Page 21 of His Sacrifice

“Just tell me what you need, Jada,” I prodded.

“Time,” she repeated. “I need time to think when I’m not in your fancy penthouse with amazing views.” She motioned to the lake and then at me. “The views are… distracting.”

I stood and stepped toward her. “Okay, I’ll take you down.”

She shook her head. “I think I’ll just get a taxi to take me home.”

“Nonsense, Jada. Jax will take you home. I’ll just ride down with you to the garage.”

“No, no. Then you’ll have to put shoes on, and I just really want to leave.” She paused. “Please.”

I held up my hands. “Of course. I don’t want you to feel like I’m holding you here.” I pulled out my phone. “I’ll just let Jax know you are on the way down.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

I wasn’t sure what was going on. Things seemed fine between us, and then suddenly, she was on edge. I knew I wasn’t asking something small; if she needed time to think about it, that was fine.

I sent off a message to Jax to let him know Jada was on the way down.

“At least let me walk you to the elevator,” I offered. I ushered Jada off the patio and out the front door.

I pressed the button for the elevator and knew I had to say one more thing before Jada left. “I know I’m asking a lot of you, Jada, but I promise you’ll stay safe, and nothing will happen to you.”

Jada nodded. “I know, Creed. I’ve seen the way Murphy takes care of Tatum. I know you guys mean business.”

Then what was making her so upset?

The doors slid open, and Jada moved to step in, but I caught her hand. “Tell me what’s wrong,” I pleaded gently. “I’ll fix whatever it is.”

She smiled softly and pulled out of my grasp. “I just need time, Creed.” She stepped into the elevator and stood facing me. “I’ll call you later.”

The doors slid shut, and my shoulders slumped.

Jada needed time, and all I could do was wait.

Jada

The doors slid shut, and I finally was able to draw in a deep breath.

I wasn’t hung up on being in danger.

I was hung up on the fact that I didn’t know who I should lie to.

Candace or Creed?

Chapter Eight

Creed

“Well?”

I leaned back in my chair and shrugged. “She said she needed time to think it over.”

“Don’t you think we’re running out of time?” Leo asked. “Candace and Brandt have terrorized us for fifteen years.”

“Yes, well, we’ve at least taken Brandt out of the equation,” I pointed out.

“Yes, though I think Brandt was the wild card in all of this. Candace appears to have been the brains.” Leo leaned against the large window behind his desk and sighed. “I’ve talked to every person who might have ever met Candace, and none of them know anything. I am out of avenues that can lead us to her.”

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