week.”
“Brad had you spying on us?” I knew Brad was sneaky, but I had no idea he basically planted a mole in our group. Jay went everywhere with us. Jax was sure they had cameras. Instead, it was Jay.
“You ready to go back and face him?”
“Of course!”
“I hope so. Don’t show weakness. Otherwise, he will eat you up. And you could lose everything.”
I blink at him. His ominous words hang in the air. “He can’t hurt me unless I allow him to.”
Jay stops eyeing my walls and looks at me. “He can and he might. Wrap your mind around it.”
We’re both silent, letting his words sink in. Sighing, he stares at his polished shoes. “You did what you did. And now you need to come clean.”
I swallow and nod. “That’s why I’m going. Is…?” I swallow again, trying to relieve my dry throat. “Is he there?” I croak out.
Jay’s eyes assess me. “Picked him up this morning, dropped him off at the estate.” He turns away, again inspecting my art on the walls. Any other time I would happily discuss it, but not today, not right now.
“I need to know,” I say.
He keeps looking at one of my favorites. “What is it you need to know, Tess? I was told to come get you. Here I am. I was told to make sure you bring everything. I’m assuming you understand what that means and that you are cooperating?” He lifts a dark questioning brow at me.
I turn toward him, “Who said that?”
“Jax.”
Panic races up my back, causing goose bumps on my arms.
“Reed’s changed. I’m not going to lie and say it’s for the better. It’s in his eyes. He’s seen things that have made him ruthless.”
I sink down in my chair and gesture for him to take a seat on the couch.
Turning off the opera music, I murmur, somewhat dazed, “You know Brance is coming with me, right? I need him.” The last twenty-four hours seem like a bad dream that I wish I would awaken from.
“Whatever you need.” He leans back, stretching his legs out in front of him. I fidget with my watch.
“He wanted to get some of the energy out before getting on the plane. He’ll be here soon.”
“Relax, Tess. I’m not your enemy.”
I cross my legs, looking at my new Louboutin Bianca platform boots. I wasn’t going to buy them because I don’t usually spend that kind of money on shoes anymore. But Brance wouldn’t leave the store until I had them. So, here I sit in my house, waiting, uncomfortable, a nervous wreck, and all I can think about is admiring my boots? Christ, I really am losing it!
I clear my throat. “So, Brance and I are going to stay at the Plaza. Did Jax give you any information about when the funeral is?”
Jay looks at me. “I think everyone expects you to stay at the estate.”
My cheeks heat up. “What?” I stand and start to pace. “Well, I can’t do that!” My breaths come in shallow and fast. “If that is what Jax is thinking, then you might as well turn around and leave because I… I can’t do that!” I’m stuttering in full-blown panic.
The room is silent, except for my boots clicking on the hardwood floors. I run my fingers through my straightened hair. Fear like I have never experienced crawls all over my skin.
Jay stands. “I guess I need to make a phone call then.”
“Yes, you do. You know what? Screw it. I’ll call.”
Taking my own phone, I walk into the dining room and push on Jax’s name. Figures, it goes to voice mail!
My hands shake as I call again. At long last, Jax growls, “What?”
“You didn’t honestly think I was going to waltz in there after being gone for years and confess to Reed, did you? Your poor family has just lost your grandfather—a man I genuinely loved. For fuck’s sake, Jax, he is not even buried yet.” I try to stay calm and sound reasonable. The last thing I need is Jax knowing that I’m ready to have a complete breakdown.
“You didn’t honestly want me to do all that. Tell me you didn’t!”
“Tess, I have been up for almost two days. I’m fucking exhausted. What we did was wrong on so many levels—” I try to talk, but he raises his voice and talks over me. I give up and listen. “Reed made his mistakes, and he is paying for them. It’s time he knows, Tess. Get on the jet