Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 554

It was clear Jace had a reason for telling me all this.

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

I got what he meant, but I couldn't help the mocking smile that crept onto my face. "So, what are you saying? That because Bruno's got connections, I 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 I meant."

"I don't think Hayden did anything wrong," I 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 wouldn't have put you in a vulnerable position. It's not a criticism of Hayden, just the facts."

I took a breath, trying not to assume the 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.

getting bold too," Jace said, flicking his gaze toward the men watching us across the lobby. "You need to

Jace had a point.

Hayden had already misunderstood things after I donated blood to Jace, and that's what had driven us apart. Staying with

me, I doubt I'd be safe anywhere," I said, letting him know how I

an apartment here. It'd be safe for

wouldn't be

reassure me, but even so, the thought of

no matter what

that. Still, I wasn't thrilled about Wayne's

wouldn't it

back. Missing, Steve's game would suck, but if something happened to me, any win he

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