Chapter Twelve

Nico

N ico’s frustration with Jace had reached its peak, and now this. He couldn’t leave him helpless. His church family was far worse than his own mobster family. At least they put a hit on you for a reason. What had Jace done? He wanted to hug him and tell him he’d take care of him if he would allow it, but Jace’s response to cleaning up for their relationship said it all. He didn’t value Nico enough to make the change.

“Mark, where’s the next hotel?” Nico asked.

“Ten miles from here. Want to make reservations?”

“Two rooms. You and Sammie and Jace and I. Make sure we have two beds,” Nico said.

As soon as they reached the hotel, they checked in, and Jace followed him to the room like a zombie. He told everyone to meet at the diner for breakfast at nine.

The room was spacious and modern, with a large window offering a view of the open hills. The walls were painted in a calming shade of blue, and there was a king-sized bed with crisp white linens and a plush headboard. Unfortunately, they were out of rooms with two beds.

A sleek wooden desk sat against one wall, where Jace placed his guitar. Nearby, a small table held a vase of fresh flowers, a thoughtful gesture from the hotel staff.

In one corner, a mini-bar was stocked with various drinks, which would be a tempting sight for Jace, who was struggling with his vices. Within minutes, Jace pulled out two beers and handed one to Nico.

Despite the room’s comfort and elegance, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Nico sat on the edge of the hotel bed, watching Jace pace back and forth. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the streetlamp outside the window. Jace’s shoulders were slumped, his face a mix of anger and hurt. Nico knew this was about more than just the eggs; it was about everything Jace had been through with his family and the church.

“Jace, sit down for a minute,” Nico said softly, patting the spot next to him. Jace hesitated, but eventually sat down, his head in his hands.

“I can’t do this anymore, Nico,” Jace muttered. “I can’t keep facing this kind of hatred. I just want to quit.”

Nico took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “I know it’s been tough, Jace. What they did was horrible, and you didn’t deserve any of it. But quitting now…it won’t make the pain go away. It’ll just let them win.”

Jace looked up, his eyes filled with tears. “I don’t care about winning or losing. I just can’t handle it. I feel like I’m falling apart.”

Nico reached out, placing a hand on Jace’s shoulder. “You are one of the strongest people I know. You’ve faced so much already, and you’re still here. The band needs you, Jace. I need you. You’re the heart and soul of the Sacred Fire. ”

Jace shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t feel strong. I feel broken.”

Nico squeezed his shoulder gently. “It’s okay to feel that way. But remember, you’re not alone. We’re a team, a family. We support each other. And right now, we need you more than ever. Black Rock City is a big gig for us. We can’t do it without you.”

Jace sighed, wiping his eyes. “What if I mess up? What if I can’t handle it?”

Nico smiled, a reassuring warmth in his eyes. “Then we’ll handle it together. No matter what happens, we’ll face it as a band. And I’ll be right there with you, every step of the way.”

There was a long silence as Jace absorbed Nico’s words. Finally, he nodded, a small spark of determination returning to his eyes. “Okay. I’ll do it. For the band. For you.”

Nico pulled him into a hug, relief washing over him. “Thank you, Jace. We’re going to get through this. Together.”

As they sat there, holding onto each other, Nico felt a renewed sense of hope. They had faced challenges before, and they would face many more. But as long as they had each other, they could overcome anything.

“Nico, there’s something I want to say, but I want you to listen until I’m done. Can you do that for me?” Jace wiped his tears with the back of his hands.

“I’m listening.”

“You took me all wrong at the café. What I wanted to say was I wanted you from the day you helped me in the streets. My love for you never died out. But you asked me to change for you. I know you think I don’t value you, value us, enough to change. I do. I really do. I said I can’t change because I’m afraid of failing you, the band, and myself.”

“Do you want a relationship with me? ”

“Yes, but not with your conditions.”

“Get your clothes off and we’ll talk in bed. You’re tired and I’m wiped out.”

“Are you tabling our conversation?”

“No, Jace. I just need to lie down with you in my arms.”

Jace removed his clothes, then slipped into bed.

“Move over. I need to be the closest to the door.”

“Are you going to be my bodyguard?”

“I’d like to be more than your bodyguard.” Nico silently slipped into bed beside him, feeling the warmth of Jace’s body.

“I feel nice and safe in your arms,” Jace said.

“I just want to love you and help you heal. You’ve been hurt deeply today and I’m furious with your father and those people throwing eggs at us.”

“They threw them at you guys because of me, and that makes me feel like shit.”

“Where’s your phone?” Nico asked.

“Next to me charging.”

“Give it to me.”

Jace twisted, reached for his phone on the bedside table, and held it. “Why do you want my phone?”

“I want to delete your asshole father’s number. You are to have no contact with him for your emotional health.”

Jace handed the phone to Nico. “It’s under Abraham Adams.”

“I know that.” Nico blocked the contact, then deleted it. “Do you promise never to call him?”

“Don’t worry. That won’t happen. I’ve learned my lesson.” Jace’s voice broke, and he covered his face .

“Jace, you don’t have to hide from me. If you want your father gone permanently, just say the word.”

Jace removed his hands from his face, wiped his tears, and faced Nico. “And what does that mean?”

“It means whatever you want it to mean. I’ll get the job done.”

“No. He won’t bother me anymore because he won’t have access to me, and I have you to protect me.”

“You’re damn right. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“We didn’t finish talking about what I said before we went to bed.”

“I heard what you said. I have a few questions I need to ask you before I trust that cute ass with my dick.”

“Damn! What a fucking way to put it!”

“My first question is about you partying.” Nico sat up in bed. “What that means, no one fucks you and you don’t fuck anyone either. Tell me why you can’t do this? Do you want others to fuck you?”

“No. I want you to top me. Just you.”

“And what about you fucking other people?”

“No. I don’t want it. I want you to do that to me.”

“Okay, that’s a good start.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means we still have more to talk about. Do you trust me?”

“Of course I trust you. I love you, Nico. But I’m not perfect. Yes, I like to party, but not fucking other people.”

“I have another question about that girl who kissed you.”

“Laura?” Jace smiled.

“Yes. You spent the day with her. She streaked your hair and kissed you. What’s going on with Laura and you?”

“Have you ever heard me talk about her?”

“No. But I saw what I saw. ”

“Laura and I go way back. She used to be my girlfriend in high school. I didn’t dare date a guy. Then I left home, and I didn’t contact her at all. We met at the café.”

“What part are you leaving out?” Nico asked.

“No part. She did my hair, and we talked all day. She knows I’m gay.”

“You could be bi.”

“No. Trust me, I’m not. And no, I didn’t fuck her. We’re just friends. Let me ask you a question.”

“Ask.”

“Why did you tell Mark to order two beds for us?”

“So you were listening. I wanted you to have a choice. I didn’t want you forced to sleep in the same bed unless you wanted to.”

“Good answer.”

“Now, back to my questions. Why can’t you stop smoking? It stinks and it will ruin your voice, among other things.”

“You should be more observant.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I haven’t smoked in a month. The doctor told me to stop.”

“When did you go to the doctor?”

“I go every six weeks to make sure I’m clean.”

“I suppose that’s a good thing.”

“What else do you want to know?”

“Drink in moderation. No more blackout drinking.”

“I don’t know if that’s possible, but would you accept a try hard on that one?”

“Would you accept me telling you that you’ve had enough?”

“I don’t know. I can offer this, though. I’ll limit my drinking to three drinks. If I go for the fourth, you can remind me.”

“That’s a good compromise.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against Jace’s, savoring the softness and warmth. “You’re all I want,” he confessed with longing in his eyes.