Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 554

Chapter 554

It was clear Jace had a reason for tellingall this.

His gaze darkened. "Hayden shouldn't have rushed things with Bruno. He should've checked out who he was

dealing with first."

| got what he meant, but | couldn't help the mocking smile that crept onto my face. "So, what are you saying?

That because Bruno's got connections, | should've just tolerated his harassment? Let him walk all over me?" Jace

paused, looking a little thrown by the accusation. "That's not what | meant."

"I don't think Hayden did anything wrong," | shot back. "Bruno got exactly what he deserved."

For a second, Jace looked... almost helpless. "I'm just saying there were other ways to handle it-ways that

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wouldn't have put you in a vulnerable position. It's not a criticism of Hayden, just the facts."

| took a breath, trying not to assthe worst about his intentions. "What's done is done. Talking about it now

won't change anything. Bruno's target is me, and if Hayden hadn't stepped in, Bruno would've only gotten

bolder." Bruno had already caused a scene at the Hart-Johnston event, making it pretty clear he didn't care

about either family.

"And now his fans are getting bold too," Jace said, flicking his gaze toward the men watching us across the lobby.

"You need to be careful. Staying here alone isn't safe."

Jace had a point.

| could see where this was going-he wantedto stay at his hotel. But Hayden had already misunderstood

things after | donated blood to Jace, and that's what had driven us apart. Staying with him now would only make

it worse. Even though | knew | hadn't done anything wrong and didn't owe anyone explanations, the idea of

staying with Jace didn't sit right with me.

"Honestly, with his fans targeting me, | doubt I'd be safe anywhere," | said, letting him know how | really felt.

Jace's jaw tightened. "Wayne has an apartment here. It'd be safe for you to stay there."

| frowned, but Jace kept going. "I wouldn't be staying there, if that's what you're worried about."

He was trying to reassure me, but even so, the thought of staying there madeuneasy.

"If you don't believe me, check with Wayne," he added after a pause. "Rea, no matter what issues you have with

me, or our family, your safety comes first."

I didn't need him to tellthat. Still, | wasn't thrilled about Wayne's place either.

If it was dangerous here, wouldn't it be just as bad there?

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Maybe Hayden was right-I should just head back. Missing, Steve's gwould suck, but if something happened

to me, any win he scored wouldn't mean much.

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Chapter 554

"I'll think about it," I said, giving him a non-answer.

Jace looked atlike he wanted to say more but held back, knowing full well that pushingwouldn't

work.

| thought back to what Hayden had said. "This whole thing with Bruno-it's about Hayden, but also about Steve,

isn't it?"

Jace nodded slightly, and a chill went through me. "So... Hayden and Steve could be in danger too?"