Chapter 826

Yara crossed her arms. “Even me, huh? What’s next, locking up the family cat? Aren’t you even a little worried about karma?”

Apparently, Cole had decided to throw her under house arrest with me. Honestly, I wasn’t shocked—just a little meh about it. This was Cole, the guy who’d literally set his own mom on fire for power. Compassion? Not in his vocabulary.

Jace just stood there like a bored spectator. Whether it was at the funeral or now, he felt like a completely different person.

“Aunt Yara, you’re one of Hayden’s people. Right now, anyone tied to him could be a liability. I’m just keeping all my pawns in one place, ready to play.” His tone was all smug.

Then he side-eyed Jace. “Right, Jace? Back me up here.”

Jace ignored him completely, looking straight at me instead. “You okay?”

“Fine,” I said, but my worry got the better of me. “Any news about Lena? Has Mr. Ace done anything?”

I knew it was dumb to ask with Cole right there, but I couldn’t help it—I was too anxious.

“Aaron’s with her. Chill. Focus on yourself for once.”

It was his way of saying Aaron wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

Okay, fair. I didn’t know Aaron that well, but he wasn’t just some boring businessman. The guy had connections, and I was banking on him using them to save Lena.

Jace turned back to Cole. “You can keep Keira here but leave her alone. If it weren’t for Hayden, she wouldn’t even be mixed up in this. She’s not your enemy.”

Cole laughed, all fake innocence. “Oh, come on. If she’d just hand over whatever Hayden left her, I’d treat her like a queen. But nooo, she’s too stubborn.” He made this exaggerated ‘what can ya do?’ gesture.

Then, he added, “Why don’t you try convincing her? You two had ten years of—what was it? ‘Fiery passion.’ Maybe that’ll work.”

“Cole Drago,” he said, ice-cold. “Do you really want me teaching you manners with my fists?”

Cole threw his hands up like, ‘who, me?’ “Relax, man. Just speaking facts. Besides, she dumped you for another guy anyway.”

“Shut up,” I snapped.

Even though Jace and I were over, I was still the wound he couldn’t heal. And Cole wasn’t just poking at it—he was tearing it wide open.

Cole smirked like he’d hit the jackpot. “See? She’s still so fiery. You and Hayden must’ve been a real handful.”

Before I could fire back, Jace stepped in. “Don’t let him get to you,” he said quietly. “You’ll be fine. Yara’s here now.”

Okay, fair again. I’d been wanting to talk to Yara anyway.

As Jace turned to leave, he threw a glance at Cole. “Take care of her.”

It wasn’t a threat, but the weight behind his words hit hard—like, ‘don’t mess with me’ energy.

Jace walked out, and Cole followed, leaving just me and Yara in awkward silence. I had so many questions for her, but with Cole likely bugging the place, this wasn’t the time to ask.

Yara broke the quiet first. “Jace really spoils you.”

Wait, what? Even she was teasing me now?

“He figured you’d hate the food here and told me to cook for you—including shrimp bisque,” she said, already heading to the kitchen.

I blinked. Jace had planned for her to be here?

Chapter 827