Friend or foe?

Friend or foe?

Trista’s POV

The bar was a dimly lit hole-in-the-wall, the kind of place where secrets thrived in dark corners
and whispers carried more weight than money. It was pulsing with a deep bass that vibrated
through the air. Smoke curled in the atmosphere, mixing with the scent of whiskey, perfume, old
wood, and darker secrets—the perfect breeding ground for devious deals, the kind of deals that
never made it to daylight.

Jace was waiting for me at a booth in the back, leaning lazily against the seat, one arm draped
over the back of his seat, his fingers lazily twirling a glass of scotch with a cigarette between his
fingers. He hadn’t changed. Same smirk, same sharp eyes that could cut through a lie like a
blade, his sharp, wolfish grin stretched across his face the moment I stepped into view.
“Well, well,” The prodigal daughter returns, he drawled, exhaling a slow stream of smoke.
“Twicein one night? You must really need me.”

I slid onto the seat opposite him, keeping my voice even. You know I don’t make empty
promises, I said too calmly with the whole war going on inside of me.
Jace chuckled.
“That’s debatable. But you’re here, so I’ll try to play nice.
” He signaled thebartender with a lazy flick of his fingers. So What’s your poison? He asked
I slid into the seat across from him, ignoring the way his eyes traced me, searching for cracks in
my armor. Jace had always been good at reading people, but I had spent years perfecting the
art of giving nothing away.

Just water, I said.
Jace raised an eyebrow.
“Still avoiding the hard stuff, huh?”
I didn’t answer Because alcohol plus the turmoil going on inside my head would be a very bad
combination. The bartender placed a glass in front of me, and I took a sip, my fingers tight
around the cold condensation.
So tell me what you know have, I need a name Jace, i said, cutting through the small talk. The
caller,I said, keeping my voice steady.

He chuckled, tapping his cigarette against the edge of the glass ashtray.
No pleasantries?”
“Straight to business.
“I’m not in the mood for games Jace, this is serious.
” He leaned forward, his grin fading slightly.

“But I do love a woman who knows what she wants
I clenched my jaw hard, refusing to take the bait. Jace please focus! I said frustrated.
He sighed dramatically, finally relenting, he leaned back, stretching out like he had all the time in
the world.
“I might have what you need, But as you may know information isn’t cheap, Trista
you know that already.
I exhaled sharply. I already paid your price Jace so quit play around.
His grin was sharp.
“And I appreciate the company I swear. But this? This is one is bigger than
a casual favor”. He said with obvious amusement.

I could swear that nothing was funny at this moment.
Greedy bastard.
I resisted the urge to slam my glass on the counter. Just Cut the crap, Jace, we both know you
already owe me some favours. Someone is watching me. Someone wants me to stay away from
Leonard. If you know something please tell me, I said desperately.
“Fine” He finally agreed.
Our mystery caller? I looked into it, It is someone from your past, sweetheart. Someone who
doesn’t like seeing you back.
My fingers curled into fists beneath the table. Go straight to the point Jace, you know how much
I hate riddles. Who is it?

Jace flicked ash onto the tray, tilting his head.
“Now, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?he
said trying to make a joke, but my facial expression read bored, But lucky for you he continued, I
have a lead.
I forced myself to stay calm. You have a name or not I don’t have time for all these games you
are trying to play man? I said with frustration painting my features.
Jace hesitated again, then reached into his jacket and slid a folded piece of paper across the
bar.

I picked it up, my pulse hammering as I gently unfolded it.
One name.
One name that made my blood run cold.
Adrian King.
My breath caught. Are you one hundred percent sure?
Jace’s expression darkened.
“Dead sure.”

Adrian King was a name I hadn’t heard in a long time, years infact. A name I never wanted to
hear again. If he was involved… this was worse than I thought.
I waited for more information from Jace.
Leo was here before you, he finally said.
My stomach twisted.
What? I asked because that was the last thing I expect to hear.
” Jace smirked enjoying the conversation more than he should.
“Your favorite ex-lover”
He walked in here not even an hour ago, The mention of Leonard has my heart racing fast.
He asked about the same thing. He wanted to know who was after you. And guess what?” He
took a slow drag of his cigarette, watching me through the smoke.
“He didn’t like my answer at all.

