“Understandable.”
Luke pulled off his gloves and washed his hands. By the time he turned around Shane was standing behind him.
“Any chance you’d want to come by the Underground for a drink sometime?”
“After the day I’ve had I could use a few.”
“I’m headed over there now, stop by on your way home.”
“Which bar? That place is huge.”
“The Arena Bar, that one’s mine. I’ll let Big Joe know I’m expecting you. When you arrive he’ll come find me.”
“I’ll probably be here another hour.”
“I’m covering for my manager tonight so I will be there until at least 2am, so whenever.”
Shane smiled and walked out. Luke found him even more attractive now that his face was almost completely healed. He did however miss that cute wink he had when he smiled with his swollen eye.
Ace could see the smoke from blocks away and as the fire truck got closer he could see flames shooting out from the windows. As soon as the truck came to a halt Ace and his crew leapt from the truck. A woman came over screaming that her son never made it out of the house. Ace and Jorge headed inside to search for the child.
“Fire department, can you hear me? Call out.”
Ace shouted out a few times but no answer. He was afraid the child may be hiding or even worse, already dead. They crawled from room to room blindly searching through the thick smoke. Ace was about to leave the room and pull the door shut when he felt a small lump in front of the door. It was the child they had been looking for. He signaled to Jorge that the child was against the door. Then he pulled his mask from his face and placed it over the child’s face. He scooped the child into his arms. Jorge pulled his mask from his face to share his air with Ace as they tried to make their way out of the house. The flames were chasing them. As they reached the bottom step the ceiling began to collapse. Ace pushed Jorge out of the way and shielded the child with his own body.
A second crew had entered the first floor and heard the crash of the ceiling. They signaled for help. Jorge was able to get out with little assistance but Ace and the child were buried under debris. The Chief entered and helped the crew pull the child from Ace’s arms but the lower half of his body was buried. The house was starting to fall around them.
The Chief ordered everyone out of the house. It had become far too dangerous. The fire was to be fought from the exterior only. However, the Chief wasn’t leaving without Ace. He dug as quickly as he could to free Ace’s legs. Ace regained consciousness and grabbed the Chief’s arm. With the Chief’s help, Ace managed to get enough leverage to push himself up and the Chief yanked him forward freeing him. Together they crawled to the door. As they emerged a few firefighters and the EMT’s ran towards them. The last thing Ace saw was the child being held by his mother.
“He’s not breathing.”
The Chief headed back over to Ace but the medics pushed him away as they worked frantically to revive him.
“It’s very weak but I think I have a pulse. Let’s get him to the hospital.”
The Chief was led to a different ambulance and was given oxygen. The thought of losing Ace was incomprehensible.
Chace was across town dealing with another victim of what seemed to be a serial killer. He was looking over the body when Chloe showed up.
“So what number is this victim?”
The mere sound of her voice set his body atither.
“Looks like a three.”
“Do you have any leads yet, Detective?”
“We’ve had several but so far they’ve all turned into dead ends.”
“I see.”
“What exactly do you see?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Look, as a woman it doesn’t warm my heart to know that some psycho is out there sexually assaulting and killing women.”
Chace looked down at Chloe and she actually looked concerned. She wasn’t her normal arrogant, confident self. Chace reached out his hand and placed it on her arm.
“Hey, I’m going to find this guy and soon.”
Chloe pulled her arm away from Chace’s hand and in that moment, the arrogant, confident Chloe returned. Before Chace had time to reply his phone rang.
“Detective McQueen.”
“Chace, its Storm. I’m over on Oak Street. There’s a huge fire burning here. You might want to head to the hospital. Your friend, Ace was inside when the house began to collapse.”
“What? Storm, was he breathing when they put him in the ambulance?”
“He was unconscious and wasn’t breathing at first but they managed to get him breathing again.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“Yeah, sure. I hope he will be alright.”
“Is everything alright?”
“My buddy Ace, he was injured at a call. I gotta go.”
“Taryn said he was real sweet. I hope he’ll be ok.”
Chace dialed Declan as he ran to the car.
Lucy was driving home from work when her mother called her in tears.
“Hello.”
“Lucy, your father is on his way to the hospital. They think it is just smoke inhalation but they’re not sure. I’m on my way there now.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
Lucy was about halfway to the hospital when Ace crossed her mind. She wondered if he was working and, if so, if he was at the fire scene with her father. What if he was injured too? She hit the gas, she couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough.
Shane was at the bar waiting for Luke to show up. He found himself sitting staring at the door. He decided to pour himself a beer.
“Hey.”
Shane looked up and did a double take. Luke was standing in front of him. Instead of his usual dress slacks, shirt and tie, Luke had on jeans and a tight fitted black V-neck t-shirt. Shane couldn’t help but stare.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. You just look different.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Good. I mean you looked good before. You just look different now.”
“You should see what I’m hiding under these clothes.” Luke smirked.
The thought of Luke naked made Shane instantly hard.
