Jade's eyelashes gently swept as their gazes locked once again. The intensity that had shone in his eyes moments before had vanished. "Elle, you're my best friend's daughter, the one I vowed to keep safe from any threat. I can't act on these feelings now. Your father would never forgive me, nor could I live with myself," he explained, his voice tinged with regret. "But you still desire me," Elle countered. "Your desires don't change the fact, Elle. I'm not the kind of man you should have your heart set on. I'm flawed and I'd only bring pain," he warned, his conviction clear. "Why can't I decide for myself if I want you?" she pleaded. "Because your current emotions cloud your judgment. There can never be anything between us, not now and not in the future," he declared, his words firm. For Estelle Biggs, her entire world revolved around Jace Henshaw II, while he struggled to shield her from the dangers, both external and internal, including the possibility of hurting her himself.
