Jace's POV
“Ayeeee! What the f**k kind of lie is that?”
Heads turned. The speaker shoved forward, his face twisted in a sneer. “Why the f**k would Jace Salvador be down here? What if this is a trap, huh? What if he’s here to sell us out? We oughta teach this bastard a lesson!”
A chorus of agreement rose instantly.
Before I could speak, before I could even brace, he lunged.
His fist connected with my face, white-hot pain exploding across my jaw. I staggered back, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth.
“Son of a b***h,” I muttered, wiping my lip.
The bastard chuckled, menacing low. “Did you just curse at me?”
He came at me again, faster this time, but before he could land another blow…
“Wait!” Another voice cut in, sharp, halting him mid-motion.
The man to his left stepped f
