THIN LINE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE.

MEETINGAUGUST RIDLEY.

Jace's P.O.V

We get there quicker than I had expected. The size of the mansion surprises me, but not as much as the number of armed guards around.

I get dirty looks from all of them. They all know what I did to their boss. I expect the worst now that I am in their territory.

We are taken inside the main mansion and into the basement.

After our hands are tied, they walk out.

“I am so sorry that all this is happening to you,” I tell Amelia, who looks like she is in pain. “Who are these people and what did you do to them?” She has the right to know.

“I killed one of theirs,” I answer, thinking back to that night. I had found him waiting for me inside my house when I got home from work.

After a short conversation, I knew there was no reasoning with him. Only one of us was going to be walking out of the door. And I would rather it be me, so I killed him.

“Do you regret it?” she asks. I had not thought about that. “No, I don’t,” it is dark, and I can’t see her clearly.

“Not even a little bit?” she insists. “Not even a little bit. The only thing I regret is that his death may have put my family in danger,” I answer sincerely.

I close my eyes and think of them. I have been their protector for the longest time. Everything I have had to do to get where I am, all of that undone because of a mobster.

I cringe. I hate that I am going to die at the hands of Alex Carter, but if it puts an end to all of this mess, then it is worth it.

The door swings open and the guy who had held a gun to my head walks in. He is accompanied by someone else.

“Our boss is on his way here. He says you are a gift to someone. Just how many people did you piss off?” I shrug, earning my first punch.

He throws a good punch, but I have taken worse. “Oh, you’re a tough guy?” He starts walking away from me, and towards Amelia.

“Don’t forget we have you little lady here,” I am not sure whether I should just tell them that she means nothing to me. That might save her life, but I am afraid they might kill her if they think she is useless.

I watch as he raises his hand and slaps her across the face.

I wait for Amelia to scream, cry or even just groan, but she doesn’t. Instead, she just gives him a glare, that disarms him.

“Your lady is as tough as you,” he says, taking a step back and looking between both of us. “Don’t worry, I enjoy a challenge,” I am sure he does.

He punches her where she was stabbed. Even I wince, just thinking of how painful it must be. She spits out blood. “It’s me you have a problem with. Come at me, don’t go after her,” I try freeing myself, but I am tied too tight.

“So she is your weakness,” he comes back to me. “She has nothing to do with all of this,” I wish I had left her in the house with Jenny when I went looking for my mom.

“At least you are man enough to defend her,” he says before taking a metal pipe and hitting me with it. I knew he was the type to hold grudges.

He hits me four times, before Amelia speaks up. “Stop, you will kill him,” he comes to his senses and moves back.

I feel like my whole body is on fire, but I can’t let him see that.

“Oh little missy, your boyfriend is dead either way. He is just a dead man walking. Why don’t you do the smart thing and trade up?” He is serious.

“I am too much of a woman for you,” even with all the pain, and my mouth bloody I can’t stop myself from smiling.

“What did you say to me?” Before she can answer, he slaps her again. That is three times he has hit her. He better hope I don’t get freed. Even if I die, I will repay him first.

He slaps her again, just before a man wearing a suit walks in. That is four.

I see the man cringe at the sight of Amelia being hit. At least one of them has a conscious. “What do you think you are doing?” The man in the suit is smiling at the guy who just slapped Amelia.

“No… Nothing boss,” his voice is shaking. This has to be him, right? It has to be Alex Carter. He doesn’t look as ruthless as I have heard.

Actually, the way he is dressed and the way he looks, he is more like a banker or a rich investor than a member of the mafia.

“Who told you could touch my merchandise?” I don’t like the way he casually just referred to us as goods.

“I… I am so… sorry boss,” I know he is not on my side, but I like that there is someone to set this prick straight.

“Who is she? I remember asking for just the lawyer,” he points at Amelia. “She is his girl. I thought it was better than bringing him alone. I thought we should have someone we can use to control him with,” he says proudly.

His eyes linger on her for a while longer than I would have liked.

“Okay, get out. I need to speak with these two alone,” they are both out of the room before he is even done speaking.

“I am sorry for my boys’ behavior. They are just too eager to please me and the boss,” he explains with a smile.

Something about his smile creeps me out. Maybe it is the way it doesn’t reach his eyes. But I have a feeling he is not as warm or welcoming as he seems.

“Wait, you’re not the boss?” I had thought this was it. “No,” his eyes quickly glance at Amelia, who is sitting quietly by my side.

“I work directly under him. My name is August Ridley. I would say it is nice to meet you, but even you know that is a lie,” he gives me another one of his smiles.

“When can I meet your boss?” I ask. “Are you eager to apologize?” His sarcasm is insulting, but I decide I have bigger issues than that.

“Would a simple apology even help me?” Somewhere along the ride to here, I made peace with the worst-case scenario.

“I am in no position to speak for him, but now that you are within reach, you just have to wait for what he decides,” he explains.

“I don’t like seeing women beaten, especially beautiful ones. Mind if I borrow yours to clean her up?” He asks like I have a choice.

“She is good,” I try, but he just smiles. That f*****g smile.

He unties her. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her,” I don’t even want to think of what he really means by that.

“Just, please don’t hurt her. She has no part in any of this,” I watch as they walk out of the room.