by Lacey Silks
Used to be.
“Zoey, who are you seeing?” She lowered her hands to her hips. She reminded me of Mom at that moment, though she would kill me if she knew I compared her to the cougar.
“And why exactly do you keep referring to him as the guy? What’s his name?”
“By the way, I asked him to bring a friend for you,” I said, trying to sway her attention from me and on to her soon-to-be date.
“You did what?” She tugged on my hand, but I kept squeezing through the sea of bodies. “Zoey, you shouldn’t have. I’m seeing someone.”
Well, that was new. I wondered if Scar would be jealous. Tonight could go really well or really badly. I felt excitement brew inside my chest. It had been a long time since I’d had something to look forward to, other than a monotonous life of tending to loyal cheaters.
“What? Since when? You don’t date.” I waved my hand, trying to ease my sister’s worries. The last thing I needed was for her to run away before the evening even started. “I didn’t want you to feel like a third wheel, and I thought you’d love it if we set you up. Especially with this guy.”
“Zoey, I don’t think this is a good idea.” She stopped me for the third time.
“Ouch! You’re gonna rip my fingers off. You have to trust me for once, Jules.” I looked over people’s heads toward the bar, pointing to Ace. “There he is.”
He was standing with his back to us, his wide shoulders stretching a long-sleeved shirt as if he was trying to test the fabric’s limits. The tight waist and well-defined ass made my mouth water. Realizing that this handsome man had me in his bed, my chest swelled with pride. He was being eye-fucked by a few women on the other side of the bar, and I had the urge to claw their eyes out.
“He’s alone.” Julia exhaled in relief as I scanned the room for Scar. He had to be here somewhere. It might have been six years since I’d seen him, but I was sure the trademark gorgeous looks that ran in the Wagner family had only made Ace’s brother sexier than before, just like they had done to Ace.
“No, I’m sure your date is here somewhere.”
“Please don’t call it that. I swear I’m gonna try to get out of this faster than you can blink.”
“I can guarantee you won’t leave once you see him.” I wiggled my brows. If she only knew!
“You’re scheming.”
Oh, oh. Scar, where are you? Take my sister’s wicked attention off me!
“I am.”
“And you know I can get back at you.”
“I know, but you won’t.”
“All right.” She steadied her stance. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Hi, Ace.” I stepped up on my toes and gave him a kiss with a little tongue; basically, enough to ward off the bitches on the other side of the bar, then turned around to face the fuming dragon who’d taken over my sister’s body.
“Jules, calm down. I know what you’re thinking,” I said.
“I’m thinking you better have a good explanation for this. You’re dating the guy who kissed Mom? Gross!”
“If you think I’m a bad kisser, pucker up, Jules and I’ll prove you wrong.” Ace took a sexy step toward her, and I was ready to melt just watching him move. Jesus, could he ever phase from being the center of the room to the only man in the world!
“I’d rather kiss a toad,” she spat back. “Actually, make that a million toads.”
“Yes, but none of them would turn into Prince Charming, Jules. There’s only so much room in this world for real men.”
He stood proud. I could barely listen to what he was saying because all I could do was watch those stone-hard muscles under his shirt taunt me. But seeing that my sister was about to breathe fire, I said. “Look, why don’t we let bygones be bygones and enjoy the evening?”
“How’s your Mom?” Ace asked with a smug look on his face.
I punched him in the arm and felt the repercussion of the contact. Pain shot through my hand and I wondered whether I’d broken a knuckle.
“She’s fine. And she’s with Sid.” Julia stuck her nose high in the air. It was almost even with his chest. She cast her gaze over his body. Something flashed behind her eyes, and if I had to bet, I’d say that her thoughts went right to Ace’s brother. Where the hell was he?
“She was with Sid when she kissed me,” Ace bragged.
Would he give it up, already! If there was one thing that I did not like about Ace, it was his cockiness. And what was his obsession with aggravating my sister? Yet it made him that much more irresistible.
