Ace (Syns of Desert Angels MC Book 1)

by L. M. Reign

“What are you thinkin’?” I caress her hair, moving the silky strands away from her face. “Tell me what’s goin’ on in that beautiful mind?”

  “This can’t be real,” she breathes.

  And I know what she’s saying without saying it. No matter how long you live, you’re never finished. Grabbing her hand, I brush a kiss across her knuckles and lay it over my heart.

  “It’s very real.”

  “Cole -” she starts to say, but I don’t give her time to finish. Pulling her closer, I kiss her hard. I promised myself that if we got to this point, I’d take things slow to show her that I can treat her right. To make up for all my bullshit. Now, I just need to feel her, to get a brief taste of her before shit goes down.

  Her mouth is hot and sweet, and she matches me with equal fervor. I grind against her just so she can feel what she does to me, even though all I care about in this moment is the fleeting taste of her lips.

  “Be careful, you hear me?” I grip her neck and bring our eyes level with each other. “You be safe and come home to me.”

  She gives me a soft smile, touching her lips. “You too.”

  It took everything I had in me to get dressed and walk away. To not whisk my badass girl to safety. Instead, I have a better plan. One where we can finally be together.

  _____________________

  Mila

  Once Cole leaves, I hurry to make my way to the estate for the meeting. Settling against the seat, I press the gas, letting the car do what it does best - fly. My wheels move almost with grace as I round the sharp corner.

  The cover of falling darkness hovers all around, and I squeeze the wheel tight as I focus on the road, trying to keep Cole far from my mind. Thinking of him was more than I could handle right now.

  Rolling up to the entrance, I tap numbers in the keypad, and waited for the wrought iron gates to part. I pulled underground and parked in the vacant spot beside my Jeep. I missed her and will be glad to get back to driving her when this is over.

  Walking into the delicious smell of garlic and steaming beef, I inhale a deep breath at the traditional stew. Heading to the kitchen, Maryse is stirring a giant pot, adding seasonings in slowly. I give her my love and linger a little bit longer.

  We would be meeting in the grand hall; as always. Our big meetings usually took place in the War Room, but for this scale - we need more manpower.

  “Where did you disappear to? I came looking for you after the guys left.” Ness links her arm through mine, pulling me down the hall.

  “I was busy.” I start scanning the large crowd, noting the other teams that have been summoned. I lay eyes on Dash and Milo and find them talking with Raife and Liza, our secondary enforcers should we fall.

  “Busy taking the D?” She laughs. I smirk, and she just shakes her head at me. “You naughty minx. Seems like they called in pretty much every top tier team. Think we’ll be owners of new territory when this is over?”

  I debate her assessment, unsure of how to respond. If she’s right, we are entering our best people into a war of surmountable proportions.

  “Mila,” dad’s voice got my attention. I turn and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Are you ready for this?”

  “Absolutely,” I confirm. “Anything for family.” The sudden urge to verbalize my love for him gripped me. Giving his arm a light squeeze, I tell him. “Love you, dad.”

  “Love you, too, my chil-”

  “Your favorite child,” I interrupt him.

  He winks giving me a quick peck on the forehead. Moving to the closest table, he picks up a water glass, and taps a fork against it. Clearing his throat, he tells us. “Find a seat. We’re going to get started.”

  I head to our table, taking a seat beside my brother next to my father. Lachlan is flanked by Ness and Reynard is at the center of us all. Standing, he begins to address the crowd.

  “I know you smell that delicious stew,” he calls out, receiving a cheer for mentioning. “As you know, one of our teams has been undercover with a local affiliate in hopes to gain knowledge of our known enemies.

  I’m happy to report that the yields of this operation have come to fruition, providing evidence that they have been guarding someone we’ve been searching for, for far too long.” The room erupts into another cheer only to be settled by a raised hand.

  “Alas, with the good comes the bad. Unfortunately, it has been discovered that our enemy has an informant within our local affiliate. Sadly, our team has been made. I hope everyone is fluent in Italian because Don Domenico has declared war on us.” The deadly silence in the room is stifling.

