CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE


I returned to Munsinger's in a pensive mood. I tucked the extra set of keys
I'd found from Munsinger's desk in my backpocket. They'd been underneath a small
statue with a child in a mother's womb. Instead of the child, a pearl glistened.
I had smiled as I spotted the statue and knew instantly Munsinger would hide a
third set of keys underneath. He'd think it was clever in the abstract way his
mind worked.


I had actually pictured him gigging with delight when he thought of the
hidey-hole.


As I moved into the kitchen, I stopped short at the image of Jace listening
to another message on the machine, with the bullet-proof vest and two guns
prominent on his hips. He glanced up, held my gaze, and I didn't see any remorse
from his time with Taryn.


"Hey." He said softly.


I moved beside him and retracted the keys to toss on the desk.


"Hey." I replied, skimmed his figure, and moved to the bedroom.


I knew without looking that Jace turned his bent head to follow me with his
eyes. I left the door open, dropped my clothes on the guest bed, and stepped
into the shower.


I was greeted with the image of Jace, sitting on the bed, with the pound of
cash in his hand. He lifted it, an arched eyebrow, and drawled wryly, "Where'd
this come from?"


"A small-block bully lost his cash." I remarked and changed into the lacy
camisole and some skimpy underwear. Jace appreciated the show, but he asked,
"Where'd you go?"


"Were you worried?" I asked and leaned against the opposite wall.


Jace narrowed his eyes and asked, "What is this?"


"It's not the cliché jealousy, if that's where your thoughts are going." I
murmured, somber and yet…resigned.


"What happened tonight?" Jace requested. I knew it was request without
thinking about it and it was the right key to my lock.


"Nothing." I sighed and moved to curl on the bed beside him. Jace still sat
up, but he shifted to look down on me.


I stared at him above and murmured, "I just…I think I just miss my old
life."


"That's understandable." Jace faintly grinned and skimmed a hand along my
body, from my shoulder to my knee. It was soothing and intoxicating.


"Everyone has a story, you know. And tonight," I sat up and Jace wrapped an
arm around my waist. He pulled me close until I wrapped my legs around his waist
and he tugged until I moved to straddle him. It was efficient and seductively
slow.


It was delicious.


I looped both arms on his shoulders and met his smoky greys.


"I think something's wrong with me when I feel at home on the streets and I
actually seek it out." I commented.


Jace caressed my legs as he replied, "Not really. You know the streets, you
survive on those streets. It makes sense that's where you'd go if you're looking
for something."


"Am I looking for something?"


Jace thought about it and said, "Yeah. You're searching for a change."


"There's no change for this world."


"Yes, there is. We just don't see it sometimes." Jace grinned cockily. "We're
evidence of that sentiment."


That was true.


I smiled softly, but murmured, "Tonight I shared coffee and kept someone
company for awhile."


"Who was this someone?"


"Just a guy who found his dead-beat drunk dad frozen on the streets. He'd
caught a bottle of the head as he was fighting another guy for his liquor
bottle."


Jace laughed sardonically, "What a world we live in."


"Yeah."


"That doesn't explain the cash."


"Oh." I grew bored. "I bought some information from a girl and then kept her
occupied until the small-block bully could push her for it."


"Oh." Jace now understood. "And they went after you for the money."


"Little did they know…" I teased.


"Yeah." Jace laughed.


"How was your day?" I grinned at the question. I could've attached a 'honey'
at the end and we would've sounded the typical husband and wife doing the
evening 'catch-up.'


We weren't the typical anything.


Jace didn't reply right away.


I waited and he said a second later, "I always lie to Taryn." He sounded
regretful, but resigned.


I knew how that felt. It was an awful impending doom that you saw coming, but
never moved out of the way. And you endured the after-effects knowing you
could've avoided the train, but chose not to. It was a helpless control that
rang exhaustion in a person.


"What'd you tell her?" Did I really want to know? A second consideration…and
yes, I wanted to know.


"I told her a lot of pretty words that wasn't even close to the truth…like
always."


"Does it matter?"


Jace didn't ask what I meant. He knew and he considered the question. He
murmured, "No, not to me, I guess. Taryn's just family that I lie, deceive, and
manipulate. I don't manipulate anymore. I used to, but I don't anymore because
I'm not protecting her anymore."


"That's Tray's job."


Jace nodded and smoothed a hand down my back to press me closer.


I slid in, obliging, and our lips just touched.


