It was clear Jace had a reason for telling me all this.


    His gaze darkened. “Hayden shouldn’t have rushed things with Bruno. He should’ve checked out


    who he was dealing with first.”


    I got what he meant, but I couldn’t help the mocking smile that crept onto my face. “So, what are


    you saying? That because Bruno’s got connections, I should’ve just tolerated his harassment? Let


    him walk all over me?”


    Jace paused, looking a little thrown by the usation. “That’s not what I meant.”


    “I don’t think Hayden did anything wrong,” I shot back. “Bruno got exactly what he deserved.”


    For a second, Jace looked… almost helpless. “I’m just saying there were other ways to handle it–


    ways that wouldn’t have put you in a vulnerable position. It’s not a criticism of Hayden, just the


    facts.”


    I took a breath, trying not to assume the worst about his intentions. “What’s done is done. Talking


    about it now won’t change anything. Bruno’s target is me, and if Hayden hadn’t stepped in, Bruno


    would’ve only gotten bolder.”


    Bruno had already caused a scene at the Hart–Johnston event, making it pretty clear he didn’t care


    about either family.


    “And now his fans are getting bold too,” Jace said, flicking his gaze toward the men watching us


    across the lobby. “You need to be careful. Staying here alone isn’t safe.”


    Jace had a point.


    I could see where this was going–he wanted me to stay at his hotel. But Hayden had already


    misunderstood things after I donated blood to Jace, and that’s what had driven us apart. Staying


    with him now would only make it worse.


    Even though I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong and didn’t owe anyone exnations, the idea of


    staying with Jace didn’t sit right with me.


    “Honestly, with his fans targeting me, I doubt I’d be safe anywhere,” I said, letting him know how I


    really felt.


    Jace’s jaw tightened. “Wayne has an apartment here. It’d be safe for you to stay there.”


    I frowned, but Jace kept going. “I wouldn’t be staying there, if that’s what you’re worried about.”


    He was trying to reassure me, but even so, the thought of staying there made me uneasy.


    “If you don’t believe me, check with Wayne,” he added after a pause. “Rea, no matter what issues


    you have with me, or our family, your safetyes first.”


    I didn’t need him to tell me that. Still, I wasn’t thrilled about Wayne’s ce either.


    If it was dangerous here, wouldn’t it be just as bad there?


    Maybe Hayden was right–I should just head back. Missing, Steve’s game would suck, but if


    something happened to me, any win he scored wouldn’t mean much.


    “I’ll think about it,” I said, giving him a non–answer.


    Jace looked at me like he wanted to say more but held back, knowing full well that pushing me


    wouldn’t


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    work.


    I thought back to what Hayden had said. “This whole thing with Bruno–it’s about Hayden, but also


    about Steve, isn’t it?”


    Jace nodded slightly, and a chill went through me. “So… Hayden and Steve could be in danger


    too?”