Wilder sits in the center of the couch in my living room, staring down at the phone in his hands.

My phone.

My messages with Jacob.

"Oh, man." Wilder sighs and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees while he continues to look at the screen. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

I wish the answer for that shit was simple, but it's not. I had so many reasons to keep this to myself but none of them feel adequate now.

Sitting on the arm of the recliner, I shake my head. "I don't know, brother. I honestly didn't think it would get to this point. I figured I'd hear him out, get what I need, and be done with him."

At least that's what I hoped. Now I'm not sure what I'm doing. I still want Kwan's phone back from Jacob and I still want Caleb's killer but it feels like this shit just keeps growing.

After talking to Kellin last weekend, I figured my best choice is to break up the drug pass between him and Derek in a couple days. But I need help in case Derek puts up a fight, which is why I finally caved and told Wilder. I don't like dragging him into this shit but I don't know what else to do.

"He sounds shady as fuck," Wild says, finally looking up from my phone.

I nod. "Yeah, I completely agree with you."

"But...he might be able to help with the Vipers?"

"I don't know." I shake my head. "So far the Vipers have been quiet since Caleb's death other than that time they showed up at Monte's."

Wilder scoffs and leans back against the couch, his lip curling in disgust. "Yeah but we all know how slimy Victor is. If he's being quiet that's because he's working on something."

"I agree, but the only thing I got is that Derek is working with them. Beyond that..." I throw my hands in the air and shrug.

"But why not tell Kade, T, Big Rob, Colt, or Omar?" Wilder asks. "We can't take on the Vipers by ourselves, especially if we don't even know if your dad is trustworthy."

"Don't call him my dad."

"See!" Wild waves a hand at me and jumps to his feet. "You can't even call the man your dad but you're gonna take his word about everything else?"

Hanging my head in my hands, I groan. "I know. I know."

"So, then give me a good reason not to go tell everyone right now?"

Lifting my head, I meet Wild's worried blue gaze. "Because you're my brother and I'm asking you not to. Not yet."

Wild blows out a deep breath and throws his head back to look at the ceiling. "Man, you just had to pull the brother card."

I hate putting him in this situation but I'm hoping he can understand.

"Just help me with this deal between Kell and Derek. If things don't work out after that, we go talk to Kade and Uncle Rob, together," I suggest, getting to my feet.

Wild drops his head. "Promise?"

"I promise."

With another deep breath, Wilder runs his hand over his face. When he locks eyes with me again, he nods slightly, sending relief to flood my mind.

"Thank you."

"Don't make me regret this, man," Wilder finally says, heading towards the door.

"I won't."

When Wild opens the apartment door, I follow behind him, leaning against the frame as I watch him slowly walk down the steps. About halfway to the first floor, he stops and looks up at me, his usual relaxed grin on his face as if we didn't just deal with some heavy shit.

"You bringing Lexi to the race tonight?"

I can't help but smile. "Of course, right after dinner. We'll see y'all there."

I don't know why I'm so nervous about tonight. I've touched up my makeup three times already and redone my hair twice.

Jace and I have been through a lot, but surprisingly, this date night might actually be a first. To make matters worse, he refuses to tell me where we're going.

"Be ready by eight."

That's it. That's all he said. Don't guys know that girls need a destination in order to pick the right outfit?

However, the mid-January air is still pretty cool so I opt for an off-shoulder long-sleeved sweater, pleated mini skirt, and thigh-high stockings. I'll have all my limbs covered and warm while still being able to drive Jace crazy. Because of course, if he's going to drive me nuts by not telling me where we're going, it's only fair to return the favor.

At eight-o-clock on the dot, there's a knock at the front door. I grab my backpack purse and wave to Mom and Carl sitting on the couch as I head to the door.

"Hey, baby," Jace says as soon as I open the door, his voice rich and smokey, promising all kinds of wicked things I'm sure.

"Hey." I step outside and attempt to give him a quick kiss but he doesn't let me go.

Slipping his tongue past my lips, he deepens the kiss like a starving man. It isn't until I'm dizzy with want and mewling against his mouth that he finally lets me go.

