Give Me Redemption (Give Me Series Book 4)

by Paige P. Horne

  “Even still, he had a hard time letting people in. He went from being a father figure to a kid in a matter of hours. He took full advantage of his new freedom. But he was self-destructive.” She links her fingers and rests her elbows on the countertop, looking at me.

  “Jace, on the other hand, was quiet. He was like a sponge absorbing everything. He watched his brother spin out of control from afar. He hurt because of it, because like Bryce went from father to kid, Jace went from having his brother always by his side to hardly having him at all.

  “He lost his parents, which to Jace were never his parents, and then he lost his brother. Bryce was Jace’s whole world, and then one day he wasn’t.

  “He hid his emotions well, but we saw how Bryce hurt him. He was always a happy kid, smiled all the time, and laughed with such lightheartedness.

  “He sought Bryce’s attention constantly and thought by making Bryce laugh that he’d stay around more, but Bryce was fighting battles that Jace didn’t understand.

  “When Bryce moved to the city and left here for good, Jace shut down. He stopped the laughing and the smiles, and the day he turned eighteen, he left us with a simple note.

  “He had joined the Army and I was beside myself. I cried for two days, because you see, when those boys came here, I knew I’d love them forever. And they both were gone.

  “Lee and I were older when we fell in love. He’d lost his wife to cancer, and I was the veterinarian here. The man sank into a deep depression, and I fought for him. We’d just accepted the fact we wanted to be together when he found Bryce and Jace. They completed us as a family.

  “And I’m all about my family.” She lifts her chin. “You hurt my family. You lied to my boy, and you were almost successful in putting my other in prison.”

  I don’t say anything, but chills run down my spine at her tone.

  “Do you love Jace?” she asks.

  “Yes.”

  She nods. “He loves you.”

  “I know.”

  She unclasps her hands. “I see a lot of myself in you. You’re strong and you look as though you’ve lived already, when in reality your life has just begun.

  “You were already in love with Jace before you busted Bryce, weren’t you?”

  “Yes,” I reply.

  “Wow, how did you do that?” she asks with a slight shade of wonder.

  I shake my head and dart my eyes to the swirls in the counter. “It wasn’t easy, but I knew what my job was. I knew what I had to do. Regardless, I was at war with myself the entire time. I was physically and mentally sick about it. I never wanted to cause Jace pain, but the moment I found out who he was, it was too late.

  “I’m sorry I hurt your son. I’m sorry for it all.”

  She scans her eyes over me, and I wonder what she’s thinking. She said I reminded her of herself. To me that was a compliment. It’s clear this woman is strong. She took in two boys who were not hers. She loved a man who was broken from losing his wife.

  I’m in awe of her.

  She nods, seeming to come to terms with her thoughts. “I think everything worked out for the good, don’t you?”

  I got Jace. That’s really all I cared about, so yeah, I guess it did.

  “Jace is happy. He went through a tough time in the Army. When he got out, we all saw how broken he was, but you helped him find his way. His head seems to be in a good place now, and I have you to thank for that.

  “Bryce was doing something illegal and I hated it. Because of you, he no longer is. I have you to thank for that also.”

  I didn’t see this coming at all. She’s thanking me for what I did?

  “So now I hope you know me a little better, and I want to get to know you. After all, you’ve stolen my boy’s heart, and that’s a special thing. Jace and Bryce don’t give love to just anyone.”

  “Ask me anything,” I say.

  “How about we save that for after we eat? I’m sure the boys are hungry.”

  “Okay.” I run a hand over my throat. “What can I help with?”

  “Grab the potato salad from the fridge. I’ll get the chicken,” she says.

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  Harlow

  After we ate, Jace and I retired to the guest house.

  “So, he likes the idea?” I ask him, slipping my sweater over my head. After dinner, Jace and Lee went to Lee’s office and talked about Jace’s idea for the veterans while Emily and I got to know each other better. Both conversations went well.

