Ace (Knights Corruption MC Series-Next Generation Book 3)

by S. Nelson

  I gently pushed Chelsea back so I could see her. “Babe, can you give us a minute?”

  “I don’t wanna leave you,” she whispered, looking to the men standing in front of her before her eyes landed back on mine.

  “Just for a bit. Riley’s over there. Why don’t you go see how she’s doin’?” She didn’t protest again, but her steps were heavy, her shoulders slumped as her feet propelled her to cross the room toward her best friend.

  I kept my voice low because Ryder’s family was nearby. Zoe had tried to check on Brick, but Addy wouldn’t permit her inside Chambers while she worked, so she stayed by her dad’s side.

  Tripp raked his fingers through his hair, his hand resting on the top of his head before finally dropping to his side. “I don’t understand.”

  I dove right in. “We went by to check on Erin, same as we’d done several times before, but she wasn’t at her job. So we—”

  “Who’s Erin?” Tripp’s tone was sharp and deep when he interrupted me.

  “Pike’s sister.” At the sight of his raised brows, I clarified with, “Reaper prospect who died at the safe house.” Recollection softened his expression, although his features were still twisted with ridges.

  “Thinking somethin’ was up, we went to her house and that’s where we encountered three of ’em. They killed her mom, slit her throat, and raped and beat Erin. They were looking for Pike, trying to torture the information out of her, but she didn’t know anything.” My eyes flipped to Tag before swinging back to Marek and Tripp. “They killed the girl right in front of us. Shot her in the head.” Tag made a noise before punching the top of the bar. “Then they fired at us.” I pinched the bridge of my nose in recollection, the image of that poor girl’s life being stolen in such a brutal way was definitely gonna keep me up at night.

  “Did they say anything?” Hawke joined the conversation, asking the question I was sure they had all thought. Before I answered, Kaden, Linc, and Nash hovered close as well.

  “They were watchin’ us, that’s for sure. They knew we checked on her at the café. They even knew Tag was the one who always went in.” I didn’t have to turn toward our prospect to know he was barely holdin’ it together. He liked Erin, was certainly interested in her, and to have to witness her death like that… I didn’t even want to put myself in his shoes. “They called us predictable, always wantin’ to save someone.” Linc shifted his weight from one foot to the other as I spoke. “He said they knew we’d show up at her place, that they knew once they made a move, we’d make ours. Then right before he killed the girl, the bastard said, and I quote, ‘It’s perfect really. Four less of you to be around when we do it.’ He wasn’t talkin’ about Erin.”

  “What was he referring to, then?” Jagger asked. I hadn’t even seen him come in.

  “I have no idea. When I asked, all he said was ‘You’ll see.’ But the good thing is, there are three less Reapers walkin’ around.”

  There was no comfort knowing three of our club’s enemy were dead. Instead, we were amped with worry over their next move. We’d come to them this time, played right into their hands, but what would happen if they planned on surprising us, coming onto our territory, threatening us directly, the men’s families?

  With Brick and Ryder out of the mix until they were back on their feet, which could take weeks, there were only thirteen of us to spread out, watching over the women and children, thirteen and a half if we counted Tag. Although until his leg healed, it wasn’t like he could run after anyone. He’d proved his aim was steady, however, which would certainly be an asset. I wanted Marek to know what Tag had done without question, and while his actions had been motivated because of Erin, he’d erased a Reaper from existence, nonetheless. “Tag ended the Reaper who killed the girl. Shot him twice without a second thought. My ears are still fuckin’ ringin’.”

  Marek peeked over at him, but it was quick. And although he didn’t say anything about what I’d told him, I read his expression to mean he was pleased. It was probably one of the few times his features relayed his thoughts because otherwise, Prez was a difficult man to read.

  “Can we go now?” Chelsea wrapped her arms around my waist, careful of the healing wound on my side, leaned up on her tiptoes, and pressed her lips against mine. “I just wanna go home.” Her eyes were slightly puffy and all I wanted to do was whisk her away from here and be alone back at my place, our place for the interim. But I had to do one final checkup with Addy about the condition of Brick, Ryder, and even Tag.

