Silence.

We stood in silence.

Did I hear him correctly? Like my mind is not playing games on me, right?

Because what I did hear is that girl is Jace's girlfriend.

What!?

"Did you just say that? That girl is your girlfriend?" I said stunned.

He didn't answer.

I shoved his shoulder with every word."You don't get to drop a bomb like that and stay silent!"

Jace grabbed my hand. "I can explain."

"Well you better start fucking explaining." I gritted out. Anger was all I could feel. All this time and he never mentioned he had a girlfriend. All this time.

He pulled me to the back of the school and opened the double doors. Leading us into a dark empty classroom. I was very resistant every step of the way at one point he took both my hands and dragged me along.

I glared at him as he closed the door. If my eyes could shoot lasers this would be the time!

He sat on top of the empty teacher desk that was in front of the classroom. He gestured for me to sit a the desk beside me.

I was stubborn and stood right in place.

He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Please sit." He pleaded.

I rolled my eyes, but stood my ground.

"Please."

I stubbornly took the seat and dropped my backpack on the ground right next to my feet.

"You want answers and I'm here to give you answers." Jace started. His deep voice steady.

"Yes, that girl you saw in the parking lot is my girlfriend. But then she's not. To the eye of the public she is, but in private she's just a really good friend doing me a favor."

I furrowed my brows in confusion, but let him continue.

"Her name is Allison. She's about a year older than us and has been by Dominic's side longer then I have. We met on the first day he brought me in and had stood by my side since then. Showing me the ropes, protecting me at all cost. She's like an older sister. Dominic trusts her more than anyone. As he should, she is his step-daughter."

I choked on the air. "What?"

He nodded. "Allison is Dominic's step-daughter."

Something is not adding up. "Why is she helping you destroy her father?"

"Dominic over took her family's business. Broke it down till it was nothing and utilized it until it was no more for his benefit. To keep her family afloat, her mother ended up marrying him. He always had his eyes on her even while destroying her parent's hard work. Allison was very young when this happened and her mother ended up passing away a few years later. She only found out about everything two years ago by a letter that was hidden in her mother's jewelry box."

I was speechless. This was like something out of a movie.

"Dominic doesn't know what Allison does. She's helping me keep the heat off my back. Dominic's eyes are locked on me and you. He knows that I know something and now your dad has been wrapped up in this mix. We're around each other constantly, he knows something is up."

"So you asked Allison to be your girlfriend?" I asked.

He chuckled softly. "Actually, it was her idea. Just until Dominic's eyes are off of us."

I looked at him skeptical. "And you're sure she's not into you?"

He laughed. "No, her eyes are on River."

River?!

The hot bartender!?

The one from the club?

Wow. She has good taste.

"You might want to pick your jaw off the ground. I'll tell you about that love story another time." He said.

I snapped myself out my own thoughts. "Have you found anything? On your dad? On how Dominic knows my dad?"

He shook his head. "Everything is so tightly sealed. I haven't found out much. The only thing is that my dad has been a part of Dominic's 'business' since he was a teenager. But he knows I'm snooping around, so things are even tightly hidden."

I nodded. I feel horrible for acting the way I did. Jace is just trying to get answers while protecting me.

"When you disappear or get a call is that always Dominic?"

He nodded.

"What does he ask?"

I know I was pushing it.

Jace sighed and ran his hands down his face. "Leah, it's better for me not to tell you."

I nodded. I knew I wouldn't get that question answered.

"Just know, it's dangerous and no one should be involved if they don't have to."

"And Damian?" I asked. He was the one that we had met at the park near Jace's house.

He let a dry chuckle out. "He's Dominic's right hand man. Doesn't trust a soul. Definitely does not trust me."

Jace hopped off the large desk and leaned down on the one that was seated at. Meeting my eyes.

"Does that answer some questions?" He asked.

I nodded, but still felt an uneasiness for this whole situation.

I wish it was over. That we had all the answers.

"Can you still trust me?"

"Yes." I said without hesitation. "But can you please keep me in the loop?"

"Aw, but I love being mysterious." He teased lightning the dark mood.

"You mysterious?" I scoffed with a playful smile. "But thank you."

He nodded and reached over tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. His eyes locked onto mine, briefly glancing at my lips.

I could feel my heartbeat picking up from the closeness. His simple touch left heat behind.

He moved in slowly and my eyes fluttered closed with anticipation. I felt the slightest brush of his lips until the classroom door slammed open.

We pulled away abruptly, startled from the movement.

"Oh damn it! I'm sorry!" I looked over to entrance of the door to see Allison, the red head from yesterday. "I didn't mean to interrupt." She said with an apologetic smile.

"She knows." Jace told her with frustration laced in his voice.

"Oh." She said. "Yes! Do you know how hard it is to pretend to be his girlfriend? I'm Allison." She introduced.

Oh you have no idea. "Leah." I said with a smile.

"I know." She gave me a playful wink.

She knows?

"Allison, you're here because?" Jace said taking her attention back to the reason she was here.

"Oh yes!" I like her already. "We need to go. We have an opening to search. Dominic took all his people with him on a high priority meeting. I don't know how long we have."

She grabbed Jace's arm and dragged him out the classroom without another word.

"Leah! Let's grab a cup of coffee sometime. I would love to get to know the girl who captured this jerk's attention." She said from the door.

I laughed. "You got it."

"I'll see you later." Jace barley got out before being dragged away by Allison.

The only thing I could think in that moment was one thing.

Just be safe.

***