Shane pushed the button to close the elevator door. Then he walked closer to Luke. They were about the same size so they were at eye level with one another.
“I guess maybe I’m somewhat disappointed…”
“Disappointed?”
“You see, I originally thought that you asked me to come by the bar for a drink because…”
“Because…I wanted to do this?”
Shane kissed Luke. Luke didn’t respond and then the elevator door opened. Shane pulled back.
“Whoa, guess I was wrong.”
Shane stepped out of the elevator.
Luke was still in shock that Shane, a man he had fantasized about for the last couple of years, had just kissed him. He wanted to respond to his kiss but by the time his mind caught up to his body, it was too late and now Shane took off thinking Luke wasn’t interested.
Ace was sitting up in bed. Declan and Chace were on their way out when Shane came walking in.
“Hey Buddy.”
“Hey.”
Declan looked at Shane. Shane looked like he wanted to punch someone.
“Ace needs his rest. Why don’t we all head out.”
“Yeah, Chace, you’re right.”
Shane walked over and ruffled Ace’s hair.
“I’m happy you decided to stick around.”
“Who’d give up looking at your ugly face?”
Shane smiled.
“We’re only a phone call away if you need anything. We’ll stop back later.”
“Take the night off. You guys have been here for two days. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Declan, Shane and Chace walked out. On their way down the hall they passed Luke.
“Shane, do you have a minute?”
“We’re all headed home, maybe some other time?”
Shane continued walking down the hall with Declan and Chace who were now wondering what the hell was going on between the two of them.
Ace sat in his hospital room staring at the four walls. He couldn’t stop thinking about Lucy. Maybe they could work things out. She did come to see him at the hospital. No, she was probably there for her father and came by to see him so she could report back to the Chief. If she really cared then she would have come back at some point during the past two days to check in on him.
“Hello, Mr. Dean. I’m Cassie, your nurse for the evening. So tell me how are we doing tonight, any pain or complaints?”
“I feel like someone ripped my throat out, when I cough I see stars and I want to go home and sleep in my own bed.”
“Sounds about right for someone who has severe smoke inhalation and some cracked ribs.”
“How long do you think they’re going to keep me in this place?”
“I’d say a few more days. You know we lost you a few times.”
“Bet there are a few people who are saddened by my resurrection.”
“Not any that I saw. Your friends were frantic and that poor girlfriend of yours, she never left for a minute until the doctor said you were going to make it.”
“What? Lucy? Lucy was here?”
“I never asked her name but she sat vigil outside your room. Dark hair, blue eyes about 5’7”?”
“Lucy.”
“Well, she definitely would have been heartbroken if you didn’t make it.”
Ace smiled. “Thank you.”
“Here. Call her. I know you want to.” The nurse smiled.
Ace smiled as he took the phone from the nurse’s hand.
“Maybe later.”
“Haven’t the last few days taught you that life is too short? Now call that woman and work out whatever it is that needs to be worked out. I will be back in later to check on you.”
“Thank you.”
Ace decided he’d call the Chief and see how he was doing. Maybe he would test the waters and ask about Lucy.
Lucy was making her father a cup of tea when the phone rang. She reached for it but her father must have answered it first. She continued making the tea and then headed into her dad’s office.
“You scared the crap out of me son. I really thought we lost you.”
Lucy entered the room and immediately knew it must be Ace on the phone. She walked over to the desk and placed down her father’s tea cup.
“Thank you, Sweetheart.”
Lucy smiled at her father and turned to leave.
“Lucy, Ace said to say hello and thank you for visiting him at the hospital.”
Now Lucy had a huge smile on her face. Maybe there was hope that Ace could forgive her.
“Tell him I said hello and I am happy he is going to be alright.”
Lucy’s father took a sip of his tea and began to cough. He shook his head and held out the phone for Lucy to take. She looked at it twice before taking it from her still coughing father.
“Hi.”
Ace smiled as soon as he heard Lucy’s voice.
“Hi.”
“Dad seems to have come down with a fake cough so that I would have to take the phone.”
“The nurse just told me you never left…me, thank you, Lucy.”
“I couldn’t have been anywhere else.”
“I can’t talk anymore, it hurts too much.”
“Can I come see you?”
“I’d like that.”
“I’m on my way.”
Lucy hung up the phone, kissed her father on the forehead and hummed as she walked out of his office. Her father sat there and smiled.
Shane was about to back his car out of the parking space when he saw Luke standing behind his car. He waited a minute but Luke just smiled. Shane threw the car into park and got out yelling.