"What was that for?" I ask as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and leads me to his bike.

"Can't I just kiss you?"

I fail to hold back a very unladylike laugh. "Of course but that was...that felt more like we should go back inside instead of on a date."

"Oh, we got plenty of time for that later," he answers with a crooked smirk and a wink.

After insisting I wear his leather Guardians jacket, we take off on his bike towards the north side. I'm almost surprised we aren't heading west but without any clues from Jace, I'm left to simply enjoy the ride. It isn't hard to do really. I love the feel of the wind blowing past us as we weave in and out of light traffic. Even better is being able to wrap my arms around Jace and feel his ripped physique through his shirt. More than once, his voice comes through the Bluetooth speakers in my helmet telling me to stop before he has to pull over and teach me a lesson. It's a tempting offer but I decide to behave.

When we finally start to slow, Jace pulls his bike into the parking lot of an old-style mom-and-pop restaurant where the tables are all outside and the waitresses serve food while roller skating.

At least that's what it looks like. Other than a couple people inside most likely cooking, a man eating at a far table, a woman with her kid at another table, and a waitress in skates smoking a cigarette against the building, the place is a ghost town.

After shutting off his bike and helping me to climb off, Jace removes his helmet and shoots me a weary grin. "I know this place don't look like much, but they got the best fucking burgers in the warehouse district."

Warehouse district?

Looking around, I finally notice the rows of warehouses down the street and the blocks of similar buildings stretching out behind them. If I had to guess, I'd say we're on the edge of the warehouse district and the northside. The few small homes around the restaurant aren't as nice as the northside, not that those would be considered extravagant, but there's a noticeable difference.

Turning back around to Jace, I wrap my tiny hand around his inked arm. "Burgers you said?"

Blowing out a relieved breath, Jace leads us to one of the tables. We have to wait for the waitress to smoke another cigarette before she notices us and rolls our way. She takes our orders while batting her fake eyelashes at Jace and then skates back to the order window.

"Wow, the effect you have on women," I giggle and roll my eyes.

From across the table, Jace leans forward and pins me with a mischievous smirk. "Jealous?"

"Totally." I nod. "I mean she's old enough to be your mom with enough wrinkles to be your grandmother and smells like the inside of an ashtray, but hey, I'm not one to judge. Everyone has their kinks."

Jace bursts into laughter before nodding. "Ouch, Lex. You're fucking savage tonight."

"Not savage." I shake my head. "Just honest."

Snorting back his disagreement, Jace playfully rolls his eyes before pinning me with those midnight blues. "As for my kink, you already know the only one I have is you. Anytime, anywhere, anyway."

"Well, maybe more than one," I counter, lightly stroking the side of my neck with my hand.

Jace doesn't miss the movement, his eyes lighting up as he takes a deep breath. "You're playing with fire, baby."

"Aww." I pout. "Are you gonna burn me?"

A growl resonates low in his chest as he shoots me another tempting glare, but he doesn't get a chance to say or do anything as the waitress arrives with our drinks. She gives him a wink before walking off, and I fail to hold back a laugh.

"You're gonna be the death of me," Jace says shaking his head.

"Yeah, but you love me so it's okay."

Jace stills and all signs of joking around vanish from his handsome face. "I do, really."

I nod, feeling the sudden shift around us. "I know, and I love you too."

One side of Jace's mouth pulls up before he takes a sip of his soda. I do the same but quickly begin to stir my straw in my cup, taking in everything around us. It's not that this place is special but it's just...normal.

A comforting warmth spreads through my chest as I smile at the stars faintly twinkling above our heads. "I can't believe we're actually here."

Jace's brow furrows. "At Bubba's Burgers and Shakes?"

"No." I laugh and shake my head. "Just...you know...on a date. Doing something normal for once. It feels like it's been forever since we could just be us and have fun. For a little while there, I almost thought we'd never get back to this."

It's true. At my darkest moments being stuck in Derek's web, I thought we would never be where we are now. I thought I'd push Jace so far away I'd never be able to get him back. It was a worry that constantly kept me up at night.