  And I think it’s an amazing thing that Jace is wanting to do. Coming out here helps me; I can’t imagine how it will help them.

  Having something to care for and to take your mind off of the bad you’ve been through can only do them good. Plus, they’ll earn a salary and have a place to call home.

  “He thinks it’s great. Only thing is, I’ll have to be spending more time out here and less in the city.”

  I nod, unbuttoning my jeans and sliding them down my legs. “We’ll figure something out,” I say, walking into the bathroom.

  I turn the shower on and peel my panties and bra off. Jace walks in behind me. His eyes run over my body, and mine do the same to his. His shirt is off, the dog tags around his neck. Scars stand out on his skin, and his jeans are unbuttoned.

  I stand naked in front of him. My guard is completely down around this man. I fully trust him inside and out. I am unashamed of my body, knowing it’s not perfect, but it is mine and I give it to him fully. My heart is open, and my soul is bare.

  “Earlier you asked me how we were going to take things farther?” he says.

  I tilt my head, wondering where he’s going with this.

  “Would you move?” he asks me as he steps closer.

  “Move?”

  “Yes. Would you ever consider moving out here?” The room fills with steam, and the mirrors grow foggy. “For me?” he adds.

  My first thought is my work. My life. I can’t leave that. Not until…not until I find her.

  What if you never do?

  Are you willing to pass up what he’s offering for something that may never happened?

  The thought causes my heart to seize. I can’t not find her.

  “No. I can’t leave.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I have to—”

  “What? Find her? What if that never happens, Dalton? What then? You’ve lived your whole goddamn life chasing. Aren’t you tired?” he asks.

  I shake my head. “She’s out there, Jace. I won’t stop looking.”

  A knock sounds on the door and I narrow my eyes. “Who’s that?” I ask.

  He shrugs. “No one ever bothers me when I’m out here.” He heads toward the door.

  “Jace,” I hear, and my eyes grow wide.

  “Fuck. It’s Bryce.” Jace turns back toward me. “Stay in here,” he says as he walks out, but I don’t. I slide on my robe before turning the water off.

  I creep out of the bathroom and tiptoe closer to the cracked bedroom door so I can listen and see. My heart is pounding. I can’t imagine what would happen if I just stepped out. Part of me wants to, but the other part doesn’t want to piss Jace off.

  “You always walk in on people, or is it just me?” I hear Jace ask.

  “The door was open,” Bryce says, casually like it’s no big deal.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  “What’s with the questions?” Bryce says.

  “Where’s Harrison?” Jace asks.

  “At the barn house,” he replies. “Got a beer or something?”

  “In the fridge,” Jace says. I hear him strike his lighter and I know he’s lit a cigarette when the smell drifts in the air. “You never answered me.”

  “We’re getting married next weekend,” Bryce says. “We came to figure everything out.”

  “Oh,” Jace says.

  “What are you doing out here?”

  “Wanted to get away from the city.”

  I notice he doesn’t tell
Bryce the real reason he’s out here, which was to talk to Lee about his new idea. I’m assuming he wants to get him out of here as quick as possible. My eyes dart to the side of the couch and I see my purse.

  Shit.

  Bryce can’t see it from where he is, but if he sits down in the chair, he will.

  “So, listen,” Bryce says, taking a seat on the edge of the couch. “I know lately things have been rocky between us. You’ve been distant, and I don’t know why… I mean, I’m pretty sure I know why.”

  Moments tick by, and Jace says nothing.

  “Really?” Bryce says. “You’re not going to talk to me about this?”

  “About what?”

  “Jace, I’m not fucking stupid.” He stands up, and my eyes jump to my purse. He stops, looking down. “You sure you have nothing to tell me?” he says, looking back at his brother.

  Jace’s eyes narrow. Bryce leans down and picks up my purse. “She’s here, isn’t she?”

  Jace stands up and takes the purse from his brother’s hand, tossing it onto the couch. “Why are you here, Bryce?”

