Page 43 of Casper
I cringed. Thankfully, Casper wasn’t around to hear this. Somehow, I had to get rid of Jace before Casper came back.
Jace nodded to the girls. “Are these your friends?” Without waiting for a reply, he extended a hand to each of them. “I’m Jace. Nice to meet you both.”
Looking uneasy, Storm and Codie introduced themselves, shaking his hand before casting inquisitive glances in my direction. I should’ve told them more about Jace while I had the chance. They really didn’t know the full story.
“I hope you don’t mind if I talk to my girl alone,” Jace continued. “It’s been a while. I’d like to catch up.”
Codie’s gaze locked on mine. She seemed to be desperately trying to send me a telepathic message. I simply stared back at her, hoping she would see the silent plea in my eyes. Don’t leave me alone with this guy.
“We won’t be far away,” she said. “Nice to meet you.”
Jace waited until they were out of earshot to say, “I see that you didn’t wait for me.”
He paused, clearly wanting a response. The cold night air no longer touched me. My entire body was flushed with nervous heat.
“I’m not sure what you mean.” Maintaining eye contact was difficult. I didn’t want him to see how unnerved he made me. I also wanted to follow Storm and Codie around the party with my eyes, making sure they didn’t get too far away.
“That guy I saw you with. I assume he’s your boyfriend.” Jace’s tone dropped, becoming cold and vicious. “I’m sure he’ll understand why you have to break up with him.”
Shit. He’d been watching me long enough to see that I was involved with Casper. Already I knew in my heart that this would only end badly.
“I’m not breaking up with him,” I said, shoulders back, head held high. Even though Jace scared the crap out of me, he didn’t need to know that. I would not cower in front of him. “I never promised to wait for you. That was an assumption you made. You went away, but my life went on. I changed. I’m not the person I used to be.”
Jace’s chuckle was low and deadly. “Oh no? Looks to me like you still enjoy treading on the dark side. Think I don’t know who that guy is? I’ve heard all about the Graveyard Kings already.”
Of course he had. Almost everyone in this town knew who they were.
“Okay and? What’s your point? You and me were over a long time ago. I’m happy for you that you’re out and you can start your life again. I wish you the best. Really.” Needing to be anywhere but there, I turned to follow Storm and Codie in the direction they’d gone. I caught a glimpse of Codie entering the church.
A hand on my arm stopped me. Squeezing hard, Jace spun me back around to face him. “Where do you think you’re going? Do you think you can just walk away from me like that? Fuck that. I waited a long time for you, Luna.”
“Get your hand off me.” I tried to jerk my arm from his grasp. That only made him squeeze harder. “You’re hurting me.”
“I haven’t even begun to hurt you. I’m not going to let you play me for a fool. You belong to me. I’m not going to let some wannabe crime lord take my girl. Not without a fight.” Jace jerked me against him, so close I felt his hot beer breath on my face. “I’ve been locked up a long time. Now I’m out and I’m taking back everything that’s mine. Including you.”
The party continued to rage on around us. Nobody paid attention to the nutjob thug threatening me. We were in our own little bubble. I could kick him in the balls and run. I could evenscream for help. Anything I did now would only make things worse later.
“Jace, please,” I said, trying to keep my tone calm and even. “Go live your life. Start over. I’m sure you’ll find someone amazing. Someone better than me. This is your chance to turn over a new leaf. Leave the past behind. Including me.”
He brazenly ran a hand along my cheek before tightly clutching my jaw in his hand. “You always knew I would come back for you. Being locked up didn’t change anything, Luna. You still belong to me.”
Fear and anger twisted together inside me, creating an uncomfortable cocktail of emotions. With a shake of my head, I said, “No, I don’t. We are not together, Jace. We never will be again.”
“That’s what you fucking think.” He snarled the words right in my face.
His fingers pressed so tight into my skin I knew surely I would have bruises tomorrow. Panic rose up in my throat, burning hot like acid. Feeling trapped and terrified, I was ready to scream.
I never had to make a sound. Casper appeared, shoving his way through the people blocking his path to me. There was no hesitation. No rational approach. He was suddenly there, slamming his fist into the side of Jace’s head.
Jace stumbled back a few feet. Bitter laughter fell from his lips. “Is that the best you’ve got, motherfucker?”
He’d most likely been in dozens of fights while in prison. A basic punch to the head wasn’t enough to faze him. Casper took his remark as a challenge. He punched Jace again, causing blood to pour from his nose this time.
Swiping a hand through the blood, Jace nodded. “All right, that wasn’t too bad. My turn.”
Throwing himself at Casper, Jace tackled him around the waist, taking them both to the ground. Although Casper was much larger overall, Jace had a wiry agility that enabled him to move with precision. He pounded his fist into Casper’s ribs before going for a face shot.
Dominik and Rebel made their way over, ready to jump in and break it up if needed. Watching from a safe distance, they seemed content to allow things to play out naturally.
