Jace
“Just let me out at the front,” I tell Howard, anxiously waiting with my hand on the car’s door handle to let myself out.
LA traffic was a nightmare and it took way too long to get to Lennox’s condo. Okay, it was probably like twenty minutes but it felt like a lifetime.
Especially as my mind reeled over the turn of events that happened in the courtroom.
I would have never known that my mother was behind the article if it weren’t for my father.
I’m grateful the truth came out but the shame I feel in how I responded is killing me.
It mixes like oil and water with the heaviness that weighs on me now knowing that Lennox had nothing to do with the article.
I really fucked up and I have no idea how I’m going to make up for it.
Howard comes to a stop and I practically dive out of the back. Slamming the door behind me as I jog up to the front entrance.
The security guard greets me by name and asks me where I’m headed.
“Lennox’s place,” I say, without explaining further. The people that work this building follow celebrity news considering it’s filled with 90 percent of movie stars or musicians. It’s not unusual that I’m visiting a co-star.
His brows furrow for a moment as he passes me a confused squint.
Giving me a curt nod, he replies, “Head on up, his apartment is open.”
Open?
I don’t give that much thought as I race through the door and to the elevator, jabbing the button hard multiple times.
Finally, the doors grant me access and I jump in, treating the tenth floor button the same way as it finally starts to ascend.
It hits me that I have no idea what I’m going to say. I need to apologize. I need to tell him how I feel even if it terrifies me.
My pulse races as my breath shallows and I feel so fucking nervous my fingers are twitching and it feels like the walls are closing in on me, getting tighter with each floor we pass.
He needs to let me explain. Give me a chance.
Fuck, what if I’ve ruined everything?
The doors split open and my legs roadrunner out of the claustrophobic box as I make my way to his condo.
I’m shocked to see a man in a suit stepping through the doorway.
There’s a man leaving his house.
There’s a fucking man leaving his apartment.
What the fuck?
My feet stall and I can’t move. Can’t think.
He turns his gaze to me and his jaw slacks in shock. “Woah. Jace Wilder? Wow.” He takes a step toward me, introducing himself. “I’m Giovanni.” He holds out his hand, my eyes flicker down to it, then back up to his face.
I have to suck in some air to calm the raging jealousy ripping through me as I take in his tan skin and dark everything else.
His suit must be tailored for him because it can’t be easy to find ones that fit his height and stature.
He’s got at least half a foot on me, but still that doesn’t fucking intimidate me.
Ignoring his hand, I ask, “And how do you know Lennox, Giovanni?” My voice is deeper than ever, commanding in a way that shows possession and drips with an unsaid threat.
He pulls back his hand and takes a step back from me as if feeling a sense of danger.
“I’m his realtor,” he says cautiously, “He’s listing his condo for sale. Well, he calls it his flat,” he says in a playful mocking tone, trying to ease the tension.
Wait. What?
“Realtor?” I repeat, still registering his words.
“Yeah, as of about six hours ago,” he says proudly. “He wants it sold quickly so it’s priced very fair. Are you interested?”
I’m not interested in anything you’re offering, Giovanni. I refrain from saying that outloud, keeping my surprising possessive nature under control.
“Why?” I ask, confused.
Giovanni shrugs. “Not sure. His agent said that he was going back to London for an indefinite amount of time.” He leans in, lowering his voice.
“Probably has something to do with all that missing money.” His eyebrows raise in a knowing look, trying to befriend me and call Lennox a thief in the same sentence.
“He didn’t steal that money,” I snap.
He raises his palms in surrender. “I didn’t mean any disrespect—”
“Don’t believe everything you read in the tabloids.” I spin around and leave as I pull my phone out of my pocket and book the first available flight to London.