Before Tessa can respond, the bell above the door jingles, and in walks Jasper.The old man’s weathered face breaks into a scowl as soon as his eyes land on me.I’ve known Jasper long enough to recognize that look.He’s never been a fan of the MC, and for whatever reason, he’s always had a particular dislike for me.
His eyes narrow, and his posture stiffens as if he’s bracing for a confrontation.He doesn’t even acknowledge Tessa or Hannah.Instead, his gaze locks on me as he moves to the counter, his boots clunking against the floor with each step.
Leaning back in my chair, I don’t bother to hide the smirk creeping onto my lips.I’ve had worse stares from men twice his size.
“Blade,” Jasper grunts, his voice thick with disdain.“Always trouble wherever you go.”
Meeting his gaze, with my voice low and steady, I say, “Morning, Jasper.Still got that chip on your shoulder?”
Jasper snorts, the scowl deepening.“You think I’m blind to what’s going on around here?”He gestures vaguely to the room, though it’s unclear exactly what he’s referring to.“You’re not welcome, and you never will be.”
Hannah, completely unaware of the underlying tension, leans in with a bright smile.“I’m sorry, what’s going on here?You two know each other?”
I glance at her, then back at Jasper.“You could say that.We’ve crossed paths a few times.”My voice stays even, but there’s a slight edge to it now.
I’m not about to let Jasper drag me into some pissing contest in front of her.Jasper grunts again, clearly not interested in pleasantries.He doesn’t respond to Hannah, but instead, he turns his attention back to me, his jaw clenched tight.
“Just keep your distance, Blade.You won’t get far in this town.”
“What does that mean, exactly?”I ask, my tone neutral, though the warning in my voice is hard to miss.
“It means I know what you are,” Jasper sneers, his eyes flicking between Tessa and me.“And now, so does she.”
Tessa’s hand tightens around the counter, and she doesn’t look at me, but I can tell she’s pissed.“You should go,” she says, her voice steady but cold.
Hannah, who’s still completely unaware of the weight of the conversation, looks between the three of us.“What’s going on?”
“Nothing, babe,” I reply quickly, trying to smooth it over.“Jasper’s just a crazy old man who likes to play with fire.”
Jasper’s lips curl into a sneer, and his eyes land on me, then shift to Tessa.“And what about Tessa?Is she crazy too?”
Tessa clears her throat, a sharp edge to her voice as she speaks.“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jasper.”She turns slightly, her gaze locking with mine, a silent apology and plea in her eyes.“But I don’t need any disruptions to my day, so Blade, maybe you and Hannah should leave.”
I feel the heat rising in me, the instinct to protect Hannah roaring to the surface.But I bite it back, my jaw tightening.
“Like hell you don’t know about them!”Jasper shouts, his voice growing louder, attracting more attention from the other patrons.“I saw it in your eyes when you came back from being with the outlanders!”
Tessa slams her hand down on the counter with a force that makes the dishes rattle.Her eyes dart to me, pleading with a look I can’t ignore, before turning back to Jasper.“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jasper.You stop this crazy talk right now!”
The air between us crackles with tension.Tessa’s voice is firm.She’s made a promise to keep our secrets, even if it’s tearing her apart on the inside.And Jasper, damn him, is pushing every button he can find.
Standing, I hold out my hand to Hannah.“Come on, babe.We’ll have coffee at your place.”
Hannah slides off the stool and puts her hand in mine, but before we can move, Jasper steps directly in front of us, blocking our path.
“You’re not safe with him,” he spits, his eyes wide with frantic intensity.“He’s dangerous.”
His words cut through the air, and I can feel my pulse pick up, the protective instinct flaring inside me.“Step back,” I growl, my voice low and unwavering.
But Hannah’s other hand rests gently on my upper arm, a silent reassurance as she squeezes my hand.“It’s okay, Blade,” she says, then she turns to Jasper, her expression soft but firm.“Jasper, is it?”
He nods, his face twisted in anger, but there’s something else there too—fear.It’s as though he knows something he’s not saying.
“I know the MC can seem scary,” Hannah continues, her voice calm, trying to ease the tension in the air.“But they’re nice men.I’m safe with Blade.He’d never hurt me.”
Jasper laughs bitterly, and I see his eyes flick to Hannah’s face before he spits out another jab.“Safe, huh?You think you’re safe, even after what happened with thatotherboyfriend of yours?”His gaze flickers toward me, then back at her.“You know, the one who thought he could control everything.Funny how that works, isn’t it?”
The words hang in the air like a bomb dropped into the conversation.I can feel my muscles tense, a knot forming in my stomach.Something shifts in my mind as I look at Jasper, suspicion running deep.How the hell does he know about Hannah’s old boyfriend?
