Jace coughed. He placed an egg onto a buttered piece of toast and handed me the plate. "Eat. You need something in your stomach." He went to work setting up the other two plates. I smiled genuinely when he handed one to Trisha.
Jace came to sit beside me. He rubbed the small of my back with his hand and I bit back a moan. His touch was divine. "Jaylah ran to my Mother not a minute after meeting with you yesterday," He spoke softly and horror flooded my system. Oh God. Was he angry? "She came to my office late last night."
I looked up at him. Could this day get any worse? "I'm so sorry, Jace."
He frowned. "For what?"
I could feel Trisha watching us closely and I suddenly wished this conversation could have occurred in private.
"Well, if you aren't ready for your Mother to know about this..." I paused. He had said I was his girlfriend...but, I still didn't feel like I was anything more than his bedroom buddy. He hadn't taken me out on a date, and I didn't feel like we were dating. Nothing in our relationship had changed...apart from the passion in the bedroom...so why would I feel as though he was all right with his Mother, of all people, knowing about us.
"You are a part of my life, Olivia. I want to share you." Jace said sternly and tears stung my eyes at the sudden flow of happiness that coursed through me. "My Mother wants to meet you. And, I would like for you to meet her. She has invited us to dinner tonight." He looked deep into my eyes. His blue eyes were soul-searching and breathtaking. "Say you will come."
I smiled...or beamed up at him. A giggle erupted from my lips and I nodded. "I would love to meet your Mom."
"I'm glad." Jace grinned, and for the first time since meeting him, his eyes glowed like a boys on Christmas. My heart swelled. "Eat your breakfast, Olivia." He commanded, back to his regular old self.
I caught Trisha's small nod of satisfaction and I was certain Jace didn't miss the action either. I felt great. Suddenly, the day didn't seem so dull. I would just have to get this thing with Gabe over with, and then we would be on our way to meet his Mother. At least, I hoped that was how it would go.
Trisha shattered the silence, and my hope in one infinitesimal moment. "So Jace, are you going to have another letter delivered when you leave here? You know, you could save time and money by just giving them to her before you go."
Jace stiffened. He placed his toast on the plate and looked with hard eyes at Trisha. "What letters?"
Trisha paled and her eyes shot to mine. I looked down at my plate, praying they would both forget about it. I didn't want to do this alone. At the thought, my eyes swept over the face of the clock. Where in the world was Gabe? What was taking so long?
"Who are the letters from, Liv? If they aren't from Jace, who is sending them?" Trisha's tone was tense. I never lied to her, but I lied about the letters. I didn't want to bring her into this. I still didn't want to bring her into this. Whoever the individual was behind the letters...he was creepy. And, he scared me.
I had already gotten one person I cared for deeply in danger...I didn't want to add Trisha to the list.
"I don't know." I whispered.
"Bullshit, Liv." Trisha yelled. "Where are they?"
I didn't say anything and Jace shifted beside me. "Where are the letters, Olivia?" His voice was so calm. Eerily calm.
I knew he was fuming inside...and I wished he would show me his feelings. This coolness that radiated off him was so much worse. It was devastating and fear provoking. I couldn't lose him. Not to this. If I did, then the writer had won.
"In my room." My reply was meek.
"Where?" Jace stood.
"Jace, please don't do this." I begged. Tears brimmed my eyes. "I don't want you to read them."
"What the fuck do you mean? You don't want me to read them?" He yelled. The vein in his neck pulsed and his hands fisted. It was evident; he was barely holding his anger together. "You don't have a fucking choice!"
I half expected Trisha to say something in my defense, but in this, she was standing with Jace. I couldn't hold back the tears a moment longer. "They are threats, Jace." I stood from the chair and begged him with my eyes for forgiveness. "I called Gabe. He should be here soon."
His brows rose and his blue eyes widened. "You called Gabe?" His words bit my skin and stabbed my heart. "You told Gabe, but you didn't tell me."
"I'm sorry. I don't want you to see them."
Trisha stepped behind me. "Where are the letters, babe? You need to go get them so Jace can look at them, and figure out the best way to protect you, okay?"
"I'm not the one in danger." I whispered and my eyes met Jace's. "You are. That's why I called Gabe."