"Yeah." Jace looks down at his drink. "Back to normal...for now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

The waitress arriving with our food delays my question from getting answered and I'm too busy staring at Jace to notice if she makes another pass at him. As soon as she's gone, I narrow my eyes at Jace, waiting for his response.

Taking a deep breath, Jace finally lifts his eyes to meet mine. "I just...I don't think our problems are completely behind us yet."

"I don't understand."

"Derek, the Vipers. Something's going on and I don't trust it. I don't trust Derek not to pull another stunt or use his new slimy connections to help him," Jace explains, his features twisting and turning with barely restrained anger.

Sitting up straight, I try to process where all of this is coming from. I mean, sure, I don't trust Derek as far as I can throw him, but...I'm pretty sure he understood this was done when Jace nearly broke his arm.

Yet even as I try to convince myself we're in the clear, something pricks my memory from months ago when I was stuck in the girls' room at the Hideaway with Derek.

"Why...Why are you doing this?"

"Because I need those assholes distracted for a while, and you're Jace's biggest weakness...Ultimately, his fall will pull the others down too and that's the bigger goal here."

"He wanted you distracted," I whisper.

Jace sits up. "What?"

"Derek...he said it a couple of times but I didn't really think too much about it. The whole reason he wanted me to be with him was to keep you distracted, which would keep the guys distracted too."

"Did he say why?"

I shake my head. "No...but maybe it has something to do with the drugs and the Vipers."

Jace nods but doesn't say anything else as he picks up his burger and takes a bite.

I try to nibble on a few fries but my mind feels like it's running a mile a minute. Derek. The Vipers. Drugs.

...And Kellin.

"Jace...did you ever talk to Kellin about that picture you were sent?"

Jace's eyes widen for a moment before he looks back down at his food. "Yeah. I got it handled."

"What did he say?" I watch Jace but he refuses to return the look. "Better yet, how did you get that picture? It was from the video on Kwan's phone, but we lost that."

I wait a moment longer but when Jace finally lifts his eyes to meet mine, his lips are sealed shut.

"Jace, come on! No more lying, remember? Tell me what the hell is going on. All of it," I demand, feeling like I might actually be reaching my breaking point.

There's so much going on that I don't know about, and the fact he won't tell me is only making me feel worse.

And here I thought we might actually be back to normal.

Blowing out an exhausted sigh, Jace puts his food down. "Lex...I don't want to get you involved."

"Bullshit, I'm already involved. The twins and I recorded that video, not you. I deserve to know what's going on, especially since you wouldn't even know any of this if it weren't for me."

"Baby..." Jace whispers pleadingly, the look in his dark blue eyes already telling me that he wants me to drop this.

"You know what?" I get up from the table. "I'll call an Uber and go ask Kellin myself."

I walk away from the table, not even sure where I'm going or when I'll finally stop to call for that ride but I barely reach the parking lot before my arm is grabbed. Forced to stop and turn around, I unsurprisingly find Jace standing behind me with a storm brewing in his deep gaze. But it's more than anger or frustration in there, it's fear...a look I've only seen from him a couple of times but it's enough to send ice through my veins and worry in my heart.

"Alexis, stop. Let this go," he says between heavy breaths.

I shake my head, hating the way my denial is already twisting his features. "I can't. I need to know what's going on. Being left in the dark isn't going to help keep me safe. If anything, it puts me in greater danger because I don't know where the threat is coming from."

His nose wrinkles and his lip curls back, disgust with the idea of all of this written on his face.

"Jace...please."

Dropping his head but keeping his hold on me, he takes several deep breaths. His large frame expands and shrinks with each pull of air as he tries to get himself together. When he finally looks up at me, his face is more relaxed but the stress in his eyes hasn't wavered a bit. He slides his hand from the grip on my arm down to my hand, creating goosebumps along my skin before locking his fingers with mine.

"Jacob...my dad is back," Jace says through a strained jaw.

My eyes grow to twice their normal size as I step close to him. "Oh god...Jace...Is he the one you've been meeting with the last couple weeks? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

His shoulders drop as he nods. "He is, and I didn't tell you 'cause...I don't fucking trust him. Not around my mom, my brothers..." His eyes lock with mine before pulling me close, right up against his chest so that he can wrap his arms around my waist. "Especially not around you. I'll fucking end him if he does something to hurt you."

