Chapter 160: JACE

We had years ahead of us before dad stepped down. Years in which to get her ready for that future role. I didn't want to rob either of us of that time.

But if I don't do something, if I don't stand in front of her now, how will my enemies take me seriously? In a little less than a year I'm going to graduate and leave her behind.

That's something that's been plaguing me even before all of this started. My dream is that she'd be able to graduate early and join me but that's not guaranteed.

How can I even think of leaving her behind when others were trying to harm her? If I don't take care of this now, will someone else come out of the woodwork somewhere down the line and go after her again because they see me as a weakling who doesn't know how to protect his woman?

I sighed in frustration as I took her hand in mine. I shouldn't be having these thoughts, shouldn't have to deal with anything this heavy at my age. But it seems I have no control over it.

That other people are going