“I have nothing to say to you!”
“Shane, let me explain, please?”
“Luke, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. It won’t happen again.”
Shane turned around and walked back towards his car. As he reached for the door handle Luke grabbed his arm. Shane turned around ready to fight. Luke jumped back.
“What if I want it to happen again?”
Luke could see the look of surprise on Shane’s face as he moved closer. He nodded before grabbing Shane by the back of his head and crashing his lips against his. Shane sought out Luke’s tongue and sucked on it as they kissed. Luke reached down and began to rub Shane’s cock through his jeans.
“I fucking called it.”
Shane pulled away from Luke to see Chace sitting in his car smiling. Shane walked over to Chace’s car and stuck his head in the window. Luke was nervous now that Chace was going to be angry that he was kissing Shane.
“Chace, look it just happened.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“No, really. I was about to leave and Luke came along.”
“Yeah, I bet you want him to cum along.” Chace winked.
Shane laughed. “Yeah, maybe.”
“I’m happy you’re moving on.”
“We’ll see.”
“Get back to him before he thinks I’m a jealous lover.”
“Eww…never. You’re so not my type.” Shane winked and then walked back to Luke.
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t get you in any trouble?”
“Trouble? With Chace?”
“You kissed me first so I figured it was allowed.”
“Allowed? Luke, what the hell are you talking about?”
“Your partnership.”
“We might be partners but that has no bearing on who I choose to sleep with.”
“How many partners do you have right now?”
“Just Ace, Declan and Chace. It’s always been us four, that will never change.”
“Then where do I factor in?” Luke was now confused and beginning to get upset.
“You only wanted to get close to me so that you could become a partner?”
Shane felt sick to his stomach. It was like Robert all over again. He walked around Luke and again reached for the door handle.
“I’m not understanding. You
said you can sleep with whoever you want, you kiss me but then say it will always be just the four of you and then look angry that I want you?”
Shane’s eyes bugged out of his head and then he started to laugh. It made no sense but it all made sense at the same time. Luke stood there speechless and feeling like a bit of a fool that Shane was laughing at him.
“Goodbye Shane.” Luke turned around and headed off.
“Wait, wait, wait!”
Luke stopped but refused to turn around.
“You have ten seconds.”
“You have it all wrong, our partnership is for the Underground…ONLY. They’re all straight.”
Luke started to laugh as he turned around.
“I feel pretty stupid about now.”
“You look pretty hot when you’re stupid.”
Shane kissed Luke. When he pulled back he smiled. Luke looked like a child in a candy shop.
“So…no boyfriends then?”
“Nope. Just three best friends who are my business only partners.”
“Good because I don’t like to share.”
“I don’t share well with others either.”
“I have to get back to work. Call me later when you wake up?”
“I can do that.”
Luke kissed Shane on his cheek and then headed back towards the hospital. Shane got in the car. As he backed out he chuckled to himself about all the partnership references and how Luke misunderstood them. He couldn’t wait to tell the guys about it.
Lucy walked quietly into Ace’s room. The nurse had told her that she had given him some pain killers not too long ago and he was probably asleep. As she approached the bed Ace looked over at her and smiled. Then he reached out his hand. Lucy grabbed it and smiled back.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I’ve been trying to keep myself awake. I wanted to see you.”
Lucy leaned over and kissed Ace gently on his lips. They were chapped and the corner of his mouth was cut from the tube the doctors had there to keep him breathing. She reached for the lip ointment next to his bed. She rubbed some on his lips. He was so sleepy he barely had his eyes opened.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay right here while you rest.”
“I meant it when I said, I loved you.”
Ace fell asleep before Lucy even had a minute to respond.
Chace got home, undressed and headed for the shower. He was exhausted. He toweled off, laid down, closed his eyes and his phone rang.
“McQueen.”
“Chace, I’m outside. We’ve got another body.”
“Fuck, Kyle. I’ll be right out.”
Chace threw his pillow across the room. He dragged himself up and out of the bed and started getting dressed. This was their fifth victim and still no solid leads to go on. He grabbed his badge and gun and headed out of the house.
ACE WOKE UP THE next morning to find three nurses pointing and whispering at him.
“What’s up, ladies?”
One of the nurses pushed the other forward. She blushed.
“Well I recognized you from the Underground. We’ve all seen you strip.”
“Oh, I see. Well in the condition I’m in, don’t expect an encore here.”
“How about a bath?” The young nurse smiled.
