Chapter 801

Lindey froze, her eyes filling with tears before she nodded. “Okay… fine. Deal.”

The first I heard of it was online—pics and videos everywhere. Cole had gotten his butt handed to him, and the comments? Straight-up applause. Rumors were flying that he was tied to organized crime. But I knew better. Jace sent those guys after him. And honestly, anyone paying attention could connect the dots. That’s why Wayne wasn’t about to let it slide.

“You went after Cole? What’s your problem?” Wayne’s voice was razor-sharp. “You think you’re invincible or just bored with life?”

Jace just smirked. “Maybe. I mean, that fire didn’t kill me.”

Wayne stiffened at that but didn’t bite. “I’ve got a place for you to lay low. Thorsten’s not going to let this go.”

Jace stretched out lazily on the couch, shirt half-unbuttoned, legs up on the coffee table like he owned the world. “Let him come.”

Wayne snorted. “You’re delusional if you think Dad can protect you like before. Thorsten’s done giving him any respect.”

Jace shrugged, not even flinching. “Don’t need Dad’s name to back me up.”

He tilted his chin, nodding toward Wayne. “You’ve always thought Mom and Dad gave me everything, right? But when they handed me Riverwave Corp, it was a dumpster fire, thanks to the Drago family. I built it back up. I made them kneel. Me.”

Wayne’s sharp, narrow eyes glinted with mockery from behind his glasses. “What, you want a medal? That’s why they chose you, huh? Because you’re so much better than me?”

Jace didn’t back down. “That’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Wayne let out another dismissive laugh. “Truth? Don’t even start.”

Jace had had enough of the pretense, so he tore the mask off entirely. “You’ve been so obsessed with beating me, proving you’re better, you made deals with dangerous people overseas. Don’t think I don’t know. All for what? To get Keira? To eliminate anyone in your way? Dragging Steve into your mess? Where’s your humanity, Wayne? You think shortcuts will get you everything you want forever?”

His words cut deep, his anger radiating like heat. Jace rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to stay calm. At least he wasn’t bleeding this time.

“You done?” Wayne asked, ice in his tone.

His glare was sharp, unapologetic, ready to cut down anyone in his way. “You’re lecturing me? That’s hilarious. You’ve never known what it’s like to love someone you can never have—to keep reaching, trying, and still come up empty. Don’t act like you’ve never played dirty, Jace. Like you’re some saint in business or love.”

“You think I got mixed up with them just to prove something to you? Is that what you tell yourself?” Wayne asked, his voice breaking just enough to expose a flicker of pain in his eyes.

Wayne shook his head and gave a bitter smile. “You all blame me, like I’m the family villain. But if I really screwed up, it was by being born a Johnston.”

Something in his words hit Jace wrong. “What are you trying to say? You—”

The sharp buzz of a ringtone cut him off. The phone lit up on the table, the caller ID flashing a name that made Jace’s chest tighten—their house phone.

Jace’s breath caught. He grabbed the phone, barely registering Wayne heading for the door. “Mom?!” His voice shook, full of panic. “What?!”

Wayne froze mid-step, turning back at the sound of Jace’s fear.