  Addy worked on Brick for an hour and a half, tending to his injuries. His were the most life-threatening because the bullet that hit him in the chest, while just underneath his left collarbone, was also close to his heart. Somehow, the bullet got stuck on its way out of his body, but she was able to retrieve it without too much trouble. My words not hers. I was sure the entire ordeal taxed her talents. The shot that hit his leg was more of a flesh wound than anything, tearing away a small part of his outer thigh.

  The bullet that hit Ryder below his rib cage on his left-hand side had an exit wound, which was good, but the man lost more blood than the rest of us. His condition, while stable, was almost as precarious as Brick’s.

  Zoe had finally been able to see Brick once a few of the guys carefully moved him to one of the back bedrooms for the night, Ryder taking the one next door to him. Addy didn’t want either man going anywhere for at least the next twenty-four hours. Which meant our Laredo brothers were either shackin’ up in the rooms that were left, or they had to get a hotel room close by. I didn’t care enough about the details to ask. I had more important things on my mind.

  My injury required four stitches, and I was told I’d most likely have a scar which wouldn’t allow my hair to grow back in that spot. But since it was only the bottom of my hairline, I didn’t care.

  Tag’s leg was all patched up, the bullet that hit his shin nicked his fibula before exiting the back of his calf. Oddly enough, there were a pair of old crutches in one of the bedroom closets, the height of them working perfectly for him.

  We were a sorry bunch for sure, but at least we were all still breathing.

  “Let me check one more time with Addy, then we’re out of here. Okay?” Chelsea nodded, taking a step back so I could stand. My ass had gone numb from sitting on that damn stool for so long, the stretch of my legs feeling good as I headed toward our miracle worker.

  “Everyone still good?”

  Stone was off to the side talking to Riley and Kaden and for once the conversation was civil. I didn’t know what they were saying to each other, but based on body language and facial expressions, it didn’t appear as if a fight was gonna happen between the two guys.

  Addy readjusted her messy bun, pushing back several strands that wouldn’t stay in place. Her clothes were covered in dried blood, but she didn’t seem to mind as much as I thought she would’ve. Then again, this woman had probably seen a lot over the years, if the stories I heard were all factual.

  “Ryder and Brick are stable. I’ll be back in the morning to recheck them.” She patted my shoulder. “How’s the head?”

  “Fine. I’m a little dizzy but otherwise okay.”

  Without asking, she lifted my shirt. “How’s this one?” She peeled back the bandage and inspected my other wound. “Looks good. Do you still have a lot of pain?”

  I shook my head. “I’m fine.”

  “Fine,” she echoed, grinning like I said something funny. “Go home and let Chelsea take care of you. She hasn’t been able to take her eyes off you since she got here.”

  “That’s the plan.” I leaned down and kissed Addy’s cheek. “Thank you for helping today.” Out of nowhere, my eyes glassed over, my emotion rushing forth, and if I didn’t pull it together, I’d embarrass myself for sure.

  “I’m always here to watch out for you guys.” Her arms wrapped around me and she gave me a gentle hug. “Now go home and get into bed.” I wiggled my brows, my unshed emotion receding. “Why do I bo
ther?” She laughed, heading toward her husband and daughter.

  Initially, Marek had wanted everyone at the clubhouse, all families included, but after talking it over with his VP, they determined that wasn’t the best idea.

  After deciding that Rez, Cutter, Trigger, Nash, and Miles were to stay here and watch over Ryder and Brick, everyone else left to take care of their families. I thought I heard Jagger mention whoever wasn’t here right now was at the restaurant, which is where he was on his way to, along with Tripp and Prez.

  Clasping Chelsea’s hand after we said our goodbyes, I led her to the door and outside to my vehicle. “You’re gonna need to drive if that’s okay. I’m still a little dizzy.