My sister’s eyes flew open, and if she didn’t spit fire, then I was sure that I saw venom in the corner of her mouth.
“I swear, if you ever...”
“Okay, you two. That’s enough.” I stepped in between them just as I saw a set of hands wrap around Julia’s waist.
“Hi, Jules,” Scar kissed the top of her head, and now I was the one with the gaping mouth.
I pointed my finger from her to Scar and back. “Wait… you two already reconnected?”
“Yes, we saw each other two weeks ago, and things sort of fell into place.”
What a hypocrite! Why didn’t she tell me? Of all people I thought that my sister would confide in me, especially after what she’d gone through. And Scar? He was the one who’d asked Ace to kiss our mother. It was his idea to break her and Sid apart, and Ace took all the blame.
I gave her the ‘what the hell?’ look just before Ace grasped me around the waist. The touch soothed my anger.
“Why don’t we all have a drink?” Ace turned to the bartender without waiting for a reply and placed his order.
“Zoey, I’m sorry, but we better leave. Now you know why I can’t be seeing anyone else right now. You’re going to have to find the guy a different date.”
Scar pulled her aside and they got lost in a private conversation. How close had they become?
“Did you know about this?” I asked.
“I suspected.”
“Ace, you need to tone it down with Julia. She’s been through a lot.”
“And what about what you’ve been through? Don’t you think she deserves to know?”
Why was he so upset about this? This was my call, not his. It was like my sister’s dragon persona had somehow transferred to Ace. I squeezed his hand, trying to make a point.
“No. She. Doesn’t. Julia would never let go of the guilt, and that’s not the reason I did this. She can’t know. Do you know how long it takes to get rid of an addiction? Forever. And she needs a fair chance at a relationship. Although I’m not too sure that your brother is stable enough for her.”
Scar was eating Julia alive and for an ex-sex addict, that was like offering Belgian chocolates to a chocoholic. I just hoped that the past two years of rehab weren’t wasted and that Jules could finally be happy.
“And you?” he asked.
“What about me?”
“Look gorgeous. I love that dress, but I’ll love it more when it’s off you.” He twirled me around. The silver sequins on my dress reflected any light hitting the fabric.
“Smooth, Ace.”
“I know.”
He looked at me from underneath his hooded eyes, and I was ready to leave the club right then.
“—you fixed me up with Scar?” Julia interrupted us, and Ace swiveled on his feet back toward the bar. I pulled my sister out of earshot.
“I thought you two used to be like best friends or something so when Ace said his brother still had a thing for you, I thought it was perfect. I didn’t want to tell you earlier because you have some stupid ancient rule about not dating. Seriously, Jules. It’s getting old.”
But my sister was beaming like a headlight on a spaceship in the middle of the night.
“Thank you.” She hugged me with so much force, I was more convinced than ever I’d made the right decision not to tell her about Infinity. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”
“If I had known it would mean so much, I would ha
ve done it weeks ago,” I whispered just as Ace handed Julia one of her favorites: rum and coke.
The surprise on Julia’s face was priceless.
“He’s good, isn’t he?” I asked.
My sister stepped toward Ace and wiggled her finger. “If you break her heart or hurt her in any way, just remember that I am a doctor, and I not only know how to use a scalpel but I also have easy access to arsenic.”
“That’s the sweetest threat I ever heard,” he replied. Why did I find the remark sexy and funny at the same time?
“There’s that feisty girl I love,” Scar said behind her.
“Come on, babe.” Ace took my hand and led me away from the embracing couple and toward a private booth.
“How serious are they?” I asked.
“It’s been a couple of weeks. Scar won’t share a lot. He says they’re working through stuff.” He shrugged.
“Okay, so what’s going on with Infinity?” I lowered my voice.
