Page 25 of Hot & Bothered

Even though Jace had no unresolved feelings for Bronwyn, he also didn’t want to see her in danger or get hurt. His protective instinct kicked in. “He’s stalking you?”

She shrugged. “Not really. But he found out who my ex was. Oris.You.And it turns out you were the one who put him away a few years ago. For assault with a deadly weapon. He did like eighteen months.”

She didn’t have to say anymore. Immediately, Jace knew who she was talking about. The guy’s name was Tiberius MacKinley, and he was a low-level gang member and … holy fuck. He had a birthmark on the left side of his jaw.

Jace couldn’t believe he didn’t put the pieces together sooner.

The guy in his building on Christmas Eve.

Between the time Jace arrested him three years ago, to now, Tiberius changed. He cleaned up and was fitter than ever. He was also clean-shaven, which was probably why Jace didn’t recognize him. Three years ago, Tiberius had facial hair that covered his birthmark slightly.

“You’ve seen him?” Bronwyn asked, taking Jace’s reaction for what it was—an epiphany.

He nodded slowly. “At least once—in my building. But I’m pretty sure he’s been in there a couple of times.”

She sighed and dropped her head, nodding. “Yeah, when he found out you were my ex, something in him snapped. I haven’t seen him since just before Christmas, but—”

“He knows where I fucking live. How the hell did he find that out?”

She swallowed. “I … I’m sorry.”

“Jesus Christ, Bronwyn. What the fuck?”

“He shoved me up against the wall and had me by the wrist. I was scared. What else was I supposed to do?”

“I don’t know. Fucking tell me the moment you told him? Maybe tell the police sooner thannow?”

She sighed again and nodded. “I know. I fucked up. I’m sorry.”

“You need to get a restraining order against him—today.”

“Okay, okay. I will.”

He glanced at his phone. Jace didn’t live in the jurisdiction he served, but he needed to report what was going on to bothhisprecinct—which was Esquimalt—and the jurisdiction he lived in, which was Victoria PD.

The Greater Victoria area was divided into thirteen municipalities, and each municipality had its own police force. Some municipalities chose to go with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP, while others went with City Police. Esquimalt was RCMP, that’s where he and Jordan worked, but he lived in the municipality that was served by the Victoria City Police.

He knew a lot of the cops with Victoria PD and could probably call, but it was better to go in person. Fuck, he was going to be late meeting Peyton.

“You call me—and the cops—if you see or hear from him again, okay?” He growled that out to Bronwyn as he headed for the door.

She scampered after him. “Of course.” Licking her lips, she kept up with him as he headed through the parking lot to his truck. It was already below freezing out and some windshields in the lot were getting frosty. He made sure to park under a tree for a bit of added protection, and his windows were clear. “I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble. I … I’m sorry.”

He spun around and faced her. “Thanks. But don’t do something stupid like this again. Tiberius is dangerous.”

“I know. I know. I fucked up.” She averted her gaze again. “In more than one way. The biggest fuck up was letting you go.” She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes. “I was selfish and needy and I realize now that … you’re one of the good guys. And you’re working toward something. I … I shouldn’t have ended things. Maybe we can … I don’t know … try again?”

Jace’s head was going to explode. “Are you kidding me right now?”

“What?”

“You came here to tell me that your ex is stalking you—and me—and that you gave him my address. And you’re telling me like two months after the fact. Andthenyou have the audacity to what … ask me for a second chance?”

She shrugged and bit her lip. “I don’t know. Are you seeing anybody? Why can’t we give it another shot? We worked well together.”

He scoffed and shook his head. “Iamseeing someone, actually. And we didn’t work well together. We tried to. We pretended that we did, but deep down, I think we both know we were oil and water.”

Her face fell. “Oh.”

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