  Bryce shakes his head, disappointment clear on his face. “After everything we’ve been through, you’re keeping this from me,” he says. “She fucked me over. She fucked you over, and yet you’re picking her over your family.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jace says, even-toned.

  “Whatever.” Bryce puts down the beer he was drinking. “It’s your life.” He sounds defeated, like he’s tired from the inside out.

  He exhales and lifts his snapback hat off his head before dropping it lazily down. He looks to my purse before looking back at his brother. He seems to come to terms with how things look. He’s not a gullible man. He knows I’m here, and he knows Jace isn’t telling him the truth.

  Is Jace ashamed that he’s with me?

  Is that why he won’t tell Bryce?

  The thought hurts.

  “I wanted to see if you would be my best man. Stand beside me when I marry K.”

  Jace looks guilt-stricken. His eyes go down to the floor, and he takes in a breath. He’s shirtless still, and I see Bryce look over his scars.

  “Of course, I will,” he says, his voice full of unshed emotion. “I’m sorry… I.” He shakes his head and runs his hand down his face. “You threw me off.”

  “How did you get all of those?” Bryce asks, nodding at the scars.

  Jace looks down at his chest and stomach. “A bomb. I was hit with debris and buried under cement.”

  “Jesus.”

  “War’s a bitch, brother. I barely made it out. These scars remind me that I did.”

  Bryce agrees, “Yeah, you did. You seem to be doing really well, too. I’m glad.”

  “Thanks,” Jace says.

  Bryce pulls his hat down onto his head and nods. “All right, well, it’s settled. I’ll leave you be.” He walks toward the door before turning around to face Jace. “I love you, brother.”

  “Yeah,” Jace says. “Me too.”

  The door clicks shut, and I walk out. “Why didn’t you tell him?”

  Jace looks over at me. “He’s not ready.”

  “But you love him, Jace. You’re really just going to keep this part of your life from him?”

  Jace looks down. “Not forever, but for right now. Yes. Even though the bust was a few months ago, it’s still fresh to him, Dalton. That club was everything to my brother, and we took that away from him. He won’t take the truth well.

  “I’m just going to keep my distance for a while. He has his own thing going on with Harrison, and I have you. This is just the way it has to be.”

  I exhale. “I don’t want to be the reason you and your brother aren’t close, Jace.”

  “You’re not. It’s my decision.”

  He walks over to me. “I shouldn’t have to choose between the two of you, and I think giving him some time will help.”

  “Okay,” I say. “If you think that’s the best thing, then that’s what we’ll do.”

  He gives me a small smile. “Shower still running?” he asks.

  “I shut it off.”

  “Still wanna take one?” He lifts a brow.

  “Yeah,” I say slowly.

  “Can I join you?”

  I exhale dramatically. “I guess.”

  I turn to walk back to the bathroom and Jace smacks my ass, causing me to yelp.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  Jace

  Months slip past us in a blur of me working on getting the veterans out at the ranch. Dalton got a couple of leads on Chloe’s case, but they ended up being dead ends. She’s tired all the time, and I’m out at the ranch a lot. But we talk on the phone every day, and we make sure to spend weekends together. After Bryce and Harrison got married, we found out Harrison was pregnant.

  Some crazy motherfucker hit Bryce’s car at a four-way, and they all ended up in the hospital. It had something to do with Bones. I told Bryce that man was trouble, but for some reason, Bryce likes the guy.

  I don’t know.

  I asked Dalton if she would take a look at the case. She went to Bryce and questioned him about the accident, but he wasn’t very helpful. Like I said, Bryce likes Bones, so whatever he knows, he’s keeping it to himself.

  After she spoke with Bryce, she confessed to me that she didn’t want to be the one on that case. I really shouldn’t have asked her, so I told her it was fine.

  Dalton walks into the room wearing a baseball hat and tight jeans. “You ready?” she asks.

  “Yep,” I say, standing up from the couch. We head out of my apartment, holding hands as I make her laugh with a dumbass joke I heard the other day. I unlock the truck doors, and we both start to climb in.