Trying not to melt in his arms, I reach up to trace my fingers down his jaw. "Baby...he's your dad. You really think he'd do something like that?"

"He's shady as fuck and dangerous. Maybe even more dangerous than the Vipers."

I suck in a surprised breath at that statement, unable to imagine anyone who shares the same blood as Jace being capable of something like that.

While I gape at the man I love, he grabs my hand and leads me back to the table where our food is quickly getting cold. We sit down side by side, neither of us attempting to take a bite.

"If he's so dangerous, then why are you seeing him every few days?" I ask quietly.

"Because he has Kwan's phone and he says he can bring me Caleb's...k-killer," Jace adds, squeezing my hand as the words struggle to get past his lips.

I turn to look at him, my mouth hanging open.

After everything that's happened, I never even considered that we could get justice for Caleb's death. I always figured we had no way of proving exactly who had done it. I wasn't out there to see it for myself but everyone said the shooters wore helmets. There were no faces for them to describe to the cops.

But Jace...he must've been thinking about it. Which makes him a better friend than me.

I'm so sorry, Caleb.

A pinched kind of pain hits me in the chest and my hand flies to cover it, hoping to keep Jace from noticing as I try to process everything. There's so much running through my system, guilt over Caleb, and questions concerning this new information.

Wetting my lips, I try to speak through the desert dryness in my throat. "Do you think he's telling you the truth? Can he really do that?"

"I don't trust him for shit but..." Jace sighs and carves his hand through his hair. "But I believe him on this. Not sure why. I just do."

"How did he get Kwan's phone?"

Jace shakes his head. "No idea."

"But...I don't get it." I look up at Jace, searching for answers that I'm not even sure he can give me. "If he's everything you say he is then he wouldn't just do this for nothing. What does he want? What does he get out of this?"

Looking down at me, Jace's eyes shine with a new feeling...defeat. "Me."

Without thinking, I wrap my arms around Jace and bury my head in his chest. Tear brim my eyes and I can't even say for sure why. A father wanting time with his son should be a good thing. But that look in Jace's eyes tells me something else. Though I don't know exactly what it is, it scares me.

"Relax, baby," Jace whispers, laying his cheek on top of my head. "It's gonna be okay. I can handle him."

"Please tell me someone besides me knows about this."

He nods. "I told Wilder earlier tonight."

"Good."

After a few minutes of us just holding each other, I finally lift my head.

Jace reaches down to wipe the wetness gathered in the corner of my eyes and smiles. "Let's just enjoy tonight. Deal?"

"I'll try."

"No." Jace shakes his head and plants both of his large hands on each side of my face. "Don't try, just do it. I wasn't trying to spoil our date. We deserve to have a good time. So don't let this ruin things. Tonight...we have fun and tomorrow we'll deal with the rest."

"I can't deal with drama tomorrow, I have to help Mom look for a wedding dress," I respond with fish lips from Jace's hold on my face.

A deep belly laugh rumbles through Jace, catching me off guard. But it's such a freeing sound, one I haven't heard in so long that it brings a smile to my face.

"Okay. Okay." Jace nods through his slowly calming laughter. "No drama tomorrow. But we're still having fun tonight. Got it?"

"Got it." I nod.

Before I can say or do anything else, Jace leans down and slams his lips to mine. It's a slow kiss fiery kiss but it doesn't last nearly as long as want. When he pulls away a whimper in protest.

"Chill, Temptress," Jace says in a quiet husky growl. "There will be more of that later. Let's throw this cold food out and order some more to go. We're gonna be late."

"Late for what?" I ask, sitting back and narrowing my eyes at him.

A sly smirk spreads across his face and reignites the desire burning low in my belly. "For a race."

When Jace said we were going to a race, this is not what I pictured at all.

The parking area we just left the bike in is more like a large field of dirt packed with bikes, cars, trucks, and even off-road vehicles. That alone is a bit surprising to me but even more shocking is the large structure that looms over it.

