CHAPTER 2

°Lilliana Rollins°

I walked into the tennis court, keeping my eyes on the field. The audiences were so focused on what was going on in the field and I was more than glad about that. I made my way over to the bleachers and settled down in one of the available spaces provided.

Glancing around, my eyes were quick to notice the blonde-haired man seated in an exclusive seat in the bleachers. The casual men seated around him didn't go unnoticed by me. To anyone else watching, they were all regular men but I knew for a fact that they were his guards.

They were all Jace's guards.

I traced his line of sight and they landed on a particular black-haired I was familiar with due to months of research. She was in the state now which was why she was here at the tennis courts to play tennis. I watched as she blew him a kiss before walking over to the court to play against her opponent. Her hips swayed as she walked in that overly short tennis skirt and I had to hold myself from rolling my eyes at her.

But I knew she wouldn't be staying for long. After the game, she was traveling again. It was just what I wanted. The perfect opportunity for me to shoot my shot. I crossed my legs over the other and looked away from her. My phone chimed and I took it out of my purse to see that Delaney had texted me to wish me luck.

I huffed, knowing she did that on purpose. She knew I didn't need luck. Where was Luck when I wanted it? If I didn't get it then, I wouldn't need it now either. I hissed before shooting her a befitting reply. The game dragged on and I was starting to get bored when it ended. I didn't even bother to check who won. But as soon as I saw the bitch hurry out with a good number of the guards behind her, I knew it was almost time to make my move.

I waited for Jace to get down and stroll casually toward the little bar he would take a drink from. His actions were so always predictable, I could roll my eyes at him. As soon as I knew he was settled in there, I grabbed my purse and made my way out of the court too. My sunglasses were still protecting my face from the sun, so I left it that way.

I stole a glance at my watch before strolling into the bar. Only Jace and about six of his men were settled in the bar, scattered in groups. They stopped discussing it when they saw me. One of the men tipped their head toward me as if to question what I was looking for but I didn't stop moving.

“You can't go further,” a man in a regular black suit stepped up in front of me, eyes glaring daggers at me. I was dressed simply and I probably looked too fragile for him which was why he stopped glaring. If only he knew I could kill him without breaking a sweat.

“Why?” I asked in my natural silvery accent I had mastered over the years. I glanced behind me at Jace who seemed to be on the phone. Aiden, who was the bar attendant, caught my eye and I sent him a bashful yet concealing smile.

“This is an exclusive bar, ” he crossed his hands over his chest while he looked down at me.

“Oh, I didn't know that.” I was playing with a strand of my hair when I caught Jace staring at me. “I just want to see him.” I pointed at Jace.

“You have no business with him. Step away, madam lest you want to be harassed.” Another of his men took the wheels, glaring heavily at me. My cheeks burned hot and I narrowed my eyes angrily.

“You won't dare, ” I growled in anger as I wagged a finger at him. “I said I want to see Jace, Jace Beecham.” I snapped, catching the attention of everyone in the room. It wasn't like they were not watching me in the first place.

“Step away, Jacobs. Let the lady come through.” Jace finally spoke. The one who had threatened me shot me a glare before stepping away from me as he bowed to his boss. The other one stepped away too but he didn't move away from that spot. He wanted to watch me.

I huffed and flipped my hair, making sure the tip slapped him in the face. Since my hair was lengthy, that wasn't a problem. I strolled over to Jace and I took a seat even without him asking me to. He raised a brow at my arrogance but I shrugged it off with a smile.

“Hello, Jace.” I waved, appearing shy. It was crazy how I did things like this but that was the fun part. Playing and acting was the fun part. Once I kill them, the game is over. I got to move to the next target.

“You know me?” It wasn't a question judging by the familiarity with which I spoke to him. He picked up his glass, Ice cubes dancing around in it as he watched me. I stared at him, watching the crease between his forehead and the very dark orbs. He had deep blonde hair which Olive had earned.

“Who doesn't?” I made a face as I placed my chin on my palm while I watched him. He seemed impressed as he took a sip from his glass. “My name is Lilliana. Lilliana Rollins and I met at a bar this way, five years ago.” I tried to juggle up his memory while he watched me.

His face was blank so I couldn't read or tell what was going on in his mind as he watched me.

“You were grieving. I think you mentioned that you just lost your wife to the bitter and cold hands of death, ” I tried to sound sympathetic while I played with my nails. I knew that would hit the spot and he did because he sat up and leaned back in his chair to watch me.

“Okay, Lilliana. What do you want?” He didn't seem impressed as he watched me. He must have probably had women reach out to him after their one-night stands.

“I came to show you something or…Someone that belongs to us both.” I caught myself midway with a smile while I watched him. Whoever said Jace had aged four years ago? If anything, he looked more attractive. No wonder women swarmed around him like bees to honeypots.

“What are you talking about?” his forehead creased again as he watched me. He put down the glass, deciding this was serious.

“My…Oops!” I caught myself again with a giggle. “Our daughter. I think it's high time you met her. She wouldn't let me be.” I smiled as I fished out my phone from my bag. I could see the bodyguards glancing around furtively while the Jacobs guy seethed angrily.

Once I got my phone out, I went straight to my photos and clicked on a picture of Olive. I tapped on the screen before sliding it over to him. He still hadn't stopped watching me.

“Her name is Olive. I gave her your family's name. So, she is Olive Beecham. She is four, almost five.” He picked up my phone screen, averting his gaze from me this time.

For a whole minute, the room was quiet. Jace didn't stop peering at my phone in disbelief. He probably thought I was lying but even the blind could see the resemblance between him and Olive. It was as clear as day. While Olive had sandy almost light blonde hair, Jace had deep blonde hair. It was not enough color to make it golden in color. He had sharp black doe eyes and so did she. Asides from all that, her face was a feminine spitting image of his.

There was no denying this.

He made a sound as he finally slid my phone back to me. I could see the emotions dancing around in circles before his eyes. I took a deep breath.

“She wants to meet you,” I whispered because it was the truth. It was hard that she didn't have him beside her now.

“Why did you keep this away from me? Why are you just telling me now?” He whispered furiously and I saw the flash in his eyes.

“I didn't want you calling me a slut or anything of the sort. I would hate to be termed a gold digger! It was a one-night thing, how was I supposed to come back to you with the news of being pregnant?” I cried, snapping at him. He seemed taken aback by my words which I knew must touch him because it was the truth.

I didn't even know who he was when the whole thing happened. It wasn't until months ago that I realized he was the same man who had spilled blood on his hands by killing my parents.

“And now?” he was breathing heavily, loudly as he watched me.

I looked him in the eyes as I flipped the tip of my hair over my shoulders. I needed him to see the truth in this. I desperately needed this to work out. Being honest was the only way to achieve this. So, I was honest. “Now, she wants to meet her father.”