  “Before they can threaten our empire, we are going to dismantle theirs. They assume we are weak while we are in waiting. We are patient, we will endure, and we waited for them to display their strength. It was in this display that they have revealed their weakness; revealed their underbelly.

  When we strike, I want evisceration. I want them on their knees. We will show them how fierce we are, and we will claim everything they own.

  Tonight, we will remove a crown from their empire and rightfully add it to ours.” Raucous clapping and cheers replaced the silence, me included, because this is what we live for. We protect the things we love.

  “Now,” he gestures for the room to quiet. “As tradition dictates, we will share a meal together. As for some, it may be the last. I ask of each of you to enjoy this time with your brothers and sisters, as a time for death is near.

  When you’ve finished, each team will be briefed on their role. Make no mistake, comrades. We will eliminate this threat to our empire and deliver justice. By any means necessary.”

  _____________________

  “We’re attacking everything the Domenico’s have tonight. Their narcotics ring at the docks, their Madame and prostitution ring, their transportation capo - everything.

  Other teams have been assigned to focus on all the capos, working up to the underboss, and consigliere. Your team is tasked with delivering our target and the capo famiglia.” Reynard’s eyes flame with a fury and menace that I haven’t seen since mama died.

  I straightened my back, reminded of who he’s addressing. No longer am I his granddaughter, but his soldier. His enforcer.

  “Yes, sir. We’ll deliver them both.”

  “We have a plan for extraction,” Ness explains. “We’ve been watching the warehouse and receive alerts every second something happens.

  So far, no sign of movement on the target. The bugs have picked up some chatter about the boss’ visit and moving the target soon.

  Once we launch, they’ll attempt to move him quickly. That’s when we plan to strike. If Mr. Domenico isn’t present during this extraction, I have a plan to get us to his estate as quickly as possible. We will get him,” she says with determination.

  “Good. Get in, get them, and get out. We don’t need involvement in another Spark’s Steakhouse incident,” Lachlan states, remembering the time John Gotti used the location to make a public spectacle of his move on the Gambino Crime Family. “Are we clear?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You’re dismissed,” Reynard flicks his wrist. “D'fhéadfadh Dia do anam a chosaint.” May God protect your soul.

  We take our leave, heading to the armory to stock up on weaponry. Impulsively, I find myself smiling, my cells ignited. Driven not only by my desire to fight, to maim, to kill, but by mama from her grave - screaming for vengeance.

  We were trained to always play by the rules - an eye for an eye. Until the other struck first, we wouldn’t retaliate. Too bad that rule was broken when they shot at my brother.

  Chapter 21

  Cole

  Slamming the door, I take the stairs two at a time, stepping into my bedroom. Asher’s shit is littered across the floor.

  What the fuck?

  I hear singing from the bathroom and step over her collection of panties on the way over.

  “What the fuck is this?” I push the door open to her taking a bath - with bubbles.
>
  Thoughts of taking a bubble bath with Mila assault my mind, but I shove those away, willing my cock not to get hard.

  Down boy. Not the time.

  “Oh! You’re back early,” she says in a low, seductive voice over her shoulder, her naked back to me. “I wasn’t expectin’ you to -”

  “Get your ass outta my tub. Now,” I attempt to take the hardness out of my voice. I need her compliant for what I plan to do next.

  “Of course,” she stands, unabashedly naked, stepping out. She’s dripping wet and makes no move to wrap herself in a towel.

  Gone is the weak girl that stumbled into my arms from that truck, and in her place is the club whore.

  “C’mere,” I give her my signature smirk, gesturing her over with a crook of a finger. “Turn around.”

  She moves in front of me, turning her back to my chest, rubbing her ass over my groin with a roll of her hips. I press a hand to her stomach and hold her against me, letting her movements disarm some of the tension building between us. A few weeks ago, this would ignite my skin on fire. Now, I feel dirty from touching her.