Hiding just on the northern edge of the Warehouse District before crossing into Blair Port City is a small patch of woods. The crumbling old buildings aren't far from this little slice of nature but the real treat is an old racetrack concealed in the center of the trees. A sign that says "Rock-a-Billy's Raceway" hangs unevenly above the entrance to the track. As soon as we walk in, my eyes widen in wonder.

The whole place reminds me of Nascar or horse races but older. Everything is made of wood that's been slowly aging with time, the stars and moonlight above the circular frame only illuminates every flaw. Yet it's also with the open view of the sky and the excitement of all the people crowded on un-sturdy bleachers that gives this place a magical feeling.

And man are there a lot of people.

With our bags of food in one hand, Jace wraps the other around my shoulders and steers me toward the front row where a familiar group of people is gathered already.

"About fucking time!" Wilder shouts our way, jumping from his seat. His eyes light up as they take in the bag Jace is carrying. "Oh, and you brought goodies. Gimme. Gimme."

Jace rolls his eyes and tosses one of the paper bags at him. "You're lucky I bought extra."

Looking down the row I notice everyone's here. Kade, Jo, Marcel, Roman, Eddie, even Raegan. Though only one I don't see is a certain grumpy face that normally has more sarcasm than his sister.

"Where's Travis?" I ask, turning to Wilder who's elbow deep in the bag of take-out food.

Reluctantly removing his arm from the bag, Wilder points down towards the racetrack. "Getting set up for the first race."

"He races?"

"It's his first one," Jace answers.

Walking over to the railing separating us from a five-foot drop to the ground where the track is, I look over at the starting line. Sure enough, I spot Travis's dark blue bike next to an unfamiliar gray one. His Guardians jacket isn't hard to make out in the dark as he talks to a couple other guys.

"Think he'll win?" a perky voice asks from beside me.

I look over to find Josie's big green eyes watching me with a smirk tugging at her ruby red lips.

"No idea." I shake my head.

"Doubtful," Raegan adds, stepping up on Jo's other side. "It's his first one. He'll be lucky not to crash."

With wide eyes, I stand up straighter. "You think he'll crash."

Raegan shrugs. "It's a possibility."

"Wow, you're such a caring sister," Jo teases, bumping her shoulder against Raegan's.

Rae grins but doesn't say anything else as she continues to watch the starting line. Even if she doesn't say it, there's a spark of concern in her hazel eyes.

"Well, I think he'll do great," Josie says proudly.

"Damn straight he will," Wilder agrees from behind us, talking through a mouth full of food.

When Travis and the guy he's racing mount their bikes, everyone else gets up to stand against the railing too. Kade squeezes in next to Josie. Wilder, Eddie, and Roman take the end on the other side of Raegan and Marcel slides up next to me.

"How's it going, sis?" he asks with a playful smile.

I shrug. "You know, all is good."

For now.

Jace is the last one to join us, making sure to crowd my backside and holding the railing in front of me to cage me in. His warm breath fans my neck and I can't help the shiver that runs down my spine.

"You good, baby?" he whispers in my ear, sending another delicious tingle through my sister.

Biting my bottom lip, I nod. "Mmhmm."

Marcel quickly pushes off the railing. "Okay, if you two are gonna get all grossly hot and bothered, I'm watching the race with Wild."

Jace and I can't help but laugh at the disturbed look on Marcel's face as he walks down to the other end and stands with Wilder who generously offers him some fries from his paper bag.

"I don't know about you, but I think hot and bothered sounds good right about now," Jace says quietly so that only I can hear."

I nod my agreement. "It sounds very good."

But before either of us can discuss things more, or tease each other until we reach our breaking points, a guy and girl walk to stand in the middle of the track facing the racers. The girl is pretty, long dark hair with clothes so tight they might rip, but the guy is the one everyone is really paying attention to. Tall, blonde, with a thick muscular build, he commands the attention of everyone in the stands and down below.

"Alright, everyone," the guy shouts loudly, his voice carrying over the open space with ease. "You all know the rules already, and if you don't have your bets in, you better do it now. You got two minutes to talk to Chris before my friend here," he pauses to say something to the girl beside him before smiling and turning to the spectators again. "Before my friend, Misty here gets things started."