The phone rang and we both held our breaths until the machine clicked on.
Jace took my lips in his and deepened the kiss when we heard Munsinger's voice
echo throughout the apartment.


I froze and listened.


"Viiwa, dear, please don't be heart-broken. I received your message, but my
phone was turned off. I can't return your phone call, I am so sorry, my angel.
My Tribal Goddess." Munsinger sniffled into the phone. "If I am forced to make a
choice, I have to choose where my heart is leading me. I have fallen down a path
that I cannot return from, Viiwa. I wish not to choose, but I can no longer live
my daily aspirations with you. You shan't move and I am forced to. I need to be
here with Gray. I whispered to him all through his months in Cherry's womb. I
told him stories, I told him how much I loved his mother. When I learned of his
true father—it was a mistake to turn my heart off. A child was punished that
could've been avoided."


He drew in a shuddering breath and said with a father's love evident, "I love
him and I'm pained to make this choice, but I must for my heart is telling where
to go. I'll be returning to move my things out in the morrow. I won't be there
when you arrive home. I am sorry, my love."


Another pause and then, "Goodbye."


I drew away from Jace and retracted from his embrace.


He stood as I reached for a robe to wrap around my now chilled form.


Silently, we both went to the living room.


Jace grabbed a bottle of wine as I grabbed two glasses.


I never questioned our unspoken communication, but it was natural for us to
drink in silence. I was beginning to realize that I enjoyed the quiet of
company.


With my glass in hand, I held it, and commented, "He loved her so much. He
told me about her when I was here last."


An emotion flashed in Jace's depths, but he merely took a drink.


I wondered what that was, but never asked. He wouldn't tell.


"Munsinger is gentle with a fiery temper. And he loves Gray. I knew that from
the beginning. I'd never seen him that angry when he found out Krein was the
father. Cherry was pregnant before they were together, but she never thought to
tell him. And then when he found out, he just jumped to the conclusion that it
was his, even though Cherry told him how far along she was and it wouldn't have
made sense."


Jace took another sip and relaxed against his chair.


"I guess…he just wanted to be Gray's dad so badly that he didn't overlooked
it."


"If we want something bad enough," Jace remarked, "we'll go to any
destination to get it."


I looked up, was breathless at the sight of him, and asked huskily, "What do
you want that badly?"


Jace promised such delightful things with his eyes, but he asked, honestly,
"Can I tell you at the end of this?"


I nodded, at a loss for words. His had struck deep, deeper than I wanted to
admit.


Jace lifted his glass towards me, "And you? What do you want that badly?"


"I'm figuring it out as we go." I whispered.


Jace smiled and finished his glass of wine. He stood up and murmured, "We
have to go tomorrow, but we've got tonight."


I tipped my head back as he moved to stand above me. "I'd like to see
Munsinger before we go."


"We could do that, unless he gets here at an ungodly time." Jace reflected,
bent and slid two arms underneath me.


I wrapped my legs around his waist and he walked us back to the bedroom.


As he laid me down, I murmured, "You'll like him."


Jace chuckled, lifted me higher up on the bed and leaned just above me, "I
doubt that."


"What?"


"I might respect him, who he is to you, but he doesn't speak what I speak."
Jace said flatly.


No. It was true. Munsinger was too outright emotional. Jace dealt with his
emotions, knew his emotions, but he drove the world at his speed.


So did Munsinger, but Munsinger stopped to admire the flowers beside the
road.


"He's my family." I said.


Jace nodded and said simply, "I know."


He moved to place both his guns on the nightstand while my fingers did quick
work on his vest.


Our conversation was done. We both felt it.


After that was gone, I slid my hands underneath his shirt, pushing it up and
delighting in a slow exploration at the same time.


Jace sucked in his breath and explored my hips at the same time. He rolled
just above me, but lifted his arms to slide his shirt the rest of the way off.
His lips took mine in a demanding kiss. The heat burst forth within me and I
rolled underneath him and wrapped both legs around his.


As I worked at his pants, Jace freed me of my camisole and it was aching,
agonizing, torture from there on out.


The night before had been passionate and heated.


This was sensual and slow.


Both left me with perspiration and breathless. I was victorious when I heard
Jace's heart slowly rescind to his normal heartbeat. It had raced right
alongside my own. And that's how we slept. I was wrapped around him and I fell
asleep to the sound of his heartbeat, strong and prominent.


We never needed the bedsheets until much later when Jace woke up and shifted
me to the side as he reached to cover us both.


He gathered me back, nuzzled his head into my shoulder, and fell back
asleep.