  Gripping her left arm, I wench it between us against her back, forcing her to lean on the counter in front of us. Asher lets out a low moan when I cup her pussy.

  “You like that, don’t you? You filthy slut,” I whisper in her ear, watching her eyes dilate in the mirror.

  “More,” she whispers. I remove my hand from her pussy, tangling my fingers in her wet strands. I pull her head back, exposing her stringy neck - itching to wrap my hands around it.

  “With pleasure,” I growl, bringing her head down against the counter.

  The sickening crunch of bone followed by a long painful wail speaks to the beast inside me.

  Pulling her up, I watch the crimson flow freely from her nose as she gasps for air, struggling against my hold. “W-what are you doin’!?”

  “You’re goin’ to tell me who put you up to this. And you’re goin’ to tell me now,” I repeat the same movement before, enjoying the feel of smashing her face against the marble. The pretty gash on her forehead begins oozing red.

  “Stop. Stop! What do you mean?” Her free arm was flailing wildly behind her, slapping my back in a halfhearted attempt to get me to stop.

  “Who told you to go to the dagos?”

  One more smash against the counter and she stopped playing coy and began spilling all her secrets.

  When she finished, I lean back against the wall like someone struck me across the face. A rush of breath left me, and I pressed my hand to my forehead. In all the years of knowing him, I never would’ve thought that he would be the one to betray us.

  “You’re sure? There’s no confusion?”

  “I-it was him,” she whimpers. “I have text messages and recordin’s.”

  “Give me those.” I let out a vicious snarl. “Now!” I bark. Her movements are shaky, jerking when she hands over her phone.

  “Clean this up, pack your goddamn shit, and get the fuck out of my town. I don’t want to see a fuckin’ trace of you when I get back.”

  Turning my back on her, I pull out my cell and call the only brother I trust - explaining everything.

  “Meet me at his place.” I drop the call and leave that fucking wreck in my bathroom.

  _____________________

  “You brought Rook?”

  “He was goin’ to follow if I didn’t, so I fuckin’ brought him,” Brass pops Rook in the chest.

  “Rig and Diesel?”

  “Rig’s with Gibbs. D’s recoverin’ with Casey,” Rook smirks.

  We know all about recovering with Casey. Diesel is going to be drowning in pussy for days.

  “We need to make this quick. Rook, keep your damn mouth shut.”

  “Got it, boss.”

  “Stop callin’ me that,” I snap, taking the steps quietly.

  We walk down the hall to his apartment and pause outside his door. Leaning against it, I listen to what sounds like him... speaking Italian.

  Fuckin’ bastard.

  “Pussy’s got no concern over getting caught, does he?” Brass glances over at me.

  I step back from the door and give it one swift kick. Brass and Rook rush in with their weapons drawn, and I follow them into the living room.

  “Get. Up. Now.” Rook stomps across the room, grabbing a handful of his long hair, yanking him up from the couch where he was frozen.

  I move to the side and lean against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest as I watch him lead this thing.

  “Wha-what is this?” Dice stuttered before taking a swing. Rook surprised me, head butting him, putting his ass back on the couch. He presses his foot against his groin, applying pressure. Dice’s eyes widened, and he made some intelligible whining noise.

  “What the fuck are you doin’ working with the dagos?” Rook bent down, bringing himself to eye level.

  “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about. Shit.” He started to scoot back, but Rook leaned his foot in further until he cried out. “Alright. Stop! STOP!”

  Little bitch.

  “Get up. Now,” Rook seethed, moving back to give him a second to sit up before deciding he was moving too slow. Grabbing his shirt, he hauled him to his feet; his strength surprising me a little.

  Brass glances over at me, giving me a confused look. “Did you know his balls were this big?”

  “No, but I’m impressed,” I murmur and turn my attention back to them.

  “What you rat us out for? You workin’ for someone else?” Rook tightened his grip on him as he started to choke.

