21. Jace
Jace
We weave through the crowd at High Tide Pavilion, my hand tight around Sadie's as the lights from the stage cast everything in a warm glow. The Summer Nights Concert’s in full swing already, the low thump of pre-show music vibrating through the ground and mixing with the chatter of hundreds of people spread across blankets and chairs.
The ocean is beyond the dunes, its steady rhythm a constant backdrop to the laughter and conversations swirling around us.
I scan the back left of the seating area, looking for the big oak tree Crewe mentioned in his text.
My brothers are here. All of them except Nash and Sin, who are still out there somewhere, taken by the same people who forced my father into hiding all those years ago.
The thought sits heavy in my chest, but Sadie's hand in mine keeps me grounded.
She looks beautiful tonight in that pale pink dress, the fabric moving with every step she takes.
I kissed her before we left the safe house and I already want to do it again.
We spot them near the oak tree, a cluster of familiar figures standing far enough back from the main crowd to talk without being overheard.
Crewe’s there first, tall and serious as always, his arms crossed as he watches the stage.
Colt stands beside him, stoic as usual. Banks is quieter, leaning against the tree trunk with his hands in his pockets, but his eyes are sharp as he takes everything in.
They all look up as we approach, and I feel a rush of relief at seeing them together again.
"About time," Crewe says when we reach them, his voice low but carrying that familiar edge of command. He pulls me into a quick hug, clapping me on the back. "We were starting to think you got lost in the crowd."
"Traffic," I say with a grin, stepping back. "You know how it is on concert nights. Sadie, these are my brothers. Crewe, Colt, Banks, and Mack. Guys, this is Sadie Wells."
Sadie smiles, and shakes their hands one by one. "It’s nice to finally meet all of you. Jace has told me so much."
Colt laughs, the sound easy and warm. "All good things, I hope. Though knowing Jace, he probably made us sound like a bunch of troublemakers."
"You are a bunch of troublemakers," I shoot back, but there’s no heat in it. It feels good to have them here, even with everything hanging over us.
Sadie turns to Banks, her expression softening. "Banks, right? How’s Anniston?"
Banks looks at Sadie. “She’s good. She’s with Delaney down in Texas.”
I nod, leaning in to whisper to Sadie’s ear. “Delaney’s close friend of the family and Nash’s girlfriend.”
Sadie blinks. “Oh, okay. So, she’s safe.”
Banks puffs his chest slightly. “I care about your sister a lot, Sadie. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Sadie smiles and it nearly knocks the air out of my lungs. “I’m glad she met you, Banks.”
Banks looks at her for a moment, then nods, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Me too."
Sadie's smile widens, and I can see the approval in her eyes. She likes him for her sister. I can tell by the way she relaxes a little, her shoulders easing as she talks to him. Banks is steady and kind in his own quiet way, and I’m glad she sees that.
It makes me love her even more, the way she’s already thinking about her sister's future even in the middle of our mess.
We don’t have long to catch up before another figure approaches from the edge of the crowd.
Billy. My father. Victor to the rest of the world, but Billy Hawthorne to us.
He walks with the same confident stride I remember from childhood, though there are more lines around his eyes now and his hair is more salt than pepper.
Crewe clears his throat, taking charge the way he always does.
"We fan out. While the music plays and the crowd is distracted, we spread through the pavilion. Look for anyone who seems out of place. Anyone watching too closely or talking into earpieces. Vanguard Helix will be here. If we can spot them without them spotting us, we can follow them back to wherever they’re holding Nash and Sin. Then we move as one."
I nod, my hand tightening around Sadie's. She’s been quiet, listening to everything, but I can feel the tension in her body. She’s part of this now, whether she planned for it or not. And I want her safe. But I also want her by my side.
"Stay close to me," I say quietly to her as my brothers start to move. "We’ll cover the left side near the stage. Keep an eye out for anything unusual. And if things go sideways, you get out. No arguments.” I glance at my brothers. “Also, we’ve got Sloane on standby. He’s got lots of men protecting other clients here tonight. ”
Banks and Colt nod in unison, and Mack slaps me on the shoulder, saying, “Got it.”
Sadie looks up at me, her eyes serious but steady. "I’m not going anywhere. We do this together."
The music swells from the stage as Gia Golding takes her place, her voice carrying over the crowd in the first notes of her opening song.
The lights shift, colorful beams sweeping across the pavilion.
People cheer and settle in, the energy rising.
My brothers fan out into the crowd, disappearing into the sea of faces and blankets.
Billy stays near the tree for a moment longer, his eyes meeting mine with a nod of understanding.
Then he moves too, blending into the night like he’s done for years.