With those words, the guy gives his "friend" a good long kiss before walking off to the sidelines, leaving the girl there to wait for her cue.

"Who was that?" I ask as the chatter in the stands begins again.

"Matthew," Jace answers. "He runs the races from here, through Port Blair, and up into Mer Harbor."

"He's hot," Raegan speaks up.

Josie nods repeatedly. "Very hot."

"What about me?" Kade suddenly asks, looking at Jo with narrowed eyes.

Josie shrugs, "You alright."

Kade steps back. "What?"

"I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Relax," Josie quickly corrects herself, dragging Kade back to his spot beside her. "You know you're hot too. Don't act like you don't."

Kade's sly smirk is the only response he gives.

"I don't know," Raegan says, grabbing onto the railing and squatting down. "I think Matthew is hotter."

Before anyone can say anything else, she slips through the bars and jumps down to the track, landing gracefully in a crouch like she's done it a million times before.

"Where the hell you going?" Kade shouts after her. "Your brother is gonna kill you if he catches you down there!"

Raegan shrugs, flipping her golden hair over her shoulder and strutting off towards a group of others watching on the sidelines.

"That girl is nothing but trouble," Kade says, sliding closer to Jo.

I roll my eyes at that statement before turning to look at Jace over my shoulder. "So, this Matthew guy owns the track?"

"No, this and the whole warehouse district is run and mostly owned by Monte. Same dude who runs the fights," Jace says in a hushed voice. "Monte just lets Matt use the track for a small cut. That or they'll section off a part of the warehouse district for an even bigger cut."

I nod, remembering the one and only fight of Jace's that I've ever been to. It was a crazy night but he looked insanely hot in that cage, fighting like a warrior. Just the idea alone makes me want to turn around and climb Jace like a tree.

"Speaking of those fights," I say coyly. "Think I could go to another one sometime?"

Jace's eyebrows shoot into his hairline. "You sure you wanna do that, baby."

"Definitely." I nod.

I'm half tempted to expand my answer and explain exactly what I'd like to do with him after one of his fights but I don't get the chance as the energy in the track shifts. Turning around, I find that everyone's eyes are on Travis and his opponent as they start their bikes. The girl standing in front of them holds a handkerchief in one hand above her head.

"Ready?" she shouts loudly.

Both racers nod, revving their engines on the dusty asphalt road that's seen better days.

Josie cups her hands around her mouth. "Go, Travis!"

"Yeah, go, Travis!" Wilder joins in on the cheering.

The rest of us hoot and holler just before the girl on the track steps forward.

"GO!" She drops her hand and the two racers take off like a bolt of lightning, leaving her in a cloud of dirt.

Side by side, they drive at incredible speeds around the first bend.

"How many laps?" I ask, standing on my tiptoes with excitement.

"One," Jace answers, unable to take his eyes off the race either.

I start bouncing as the two bikes soar to the other side of the track, neck and neck with each other. Every time it seems like one gains a small lead, the other quickly closes it. The intensity stretches through the whole crowd, most of which silently watch hoping that the person they betted on wins while a few cheer from their seats.

When Travis and his opponent come racing back around to cross the finish line, my hands grip the railing in front of me tighter.

"Come on, Travis!" I shout, knowing damn well he can't hear me.

But my blood is pumping, adrenaline filling me from head to toe like an electric current.

"Here they come," Kade says quietly next to Jo.

Sure enough, the two bikes are speeding towards the finish line. It's hard to tell who has the lead if either of them does, but just before they cross that line, Travis clearly pulls ahead in a last-ditch effort to win. The second he's passed, someone down below blows an air horn, and everyone in our area goes nuts.

"That's my boy!" Wild shouts.

Eddie and Roman cheer in Spanish while Josie squeals. Even me and Jace are shouting and cheering.

Travis slows his dark blue bike in front of us and quickly stops. Pulling his helmet off his head, he fists pumps the air, and hollers his excitement. Though admittedly, it's a bit hard to hear him over our own chaotic sounds.

