by Kelsie Rae
I feel like a juggler right now with so many balls tossed into the air that it feels inevitable one or more will fall to the ground. But I can’t let that happen. I won’t. I just need to figure out a plan of action and set it into motion. If I can just—
“I’ll do it,” a feminine voice murmurs from the doorway. All heads snap to attention at the foreign sound in a room full of men. When I see her tiny body framed in the doorway, I bristle.
“Ace?”
She steps into the light with her freshly bandaged hand hanging at her side. The sight of her bruised complexion is enough to remind me of the severity of the situation and to cut her some slack for eavesdropping. If it were anyone else, they’d be reminded of their place, but she’s as much a part of this as my sister.
Clearing her throat, she pushes her shoulders back and rushes out, “I’ll do it. That bastard took my mom, beat the shit out of me, and apparently stole your sister too. He needs to be put in his place.”
“Ace.” Her swollen eyes hold my own, as I tell her, “This is family business. Go back to the couch. We’ll talk in a minute.”
With a shake of her head, a very determined Ace crosses her arms and goes head to head with me. “No. It might be family business, but this involves me too. I have a right to be here and talk about it.” Patience gone, I grit my teeth even though her feistiness is sexy as hell.
“Careful, Ace. You forget who you’re talking to.”
“I haven’t forgotten, but I won’t be pushed around. Not even by you.”
“Lou,” I bark, ignoring her pathetic argument. “Take Ace to the guest room across from mine. I’ll deal with her later.”
“Excuse me?” she says in disbelief as Lou approaches her. Taking a step back, she glares at him. “Don’t you dare touch me.”
Lou looks over his shoulder at me, silently asking if I’m being serious.
I am.
After giving him a single nod, I hear Lou mumble under his breath, “Sorry,” before reaching to grasp her arm. She shrugs away from him but keeps her attention on me. The anger radiating from her tiny body could burn down an entire city.
“I’m not your prisoner, Kingston.”
Lou drops his arm to his side, looking helpless as his gaze bounces between the spitfire a few feet from him and me.
My voice is like ice as I answer, “Right now, you’re whatever I need you to be. Go with Lou. Now. I’ll come see you later.”
“Kingston––”
“Lou, get her out of here.”
Nostrils flaring, Ace shakes her head before spitting, “I can walk on my own.”
Then she turns on her heel, marching down the hall. Lou trails behind to fulfill my request, whether she wants him to or not, leaving me alone with Diece and Stefan.
“She’s pissed,” D states the obvious while staring at his cell in the palm of his hand. The bright white glow from the screen bounces off his face, showcasing his bored expression, though I know he’s just as invested in the conversation as I am.
“She’ll have to get over it. Ace might not know how the mafia runs, but she’s about to get a crash course in it––whether she wants to or not.” My tone screams indifference, though my conscience is rearing its ugly head.
I shouldn’t have barked at her like that.
“Be careful, King,” D cautions. “Her life might’ve hardened her, but she’s still soft.”
Stefan interjects, “I’m still reeling that she offered to help in the first place, instead of running in the opposite direction.”
“Especially with her history, and the fact that she just got the shit kicked out of her,” D adds with a hint of pride.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I shove aside my guilt and focus on the task at hand. “Doesn’t matter. We’re going to do what’s best for the family, not what Ace thinks will help.”
“Then what do you suggest?” Stefan inquires. The expression painted across his face is a mixture of determination, respect, and trust. I know that he’d go to Hell and back for our family. And he might need to. We all might need to.
“We need to get Regina back and make the Allegrettis pay.”
“Seems to me, all they did was piss off the wrong family.” D slides his phone into his front pocket, giving me his full attention.
“Yeah. And we’re going to educate them about what happens when you cross the Romanos.”
Even if I have to sacrifice Ace to do it.
The End
Ace and King’s story continues in Dark King
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Dear Reader
I want to thank you guys from the bottom of my heart for taking a chance on Wild Card. For giving me the opportunity to share this story with you. I couldn’t do this without you!
I would also be very grateful if you could take the time to leave a review. It’s amazing how such a little thing like a review can be such a huge help to an author!
Thank you so much!!!
-Kelsie
About the Author
Kelsie is a new indie author who has loved the amazing community she plunged into. Kelsie likes to spend all of her time with her three kids, an amazing husband, and two fur babies.
She’s addicted to sugar and goes through books like she does Ben and Jerry’s ice cream! When she isn’t reading or juggling kids, Kelsie can be found binging the newest television show on Netflix.
If you’d like to connect with Kelsie, follow her on Facebook, sign up for her newsletter, or join Kelsie Rae's Reader Group to stay up to date on new releases, exclusive content, giveaways, and her crazy publishing journey.
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