  “Of course.” She took the keys from me, but before she opened the door, I stopped her.

  “It’s a little messy in there. The front’s not as bad but just don’t look in the back.”

  “I’ll be fine. Now get in.”

  I couldn’t even imagine how much it was gonna cost to get my car detailed.

  Did they charge extra for removing blood stains?

  37

  I couldn’t stop looking over at him, afraid he was gonna pass out even though the only thing he complained about was a touch of dizziness. Addy had assured me his wound, although requiring stitches, was superficial.

  “I’m fine. Now keep your eyes on the damn road, woman.” The corner of his mouth lifted, and while he wasn’t angry, I imagined he was frustrated, but hopefully not with my constant attention.

  “You know, if you wanted me to fawn all over you, you could’ve thought of a better way,” I teased, needing to relinquish a smidgen of worry before I fell too far into anxiety I’d never climb free.

  “And what way is that?”

  “I can’t say for sure, but I’m certain it has something to do with sex.” My grip on the wheel tightened, but I wasn’t sure if it was the topic or my reservation at having broached the subject of his injury. After several deep breaths, all traces of joking aside, I peered over at him, my gaze lingering too long to be safe.

  “I can’t tell you anything.” He met my eyes, then looked straight ahead. “I wouldn’t even if I could because I don’t want you to worry.”

  “How did you know I was gonna ask?”

  “Because I know you. Better than you think.”

  The remainder of our trip was in silence, me consumed with the possibilities of what could’ve happened, while Ace typed text after text to who I could only assume was one of the guys.

  “Home sweet home,” he uttered, opening the door as soon as I killed the engine. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. I wasn’t prepared for what came next. Inside the vehicle I was safe from heartbreak, from danger, from my own morbid thoughts of what might happen. “You comin’?” Ace peered over at me, his right foot planted on the graveled ground while his other twisted along with his body when he turned toward me.

  “I’m scared.”

  He pulled my hand from the wheel and snaked his fingers through mine. “Me too.”

  I nodded, swallowed, and released two heavy pent-up breaths. “Okay.” I handed him his keys.

  What did I agree to? To share his worry? To forge ahead into the unknown? To agree to continue to be with him even though danger seemed to be lurking around every corner?

  We walked side by side up the front steps, his hand resting on the small of my back, the warmth from his palm soothing despite the sprinkle of reservation enveloping me. After he unlocked the door, he stepped inside, but I hesitated, planting my feet firmly on the porch.

  “What are you doing?”

  The only thing I could do was shake my head while taking a step back. “I can’t.”

  Ace’s chest puffed out and he stood tall. “What do you mean you can’t? You can’t do what?” The slight flare of his nostrils and crook of his brow screamed he was preparing for bad news. He reached for me, but I retreated once more. “Chelsea.” My name was said on a warning. “Come here.” His tone softened but only a fraction, his own unease heightening mine, even though I was the sole cause for his.

  “I don’t think I can do this.” My words were unexpected, sounding foreign to my surprised ears.

  “Yes, you can. You’re stronger than you think.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Then let me be strong enough for the both of us.”

  I remained frozen in place, unsure of how to proceed. The image of someone coming after me made my chin quiver and my bottom lip tremble, but it was the thought of losing Ace that drove a nail through my heart.

  “What if they get me?”

  “They won’t.”

  “What if they kill you next time?

  “That won’t happen. I promise.”

  “Stop making assurances you can’t keep,” I shouted, the blood in my veins heating. “You told me you’d be prepared next time.” I pointed in the general vicinity of his thick skull, pun intended. “You obviously weren’t.” I drew from my anger because it was a much better place to derive from than fear.

  “I don’t care about myself anymore, Chels. I only care about you.” He stepped onto the porch with me, crowding my personal space and hovering over me.