“Is that an invitation?”
“Do you want it to be?”
The bartender walked over and tapped Shane on the shoulder.
“Mr. Hart, you have a phone call.”
“Who is it?”
“Mr. King and he said it’s urgent.”
“I’ll be right back, Luke.”
Shane walked to the back of the bar and picked up the phone.
“Dec, what’s up?”
“It’s Ace. He was injured at a call. That’s all I know. I’m at the hospital.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Shane ran past the bartender.
“Jenna, you’re in charge. It’s Ace, I have to get to the hospital.”
“Is he going to be ok?”
“I don’t know. I’ll call you.”
Luke was standing at the end of the bar as Shane exited.
“Luke, I’m sorry but my partner Ace, he was injured at a call and is on his way to the hospital. I have to go.”
“Of course, I hope he will be alright.”
“Me too, I don’t know what we’d do without him.”
Shane ran out, leaving Luke to wonder why he even came to meet Shane. He wasn’t into sharing even though it seemed that Shane and his partners didn’t mind.
Lucy ran into the ER just as they were wheeling Ace past. He looked like he was dead. Her heart was in her throat. She couldn’t breathe.
“Lucy, your father is going to be alright. They’re treating him for smoke inhalation.”
“What about Ace? I saw them rushing him in.”
“There was a ceiling collapse and Ace was trapped. Your father helped pull him out. He wasn’t breathing at first. Your father is very upset.”
/> “Oh Mom, I was so awful to him last time we spoke.”
Lucy’s mother pulled her into a hug.
“Let’s sit down and pray dear. He is a strong young man. I’m sure he will be just fine and then you can straighten things out with him.”
“When can we see Daddy?”
“They said in a few minutes. Someone will come call us in.”
“Ok.”
Lucy just sat there holding her mother’s hand while thoughts of Ace flooded her head.
Declan paced back and forth. Shane and Chace arrived at the same time.
“Shane, you hear anything else?”
“No, I’m hoping no news is good news.”
The two walked into the ER waiting area to find Declan pacing.
“Any news?”
Declan shook his head at Chace.
“All I know is that a ceiling collapsed, trapping him. He has severe smoke inhalation and stopped breathing at one point.”
“But he’s ok now right?”
“I don’t know, Shane. How’d you do at the doctor’s today?”
“I still can’t fight for two more weeks because of this stupid concussion but I can get back to working out.”
“Shane, maybe you should quit while you’re ahead.”
“Quit, Declan?”
“How many more times do you think you can get your head bashed in before you end up with permanent damage?”
“I’m fine.”
“If you were fine then you’d be back in the cage. Shane, you know I care about you, I’m just worried.”
“Thanks, Dec, but I’m ok.”
“Dec, Shane, come on, the doctor just walked in.”
Declan, Shane and Chace all walked towards the doctor who was already talking to Lucy and her mother.
“You can go see your husband now, Mrs. Jenkins.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Dr. St. Paul, is there any news on Ace Dean?”
“We were just about to ask that ourselves, Lucy.”
Lucy turned and looked at the trio.
“Mr. Dean is being treated for smoke inhalation. It was severe enough that we needed to intubate. He also has a few cracked ribs, but my main concern right now is keeping him breathing.”
“Can I see him?”
Declan, Shane and Chace all looked at Lucy when she asked the doctor if she could see Ace.
“How close are you and Ace?”
“Well, my father thinks of him as a son.”
Chace smirked and again asked, “How close are you and Ace?”
Lucy looked down at the floor. Her mother rubbed her back. Lucy looked up with tears in her eyes.
“Close and it’s complicated.”
“You can each see him but one at a time and only for a few minutes.”
Declan rested his hand on Lucy’s shoulder.
“You go first, Lucy.”
“Thank you.” Lucy smiled at Declan. Then she followed the doctor down the hall.
Lucy walked into Ace’s room. He was so still and pale, he looked dead. Machines were flashing, beeping and helping him breathe. Lucy approached the bed and took hold of his hand.
“I love you too. I’m so sorry…for everything.”
The doctor walked in and tapped Lucy on the shoulder.
“It’s time to go now.”
Lucy nodded and then let go of Ace’s hand.
“I’m going to see my father now, if there is any change can you please let me know?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Thank you.”
Lucy walked out and headed down the hall towards her father’s room.
Declan sat in Ace’s room staring at him. The nurse said he could stay until the doctor came and chased him away. He was the same age as Ace, Shane and Chace but he always seemed to be the one they looked up to. He felt responsible for them, even though Ace and Chace never really needed him. It was Shane who he had the strongest bond with. He wasn’t sure if it was because Shane always asked for his advice and confided in him or if it was because of their mutual need for one another.
“Hey, how’s he doing?”
Declan turned around and Lucy was standing there.
“No change.”
“He told me he loved me and I was such a bitch. I think I really hurt him and then I left.”
Lucy started to cry. Declan got up and hugged her.
