Page 75 of Jase

“It’s fine. You’re going to be okay.”

“What about you?Are you okay?Why aren’t we together?”

My eyes closed as I lowered my head. “It’s safer to have us apart.”

“Says who? Them? Kody, I don’t like this. Where are the police? What are they doing to keep us safe?”

“I talked to the detectives and FBI a few days ago. They have nothing. They’re doing nothing. Our guys are. Let’s just let them do what they know. They’ll figure this out. We have to trust that.”

“Trust? Have I taught you nothing? Have you learned nothing from what I’ve been through? We trust no one. We’ve talked about this.”

“Jase and his friends are different. I trust them. You can too. I’m asking that you please give it some time. Let’s just see what happens.”

The line went quiet for so long I thought she hung up.

“I don’t like this, Kody. Not one bit. I’ll give it a few days, but I don’t have much time. If they don’t have this wrapped up soon, I’m out.”

“Tiff, please.”

“No. I love you girl, but I don’t know these men like you. After what they’ve done, I’m not sure I want to. It’s Friday. Come Monday, if they haven’t dealt with this, I’m leaving. You let me know if you want me to pick you up on my way out.”

The line went dead, and I dropped the cell on the bed, letting the top half of my body fall back against the comforter. I suddenly felt like I was spinning, and I had no idea why. My stomach was in knots. This was too much tonight. I didn’t even hear the door open as Jase’s looming figure stood over me. I jumped, forcing myself to sit back up.

“That didn’t sound good. You were yelling. Now you’re crying.”

“Tiff’s not taking it well. I knew she wouldn’t.”

“I’d assume not, but she’s alive. It could be worse.”

“Yeah. I think she knows that. I shouldn’t have told her you guys weren’t cops. Tiffany’s very strict about rules. She likes order. The way Rush tied her up was a bad start. She’s on edge. She’ll calm. She just needs time to think over everything I told her.”

Jase reached for my hand. I stood, letting him pull me in closer.

“You need to calm as well. You’ve been shaking off and on since you thought we were leaving to dinner. Come. I want you to relax in the tub.”

“Do I get a massage later too?”

A smile flashed on Jase’s face before he pulled me into the bathroom. He turned on the water, adding bubbles and salts, before sitting me on the counter and pulling my dress over my head.

“I’ll tell you what.” He reached over, dimming the lights. When he started lighting candles, I already felt myself begin to ease. “Aside from the occasional fit to get under my skin, you’ve been great.”

“Fit?”

“No arguing. Hear me out.” His finger pressed into my lips. “I like your brat. I’m not discouraging her, I’m just giving you warning that from here on out, her presence may have consequences depending on how far you want to push me.” He spread my legs, stepping in and moving to hover over my lips. “Consequences that differ from spanking. Ones more my style. If I ease you into them, they might be ones you enjoy. Definitely feel free to let her out any time you wish.”

“What I wish is to let other things out.” At my pull on one of his belt loops, Jase’s eyes closed, and his lips pressed into mine. His free arm hooked around my lower back, sliding me to the edge to press against him. My tongue teased against his, and I broke from his kiss, refusing to let this continue as a one-way street.

“Jase, you’ve given me your terms—my first word and what to do when I hear it. We’re moving forward. I know we’re going slow, or at least in steps, but I need something from you too. This is not a one-sided relationship. Let me. I want to…” The words got caught in my throat. It wasn’t that I was afraid to speak what I wanted, it’s just I never really had to out loud before.

“You’re asking for trouble, doll. Now’s not the time. If we go any further, especially with that, there’s no way I’m making it quick. I have to work on this email situation with Rian.” His gaze lowered to the drawer before lifting back to mine. “There is something I want to give you.”

“There is?”

His hand slid up to my jaw while light brown eyes nearly disappeared from his intensity.

“I’ve been thinking about this since we were outside, and I think you can handle it. I think…it’s the only way to show you exactly what you’re facing with me. I want to give you a gift. The ultimate promise.”

My hands eased from his pants, and Jase stepped to the side, opening the drawer. Shadows flickered across the walls at his movements, but all I saw was the blade as Jase flipped the knife open.