"Okay," Trisha took control. I was clearly unable. "What do we do now?"
Gabe's eyes were serious. "I don't think you should change anything right now. I don't think he will act on his threat soon." Gabe placed the letters onto the coffee table. "We are going to up your security. There will be someone standing guard in your condo each night and someone will be with you at work. You are not to be left alone, but the writer cannot think the sudden security is because you have shared his letters. As I said, he knows you personally. We need to make your relationship with Jace public. He will assume that is the reason for the added protection and will not think it is because of him. We do not want to make him feel threatened. We do not want him to act irrationally."
"But wouldn't that be like taunting him?" I asked. "If we were to make our relationship public?"
Jace dropped his head into his hands. His fingers weaved into his hair before cupping the back of his neck. This was taking a toll on him and I didn't like it. If there was anyone I loathed in this world...it was the unidentified writer.
"No. So long as he believes you have kept the letters to yourself, then he should not react irrationally." Gabe held my eyes. "He believes he is saving you from Jace."
"I think we should stop seeing each other." I said slowly. Jace lifted his head and his eyes were filled with...fear. Why was he afraid? "It's the only way to ensure you remain safe."
"That's out of the question." Jace growled. "We will not stop seeing each other because someone feels they have the right to dictate your life."
Gabe shook his head. "I agree with Jace, Olivia."
My brows rose. Surprise and...hope...bloomed in my lower belly. "You do?"
"I do." He nodded. "I believe, so long as Jace allows a security team to work with him for his protection, then you can remain seeing one another."
Jace stiffened and I stared at him. "Will you take a bodyguard, Jace?"
"I will take one if you agree to continue to be a part of my life. If you walk out, then all bets are off." Jace's eyes burned, daring me to argue. Daring me to walk away from him.
"Fine," I said. I hugged myself. "What do we do from here?"
Jace smiled. "From here, I'm taking my girlfriend for lunch. I'm sure our new security team can be ready within the hour?" He looked at Gabe.
"Of course, Sir." Gabe nodded. He pulled a phone from his pocket and walked to the kitchen.
Trisha blew out a breath as she watched him move away from the living room. For the first time since Gabe walked in the room, I noticed how Trisha watched Gabe. It made me feel almost sad for her. She liked him. That much was obvious. But it was also obvious; she felt he was out of her league.
She turned to face me and her cheeks warmed when she noticed me watching her. "I'm going to take a shower."
I watched her move from the room with a frown on my face. I remembered Gabe telling me he had a teenage daughter and an ex-wife. He was too old for Trisha. I hoped he didn't notice her interest in him, and I hoped the crush she had on him...or whatever it was faded. She deserved someone young and filled with life. Someone like Trey.
Jace weaved his arms around my body, resting them on my ribs beneath my breasts. He dipped his head and kissed my neck. "I won't let anything happen to you."
"It's not me I'm worried about."
Chapter 21
I stepped into the sun, but did not feel warmed by the glow. Jace stood beside me as Gabe strode to the Audi SUV and opened the door. Jace's hand on my back steered me toward the car and I couldn't help but look around for watching eyes. Jace noticed my screening of the street and stiffened.
"Get in the car, Olivia." Jace commanded. I quickly stepped into the backseat and Jace moved in beside me. The windows were tinted, so dark, I knew no one could see inside. I was safe to scour the streets. "You need to act normal." He scolded me and I blushed.
"It's hard." I murmured.
"Come closer." Jace lifted his arm from his side and I wiggled across the seat so I was nearly on top of his lap. "I'm taking you to lunch because I want to date you. This is not an act for me, Olivia. I want you to know that."
My heart fluttered. I felt alive for the first time since news of the letters broke loose. And, it was because of Jace. I sighed and leaned my head onto his shoulder, inhaling the warm scent that only Jace possessed. "Thank you."
"You don't need to thank me." He replied gruffly. "Is it not obvious, I would do anything for you?"
I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked into his brilliant blue eyes. "What's that supposed to mean, Jace?"