The Secret Angel Book 3
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Melanie Gomez
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Jace's senior year takes an unexpected turn when he meets Cami, a new girl with a troubled past. As he helps her navigate the dangers of her abusive home life, they uncover deep family secrets and form an unbreakable bond. Meanwhile, Jace's family and friends rally to protect their loved ones, facing threats and uncovering hidden truths. This gripping tale of love, resilience, and justice will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Chapter 1
JACE
At last, my senior year is here. Iāve been juggling school and working alongside Nate whenever heās at the estate. Heās even given me an office right next to his, which is pretty cool. I assist with mundane tasks like filling out paperwork and hiring new guards. Itās not the most exciting work, but itās all part of the business. I need to understand every aspect so I can step in wherever Iām needed.
School is fun, but the girls can be a bit much. They seem to try too hard for attention. If I flash a friendly smile, suddenly they think weāre engaged or something. So, Iāve stopped talking or even looking at anyone. Iām just so done with the drama. Iām relieved that this is my last year. Sure, there are some cute girls, but none that really catch my eye.
Nate and Dad tell me that Iāll know my goddess when I see her. They say Iāll feel a tightening in my chest, butterflies in my stomach, and an overwhelming urge to protect her from everything. It sounds like Iāll want to wrap her in bubble wrap.
I often wonder what sheāll look like and where Iāll meet her. But more than that, I wonder if sheāll want to be saved. What if she doesnāt? What if she never reaches out?
I ponder these thoughts as I shut off my alarm and quickly get ready for the day. I make a point to be ready before Uncle Frankie, having seen how long Nate and Jocelyn take to get ready. I figure Iāll give him a break. I grab a muffin on my way out, navigating through the morning chaos of everyone else getting ready.
āHey Jace, Nate left some paperwork for you on your desk. You can deal with it when you get home.ā
āAll right, thanks, Jocelyn.ā
I watch as Nate and Jessie start hounding Jocelyn and Mandy to hurry up. I canāt help but chuckle to myself as I stand off to the side. I watch Mandy say goodbye to Mason and their daughter, Missy. My parents, preferring to stay home with the grandkids, have decided itās easier to work from home. Although, I swear we come home to more work on our desks than when we left.
After a few minutes, Frankie rushes in, sees me ready to go, and grins. We head out, load up, and make our way to school. The ride is usually quiet until the school comes into view and we see everyone gathered out front. As we pull into the driveway and wait to unload, all conversations cease and everyone stares. Itās nothing new, but it can be annoying. Our family has quite the reputation, from elementary school right up to high school.
Iām familiar with almost every girl here, so I notice new faces right away. I make my way to my locker and unload my books. When I close my locker, I see a group of girls hanging around. Looks like theyāve figured out where my locker is this year. Iām sure thereāll be twice as many tomorrow.
Iām about to walk away when I nearly bump into Tamara. This girl really grates on my nerves. Sheās too aggressive. Sheās the most popular girl in school, a cheerleader, track star, softball player, you name it. Sheās also slept with the entire football team, yet she still thinks I should be interested.
āJace, darling, why donāt we start this year on a positive note? How about you take me out to dinner?ā
āI think Iāll pass.ā
āWhy?ā
āBecause Iām not interested. Not even a little bit.ā
āSo youāll think about it?ā
āNo.ā
Tamara inches closer, her hand tracing a path down my arm. I instinctively recoil, my gaze dropping to her.
āYouāre saying no now, but just you wait. Soon, youāll be saying yes to everything I have to offer.ā
āDoubtful.ā
Her response is a smile, a wink, and a casual saunter away. God, sheās delusional. Who would want something thatās been passed around town like a hot potato? I shake my head, heading to my first class, hoping to make it through the day without another encounter.
My morning classes pass without incident. Tamara tries to join me at lunch, but Iām up and out before she can settle in. Thankfully, Iād finished eating, so I didnāt miss much. After my afternoon classes, I make a beeline for the car. Rounding the corner, I spot Tamara, twirling her hair and chatting with Uncle Frankie and Tank. I give them a nod, and we pile into the car, waiting for them to join us.
āWho was that girl, Jace?ā
āThe schoolās resident easy girl, Uncle Frankie.ā
Tank chokes on his drink, spraying it all over the car. Frankieās reprimand about cleaning up the mess has me laughing. Itās the truth, after all. No one in their right mind would want that. Iām holding out for my goddess. The one who needs me as much as I need her.
We arrive home in no time. I head straight to my office, tackling homework before diving into work. Iām gathering paperwork for my parents when my dad walks in. Perfect timing. I hand him the documents, instructing him to pass them to Mom so I can focus on work.
āDid you find her at school?ā
āNo, Dad, not yet. I donāt think sheās there. But I know sheās out there somewhere. I have this feeling that Iāll find her soon. Itās hard to explain, like somethingās stirring inside me, but life hasnāt shifted yet. Does that make sense?ā
āIt does! You have that gut feeling that youāll find her and things start changing mentally to prepare.ā
āExactly! Itās like Iām trying to focus, but my brain has other plans.ā
He chuckles as he leaves my office, and Iām relieved Iām not losing it. I do my best with the paperwork, filing and filling out forms. The last thing I see are employment requests from familiar names at school. Why didnāt they approach me directly? Iāll leave a note for Nate. Maybe I can sit in on the interviews.
I finish up the paperwork, leaving it on Nateās desk as I head upstairs for the night. I grab dinner before retreating to my bedroom. My room is a sanctuary, with cream walls, tan rugs, and a light wood king-size bed with pale blue sheets.
Iāve always loved the beach, so I went with a beach theme. Thereās a fireplace, wooden furniture, a āmini barā stocked with sodas and water, a massive walk-in closet, and an adjoining bathroom.
The room soothes me. I even have a machine that mimics beach sounds. I hope my goddess will love it as much as I do. I finish my dinner and head for the shower. Iāve been having this recurring dream of a broken girl. I can see her, yet I canāt. Thinking about her stirs something in me, so I turn the shower to cold to calm myself.
After drying off, I pull on some boxers and crawl into bed. As I drift off, my thoughts return to her. This time, I can see her. I canāt make out her face, but I know itās her. Sheās in bad shape, and I know I have my work cut out for me.
