Chapter 100

He was furious, ready to rip me apart, but I wouldn't back down. I had things to say. I started to release Hayden's hand, but he squeezed it tighter.

I looked at him; his eyes held the same unwavering protectiveness he'd shown in Chiverton when Molly tried to sabotage me. He wouldn't let anything happen to me.

But I didn't need saving, not now. I gently freed my hand. "Jace isn't going to do anything to me," I said.

Hayden didn't stop me this time. I followed Jace as he stormed off, practically trembling with rage. Gavin attempted to follow, but Jace threw a glare over his shoulder. "This isn't your business."

Gavin froze, shooting me a worried look.

Jace kept walking, ignoring whether I was behind him. Having no idea where he was taking me, I called out, "Whatever you have to say, say it here."

He didn't stop, but I did. "Let's talk here. I have things to do, and you're wasting my time."

Finally, he turned, his eyes like ice.

I started toward him, but before I could reach him, he grabbed my arm, yanking me against the nearest wall. Everything spun. His face—the face I'd once adored—was inches from mine, his breath cold against my skin.

"You have some nerve," he sneered, his nose almost touching mine. "Trying to use yourself to threaten me?"

My back ached from the impact, but I didn't flinch. Jace had always been quick-tempered, and for years, I'd tiptoed around him, afraid of provoking him. But now, I only felt disgust.

I stared back, unafraid. "I'm just trying to stop you from ruining this project with your tantrum."

Jace was silent, studying me, as if assessing my sincerity. "So, you're really with that lighting guy?"

"No," I answered honestly.

He let out a bitter laugh. "You've been defending him, holding his hand, and you think I'll believe nothing's going on? Do I look stupid?"

I almost laughed at his absurdity. "If holding hands means we're involved, what would you call kissing?"

Jace's eyes widened, nearly bulging. "You kissed him? Did you...?" He trailed off, but I knew what he implied—whether I'd slept with Hayden.

"Jace, I was talking about you and Tanya," I retorted, laying it all out.

His grip faltered. "Wh—What are you talking about?"

"Yesterday, at the restaurant. I heard you. Am I imagining things?" I kept my voice steady. "I never thought you could be such a jerk—hooking up with your friend's wife while he was still alive."

"I'd never go after my friend's girl," Steve had once said. I'd thought he was mimicking Jace then, but now it seemed like a warning.

"It's not what you think," Jace stammered, his anger replaced by panic.

I remained silent. The fact that they'd kissed was all that mattered.

"I—I was drunk... I—I..." His words stumbled, as if he couldn't find a way out.