  “Going to a game?” I hear. I turn to look at Bryce as he leans against his new, more baby friendly truck he bought for Rylee, my niece.

  He’s got his arms crossed over his chest, looking at me through narrowed eyes.

  “Stalking me?” I ask, like really? What the fuck is he doing standing outside of my apartment building?

  “Figured it was the only way I’d ever find out about you two. Hey, Harlow.” He waves her way, but it’s not friendly.

  I step out of the truck and he pushes off his.

  “You really think this was necessary?” I ask him, getting pissed off.

  “You’re a fucking asshole,” he says. “After everything I did for you.” He shoves me when I come near, and without thinking, I swing at him, connecting my fist with his face. Bryce comes back harder and knocks me to the ground.

  We roll on the hard pavement when I hear Dalton yell, “That’s enough. Someone is going to call the police.”

  Bryce climbs off of me. “You are the police,” he says to her. “You going to lock us up?” He spits and rubs a finger over his busted lip, breathing heavy. I get up from the ground and brush my jeans off, feeling a few cuts from the concrete.

  Bryce shakes his head. “Fucking Christ, man. How long has this been going on?”

  “A while,” Dalton says.

  Bryce looks over at her. “I was talking to Jace.”

  She shrugs. “I don’t care.”

  Bryce narrows his eyes at her and then shocks me stupid when he smiles. “I’m sure you don’t,” he says on a laugh. He winces and touches his lip again. “God, I’m getting too old for this shit.” He exhales and looks up at the sky.

  I stretch my hand out, making sure it’s not broken from hitting his face.

  “I knew this was going on,” he says. “I fucking knew it. All these months you’ve been staying away. Were you ashamed of what you were doing? Is that why you kept it a secret from me?”

  I feel Dalton’s eyes on me. “No. I just didn’t want to deal with your judgment. I’m happy. I’m finally fucking happy, and I didn’t want the cloud of your disapproval hanging over my head. I love that girl. I’d do anything for her. I don’t care about the past anymore. What’s done is done. I’m only looking forward
.”

  Bryce’s face shows conflict. He licks his wounds, and his eyes go down to the ground as he hangs his hands on his hips. “She really makes you happy?” he asks, tilting his head up slightly.

  “Yes,” I say. I reach over and pull Dalton closer. She looks up at me as I put my arm around her shoulders.

  “I never wanted to hurt any of you,” Dalton says, looking back at Bryce. “I know you hate me, but I really was just doing my job. I hated that case; I didn’t want to be on it. Before, you said we all get a choice, but sometimes that’s not true.

  “I didn’t get a choice in this. Jace didn’t get a choice. It was just the way our cards were dealt, and we had no option, but to play them.

  “It’s over now. You got off, and I was praying that you would. I never need to know how, but I’m glad. I fell for your brother, and I’ll never hurt him like that again. I lived in a very dark place for a very long time. Jace shows me that there is still good in this world. I love him.”

  I look down at her, touched that she would say those things about me. I’ve messed up so many times, and yet she thinks I’m the good in this world? It doesn’t make sense to me, but I’ll take it.

  Bryce folds his lips and crosses his arms. “Okay,” he says. “I’ll back off.”

  “What about Harrison?” I ask.

  He laughs. “That’s a different story. My wife doesn’t think too kindly of you, Harlow. You tricked her, too, and you tried to put me in prison. K’s mostly understanding, but this one will be tough.”

  “I get it,” Dalton says. “I wouldn’t expect her to welcome me with open arms, but maybe one day we can be civil.”

  “Maybe.” He shrugs. “Sorry about the…” He waves his hand.

  “Stalking me and then shoving me on the ground?” I finish for him.

  “You punched me,” he says in his defense.

  I grin. “Yeah. I did.”

  He spits again. “All right. I’ll let you two get back to whatever. Don’t be a fucking stranger now. This shit is past us. I’ll talk to K. I miss my brother.”

  “Me too,” I say.