  “Hey, man,” I didn’t want to interrupt, but Dice was starting to turn a little too red and we needed him alive.

  Rook glanced over his shoulder and pinned with me a shut the fuck up look before turning back to Dice.

  “What? No. I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. Ace,” he cuts his eyes at me - pleading - deflating when he realizes I won’t help him. Not this time. “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt the club. You’re my family. Rook, come on. Shit.”

  “It’s over,” I called out, shaking my head. “You picked the wrong whore to be your workhorse. We got texts and the recordin’s. A little insurance.”

  Brass moves to stand beside Rook, tapping his arm. “Let him go.”

  “No,” he barked, tightening his grip again, making Dice gasp for breath. “Start talkin’, you son of a bitch! You betrayed us. You got brothers shot. What do you think you’re doin’?”

  “Rook,” Brass grips his hand, and I move to the other side of him.

  “Let him breathe so he can talk to us. Let’s just take him back to the -”

  “No. Punk ass is a rat.” He releases Dice, moving faster than I anticipated, bringing his head down to meet his knee.

  Dice fell back with a curdling scream, his nose busted. Blood gushing down his face and over the front of his shirt. “Fuck! My nose! Fuck’s the matter with you? I thought we were family!”

  “We aren’t,” Rook spits at him, cocking his gun and leveling it against his temple. “Family doesn’t do what you did. Brothers don’t betray each other.”

  Dice sniffles, wiping at his eyes, only succeeding in smearing the blood around his pale face. “Alright. I-I’ll talk. J-just... don’t tell my dad about this. Please?” He looked at me again with pleading eyes.

  “The Syndicate will decide,” I declare.

  “They will?” Brass looks at me incredulously.

  I know it seems like I’ve lost my damn mind, but I don’t trust the club to mete out justice right now. Not until we know everything.

  Dice is too pliant to have done this shit on his own. I stared at him for a minute before nodding to Rook, who hovered over him anxiously. Almost as if he were happy to receive the signal, he lifted the butt of his gun and delivered a heavy blow against his head.

  My phone starts to ring and I ignore it, knowing its Bodi. Either to ream me out about the shipment or wondering where I am. Part of me was sad, wat
ching Dice. It was almost like I had the older brother syndrome that kicked in, wanting to fix this like I would for any of my brothers, but I couldn’t.

  The little shit was a fucking rat, and I know turning him over to Syn might be the last time we see him alive. Dimebag is going to be devastated.

  Using the cover of night, we heft his body in the truck Brass drove here and agree to meet at the Rogers’ estate.

  “Follow me.”

  “I’m goin’ to bow out of this one,” Rook says gruffly. “Catch you later.”

  “Rook,” I call after him.

  “Won’t say a word.” The menace in his voice halts any further attempts. He tosses his hood up and takes off down the street.

  Brass and I lean against the truck, watching him until he’s no longer in sight.

  Brass shakes his head, pointing after him. “Did you know that motherfucker was secretly Luke Cage?”

  “No fuckin’ clue, man. I’m just glad it wasn’t me he was after.”

  “Shit, me too.”

  “Should we be worried?”

  “About Rook? Honestly,” he scrubs his hands over his face. “I’m not sure. He’s been in a fuckin’ mood lately; disappearin’ and reappearin’ whenever he wants.”

  “Fuck,” I pull out a cigarette and light it. Unable to go after him right now, I make a mental note to check on him later.

  “You’re really handin’ over our brother to Syn?”

  “We better go.” I avoid his question, feeling the daggers penetrating my skin.

  “Yeah, man,” he finally conceded.

  Taking one final drag, I hop on my bike and roar the beauty to life. She purrs like she’s knows we’re going home and treats the road well on the way.

  _____________________

  Mila

  “Miss. Rogers,” Nate, our security guard’s voice crackles in my ear.

  He’s our resident tech geek, always overriding team signals when he has more pressing concerns. I press the button on my ear monitor, answering his call while folding down the flaps of my combat boots.