"Okay. Let's go get that white hot chocolate you can't seem to get enough of."
I beamed. "Sounds like a plan."
Chapter 6
I sipped the creamy white hot chocolate as I watched Trey direct his men to work. I was trying to ignore the nagging exhaustion that kept creeping up on me, but the warmth of the hot chocolate only made me want to curl up in a comfortable little ball on a plush mattress. Trey shot me a few curious glances and I tried to flash him a smile each time I caught the worry in his eyes. Finally, he stood from his crouched position near an electrical outlet, wiping his hands off on his jeans as he advanced.
"You look pretty tired." He stated, but it sounded more like an accusation. "What time did you leave here last night?"
I took another sip before answering. "Not too long after you. I just didn't sleep very well last night and I was up really early this morning."
"You look like you're about to pass out and you're on your third hot chocolate." He sighed as he looked around at the shop. "Come on, I'll take you home."
"I've got it from here, Boyd." A deep voice resonated from my right and I spun to face the man responsible, almost dropping my hot chocolate in the process. I didn't function well without sleep. Obviously.
Trey stiffened, but I shook my head, laying my hand on his shoulder. "I'm good. I have a bone to chew with Jace anyway."
"You really shouldn't go with him." Trey said, while staring down Jace. I felt as though I were witnessing a stand down between two bucks for a mate, but neither man had a right to stake a claim on me.
I squeezed Trey's shoulder reassuringly and glanced at Jace. He was staring at my hand and his eyes were ablaze with anger so potent, I dropped my hand. "I'll be all right, Trey." I took a step toward Jace. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, I'll see you." Trey said tightly, his eyes still locked on Jace.
Jace didn't say anything as he reached out to wrap his fingers around my wrist. If I hadn't had my laptop packed, I would have been forced to leave it behind. Thankfully, I was able to snatch it from the table before Jace pulled me from the shop.
"Does Trey have keys?" Jace demanded once we were standing in the sun.
"Yes." I nodded as another question popped into my head. "How did you know Trey's last name? Do you know each other?"
Jace frowned at me as he shook his head. "I don't know him." He did not elaborate and I pressed.
"Well, if you don't know him, then how did you know his last name?"
Jace tightened his hold on my wrist before pulling me across the sidewalk to the Bugatti he'd driven last night. "Get in." He growled.
"Tell me what I want to know and I'll get in." I bargained.
Jace's jaw twitched as he stared at me. "Get in my car, Olivia."
"No, Jace."
He relented, surprising me. "I'm interested in you, Olivia. Because Trey is a part of your life, I have made his life my business."
My mouth dropped. "But,"
"You said you would get in the car if I told you." He growled threateningly. "Don't make me force you."
"Holy shit!" I gasped as realization crept into my stomach. "You are stalking me."
Jace didn't flinch. As a matter of fact, he didn't react at all. "I'm not going to ask you again."
I complied immediately. I told myself it was because I was afraid of him. He had proven to me countless times today he was mentally unstable. He had to be to send me a bodyguard for my safety...only to kidnap me later himself. Oh, God. What was he going to do to me?
My heart raced as he lowered himself into the car beside me. The engine revved and he sped into traffic recklessly. My hands clutched at the door as I tried not to scream in fear. Jace glanced once at my white knuckled grip and slowed to a reasonable speed.
"You didn't accept Gabe's offer to drive you." He stated and I wondered how I was supposed to respond. I didn't particularly want to test his anger.
"Is that supposed to be a question?" I squeaked.
"No."
I nodded. "Oh,"
"I was worried about you, and because of that, I was incapable of focusing my attention on a very important meeting I had to attend today." His words were clipped. "Did you refuse him because you haven't forgiven me for last night?"
I scoffed. The arrogant ass-wipe! My face burned. He was right on the money, but to hell if I would admit it. "I didn't accept his offer to follow me around like a lost puppy because I appreciate my privacy. Since you seem to know everything about my life, I would have thought you'd know that."
"I don't know everything about you, Olivia." He replied, but I was angry.