When I woke the sun had just peaked, but that wasn't what woke me. Just as I
opened my eyes, I could've sworn that I heard the same children's laughter race
past me as I had dreamt from another night. The same image of the golden child
with pewter eyes and billowing white robes came to mind.


The laughter's echo sounded in my head and I could hear hers among the rest.
The others blended together, but I knew which one was hers.


It left me with an unsettling presence and that was what drew me out of bed
in that early hour of the morning.


Jace woke briefly, saw that I was dressing, and reached for his own jeans. He
pulled them on and then flipped onto his stomach and fell asleep with the pillow
forgotten and on the side of the bed.


I appreciated the imagery, but I still shivered from the laughter that seemed
to haunt me now.


After I readied some coffee, I went to the window to gaze below and lifted it
to hear the street sounds.


It calmed me and chased away the unsettled gloom in my stomach.


But it was then that I caught sight of a taxi that was slowly nearing the
building. The door opened and I cried in delight.


Munsinger was home with a reproachful look on his face.


I grabbed a set of keys, just in case, and darted down the hallways and
stairs.


I was nearing the door when Munsinger was just stepping foot onto the
sidewalk. His eyes lifted up and he stood, shocked, as he saw me smiling.


I had his hug ready and his 'hey, you' to whisper against this chest.


And then time slowed and I saw his instant relief and delight turn into
confusion and then horror.


I stepped forward, dropped the coffee that I hadn't realized was in my hands,
and took another agonizing slow step towards the door.


Munsinger now turned to the side and an angry shout rose over his face.


It morphed into panicked terror and he tried for the door.


I couldn't get there in time for the clock now moved through thick mud.


Munsinger's hand reached out, grasped the door, and before he could open it
to get into safety, two men slammed into him.


They picked him up, silenced his shout, and disappeared from the door before
my foot could make one more step.


And then time snapped back into place and it was over too quick for me to
realize.


I slammed through the door, saw them throw Munsinger into a van, and screamed
his name as Munsinger wrestled out of the van.


He was halfway out again when one of the men looked up, alerted from my
scream, and jolted in recognition.


He was reaching for his gun as the doors burst open behind me and then I was
shoved down to the ground.


Jace was above me, with one knee on my back, as he shot quickly and
expertly.


I would be told later that he shot one man down. His body fell into the
street and then Jace shot out three tires.


That's when they opened fire on us and Jace had to throw himself on top of
me. Glass reigned all around us and on us, but I only heard Munsinger's scream
and then there was a screech of tires and they were gone.


Shocked silence rang out among the street and then screams punctuated the
air.


Jace cursed and hauled me back up to Munsinger's apartment. Hurriedly, he
gathered what we could and then shoved me down the backway where he hotwired a
car, pushed me inside, and raced out into the streets.


He kept me down on the ground until we drove a few miles and then released
his hold.


"Where the hell did those people come from?" Jace cursed, glanced over his
shoulder, and switched lanes onto another ramp for another interstate.


Belatedly, I realized that we were crossing the city. "Where are we
going?"


"Family." Jace clipped out.


"What?" I gazed at him, confused, and yet—nothing was moving. Nothing at all.
"What's going on?"


"Maya!" Jace swore again. "You're going into shock. Come on—don't do this.
Don't leave me. Maya!"


I gasped, blinked away the fading, and found myself back in a jarring
reality.


"Oh god." I gaped, stricken.


"Family. Marcus is going after family. He's going to go after Taryn too."


"It was a van. I think—they were following him. Or they…"


"They knew." Jace confirmed my suspicion. "I think they had his line tapped
and he told 'em when he was coming back. They were just waiting."


Oh. God.


"Maya." Jace said firmly.


"I'm fine. I'm here." I said firmly and pushed it away. I had to. "Did you
get everything?"


"I think so. It's all in the back."


I turned and flipped into the back seat. I quickly searched and affirmed that
he'd gotten everything, even the pound of cash I'd stolen.


"Get your vest on." Jace ordered, but I was already clipping it in place,
along with my guns.


My fingers found his and then I blinked. I looked up and realized that Jace
was shirtless, in his jeans, and barefoot.


He'd literally left the bed as he was and ran to my scream.


"Thank god that I opened the window." I said faintly.


Jace didn't say anything.


I crawled back into the front seat and dressed him as he drove. After his
vest was in place with his guns in their satchels, I found my blade and slid it
into it's resting place, against the small of my back.


