Chapter 29
Was this a curse? A twisted joke the world was playing on him? Why was Victor Crane here? What was he doing in this private room? Was he the one who sent the flowers? Was it a trap, one of Victor’s sick games?
Jace’s heart hammered as he stood near the heavy curtains shielding the room. He was careful to keep a distance, close enough to hear, far enough not to be seen. The room was nearly silent except for hushed voices whispered words carried faintly, like secrets being passed under the radar.
And then he heard it. Elias’s voice. Low, tense, guarded.
He heard Victor’s voice too, colder, sharper and filled with authority.
They were whispering... about a man. Someone named Justin. The name was foreign to Jace, but it struck a dissonant chord in his gut.
Jace strained harder to catch every word or as much words as he could.
Victor’s voice was sharp and accusing. “Justin is a liability. You know what has to happen. No mistakes.”
Elias’s tone was urgent, defensive. “You don’t understand. Justin isn’t just some problem to be erased. There’s more at stake. You can't keep doing this i won't let you.”
Victor scoffed quietly, his voice edged with cruelty. “And what about your mother, Elias? You’re playing a dangerous game. You do know I'm the only one that knows where she is right? Tell me where you hid justin, or you’ll lose her.”
Jace’s breath caught. Elias had a mother? Where was she? What did victor do to her? Why was Victor using her like a weapon?
Elias hesitated, then replied softly, but the pain in his voice was unmistakable. “You don’t get to use her against me. Not like this.”
Victor’s laughter was cold, chilling. “I hold the cards here. I can make things disappear, including your precious mother.”
Jace watched from behind the curtain, the weight of their conversation pressing down on him. Who was Justin? Why was Elias protecting him? What did this have to do with Elias’s mother? Why did Victor want Justin so badly that he was keeping elias away from his mother?
Jace strained his hearing further but the conversation became fragmented after that, with murmurs and half-spoken warnings. Jace’s heart and mind were racing. One reason was because he didn't want to get caught eavesdropping and the second was that the pieces didn’t quite fit just yet, but the danger was clear. Something was at play.
Jace had found his first clue.
Suddenly, Victor stood, smooth and deliberate. Jace dropped back into the shadows just as the door opened and Victor stepped out into the hall.
Heart hammering, Jace waited, long seconds stretched like hours until he was sure Victor was truly gone and not about to return. Only then did he carefully push the curtains aside and slip inside.
The room was quieter now, a calm that felt fragile and deceptive. Elias sat near the table, his expression guarded but softening as he caught sight of Jace.
“You came,” Elias said, voice a mix of relief and something more vulnerable.
Jace nodded, settling into the chair opposite him. “You said I should.”
“So, does that mean you’ve forgiven me?” Elias’s eyes searched his face.
Jace hesitated, then shook his head slowly. “I don’t know. Let’s see how the night ends.”
A slow, almost teasing smile curved Elias’s lips. He pressed a discreet button embedded in the wood paneling.
Moments later, a waiter appeared, carrying a menu. Jace glanced down, bewildered, he had never been anywhere like this. The glossy pages were filled with unfamiliar dishes, exotic names, and descriptions that made his head spin.
Before he could fumble for a response, Elias spoke to the waiter. “Bring the same as last time. The usual.”
The waiter nodded and left without another word.
Elias turned his full attention to Jace, his gaze lingering. “You look good,” he said quietly.
Jace’s cheeks warmed, but he quickly masked it with a shrug. “Don’t get used to it.”
They fell into an easy, light conversation, talking about everything and nothing, filling the space between them with tentative laughter and stolen glances.
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After what felt like hours, the food arrived. The aroma was intoxicating, rich, complex, and inviting. Plates gleamed with vibrant colors: tender slices of meat glistening with jus, delicate vegetables roasted to perfection, and something sweet and fragrant that teased the senses.
Jace reached for his fork, stealing a cautious bite. The flavors exploded, unexpectedly delicious, a sharp contrast to the bitter thoughts swirling in his mind.
Elias watched him with a small, satisfied smile. Then, lowering his voice, he said something that caught Jace completely off guard
“I think we should date.”