She detested herself for giving in to her need to see Jace again and explain. She could tell herself it was so he didn’t hate her, but she had known exactly how he would react. Now, Taryn told herself it was all right since it was all for Payton, that Jace was a grown man with combat experience. And if anyone could help, it was him.
But looking into his beautiful hazel eyes, hearing that deep, silky voice of his, and having him make love to her once more had brought back all the memories of their years together. Reminded her how much she had loved him. Jace and the love he had given her had kept her going in those dark days.
Unfortunately, she had been too weak to realize that until she stood before him once more. Had she accepted that earlier, she never would’ve come to see him. Weakness and love had brought her to him again. But the strength of her love for him would help her walk away.
“What’s going through that mind of yours?” Jace asked in a soft voice.
“Thinking of when we were still together. My biggest problem was Dad.”
Jace’s lips twisted ruefully. “We’ll get this sorted. I give you my word.”
“You’re the best man I know, Jace. I’m sorry I brought this to you.”
“I’m only sorry you didn’t come sooner. We could’ve had a few days to come up with a plan. But it’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
She wished with all her heart that she could believe him. This was her family’s mess, and it was her responsibility to deal with it—no one else’s. Jace had seen her as no one else ever had. He loved all of her, accepted everything about her, and had given her a glimpse of a future she had been looking forward to.
If only she could return to that time and do things differently. She would’ve moved out and left her father and brother to their own devices. Her life would certainly be different now. So would Payton’s. But her sister was counting on her. Taryn wished she could come through for her, but maybe this was the better alternative.
“I’ve got to get my things,” she told him.
He frowned but nodded. “I’ll come with you.”
She put a hand on his bare chest and raised a brow. “Don’t you trust me?”
“I’d feel better if I went with you.”
“I’ll be right back. Promise.”
Jace bowed his head. “All right.”
They rose and began to dress. As she hooked her bra, she caught sight of the many scars that crisscrossed Jace’s back, shoulders, and sides. There were more on his chest, arms, and legs. They were more faded now. She used to kiss them when they lay together. She’d told him that her love would heal his soul as medicine had healed his body. Things had been so much simpler back then. She was happy to see that he was doing well.
When she finished dressing, she faced him as he looked at her. Unable to resist, Taryn wrapped her arms around him and held him tight as she squeezed her eyes closed. This would be the last time she got to touch Jace. “Thank you,” she whispered.
His arms came around her, and they simply stood there for several moments, holding each other. Taryn released him and backed away. She flashed him a smile and waved as she walked out the door. The tears fell before she even reached her car in the driveway. Right before she drove away, she looked at the house to find Jace still standing with the front door open, watching her.
Chapter 10
The moment the taillights of Taryn’s car were out of sight, Jace pulled out his cell phone and called Cooper.
“Hey,” Cooper answered, a smile in his voice. “I didn’t expect to hear from you for a few days. Figured you and Taryn needed to catch up.”
“I need your help.”
Cooper’s attitude instantly shifted to one of business. “What is it?”
“Are you still with the other three?”
“Yeah. They’re right here.”
“Put me on speaker.”
A heartbeat later, Caleb said, “We’re listening, Jace.”
“I need someone to head out to the Hilton Hotel off Oak and see if Taryn’s silver Camry is there. If it is, great. Just make sure she heads back to my place. Everyone else, pick the main roads out of town and look for the Camry. I’ll text the license plate number. I’m not sure if she’s headed north or south.”
Brice asked, “What’s going on?”
“All those years ago, Taryn left because drug dealers forced her family to leave in order to pay off her father’s debt. Her father and brother are now dead, killed by the drug dealer. But the people who took them still have Taryn’s younger sister. Taryn’s in town to get half a million to pay off her family’s debt and try to free Payton and herself,” Jace explained.
“Fuck me,” Cooper murmured.
Ryan then said, “Tell me her license plate. I’ll get it to my deputies immediately.”
Jace quickly rattled off the numbers and letters, his gut twisting because he knew Taryn wasn’t coming back. She had said and done all the right things, but he knew her too well. Once she realized that he planned to put himself in the middle of the situation, her body language immediately told him that she wanted to do what she always did with those she loved—she wanted to protect.
“We’re heading out now,” Cooper said and disconnected.
Jace wanted to be out there with them, but he still held onto a thin shred of hope that he was wrong, and Taryn would come back to him. He debated calling his folks. They had adored Taryn and had been upset by her disappearance. He was close with his parents, and he knew how they would react to the news, especially his father. Which was why Jace decided not to fill them in on any of what was going on. Not yet, at least.
Each second that passed as he paced his house felt like an eternity. He wished something could occupy him as his mind raced in twenty million different directions, including the path of how wonderful it had felt to hold her once more. Still, his mind kept returning to the story she had told him.
He’d believed every word. The truth had been in each syllable, in her voice and face. He knew there were likely other horrors there she hadn’t described, but he had an idea of what they were. He’d served in the military and been held prisoner. He knew all about those kinds of hell because he’d lived them. And it made him insane with fury that she had been subjected to any of it.
The fact that Jace had seen the same vacant look in Taryn’s eyes that he’d seen in his when he looked in the mirror infuriated him. Phil and Ben had put her in that situation. Jace couldn’t take his anger out on them because they were already gone from this world. But he sure as shit could turn his rage on the assholes who dared to keep Taryn in their grasp.
His phone rang. He glanced at the screen to see Brice’s name and quickly answered it. “Did you find her?”
“I’m at the hotel.”
Jace closed his eyes. “I’m not sure what number she’s in, but she parked on the far right-hand side of the lot earlier.”
“There’s no way she could’ve beaten me here. I’ll stay for a while to see if she shows.”
“Thanks.”
“And, Jace,” Brice said. “If you decide to help her, it goes without saying that we’ll be right there with you. Especially after everything you’ve done for me, Caleb, and Cooper.”