“Shhh, he’s a stubborn prick, he’ll be fine.”
Lucy giggled and looked up at Declan.
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to go check in with the guys. Why don’t you stay with him?”
“Do you think he will forgive me?”
“This is all new to me, your relationship and all, but I think if he is in love with you, then yes, he will forgive you. Just remember like I said he is one stubborn prick.” Declan winked before walking out.
Lucy sat down and held Ace’s hand.
Chace and Shane were taking turns pacing it seemed. They finally decided to go and grab some coffee. Shane went to sit down and almost missed the chair. Chace grabbed his arm.
“Hey, are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m just worried about Ace.”
“Shane, almost falling on your ass is reason to worry. What’s going on with you?”
“I just get dizzy…sometimes. Please don’t tell Dec.”
“Don’t tell Dec what?”
Shane looked at Chace. Chace shook his head.
“I’m sorry Shane but I’m worried about you.”
“Shane, what’s going on? Is it Robert?”
“No, it’s not Robert.”
Declan placed his hand on Shane’s shoulder.
“Are you going to tell me or are you going to make Chace here rat you out?”
Shane shrugged Declan’s hand from his shoulder as he stood up. He gave Chace an icy stare.
“I got a little dizzy and Chace freaked out.”
“Shane, you almost landed on the floor.”
“I’m fine.”
Shane walked out.
Ace wanted to open his eyes but he felt too tired. He could hear voices. His throat burned and he felt like he couldn’t breathe. He tried to move his limbs but it didn’t seem like he could move them. He was starting to panic that maybe he broke his neck and he was paralyzed. He had to open his eyes. He needed to know what was going on. He finally willed himself to open his eyes.
“You’re awake!”
Lucy? Lucy was sitting at his bedside? As beautiful as she was, he didn’t want to see her. He was angry with her. Yeah, angry! He wasn’t allowing her back into his life.
“Ace, I’m so sorry.”
Ace just stared at her. He was finally able to lift his hand up and tried to pull at the tube in his mouth. Lucy grabbed his hand and then hit the call button for the nurse.
“What’s going on in here?”
“He’s awake and he’s trying to pull the tube out of his mouth.”
“Mr. Dean, you need to relax. Your condition is still critical. We need to keep that tube just where it is. I know it’s uncomfortable and I’m sorry but without it you would have died. Do you understand?”
Ace nodded his head, yes.
“Good. I’m going to go get the doctor. I will be right back. Promise me you won’t pull that tube out or I’ll have to restrain your hands. Do you understand?”
Ace again nodded his head, yes.
“I will be right back. Keep an eye on him.”
Lucy smiled at the nurse and then looked back at Ace. Ace looked at Lucy for a moment and then looked away. Lucy’s heart sunk. He wasn’t going to forgive her.
IT HAD BEEN TWO days since the fire. Declan, Chace and Shane took turns sitting by Ace’s bedside. Lucy left Ace’s room after that first night when he turned away from her but she never left the hospital. She sat vigil in the waiting area.
“Lucy, I just spoke to the doctor and she said Ace is breathing on his own. He’s finally out of the woods.�
�
Lucy looked up at Declan and smiled.
“Thank you, for letting me know.”
Declan sat down and reached for Lucy’s hand.
“I want to thank you for being here with us…for Ace.”
“Now that I know he is going to be ok, I think I should go.”
“Lucy, don’t give up on him just yet.”
“I think it’s too late. I think Ace gave up on me.”
Lucy stood up and walked out the door.
Shane grabbed a bottle of water from the cafeteria and was on his way back up to Ace’s room. He stepped into the elevator and was excited to see Luke.
“Hey.”
“I’d like to think that you’re here to see me but judging by the way you look, I’d say you’ve been here for the last two days. How’s your partner doing?”
“He’s breathing on his own and is finally out of the woods.”
“Then don’t you think you should head home and get some sleep?”
“That’s the plan after I check in on Ace one last time. Then I think Chace, Dec and I will head home, shower and crash.”
“You all live together?”
“Hell no, we’d kill each other. We barely survived back in college.” Shane laughed.
“I’m not one to pass judgement but if you’re not living together and you don’t all get along, then why are you all partners?”
“We weren’t always partners. At first we all worked for Declan until we graduated college and he asked us if we wanted to become partners. I mean who would pass up that kind of an opportunity. Declan had already been pulling in over six figures for the past two years. So we all got together one night, signed a bunch of legal documents and drank until we passed out. Boom…that’s how our partnership was formed.”
“He made you sign legal documents?”
“Yeah, don’t most partnerships?”
“I’ve never made any of my partners sign papers but hey, it is your business, not mine.”
By now the elevator had reached Ace’s floor and it was time for Shane to get off. Luke was just looking at him. He couldn’t read his expression but he felt almost as if it was disbelief or disapproval.
“Luke, did I say something to upset you? Because I’m getting this weird vibe.”
Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) Page 10