Turning around to face Jace, I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. "That was so much fun!"

A smile widens across his gorgeous face. "Glad you liked it."

"I loved it." I nod. "Are there more?"

"Yeah, a few more races. We can stick around and watch them if you want."

"Yes, yes I want." I smile wide before slamming my lips to Jace's.

With all the excitement and adrenaline rushing through my system, our kiss quickly deepens. I swear I can feel Jace's racing heart beating through his chest, matching the thrill of mine. It spurs me on and I bite Jace's bottom lip, pulling a deep groan from him.

"Damn, I want some of that," a random voice says nearby.

We quickly pull apart, neither of us recognizing the voice as someone from our group. When the two of us turn our heads to look off to the side, we see a couple of guys sitting on the bleachers. I recognize them simply from them cheering on Travis's opponent during the race but other than that, I don't know them.

One of them, a guy in a red leather jacket and dark hair eyes me from head to toe, or at least as much as he can with me still being wrapped around Jace. "If you two are done, mind if I take a turn?"

"Excuse me?" I ask, my nose wrinkling with disgust.

Jace quickly but carefully sets me back on my feet. His eyes burn with instant anger as he turns to the guy. "You got a fucking problem, man?"

"No. Not at all." The guy shakes his head before tipping his beer bottle in my direction. "Just hoping I can get a taste of a race babe like you just did. Maybe even more."

"A race babe?" I whisper to myself.

But Josie steps up behind me. "Chicks who come to races and get all pumped up on the excitement and then hook up with any guy around. Especially if he's a racer."

"I got a race in a few, think if I win, I can get you as a prize?" the guy asks, clearly ignoring the death glare Jace is shooting his way.

Oh, dude, you are so stupid.

A terrifying roar breaks out from Jace's mouth and he charges the guy. The rando at least has the smarts to look scared as his friends scurry to leave him alone and defenseless.

Jace reaches him in no time at all and punches the guy in the face, sending him back. He reaches back to do it again but Kade and Wilder are behind him in a flash, grabbing him and pulling him away.

"Relax, bro. You got him," Wild tells Jace, who struggles against his hold.

Kade tugs harder, forcing his cousin to take a step back. "I get it. We all do. But you got him. He's out cold."

Josie nudges my back, pushing me out of my frozen position. "Do something, Lex. He needs you."

Nodding, I make my way over to my angry boyfriend who is still starring at the knocked-out dumbass like he wants to kill him. I slip in front of his vision and grab his face between both my hands while Wilder and Kade continue to hold onto him.

"Baby," I coo softly. "Baby, relax. He's out and I'm okay. Calm down, please."

His eyes shift to mine, his dark midnight blue irises nearly completely black with rage. The sight almost takes the words from my mouth, but I swallow down my shock and press my lips to his. It doesn't take much and Jace is quickly calming, each muscle in his body relaxing one by one. I don't know when Wilder or Kade let go but eventually, Jace's arms are wrapped around me, holding onto me like a life raft.

Words of his from what feels like a lifetime ago fill my head. "Because...you keep me grounded. You're my anchor."

With those words in mind, I plunge my tongue into his mouth, tangling it with his as my fingers dive into the hair at the nape of his neck. The groan that rises from Jace's chest is long and low. His hands find purchase on my ass and lift me up, forcing me to wrap myself around him like moments ago. Only this time, instead of us making out in front of everyone, he begins to walk off.

I can't tell where we're going, my eyes closed as I enjoy the taste of him, but when I finally open them and pull back to take a breath, I realize we're in the dark tunnel that leads from the entrance to where the bleachers are. Light shines from both ends, and the sounds of the crowd funnel through with the wind, but it's so dark I can barely make out Jace's face just inches from mine.

Before I know it, Jace has me shoved against the wall and his mouth is on my neck. "Fuck, baby, I'm so sorry," he says through tantalizing touches of his lips.

My skin tingles and a delicious urge begins low in my belly. "It's fine."

"It's not. I lost my shit. I can't do that," he says, his voice strained. "I don't know what got into me."

"You're just protective, I get it."

