Page 45 of You’re Mine

“Oh, no you will not make me all messy. I will not allow it.”

“I won’t?” He takes a sudden step towards me. I step back, panting with laughter.

“Jace?”

But then he merely laughs.

“Oh, I’m just playing with you, sweetheart. We need to get to Connecticut.” He messes with my hair before heading into the bathroom, and I sit on the bed while I wait for him. The water runs, and I hear him puttering about. It’s sweet really. I never thought we’d be so familiar that I’d know his personal sounds.

When he steps out, he’s refreshed and wearing only his boxers. I sit up alert and turned on, and he looks back at me with hooded eyes.

“Oh, baby, we don’t have time for that,” he growls.

I pout, disappointed, but he’s right.

“We’ll have plenty of time for that later. For now, let’s get out of here.” We collect Jamie and all three of us head to the parking garage connected to the hotel. Jace takes us to his car, another sleek black one, and we all pile in.

“I had one of my guys pick up a car seat. Is it the right size?” he asks, twisting to face us.

“Yep,” I smile. I strap Jamie in and we start on our journey. The drive out of Manhattan itself is stressful because there are so many people beeping and yelling. I don’t know how anyone manages to not have a mini-breakdown every day.

But I’m grateful to be here because it means we’re no longer near Herb, and that’s what matters. Pretty soon we’re out of there and on the road to Connecticut. I feel my eyes drifting shut. Jamie and Jace are talking about something, but I can’t quite make it out because I’m so tired. I guess all those sleepless nights are finally catching up with me.

An image of my dad flashes into my mind right before I lose consciousness, and it fills me with fear. But then I hear Jace’s low rumble next to me, and relief floods me. I’m okay now. I have my son and my man, and we’re going to be just fine.

15

Haley

I wake up and we’re in the middle of suburbia. It’s actually a lot like where I lived in Lenville. We drive by mansion after mansion, all of them set on vast estates with lots of trees and abundant foliage.

“Are we almost there?” I look to the back seat, and our kid’s fast asleep. Looks like Jamie’s late nights are catching up to him too.

“Yeah, just a few more streets.” I wonder why Jace has a house out here. Why would he need another property? It’s a lot for one person. He shoots me a lopsided smile, reading my mind.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t get out here much. Many people I know come out here with their families, and I got caught up in keeping up with the Joneses. They bought a house, and so I felt like I had to do the same. It’s a status symbol, and there’s a lot of one-upmanship in Manhattan.”

“But Jace, you have so much already.”

He sighs.

“I know, and I appreciate it. But now, it actually means something. With you and Jamie here, these homes aren’t just trophies anymore, but actually a home. That’s what you mean to me.”

I squeeze his hand, my heart beating in my throat.

“Then I’m excited to see it.” And I really am.

We drive for another couple of minutes before pulling into an estate.

“Well, here we are. Most of the staff who work here, live here too. Since I rarely make it out, I want someone to get use of the house.”

Sure enough, there’s someone waiting for us at the door. It’s an elderly man dressed in jeans and a flannel, and he steps forward to greet Jace.

“Mr. King, it’s so good to see you,” he says cheerfully.

“Roberto!” Jace slaps him on the back. Jamie and I tumble out from the car and Roberto comes over to shake my hand. My son hides behind my legs because he’s not used to meeting so many new people. Again, my heart contracts. Back in Lenville, we only had each other, but now that we’re in the real world, my son will get a chance to meet new people like a normal person.

“I’d like you to meet Haley, my girlfriend, and Jamie, my son.”

The words take me by surprise. Am I really Jace’s girlfriend? Somehow, the term seems strange, but I guess I am. Roberto looks just as surprised. Frankly, I would be too if the man I worked for suddenly came back with a whole family.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you folks. I can take your car and park it. A few of my workmen are finishing up installing the equipment you asked for on the south lawn, and I’ve situated that other thing you asked for.” These must be the surprises Jace was talking about. What could they be? Jace merely grins.

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