining in Jace’s eyes, I knew he knew. “Then Ford goes missing, nowhere to be found.”
“I’m not sure what—”
“But you know what’s even more interesting? The fact that I was there every step of the way.” He grinned. “How did you think Hut knew where you were and about your DEA boyfriend, huh?” He chuckled, but it sounded off. “I watched you plunge the knife into Hut’s neck. I wanted to kill you there and then for taking him away from me, but then they turned up.” He sneered, his nose screwing up. “And then I put it all together. You were in on it.” He pushed up off the booth and pointed his gun at me. “You knew what was happening all along, and so did Ford and Quinn.”
I shook my head and stepped forward, letting my palm slip from Cade’s hand. He tried to hold on tighter, but I yanked from his grip.
“We didn’t know,” I told him. “I swear, Jace—”
“Yeah, you did.” His voice was calm, too calm. “But no matter. I took care of Quinn.” He winked. “Did your boyfriend show you my handiwork?”
“I—”
“No, he probably wouldn't have, not with all the secrets he likes to keep.” He shook his head and stepped forward. “Ford is next on my list. He knows I’m coming for him now. It’s just a matter of time. But you…” He took one last step, only ten feet separating us. “You were worth the wait. You took the one person I loved more than anything in the world away from me.” He loved Hut?
I frowned at him, trying to piece it all together. He’d always been there, in the background, watching the way Hut interacted with people. I’d thought he hated the way Hut tried to keep the crew away from me, but I was starting to realize it wasn’t that at all. He didn’t like me around Hut.
I stumbled back a step at the realization, and his body tensed, causing everything to slow down as he growled out, “This is for Hut.”
The loud bang resonated in the diner right before I was knocked to the ground. My back hit the hard floor, but I didn’t feel pain anywhere. I couldn’t feel blood seeping from any part of my body, and when I finally looked over, I saw Cade next to me, holding onto his shoulder as he groaned in pain.
“Fuck!” Jace stomped over to us. “Goddamn kid!” He lifted his gun and Cade tried to move in front of me, but Jace’s swift kick to his ribs stopped his forward momentum.
“Let’s try this again.” He pointed the gun at me, his eyes sparkling with some insane pride, and pulled the trigger.
I lunged out of the way, but the bullet pierced through my thigh. Cold, wet blood spurted from the wound, and I gripped my leg, trying to hold the blood in but it poured through my fingers. I had to get away, I had to move. But my body wouldn’t allow me. It was stuck in a place of unbearable pain.
“That’s just the starter,” Jace threatened, stepping toward me a second time.
He raised the gun again, and there was nothing I could do but squeeze my eyes closed as a final gunshot rang out.
* * *
BRODY