My pulse hammered in my throat.
“What did you tell him?”
Jace shrugged.
“The same thing I’m telling you—someone’s watching, and it ain’t me but he
seems to know who it was, I guess he just wanted me to confirm the whole thing, he is one
sneaky bastard, Jace laughed. He already knew that it someone who knows you. Someone who
also knows Leonard.
I swallowed hard.
I couldn’t back off, Not now.

Before I could press him further, a shadow moved at the bar’s entrance. My breath caught.
Leonard.
He was standing there, suit impeccable, eyes locked onto me like he had known exactly where
to find me.
Of course, he did.
He knew I would come to find answers.
His gaze flicked to Jace, then back to me. A muscle ticked in his jaw.
Jace chuckled.
“And here comes the devil himself again.”

Leonard strode in a nonchalant way towards us with the kind of presence that made people
instinctively shift out of his way. He didn’t even glance at Jace as he slid into the booth beside
me, effectively boxing me in.
The heat of his body was suffocating.
But I think I needed that at this moment.
What the hell are you doing here? I muttered.
He ignored me like I didn’t even utter a word.
His eyes were on Jace now, dark and unreadable. You’re done talking, he said that as a fact not
a question.
Jace raised an amused brow clearly enjoying the whole conversation, like I said messed up in
the head.

“Am I?” Jace retorted in an amused tone.
Leonard’s expression didn’t change. Yes he said with finality.
The tension at the table was thick enough to suffocate.
Jace exhaled through his nose, shaking his head.
“God, I almost forgot how possessive you can
get.

” He flicked his cigarette into the ashtray and stood.
“Fine I will leave now, I’ve said what I
needed to say to you babe.
” He winked at me causing Leonard to growl slightly beside me,
“Be
careful, sweetheart.”

Then he was gone, leaving me alone with Leonard.
I turned to him, my patience wearing thin.
“You’re unbelievable, Jace said you came to see him.
Leonard’s jaw tightened.
“You’re reckless, he said ignoring my accusations.
I scoffed. Excuse me?
He leaned closer, his voice low.
you’re walking into, Trista.”

“Meeting Jace? Asking questions? You don’t know even what
I held his gaze. Then tell me since you seem to know better.
Does the name Adrian king ring a bell Leo?
His silence spoke volumes.
I let out a bitter laugh. That’s what I thought.
I slid out of the booth, but before I could make it two steps, Leonard caught my wrist.
His grip was firm but not bruising. Just enough to remind me that I wasn’t getting away from him
so easily.

Where are you going?
Home, where else?
A muscle in his jaw twitched clearly annoyed.
I yanked my wrist free. You don’t get to dictate what I do anymore, Leonard.
His eyes darkened. Then stop making it so damn hard to stay out of your way, you are keeping
a a big secret from me then this whole situation comes up?
The words were almost too quiet to hear, but they hit me like a bullet.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat, turned on my heel, and walked out.
But even as I stepped into the cold night air, I could still feel his presence—like a shadow that
refused to disappear.
And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted it to.

Later That Night

I had barely closed my apartment door when a knock sounded.
I knew who it was before I even opened it.
That damn man followed me home!
Leonard stood there, his expression unreadable.
I crossed my arms. Are you stalking me now? Do I need to report you? I asked annoyed.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped inside, shutting the door behind him.
I had a strong feeling he was about to bring up our past conversations
Something in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.
“You’re not safe,” he murmured.
I swallowed.

“And you’re going to protect me?” I asked with an amused tone.
His gaze dropped to my lips for half a second before he met my eyes again.
“Whether you want me to or not.”
My breath hitched.
I hated him.
I hated the way he could shake me with so few words.
I know I have said this previously, but I really do.
But damn it, I wanted to believe him, believe that he changed overnight, believe that I was his
priority this time, and I think I am beginning to believe him.
And that was the most dangerous part of all.