Page 241 of The Reluctant Hero

I look back at the door he disappeared through. My heart twists, and tears well up before I turn back to her.

“I’m starting to get it,” I choke out.

“At least you appreciate it,” she grumbles as if she’s consoling herself.

Ace comes back with snacks and feeds me while I stare at him as if he’s a stranger. He’s so happy about all of it that I can’t think of a bad thing to say. It’s one thing to feel pampered and another to feelworshiped.

By the time it’s all done the day has passed in a comfortable haze I’ve never felt before.

“You can’t do this every time you piss me off, you know,” I mutter as the front door opens, and several voices add a little chaos to the peace around us.

“I know,” he chuckles, but he doesn’t look like he’s taking me seriously. I kind of hope he doesn’t.

The technicians leave with Ace tipping each of them. My eyes narrow as they eye him. They should give him his money back and thankhimwith the way they stare. I cross my arms and clear my throat with a pointed look at them. Some take it seriously. Others look like they could take me. That stops when I casually reach for Jakob and give it a spin.

Once they leave, Ace turns to me with a smug grin.

“You jealous, darlin’?”

I raise a brow at the taunt and pause at his side. A maid mutters that dinner is ready and passes without looking at us.

“How would you feel if I took this robe off and walked through the house for everyone to see?”

His brows snap down in instant anger.

I bring Jakob up to tap on his chest with an innocent look.

“I’m sure you understand this conversation is over now? And you won’t bring it up again.”

I don’t know where I found the audacity, but I’m hoarding it.

“Yes, ma’am,” he mutters with wide eyes. I peek down to see the bulge in his pants and smile as I walk to the dining room.

Jake sees me before anyone else and gives me a pleased grin as he stands. I round the doorway, and Cade chokes on his drink. Mikael and Gabriel sit as frozen as statues.

“You look fetching,meine Seele,” Jake gives me a slight bow that makes this a lot more embarrassing than it should be. It’s a robe, and it covers everything. What’s so damn shocking about it?

Ace helps me into my seat and stalks to his own as if he’s pissed that we’re sitting separately. He enters into a muttered conversation with Gabriel that makes me narrow my eyes. He looks quietly pleased and subtly jerks his chin to Mikael. It draws my attention to the mountain of man.

He’s staring at his plate with a stern expression the mashed potatoes don’t deserve. He isn’t eating anymore and seems lost in his own world. He flinches, shakes his head and starts eating again.

Gabriel nods and waves Ace away.

It’s quiet on our side of the table. Jake is happily eating without food tasting for me. I guess Cade’s torture has ended.I glance at the redhead and find his narrowed eyes focused on Ace.

He looks jealous as he grinds his teeth. The right side of the table looks like a funeral, while the left side has relaxed smiles and easy banter. I’m stuck in the middle, unsure of how to act. Gabriel is staring at me across the table, and I can’t read his cold expression. It’s closed off as if he’s holding his thoughts so deep inside they’re stuck.

My eyes dart to Ace. He’s watching me with a smirk. He even toasts me with his iced tea before he drinks some. The arrogant move is annoying, but it makes me aware of my discomfort while sitting.

“You asked Shade for photos of locations. He brought some to us today,” Gabriel interrupts as my cheeks get red. He gestures to Jake, who pulls a thin stack from the floor beside him.

I shift my plate to the side, half-eaten. At least I got that far in before my appetite started to dwindle.

Cade moves it back with a frown. “You’re losing weight. Eat.”

I give him a look of disbelief. Is this not the same man that made fun of me in class? Now he’s harping on me aboutlosingweight?

“I made sure she was snackin’ all day, Cade,” Ace reassures him.

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