jerked out of my grasp and sidestepped me. I huffed and jumped in front of him, pressing my hands against his chest. “Jace, he only wants to get a rise out of you. Don’t do this. Please.”
Nick planted himself in Jace’s path. “Dude, this will not end well. Listen to Dez.”
I looked over my shoulder, silently thanking Nick, and he nodded. Jace relaxed his stance, but I kept my hands on him, scared to lose contact.
“Come on,” Lana said. “Let’s walk right past. Don’t even look at them.”
“What? But I just ordered my food.” Nick threw his hands up.
Jace blew out a deep breath. “You see.” He nodded his head once toward the Narcos. “This is what I meant. They’re waiting for the bottom to fall out. Then they’ll make their move.”
I didn’t know if Jace was right, but if the Narcos wanted the Shythe to restart the feud, they picked a good target. Jace wouldn’t be able to tolerate this much longer.
“Nick, go get the food. Lana,” I said, glancing out the window, “help Nick and meet us at the levibikes. We can have a picnic, instead.”
Jace crossed his arms over his chest as I finally dropped my hands. “Great.” He hung his head, kicking the leg of a chair. “Then we just give them what they want? Run like cowards. Let them think they can treat us any way, huh?” His blue eyes met mine.
“No,” I said. “You said they want a fight, right? Well, walking away and ignoring them is not giving them what they want. You have to get a hold on your temper.”
Jace’s lips curled into a side-grin. “You’re being the voice of reason?” He grabbed my hand. “Funny, coming from the girl who decked a Narco just last night.”
My mouth dropped open. “I—” I snapped my mouth shut. He had a point. “But that was different, Jace. I was caught off guard. And that guy…” My eyes shot toward the window as I tried to complete my thoughts on Reese. He was still watching us. Heat crept up the back of my neck. What was it about him that got under my skin?
Jace arched an eyebrow. “Different? He baited you and you took it.” He smirked. “It’s cool, Dez. We can make an exception for your temper.”
“Shut up.” I bit back a smile. “Come on. Let’s just get out of here.” I glanced over to see Lana and Nick at the counter paying for the food.
Jace laced his fingers through mine and tugged me behind him. As we approached the doors, the Narcos stepped aside, allowing us to exit. I kept my eyes on Jace, making sure he wouldn’t do something stupid. We were almost to the levibikes when Reese called out.
“Hey,” he said, nodding in my direction. “I was thinking we could finish our dance soon.”
Jace halted. His fingers gripped mine, and I squeezed back reassuringly. I glanced between the both of them. Reese smiled, his red eyes beaming. Jace’s eyes ignited, glowing a wild blue. I shook my head and led Jace toward the levibikes.
“Come on,” Reese continued. “We were so rudely interrupted last night. But I have to admit, I liked that love tap.”
I shot my head around, and Reese rubbed the side of his jaw. Jace dropped my hand and stalked toward him. I took off after Jace, but it was too late. He grabbed Reese by his jacket collar and pinned him against the window. The other two Narcos watched with amused expressions.
“So you like to dance, do you?” Jace snarled. “How about with me? Think you might find my love tap a little more convincing.”
Reese laughed. “Dude, I thought she was better trained. She should have known not to run.” He glanced at me. “It’s instinct. I honestly wasn’t going to hurt her.” Then his eyes burned fire red as he stared into Jace’s. “But you and I will be a different story if you don’t take your hands off me…right now.”
The doors pushed open. Lana ran over to me, and Nick grabbed Jace’s arms, wrenching their death grip from Reese. I took a step, wanting to help Nick, but Lana grabbed my hand, holding me back.
“Come on, dude. He’s not worth it,” Nick told Jace, finally breaking them apart.
Reese smoothed out his collar. “You’re just going to have to get used to us. We’re not going anywhere.”
Jace whirled on him. “Touch her again, and I’ll shove that stupid Treaty Act right up your ass.”