27. Kayla
Since it’s a Monday afternoon, the library is packed with people. Sunlight streams in through the tall windows, illuminating the pale marble floor and the wooden bookshelves that fill Ivy River’s grand library. We got lucky because a group was leaving just when we arrived, so we managed to get one of the tables set along the wall of windows.
Next to me, Aurora is explaining something to Jenn and Lionel, who are sitting across the table from us. I know that I should be paying attention to what they’re saying, but I’m having trouble concentrating on anything because I’m still so embarrassed about what happened at that wedding two days ago.
I thought I was going to be able to quietly sneak off while everyone was busy watching Kaden and Alina. But no. What did I manage to do instead? I caused an armed standoff between two assassin families.
My cheeks heat again just thinking about it, and I shoot a quick glare at Jace where he is standing a couple of steps away from our table.
He could have at least warned me that every single person in that damn church was going to be armed.
As if he is thinking about that day too, Jace slides his gaze to me. A smirk tugs at his lips. I shoot him another scowl before returning my attention to my friends.
“We need a venue that’s big enough to fit all of the items,” Aurora argues from the seat next to me.
Jenn raises an eyebrow from the chair opposite her. “Do we? I mean, really. Do we actually need to physically put all of the items in there? What about the car? Are we really going to put a car inside a building?”
A pensive expression blows across Aurora’s face, and she sits back in her chair. “Right. The car. I kind of forgot about that.”
“Why don’t we just put a picture of the car in there instead?” Lionel says, looking between me and the Carlisle sisters.
On my left, Jace snorts.
Lionel snaps his gaze to him, displeasure flickering in his gray eyes. “What was that?”
Jace arches an eyebrow at him. “A picture? Seriously?”
“I wasn’t planning on just sticking it up on a wall,” Lionel snipes back. “I was thinking in a nice frame. On a table.”
“A frame?” Jace snorts again and shoots him a look full of mockery. “Well, then that changes everything. Great idea, Lionel.”
Sarcasm practically drips from his voice, and it makes Lionel sputter in anger as he trips over his words in his haste to retort. I shoot Jace a warning look, which he just answers with a quick smirk in my direction. I narrow my eyes at him.
“Who even asked for your opinion, bodyguard?” Lionel spits out that last word as if it’s an insult.
“You did.” Jace raises his eyebrows as if that should’ve been obvious. “I didn’t say anything. I just scoffed. And you asked me to elaborate.”
“Jace,” I cut in before Lionel can retort.
He turns to me. “What? You didn’t think the picture idea was good either. None of you did.”
Lionel turns to us, as if expecting us to defend him. Jenn and Aurora grimace apologetically when he looks to them.
“It doesn’t matter,” I say to Jace. Annoyance ripples through me. Because he’s right. The picture idea was terrible. But I don’t want to admit that. So instead, I finish with, “Just drop it.”
“Exactly,” Lionel says, turning back to Jace again and flicking a dismissive look up and down his body. “Why are you even here?”
“Why are you here?” Jace counters, fixing him with a hard stare full of contempt. “Have you actually contributed anything to this group project? Or are you just skating by on all of their hard work?”
Anger and indignation flash across Lionel’s face, turning his cheeks and neck red. Curling his lips in disgust, he keeps his eyes on Jace as he says, “Can’t you tell your dog to go home, Kayla?”
Jace moves before the final word has even left his mouth.
Lurching forward, he grabs Lionel’s wrist and yanks it up in the air behind him while gripping Lionel’s neck with his other hand.
A bang echoes through the library as Jace slams Lionel’s cheek down against the table.
Jenn and Aurora jump in surprise, and every single person within range turns to stare and gasp at us.
“Call me dog one more time,” Jace says, forcing Lionel’s arm farther back. “I fucking dare you.”
A cry of pain rips from Lionel’s throat, and he whimpers on the table.
I shoot to my feet and lock furious eyes on Jace. “That’s enough.”
“It will be,” Jace replies, his own merciless stare still locked on Lionel. “When he apologizes.”
All around us, people are staring at us and filming us and whispering behind their hands.
Mortification crashes over me like a tidal wave.
People are going to be talking about this for weeks.
I just wanted a normal fucking university experience! And yet, I constantly end up drawing attention. Everywhere I go. All the time.
Because of him.
Because of all of them. The middle-aged men in suits who stood out like signal beacons on campus. And now Jace with his overprotective hitman bullshit. I just want him gone. I want them all gone. I want my fucking life back!
Spinning on my heel, I start stalking away from the table without a word.
“Kayla,” Jace says.
The command in his voice makes me grind my teeth in annoyance. Ignoring him, I simply continue striding towards the doors.
If I stay, Jace is going to force Lionel to grovel for forgiveness. And I’m done being a spectacle for all the shocked students in this library. The only way to separate Jace and Lionel right now is for me to leave. Because then, Jace will follow.
“Uhm, Kayla,” Jenn calls after me. “Wait. I have a venue for us to look at tomorrow.”
“Great,” I reply without slowing down or turning to look. “Just text me the address and I’ll be there.”
“Oh. Uhm. Okay.”
The sound of a table scraping against the floor comes from behind me. Then Jace’s footsteps echo against the marble. I simply keep walking.
“That’s right,” Lionel calls, his tone mocking. “Run after your mistress like the dog you are.”
Jace’s footsteps stop.
Lionel lets out a terrified squeak.
Then Jace’s footsteps start back up again.
I still don’t turn to look.
Everyone else does, though. All the students and faculty members that I pass turn to stare at me as I walk out of the library.
Embarrassment burns through my cheeks.
I’m going to fucking kill Jace when I get home.