Falling For The Billionaire I Was Hired To Protect

A Break We Don’t Need

The next morning felt heavy. The air inside the house was unusually quiet, the kind of quiet that pressed against your ears and made every small sound feel too loud.

Even Sasha noticed it.

She stood near the breakfast bar, sipping her coffee, her sharp eyes darting between River, who sat lazily scrolling through his phone, and Jace, who pushed his food around his plate without eating.

Finally, Sasha set her mug down with a soft clink.

“Okay, what’s going on?” she asked, her tone cutting through the silence.

Both men looked up at the same time.

“Nothing,” they said in unison.

Sasha’s brows shot up. “Really? You two are acting like someone died, and you expect me to believe nothing is wrong?”

Jace sighed, his fork clattering against his plate. He rubbed his temple, then looked at Sasha. “It’s… Cole.”

Sasha frowned. “Cole? Who’s….” Her eyes widened. “Wait. That Cole? The ex?”

Jace nodded reluctantly.

“No way. How did it happen? I thought you said he didn’t know where you lived,” Sasha pressed, leaning forward.

Jace shifted in his seat, his voice low. “I don’t know how he found me. But he came here yesterday. Tried to… force himself on me. River stopped him before he could do anything.”

Sasha’s mouth fell open slightly. “What the hell, Jace, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Jace said quickly, though his voice wasn’t convincing.

Sasha’s eyes narrowed slightly as she turned her gaze to River, who was still leaning back on his chair, expression unreadable.

She studied him for a moment before speaking. “And you? Are you okay with this? You don’t seem angry at all.”

River looked up from his phone, his brows lifting. “Why would I be angry?”

Sasha tilted her head. “I mean… it’s obvious you care about him. Hope you’re not upset because of what happened.”

River’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw tightened. “It’s none of my business. Our relationship isn’t real, remember?”

The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp.

Jace’s head lowered slightly, his fork now still.

Sasha glanced between them, finally understanding the tension that had been lingering since yesterday.

Jace spoke softly, almost to himself. “You didn’t have to say it like that.”

River looked at him briefly. “I’m just being honest.”

Jace’s lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. “Yeah. Honesty. Got it.”

Sasha exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “Okay, I get it now. But this…” she gestured between them, “this awkward, depressing atmosphere is not helping anyone. You two need a break.”

River raised a brow. “A break?”

“Yes, a vacation. Something to clear your heads.”

Jace looked up instantly, curious. “Where?”

Sasha’s lips curved into a small smile. “Hawaii. I already booked a place for you two….I and Leo are tagging along too. We leave tomorrow.”

Jace’s eyes lit up, his first genuine smile in days tugging at his lips. “Wait, seriously? Hawaii?”

“Yes,” Sasha said firmly. “And don’t even try to argue. You both need this.”

Jace leaned forward a little, excitement slipping into his voice. “What’s the place like? Is it near the beach?”

Sasha grinned. “A private villa. Pool, ocean view, the whole deal. Trust me, it’s perfect.”

Jace’s eyes widened. “That sounds amazing.” He turned toward River, smiling. “Can you believe it? Hawaii.”

Across the table, River didn’t look as thrilled. His gaze flicked briefly to Jace before settling back on his phone.

Sasha noticed. “You don’t look excited, River.”

River shrugged lazily. “Because I’m not.”

Jace’s smile faltered slightly. “Why not?”

River finally looked at him, his expression unreadable. “Because it’s unnecessary. This whole fake relationship thing doesn’t need vacations.”

Jace stared at him, hurt flickering in his eyes before he looked away, his fingers tightening slightly around his fork. “Right. Of course. Just business.”

Sasha sighed, giving River a pointed look. “You could at least pretend to be happy. Do you know how depressing you sound right now?”

River didn’t answer, only scrolled through his phone again.

Jace shifted in his chair, forcing a small smile. “Well, I’m excited. I’ve never been to Hawaii before. Maybe I’ll try surfing. Or just sit by the beach all day.”

Sasha smirked. “I can already see you in one of those ridiculous Hawaiian shirts.”

Jace laughed softly. “I might actually get one.”

River’s brows lifted slightly, but he stayed silent.

Sasha watched the exchange quietly, her curious eyes softening with something almost like pity.

She took another sip of her coffee, breaking the silence again. “Well, too bad, River. You’re still going. End of discussion.”

River didn’t respond, only returned his attention to his phone.

But as Jace smiled faintly again, talking about what he wanted to do in Hawaii, River’s jaw tightened slightly.

Because he could already see where this was going.

Jace Maddox was getting attached and that was the last thing River wanted.