Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Chapter 692

I was startled. "Jace, you..."

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But before I could finish, he swiped the blood away with the back of his hand, turned, and walked off. My legs twitched, like they wanted to follow him, but nope, I stayed put. Maybe it was better this way. If he kept pushing himself like that, maybe he'd finally leave me alone.

Xander came, his eyes zeroing in on the bloodstain. "Who are you mad at me? I didn't mean anything-I just thought he was annoying you, so I stepped in."

I ignored him and shoved the clothes I was holding into his hands. "Just go, Xander."

He hesitated but eventually headed to change. When he came back, hits bag of dirty clothes was in one hand, and in the other? A wet wipe.

To my surprise, he crouched down by the door, wiping up the blood Jace left behind.

The second the door clicked shut behind Xander, I collapsed onto the couch.

I sat there for what felt like hours, my brain stuck in a loop of Jace coughing up blood on repeat. When I couldn't sit anymore, I flopped onto the couch and stayed there.

that wouldn't stop. It felt like that blood didn't just hit

was slicing through the windows. I just stared out the window for a while before dragging myself

it. Dried blood-on my face, my clothes.

started cleaning it off, slow and careful, like scrubbing him

after I got to the office, my phone buzzed.

hit by a car in my

me to it. Saved me the hassle, so I didn't bother sugarcoating anything. What's the deal? You gonna

all cool and matter-of-fact. "Anyone messing with you on my turf is messing with me." He had a point. Even jerks know better than to disrespect the territory's boss. Someone coming after me here? Total power

claimed he was investigating, but honestly, after last night, I wasn't holding my breath.

the

wasn't about to rehash the details for

it. I'll handle the guy you took down, too," he added, like it was

he knew.

of Wayne's men. If Cole went after him, it'd stir up drama.

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