He sucks on the soft spot beneath my ear and arch into him, a moan falling past my lips.

"It's more than that," Jace continues through his teasing. "I've been so...pissed off lately. That idiot just spoke at the wrong time."

Grabbing his face, I push him back, forcing him to look into my eyes. "You seemed fine all night."

"Baby," Jace says with a tortured twist of his features. "I can't explain it. It's like it's always right there, just beneath the surface. Ever since—"

His words quickly die but he doesn't need to say them for me to understand.

Ever since Caleb. Ever since Derek. Ever since I broke his heart.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, feeling a sudden pain in the center of my chest.

Jace shakes his head. "Baby, don't. It's not your fault. Just been going through a lot lately...but," he trails a hand down the side of my face. "Give me time. Don't give up on me again and I promise things will go back to normal."

Again?

"Jace...I never gave up on you."

His eyes lock with mine as if searching for confirmation. It's a soul-searing gaze, even in this darkness where all I can see is him. It rips me up inside.

I don't know if he finds what he's looking for, but without another word, Jace slams his lips to mine once again. This kiss is more than before. Desperate. Greedy. Pleading.

His tongue slips into my mouth and I openly welcome it, lightly dragging my nails down his neck as we tip our heads to taste more of each other. Jace thrusts his hips against me, forcing me to feel how hard he is, how bad he wants me. It twists up my insides and a moan breaks from my mouth.

"Screw the rest of the races," I say, panting as I grind on him, dying for the barriers between us to just disappear. "Take me home and show me what you really want."

A fire of lust blazes in his eyes. "You don't gotta tell me twice."

Hey, loves!

I just want to say a big thank you to all of you! DME hit 100k reads and I am beyond excited by this! You lovelies are the best readers a chick like me good ask for, seriously!

Secondly, a little fun announcement, KME won a few awards this week in the awards hosted by JamFestBC. It tied for second place in both Best Male Lead and Best Intimate scene! I should have the stickers posted on the first page of KME sometime soon. 

And thirdly, before I ask my usual questions, I want to let everyone know that I have not given up on DME. I mean, obviously since I'm posting this update. But some have noticed that I'm working on a few other books as well and have reached out to me with concern that I was not working on DME anymore. I've said before but I will say it again...

I AM NOT GIVING UP ON DME!

In fact, I'm not giving up on the Guardians in general. Kade and Josie's book will still come after this one just I always planned. But yes, I am working on some other stories. DME has been hard to write sometimes because it is at such a pivotal place in the storyline and I don't want to force the words and bring you all subpar chapters or worse, mess up the story. So, to keep the creative juices flowing, I work on some other stuff from time to time. I do really love these stories as well and enjoy writing them, but that doesn't mean I have given up on DME. In fact, after working on my newest book for a few days, I had also planned out the rest of DME. See? Creative juices, all over the place. (Okay, that sounds gross. Ignore that.) But you know what I mean!

In the meantime, while I prepare the next DME chapter, I will also be adding some updates to my two other books and I really hope you all check them out while you wait. "I'm Taking Over You" is my k-pop-inspired story that I think will be really emotional and sweet. My newest is "Rogue Hearts" which is my first attempt at a werewolf teen romance. I'm aiming to do something a bit different than typical werewolf books so we'll see how that goes, though I do promise that RH is gonna get HAWT!

Okay, enough of my jabbering, on to the questions!

Were you happy that Jace finally told Wilder and Lexi about his dad? Do you have ideas for how things will go when Jace and Wilder confront Derek? Do you think Jace's dad is going to be an issue? What did you think of Jexi's little date? How about the race? Was it nice seeing everyone together again? And what do you think Jace meant about her giving up on him "again"?

Also, BTW sorry no smexi stuff this chapter but I promise there will be some hawtness coming in the next 2-3 chapters that should make up for cutting things off where I did here.

As usual, leave your thoughts in the comments and if you like what you read, please hit that star button! I look forward to hearing from all of you!

A teaser for chapter 27 will be posted on my Instagram and Twitter before the full release here, so keep a watch out for that!

Until next time, loves! 💜 xoxo