Chapter 553

“Did you get a ticket for the game?” Jace asked, smoothly dodging whatever I’d been about to say.

“Not yet. Got any extras? I’ll buy one off you,” I shot back, not even trying to play coy. Why take the long way when there’s a shortcut?

Jace just laughed. “I have some, but they’re not for sale.” He pulled out two tickets from his pocket. “These are reserved for me. Steve hooked me up a while ago.”

My heart did a little flip. Steve hadn’t exactly called to invite me, but he’d saved me tickets anyway. Maybe he was hoping I’d show up?

I took the tickets from Jace. “Mind if I grab one more?”

Jace paused, then finally pulled out another.

“You’re like a walking ticket booth,” I teased, slipping the extra ticket into my pocket.

He just smirked, brushing it off. Honestly, I had no clue what else to say to him.

Just then, Wade appeared with Yuna, pushing her suitcase. Yuna walked next to him, a little shy but totally glowing. The two of them had this cute vibe going on.

“Looks like my friends are here,” I said to Jace, getting to my feet.

Wade walked up, and Yuna gave Jace a quick, cautious glance before turning to me with a grin. “Keira,” she greeted, “my favorite sis-in-law.”

This girl—always working her angles. She was totally using that title on purpose, making a little statement just in case Jace had any ideas.

“Wade promised he’d look out for you,” I said, shooting her a reassuring smile and giving Wade a nudge of warning. “But if he so much as thinks about slacking off, call me. Anytime.”

Yuna’s cheeks went pink, but she still came to his defense. “He’d never do that. Don’t worry.”

I handed her one of the tickets. “This one’s on me. Something you can’t buy anywhere else.”

“Thanks,” she said, grinning as she took it.

“You two go on ahead,” I said, noting Wade looked a little like he wanted to bolt. “If anything comes up, just give me a call.” They headed off quickly, and I had to laugh a bit at how awkward Wade seemed.

Once they were out of earshot, Jace commented, “Looks like Hayden’s little sis is scared I’m gonna swoop in and steal you away.”

“She’s a kid,” I said, rolling my eyes as I gestured toward the elevator. “Anyway, I’m heading up.”

“Rea,” Jace called, his tone shifting. “You didn’t…run into any trouble getting here, did you?”

I felt my heart skip. The only one who’d heard about Bruno’s message was Hayden. How would Jace know to even ask?

“Huh?” I tried to play it cool.

Chapter 553

Jace took a step closer, tilting his head toward a spot in the lobby. “Those two over there—they’ve been watching you.”

I hadn’t noticed them before, but now I felt a rush of unease. Who were they? Hayden’s people, keeping an eye out? Or someone from Bruno’s side, ready to stir up trouble?

“They’re probably Hayden’s,” I said, hoping I sounded chill. Hayden had said he’d have someone around.

Jace didn’t respond right away, and I was just about to head upstairs, figuring maybe I’d play it safe and lay low in my room for a while.

Then he spoke up. “Wayne mentioned some guy named Bruno had bothered you back home,” he said, freezing me in my tracks. “I looked into him. He’s probably a Quartz Cue Diamond member.”

“And he’s got a following,” Jace went on, his face hardening. “People are mad about the injuries he got back there—there’s been a whole wave of outrage. Staying here alone could get risky for you.”

If Bruno had that much pull, then Hayden definitely knew, too. He’d probably kept it quiet, thinking it would spare me the stress. But now here was Jace, laying it all out, like he wanted to make sure I’d be on guard.

It was strange. Both of them had been close to me, but they had such different ways of trying to protect me.

I turned to Jace. “So…what’s your plan?”