“No news is good news. The last I heard, Craig’s detained, and has hired a dozen lawyers to get him out. With the billions he’s got, he’ll make bail without a problem, but he’s up to his neck in legal trouble. None of the girls have been called for jobs. The entire operation’s been stopped as of now.”
I furrowed my brows. “That sounds too easy.”
“It does, doesn’t it? I feel like we’re about to run into an invisible wall.” He shook his head.
“You’re worried.”
“I am. It’s just a feeling. Would you mind staying at my house for a few days?” he asked, wrapping his arm around my waist and bringing me closer to him.
“I can get my stuff and be there tomorrow night.”
“Today. I’ll send someone to get your things.”
“No, I don’t want anyone going through my stuff. Besides, now that I know Jules is with Scar, I need some sister time.”
“I miss you.”
“I miss you too. Soon, Ace. Soon.”
His grunt sounded too sexy. “Fine. I guess my mouth can wait to eat you out.”
“Shh.” I looked around the club. The music was loud enough that no one would have heard him. Feeling warmth rush to all those wonderful spots on my body Ace could dine on, I wondered whether I could postpone my girl-time with Jules. No, that would be rude and wrong. I couldn’t let a man, or my needs, control the relationship with my sister.
Just as Ace began to nibble on my ear, I saw Scar guiding Jules toward us. She slid into the booth and Scar followed her in, wrapping his arm around her in a possessive way.
“So, Jules. I hear you’ve hooked my brother,” Ace smirked from the side.
Oh no! Where was he going with this?
“What is that supposed to mean?” Julia frowned.
I elbowed him in the side. “Come on, Ace. Play nice.”
“I always play nice,” he said, leaning into me. He kissed me with his full mouth, swallowing my sudden moan, twisting his tongue around mine and making me completely forget about my sister and Scar.
With my head still spinning from the deliciousness of his mouth, he pulled away, saying, “So, is my brother the rebound guy, or are you just going to screw him once and throw him to the curb?”
No, no, no! He wasn’t supposed to say anything!
“Shut the fuck up, Ace,” Scar growled.
I connected my gaze with Julia’s, whose eyes glossed over. “You told him?”
The pain in her voice and shock on her face squished my heart. Why would he do this? He knew how important it was for Julia to heal.
“Jules, it’s complicated. I didn’t kno...”
“Zoey, I’m your sister!”
“I think this double date is over,” Scar said, stepping out of the booth and pointed to Ace. “I’ll talk to you later, fuck-face.” Ace simply stuck his middle finger out at his brother, letting a flawless grin stretch across his face.
They left the seat and I hurried to get out, but Ace caught my wrist. I ripped my hand out of his grasp.
“Don’t touch me. You’re in the dog house!” I scowled and ran after Julia. Thankfully, they hadn’t gotten very far.
“Jules, I’m sorry,” I yelled behind her, but she was either ignoring me or didn’t hear. I pushed past the few people between us and put my hand on her shoulder just before she started crossing the dance floor.
“Please, Jules. I promise I didn’t mean to tell him. It’s complicated.”
“I can’t face Ace, Zoey. You need to deal with him. He’s got a temper.”
“I know. So you forgive me?”
“Yeah, I do. We’ll chat at home.” She turned away and followed Scar, who took her into his arms. I felt so hurt and empty. Why would he do that to me?
“She deserves to know.” I heard Ace’s voice behind me.
I swung my arm to slap him but he caught it before my hand made contact.
“You’re an asshole.”
“Oh, come on, Zoey. I didn’t think it’d be a big deal.”
“Look, I don’t care if you think she deserves to know or not. It’s not your place to tell her. She’s my sister. Mine. She is not your business. Do you get that? Or is your skull too thick?”
I couldn’t believe what was coming out of my mouth or where all that anger came from. The past two years all I had done was listen to instructions, obey the rules, follow a laid-out path – not talk back. Well, I had enough of it. There had been too many men in my life who wanted to tell me what to do.
I felt my eyes water. Darkness shaded Ace’s eyes. I craved his touch the moment he let go of my hand.
