Page 44 (2/2)

He still had concerns over whether Mia really knehat the hell she was getting herself into, but Gabe was a complete mush pile when it came to her Hell, the et her back, so Jace guessed Mia would be able to handle whatever Gabe dished out

Jace was just going to not think about it

He sighed as his gaze wandered over the crowd and the festive environe part of his life ever since their parents had been killed in a car accident She had been a late-in-life “oops” baby, but she’d been adored by him and their parents When they’d died, it had been a life-altering event for both him and his sister

At a tiirls and having a good time with Gabe and Ash, he’d been forced to take responsibility for six-year-old Mia Gabe and Ash had both been a huge source of support for him and perhaps in a lot of ways Mia had ce that he’d be giving her into the care of his best friend now that she was an adult andher own life

It would be an adjustment for him, now that Mia wasn’t solely his responsibility Not that he planned to go anywhere, but things were different now She was in a serious relationship and she wouldn’t be turning to him with her problems It should be a relief, but instead sadness settled into his chest at the idea that his baby sister no longer needed him as she once had

His gaze settled on a young wolasses and plates from the tables It was the second tih she hadn’t been out much, just periodically to do cleanup She wasn’t one of the servers He hadn’t seen her circling with trays of hors d’oeuvres or chane She was dressed in black pants, a white shirt and an apron

He studied her a longwhat it was that had interested him She looked coave hier he stared at her, the ht she looked like she should be an attendee at the party Not cleaning up after the participants

Her hair was upswept into a messy bun like Mia wore sometimes, secured with a clip, and the result was a sexyat it and set it free Midnight black, unruly curls, some of which had escaped the clip and tumbled down her neck

She was slight, not as curvy as he usually liked his woh curves straining at the white button-up shirt to be teile

When she turned, presenting him with a view of her face, he sucked in his breath Her bone structure was sh, proht, and a small chin But her eyes Jesus, her eyes They were enormous in her otherwise s at ice They were startling against the jet black of her hair

She was

Then she hurried away, her arht of the tray that held all the dishes she’d cleared froaze followed her across the rooh the door for the kitchen staff

“Not your usual fare,” Ash murmured beside him

Jace broke from his reverie and turned to see that Ash had already finished his dance with Mia A brief look toward the dance floor told him Gabe had reclaiether Mia’s eyes were alight with joy and laughter, and soood hands And she was happy

“What the hell are you talking about?” Jace said, an edge to his voice

“The chick bussing the tables Saw you checking her out Hell, you were practically undressing her with your eyes”

Jace frowned and remained silent

Ash shrugged “I’ame She’s hot”

“No”

The denial came out more emphatic than Jace would have liked He wasn’t even sure where the emphasis came from or why he was suddenly tense

Ash laughed “Loosen up It’s been awhile I’ll go work my charm”

“Do not approach her, Ash,” Jace growled

But Ash had already sauntered away in the direction of the kitchen, leaving Jace standing there, fingers in tight fists at his sides How the fuck was he supposed to explain to his best friend, a friend he regularly shared women with, that he didn’t want Ash within a mile of this one?

Chapter two

Bethany Willis rubbed her pals and briefly closed her eyes, swaying as she stood in front of the basin containing all the empties she’d collected from the ballroom

She was tired So da—besides the fact it was cash paying—was the food She was allowed to take leftovers, and judging by the aoing to be plenty

Rich people always did things in excess There was no way the number of people invited to this party justified the aed At least she’d get a decent meal, even if the stuff was too fancy for her palate

There’d be enough for Jack too

A wave of sadness engulfed her and just as quickly, guilt She had no business feeling this way because Jack had come back around He did that Disappeared for days and then reappeared, usually when he needed a place to crash, a friendly face Food MoneyEspecially money

Her chest squeezed because she knehat he did with the money he asked for even as he hated to do so He never looked her in the eye Instead he dropped his gaze and he’d say, “Bethythere’s this thing I need” And it was all he’d say She gave hi else But she hated the way he said “Bethy” Hated that nicknaiven to her by someone who cared for her

Jack The only person in the world who’d ever tried to shield her froiven a damn about her

Her brother Not by blood but in every way else it counted He was hers just like she was his Hoas she supposed to ever turn her back on him?

She couldn’t She wouldn’t

There was a sound at the side door, the one that opened to the alley where the trash was taken out She glanced up to see Jack leaning against the fralance down the alleyway That was Jack Always one eye on escape He never went into any situation unwary and without his escape route planned

“Bethy,” he said in a quiet voice

She flinched, knohy he’d co and instead reached into her pants pocket for the wadded-up bills she’d stuffed there Half up front Half when she went off duty for the night Jack would get this half The other half would have to feed her until she found another gig, and she didn’t knohen that would be

Hurrying to where he stood, she pressed the bills into his hand and watched unco eye contact with her as he shoved the money into the ripped, torn jeans His stance was uncomfortable She knew he hated this She hated it too