Glancing over at Ashlynn, Jase noticed her eyes were wide. She clearly understood what this meant.

“Who took the contract?” Ashlynn inquired, her tone smooth, even. As though she weren’t worried about the fact someone was now targeting her for death.

It was a damn good question, though. Jase wanted to know who’d be stupid enough to go up against the Adorites and expect to live through it.

“I’m lookin’ into it,” Leyton replied.

“Where’s Max?” Jase asked. “Why the fuck isn’t he here to deal with this?”

“He’s aware of the situation. As soon as I heard, I called him.”

“Please tell me he didn’t cancel his plans for this?” Ashlynn stated.

“Not yet. He’ll reach out to Moroso if I don’t hear back from him today. Once he hears something, he’ll let me know.”

“Good,” Ashlynn said, leaning back into the cushion. “This is bullshit and Moroso knows it. The man’s a fucking rat, just like Tony.”

Jase couldn’t hold it in any longer. “A hit, Ashlynn! He put a fucking hit out on you. Do you understand what that means?”

Ashlynn glared at him, and Jase realized how belligerent he sounded. He couldn’t help it. The mere thought of someone wanting to kill Ashlynn… It made him fucking crazy.

Son of a bitch. A fucking hit.

The only way to deal with an ordered hit was to counter it with one of their own.

Leyton’s expression changed, from nonchalant to serious. “We won’t let them get close to her.”

“And how the fuck do you plan to do that?” Jase barked. “Put up a sign that says no trespassing? Come on, Leyton. Don’t be fucking naïve.”

Ashlynn’s soft hand on his arm had Jase leaning back, taking a deep breath. He knew he was overstepping, confronting Leyton the way he was, but he couldn’t help it. He damn sure wasn’t going to sit back while they waited for someone to come after her.

“Max will deal with this,” Leyton assured them. “He wants us to call him in the morning. First thing.”

Jase nodded. He agreed that this had to be dealt with immediately. No waiting for surprises.

“I need to talk to Max,” Ashlynn said.

“He’s in a meeting. He told me not to let you out of my sight. Which is why I’m here.” Leyton didn’t look at all happy about that, and Jase understood why. Not because he didn’t want to protect her but because he feared he’d give in to her if given the chance.

The man was falling for Ashlynn, no matter what the fuck he said. This had to be eating at him, knowing that the woman they both wanted was now the mark of a fucking rival crime family.

“We need to put all security on her,” Jase insisted, getting to his feet and pacing the room.

“I’m gonna meet with Moroso as soon as I can. I’ve already reached out, told him if he made a move tonight, we would take down his entire family within minutes.”

“Great. That threat probably didn’t go over well.”

Leyton pinned Jase with a glare. “Marco’s got a sister, so he gets it.”

“What does he want out of this? What’ll it take to call off the hit?” If that was even an option.

“That, I don’t know,” Leyton admitted. “But trust me, I plan to find out.”

Jase couldn’t believe how calm Leyton was. Sure, the guy was a businessman, he knew how this worked, and Jase was nothing more than hired muscle, but he couldn’t stand the fact that neither of them seemed to be as worried as he was.

No one said anything for a good two minutes. Then Ashlynn got to her feet. “Thank you for stopping by. I appreciate it.”

“Ashlynn…” Leyton was on his feet, moving toward her.

From across the room, Jase stopped pacing and watched them. Yeah, if Leyton was trying to pretend he didn’t care about her, he’d just failed miserably.

“I’ll be fine,” Ashlynn told him, taking a step back. “I’ve got Jase. He’s all I need.”

Leyton looked as though he’d just had his heart ripped clean from his chest. Jase almost felt sorry for him, but then he remembered that Leyton had been watching them earlier. It only bothered Jase because Leyton continued to deny himself, although it was quite clear that he’d give his left nut to be with Ashlynn.

As for Ashlynn, Jase wasn’t sure why she was acting so cold toward Leyton all of a sudden. She’d obviously seen him watching them as well. Sure, knowing he was there had been hotter than hell, and likely had spurred them on, but knowing that Leyton wasn’t going to act on that desire only pissed Jase off. Perhaps she was growing tired of the game as well.

“You should go.”

“I’ll leave Sal here tonight,” Leyton said.

“No! What if that’s their plan? You need Sal and Rock. I’ve got Jase. And Teddy, Leo, and Derrick. Cowboy’s here tonight as well. We’ll talk to them. They’ll be vigilant. You don’t need to worry.”

Right. Like that was going to happen. Jase kept his thoughts to himself.

Leyton glanced over at him, and Jase nodded, agreeing with Ashlynn. Regardless, he would keep her safe. “I’ll walk you out.”

Leading the way, Jase headed out of the office.

“I parked in the garage,” Leyton informed him.

Without a word, Jase made his way through the house with Leyton close on his heels. After telling Derrick to round up Teddy and Leo and then wait for him in the kitchen, Jase walked Leyton out.

“Keep an eye on her at all times,” Leyton commanded.

Jase spun around to face him. “Like you did earlier? Did you enjoy that?”

Leyton frowned.

“Which did you enjoy more? The fantasy you overheard or watching Ashlynn come with my fingers buried in her pussy?” Jase stepped closer.

“Does she know?” Leyton asked, the uncertainty in his tone surprising Jase but not enough to diminish his anger.

“Of course she knows. We saw you.” Jase stabbed a finger into Leyton’s chest. “She doesn’t play games. You keep this up and you’ll only piss her off.”

“Keep what up?”

“Pretending you can’t have her but watching her every chance you get. You need to figure out what you want before it’s too late.”

“It’s already too late,” Leyton droned. “I told you, it doesn’t matter what I want.”

Jase nodded. He didn’t understand, but if Leyton was going to continue to spew the same bullshit, there wasn’t a damn thing he could say that would make a difference. “Fine. Believe what you want. But stay the fuck away from us.”

“I can’t do that,” Leyton hissed.

“The hell you can’t. I’m more than capable of taking care of her. And I’ve proven I don’t need your fucking help.”

When Leyton’s gaze dropped to Jase’s mouth, he fought the urge to kiss him. As much as he wanted Leyton, as much as he wished the guy would fucking give in to what he desired, he was growing tired of the games.

“I’ll bring her to your place in the morning,” Jase told him. “And we won’t leave until we figure this shit out. Even if it means I go talk to Moroso myself.”

With that, Jase turned on his heel and went back inside, slamming the door behind him.

Chapter Eighteen

According to Courtney, his view wasn’t always the best one. Who knew?

“Where are you?” Max asked the instant Leyton answered the phone.

He’d managed to get into the limo alongside his wife before he’d punched in Leyton’s number, and now, as they headed back to the hotel, he wanted an update on the news they’d received regarding Marco Moroso. Namely the hit the bastard had ordered on Max’s fucking sister.

“In your sister’s garage,” Leyton replied.

Garage? What the fuck? “Why the hell are you there?”

“She practically kicked me out. But I can’t bring myself to leave.”

“Good.”

“Good?”

Max heard the confusion in Leyton’s voice, and he weighed his words momentarily. He needed to be as clear as he could here. “I told you not to leave her alone for a minute.”

“She’s got Jase,” Leyton said a little too quickly.