What have I done?
“I’m sorry.” He lowered his head in defeat, turned around, and walked away.
Feeling even angrier, I made a beeline toward the front door. I had done enough begging for attention from men, and I didn’t want to explain to Ace the merits of sisterhood and keeping one’s promises. Besides, I wasn’t sure what I would have done if he’d insisted on making up. I needed alone time and just wanted to get out of the club.
I filled my lungs with the fresh air outside and swept my arm over my cheeks, wiping the tears away.
“You look like you need a friend tonight.” I turned toward the familiar voice.
“Madison? Hi! What are you doing here?”
“I’ve had some time to myself lately. I’m not sure why, but I can’t complain.”
I wanted to tell her that she wouldn’t have to worry about Infinity again, but refrained.
“Are you alone?”
“Now I am. I was here with you-know-who, but he said he had some business come up.”
Oh, the baby’s dad.
“How is that going?” I asked.
She looked from side to side, scanning for possible eavesdroppers, and then said, “Do you want to come to my place to talk? You look like you could use a friend.”
I did. I wanted to get away from everything. From Infinity, the mistakes I’d made, from Scar and his overpowering personality, and from Ace. I needed distance from everything. For the past two years, I had been the only one who made decisions, and now having him jump in and ruin my relationship with my sister was too much.
“That actually sounds like the invitation I was waiting for.”
We took a train from Manhattan back to Long Island and a bus toward our neighborhood. Madison talked about how no one had called her lately with requests, and knowing that I had a hand in bringing Infinity’s business to a halt, I couldn’t help but smile. Girls like Madison deserved a second chance. When we arrived at the bungalow, neatly tucked in a wooded area and close to the rich neighborhood, we used to live in as children, I wondered how Madison could afford a place like this.
“He helps out a lot,” she explained. “He bought this place for me not long ago. Isn’t it a perfect home to raise a baby in?”
“It is.” I looked around the meticulous place. It had a woman’s touch here and there, and reminded me a little of my childhood home, when my parents were
still together. I wanted to pinpoint the time in my past when my parent’s relationship went sour, but I couldn’t. I hope that Madison’s baby would have a better childhood than I did. Given its daddy was an Infinity member, I wasn’t sure how possible that was, but I didn’t say anything.
“Does he live with you?” I asked.
“Sometimes. He works a lot. But he says he found a way to cancel my contract.”
“How?”
“I don’t know. But if he’s really able to, I’ll be the happiest girl in the world.”
I knew the feeling, but her comment also made me wonder who the father of her baby was, and how closely he was connected to Harper. I didn’t want to worry her with all the information I knew, so we just talked about our previous lives — the ones before Infinity happened. She’d been part of the club a bit longer than I had, and her outlook on the contract was completely different. They gave her a home, a job and a way off the streets. To me, she signed a contract to die differently, and it had taken her almost three years to realize that she should have sought another option.
We talked for what seemed like hours. She explained how happy her boyfriend made her and how he’d promised to take care of their baby. It felt so good to lose my thoughts and hear someone else’s life — someone who had it way more difficult than me. After all, she was going to bring a baby into this messed up world.
As I finished my cup of tea, I felt a sudden need to lie down. My lids grew heavy and I yawned over and over again. It was two in the morning when I checked my watch. Madison brought a blanket and a pillow from the other room, and as soon as I lay down, I was out.
Unfortunately, I would not wake up in the same place I last remembered.
Chapter 23
Ace
I slammed the empty glass on the marble counter. The barman re-filled it, just as he had the previous four rounds.
“Easy there, handsome. You look like you need someone to take those worries away.” A voluptuous blonde slid her hands up and down my arm, her fingers wrapping around my muscles. I reached for the whiskey, paying no attention.
She leaned in and licked my ear. “How about I help you forget the night?” My dick was already giving into her seductive whisper, but I couldn’t.