All I Ever Knew

Chapter 23 - Protection

"You need to tell her"

I woke up to hushed voices outside my door. I rolled over, to find the bed empty next to me. Did I dream last night? Was Jace actually even here? I groaned as I rubbed my eyes, trying to remember exactly what had happened yesterday.

"You know it's not that simple" I heard someone growl back.

"You're going to put her in danger" I furrowed my eyebrows. Was that Ronnie talking? And was that Jace with her?

"You think I don't know that? God, why do you think I've been trying to keep her away from me" Were they talking about me? I got up out of bed and walked towards the door, hoping to catch more of the conversation.

"Well you're not doing a very good job" Ronnie replied back, she seemed angry.

"What am I supposed to do? You bring her everywhere we go" I flinched, I thought we were getting along fine and now he's back to not wanting me around?

"Because she's my friend"

"She can't know" Jace growled. He sounded like he was about to punch something. I bet this is the thing that him and Damon are always sneaking around for. I was about to press my ear to the door to hear a little better when the handle moved. I jumped back just in time for Jace to come storming into room, shirtless. He looked so good standing there, his chest shaking with anger. I could see the ripples in his muscles as he breathed heavily and it made me want to go over and run my hands all over them. He did a double take when he saw me standing behind the door.

"What are you doing?" he said sharply, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Ermm, just going to the bathroom" I said, pointing to the door to the en suite next to me. He stared at me for a few seconds before barging past me. I watched as he picked up his shirt from the floor and threw it over his head. I didn't know what to say as he moved with such ferocity as if he couldn't wait to get out of here. He moved to storm back past me but I blocked his way.

"Where are you going?" I questioned, I couldn't believe he was leaving already. We didn't even get a chance to talk about last night. I know I should've been embarrassed with him standing there looking like a god whilst I probably looked horrendous having just woken up but I was too shocked at Jace's behaviour to focus on that right now.

"None of your business" he said, moving to step around me. I scoffed and put my hands on my hips, I was not going to back down.

"So we're back to this now then huh? You being an ass and pushing me away" I shouted, how dare he just leave like this after everything that happened last night. I had never let somebody sleep in the same bed as me before him, and now he's seen my nightmares and now wants to leave. I thought for a second that he might've actually cared about me. I looked up at him as the expression on his face changed. His eyes turned dark as a smirk appeared.

"Awww, you have one nightmare and think we're best friends now. I felt sorry for you in your pathetic state, don't mistake that for us being friends" he snapped, the evil in his voice was clear. I flinched backwards, tears threatening to escape my eyes.

"But... I thought..."

"Thought what?" I was cut off "That I wanted to be with you? That I cared about you?" he scoffed "you're just another girl in a long line of people who wish that they could have me, but don't worry your pretty little head about it sweetheart, because I don't and never will give a fuck about you" he gave me one last smirk before he pushed past me and stormed out of the room slamming the door on his way out.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I heard a screech from outside. Ronnie must've heard all of that.

"It's the only way" I heard him mumble before I heard another door slam as he left the flat. That was when I let the tears fall and I lent against the wall for support, my body shaking with sobs.