"What's the plan?" I asked.


"Taryn's not at her home. They went to Chance's last night. We're going
there."


I nodded and found his phone. I scrolled to Chance Evan's number and handed
Jace the phone.


A moment later, Jace left a message, hardened his jaw, and punched down on
the accelerator.


The ride took too long, but it merely took twelve minutes before Jace flew
around the last corner and we saw two cars, doors opened, and guns drawn with
Tray and Taryn frozen in front of them.


Jace unbuckled himself and tensely spoke, "You fly out and shoot in
three..two…one."


We both pushed out of the car and Jace was already shooting as everyone
slowly turned and realized a speeding car was about to crash into theirs.


The two men who had started to approach Taryn and Tray knelt and started
shooting at us, but Jace shot them down in an instant.


I was aware of Jace shooting as the cars crashed into each other. Tray threw
an arm around Taryn and was pushing her, half-dragging, her to safety when I
rounded the yard and came across them as one guy stepped close.


They froze as his gun's cock was heard and then I stepped forward, my hand
ready, and I slammed a bullet into his forehead.


He dropped as Tray took advantage of the momentary shock and threw Taryn
inside the house.


Chance was returning fire as Tray followed inside.


"Maya! Get inside!" Lily screamed, but I couldn't.


The shooting had abruptly stopped and I turned, looking for Jace, and saw him
walking steadily towards one man that was crawling away, on all fours.


We all watched as Jace kicked him onto his back, smashed his foot against the
man's windpipe and ask a question. The man didn't answer right and Jace shot
through his leg.


Taryn gasped.


I watched.


Jace asked again and this time the man answered right. After Jace swiftly
kicked him into unconsciousness, he raised his steel eyes and pierced us
all.


Sirens were already filling the air.


"Maya!" Lily gasped outloud.


I ignored her and retrieved our bags from the back of overturned car. Jace
was waiting when I crawled back out. I reached inside of his bag and handed him
two clips. He took them and slammed them into place as we both walked towards
the house.


We got inside with Taryn shaken and Tray cautiously still.


Chance started first as he cried out, "What the hell?! You could've given me
a head's up."


Jace ignored him and stalked towards Lily.


Lily backed into a wall and exclaimed, "What?"


"Jace." Taryn recovered and snapped.


"They were tipped off. Taryn wasn't followed last night. I made sure of that,
so that meant someone here, inside here, called and tipped them off. Who could
that be?" Jace grilled, relentless.


Lily looked at me, pleading silently.


"Don't look at her!" Jace barked out. "Did you tip them off? Are you your
father's daughter after all, Lily?!"


"Jace." Taryn said again, growing calm again.


"You're out of line, Jace." Chance stepped forward and pushed him away.


"Am I?" Jace said scathingly. "I'm thinking you barely know what she's
capable of, Evans."


"I've been with her for seven years, Lanser. So you better watch your words.
I know her a whole hell of a lot better than you." Chance threw back, but
couldn't stop his eyes from skimming over me.


Jace saw that too and laughed, harshly, "And yet you don't even know when
you're played. Maya didn't find me through you. She found her, through
you." Jace gestured to Lily.


"What?" Chance stiffened.


Tray and Taryn both looked at me.


"We have to move." I said quietly.


Jace already knew that, but he knew what else I was requesting.


"Tray." Jace murmured, "Can we take your car? At least for the first
leg."


"Sure." Tray immediately handed over his keys.


"Where are you going?" Chance asked quickly.


"Mallon's made his move. He took someone from Maya and he was about to take
someone of mine. I'm taking Taryn to a safe house. You better be damn sure of
your woman, Evans, or you're going to die with your throat cut one night."


Chance instinctually went for his gun, his training simply told him that he
was threatened. He drew it out, but Jace stared it down.


"Chance." Lily said quietly. "Put it down."


"Chance." Tray murmured.


And then my gun cocked as I stood firm with flat eyes.


Jace murmured, "Let's go." Tray left first with Taryn behind and Jace
followed up. He said, "Maya."


I walked backwards and my eyes met Lily's instead of the imminent threat.


She stepped forward, hurt in her eyes, and she whispered, "It wasn't me,
Maya. I swear."


The door slammed shut, but I walked backwards the whole time with Jace
steering me as he had a finger looped in my jean's waistband.


Tray and Taryn had taken the backseat. I rode shotgun and Jace took the
wheel.


The first cop cars were pulling onto the road when Jace turned left and
quickly disappeared onto the interstate.