  “If you cared about me, you wouldn’t put yourself in harm’s way. How do you think I’d feel if you got seriously hurt, or killed?” I stole my eyes from his intense gaze. “That would destroy me.”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean why?” Against my better judgement, I swung my eyes back to his, the words I wanted to blurt resting on the tip of my tongue, and from the sparkle in his eyes, he knew it, which was why he kept pushing me.

  “Why would my death destroy you?”

  “Because.”

  “Because why?” He stepped even closer, his chest pressed against mine. “Come on, Chels. Don’t chicken out now. Tell me why.”

  The beat of my heart slowed.

  My palms became moist while my mouth dried out.

  The air in my lungs stuttered as I tried to release it.

  It was now or never, and after giving myself an internal swift kick in the proverbial ass, I parted my lips.

  “Because I love you. There, are you happy?” I tried to sound snarky, but the grin on his face made me relax enough to mirror his expression.

  “Very. Say it again.” Ace wrapped his arms around my waist and bent down to kiss me. “Please.”

  “You’re lucky I said it once. Don’t push your luck.” Leave it to me to tell the man I adored that I loved him for the first time during this type of encounter. But I supposed he wouldn’t expect anything less.

  “Please,” he repeated, sweeping his tongue through my mouth before pulling back.

  “Take me to bed and maybe I’ll tell you again.”

  I kissed him back with all the passion, love, need, and urgency I held deep in my soul, the connection between us stronger than it was even an hour ago.

  I’d waited my whole life for someone like Ace, and the threat of him being taken from me had pushed me to acknowledge my true feelings for the man.

  Now, I just had to make sure he lived long enough for me to show him he was it for me. If I had to strap him to the bed to ensure his safety, I was willing to go that far, and while he might fight me on some things, giving him my heart allowed me to make some demands he might consider to be unreasonable.

  He wanted me to agree to be with him, once and for all.

  He told me he loved me.

  He wanted to protect me from harm.

  But was he willing to compromise, to push back against the club from time to time to make sure he returned home safe and sound to me every night?

  I supposed we’d find out together.

  38

  “I’ll never get tired of hearing you moan my name.”

  “Neither will I. Now stop teasing me.” Her gorgeous thighs fell open, giving me room to head south and tease her with my talented tongue. She’d argued with me earlier when I attempted to eat her pussy, telling
me the angle of my body might put pressure on both the back of my head and my side, but I won out in the end. I told her it was either she let me use my mouth on her or we’d wait until I was fully healed, possibly waiting three or four weeks before having sex again. I might’ve exaggerated the timeline a little.

  Apparently, my wounds weren’t such a big deal after all. The reality was, it’d been three days since Addy stitched up my head and while the area was still sensitive when I accidentally touched it, usually with my fingers because the area was itchy, I was fine. In fact, she said she could probably remove the stitches by the end of the week. My side was getting better each day, and I was told I should be all healed up in no time.

  I was lucky, luckier than most, and there wasn’t an hour that passed when I didn’t thank fate, or the lucky stars, or whoever reigned in the sky, that I was still here, sharing my life with the woman I loved and working toward an end to the war that had erupted again between us and those bastards.

  With the first swipe of my tongue, Chelsea arched her back. With the second, she gripped the sheets. With the third, she tangled her fingers in my thick hair and pulled, the slight sting of pain spurring me on. And when I closed my mouth over her most sensitive place, my name, my real name, Jaime, fell from her lips over and over as I lapped up her juices, teasing her until she finally came back down.

  I loved everything about her body. From the way she twitched when I hit the perfect spot, to the four tiny freckles forming the letter C right above her hipbone, to the way her skin tinged pink when she was on the edge.

  I crawled up her body, pushing her legs further apart. “Are you ready to be fucked like never before?”

  “That’s a tall order. Do you think you can deliver in your condition?”

  “I think I can manage.” Nestled between her legs, my hips pinning hers to the bed, I cupped the back of her neck and raised her head off the soft white pillow. Her lips teased me. Her eyes demanded everything from me and the warmth of her skin against mine set me on fire.