Page 71 of Amor Prohibido

Jace and I had been side-stepping around our quarrel for three days, and it was becoming tiresome. He didn’t try to pressure me again. Didn’t try to woo me with his kryptonite words or his kryptonite ways. Hell, he didn’t even try to come into my bed at night even though I knew he was freezing his ass off down the hallway. With each passing day, I could feel his resolve to give me space slipping further. It was only a matter of time before he challenged me again.

The phone call I received one afternoon at work drastically changed things.

The call was debilitating and punching the air from my lungs as soon as Kath’s frantic voice came through the phone.

“Jax, I can’t get hold of Jason!” Her voice pitched in my ear. The distress and hysteria consuming her tone made my stomach drop and goose bumps ripple across my shoulders.

Trying not to panic, I spoke as best I could around the tightness in my chest. “Kath, slow down. What’s happened? Is Jace okay?” In that instant, my petty grudge with him fell away, becoming forgiven and forgotten. Suddenly insignificant and juvenile. Regret rained down over me on every level and was chased closely by an immense wave of relief.

“Jason is fine, but I need to get hold of him. Is he with you?”

“No, he’s at work. What’s going on?” I urged, unable to keep the fresh flush of panic at bay.

“It’s Kip. He’s just left in the ambulance, and I need to…” She started sobbing, causing my own throat to clench with anxiety.

“Kath, do you need a ride? I’m going to get Jace now, and I can pick you up too. If not, we’ll meet you at the hospital.”

She sounded muddled as she tried to think about unimportant details. “Miri is on her way. You two meet us there.”

“Right. On my way. See you soon. And Kath?” I didn’t wait for her to respond. “I’m sure everything will be fine; he’s in good hands.”

“I’m sure you’re right, hon.” Despite agreeing, I heard doubt in her voice. Whatever had happened to Kip was serious.

After a brief explanation to the best boss in the world, she told me to get the hell out of there. I flew out the door as quickly as I could while wearing heeled boots with a plump belly. The urge to vomit rose repeatedly and competed with the gnawing dread climbing up my spine.

The drive to Jace’s workplace was a blank memory. I’d never been there before but I parked up and, ignoring the door that saidShop, strode into the adjoining workshop like I owned the place. The immediate sight and smell of timber, sawdust, resin, and varnish, combined with the noise of the machines, overwhelmed my on-edge senses.

“Excuse me, Miss, you aren’t authorised to be back here. Please leave and go into the shop next door,” Mr Short-and-slightly-overweight exclaimed, marching over to me while pointing at the large rolling door I just entered through.

“I need to find Jace,” I sassed and flapped my hands because I didn’t know what else to do with them. “It’s a familia emergency.”

The guy’s eyes narrowed as he studied me from face to belly. I hadn’t put my coat on, and my pregnancy was on full display.

“Who are you?”

I raised my brows at his tone and pulled my chin back, thoroughly affronted by his lack of knowledge. “Jace’s fiancée,” I emphasised by holding up my middle finger on my left hand, not caring that it wasn’t my ring finger at all.

“Riiight,” he drawled suspiciously.

“Whatever. Where is he?” I didn’t bother sticking around for an answer from this dweeb; I was a woman on a mission. God forbid another person gets in my way.

“Miss, I said you can’t come in here. It’s a health and safety hazard.”

“¡Vete a freír espárragos!” I shot over my shoulder as I picked my way around half-made furniture and stakes of timber.

“Miss, you need to leave.Now!”

In perfect timing, Jace’s voice came from somewhere out back, so I continued my unrelenting pace.

“What’s with all the yelling? And…Asparagus?”He came around the corner and stopped short. “Well, that explains the Spanish,” he muttered with an amused snort. Though, once he got a good look at my face, the amusement slid from his. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

He was in front of me within the second, and I stared up at him trying to work out how to break the news gently.

“Oh, so she does know you. Still, she can’t be back here, Jason. Wrap it up.”

“Back off, Dean. She’s with me, and you don’t get to talk to her like that.”

Dean started to protest but was silenced by a death glare Jace shot over my head.

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