“I’ll pass but thank you for the offer.”
“Ok, well if you need anything at all…”
“If he needs anything, I’ll be sure to come and get you.”
Ace smiled at Lucy and thanked God she walked in before the nurses molested him.
“Again, thank you but right now all I need is my girlfriend and to go home.”
The trio turned and left without another word.
“Girlfriend, huh?”
“How about it? Will you be my girlfriend, Lucy Jenkins?”
“I’d be honored to be your girlfriend, Mr. Dean.”
“Good, now come over here and give your boyfriend a kiss.”
Lucy laughed.
“Yes, Sir.”
Lucy leaned down and kissed Ace. Ace pulled back and started to cough. He was still having trouble breathing at times.
“You ok?”
Ace nodded his head as he held his side.
“Coughing hurts these damn ribs.”
“Do you want me to get the nurse to give you some pain medication?”
“No, I’ll be alright. I just need a few minutes.”
“So how are we feeling today, Mr. Dean?”
“He was doing well until he had a bit of a coughing fit, Dr. St. Paul.”
“I’d imagine. Fractured ribs are painful enough without coughing.”
The doctor examined Ace and then signed some papers in his chart and placed it down on the table next to his bed.
“So, here’s the deal; I’m willing to send you home if you promise me to stay in bed for the next few days and take it easy and that you will have someone home to take care of you?”
“I will be there to take care of him and make sure he follows orders, Doctor. I promise.”
“You will?”
“Of course I will.”
“What about work?”
“I have a few personal days I can use.”
Ace smiled at Lucy. “Thank you.”
“Get dressed, I will call in some pain meds and an inhaler for you. I want to see you back here in three days. If you feel any worse or your breathing becomes labored then I want to see you right away.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
The doctor turned and left. Lucy grabbed Ace’s clothes from the duffle bag that Declan had dropped by the day before.
“Let’s sit you up and then I will help you get dressed.”
“I can dress myself.”
Lucy stepped back, placed her hand on her hip and looked at Ace.
“I know you can, however, I am here and I am helping. Got it?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Ace chuckled but then groaned because it hurt to laugh.
“Let’s get you home to bed. You’ll be more comfortable there.”
“Sounds good to me, especially if you’re in my bed.”
“That can be arranged but no sex until the doctor says so.”
“Oh, you’re killing my fantasy.”
Lucy kissed Ace.
“I almost lost you once, I’m not willing to jeopardize your health, not even for sex.”
Ace reached out his hand and grabbed Lucy’s.
“Thank you for caring so much about me, Lucy.”
“I love you, Ace.”
Ace smiled and squeezed Lucy’s hand.
Chace decided to stop by the hospital and check on Ace before he went home to bed. He had been up all night working on the serial murders which they were now referring to as the “Murders by Number.” Five women were dead, his superiors were freaking out because they were getting the squeeze from the higher ups and the media was beginning to stir up a panic in the city.
“Detective McQueen?”
Chace closed his eyes and exhaled before turning around to see that woman.
“Yes, Dr. Mason. What is it?”
Chloe didn’t speak at first, she just took a look at Chace. He looked awful.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“You look awful. Are you sick? Is that why you are here?”
“Thank you for the compliment. I’m here to see a friend.”
“Can I get you a cup of coffee or something?”
“Boy, I must really look awful. You almost seem…concerned.”
Chloe huffed. He really was a prick. Why bother being nice.
“You know you’re a prick. I will catch up to you later at the station.”
Chloe got into the elevator ahead of Chace and she hit the close button so that Chace couldn’t get on the same elevator.
Chace just stood there watching the doors close shaking his head. That woman, how he just wanted to…forget that idea.
Ace was in t
he bathroom and Lucy had gone down the hall to let them know he was ready to leave so they could send a wheelchair to bring him to the front door.
Chace walked in and found two nurses peeking at Ace through the opening in the bathroom door. Ace never cared who saw him naked so he never bothered to shut the door tightly behind him.
“Excuse me ladies, but as an officer of the law, I am pretty sure that peeping, stalking and snapping unauthorized photos of someone indecently exposed is illegal.”
“We were just waiting to make sure Mr. Dean didn’t need us.”
Lucy walked in and was annoyed to find yet more women in Ace’s room.
“Now that I am here, I can make sure that Mr. Dean doesn’t need a thing.”
Chace held out his hand. The two nurses looked at one another and then handed Chace their cell phones. Chace deleted all the pictures of Ace while he was peeing and his ass while he had his back to the door at the sink.
“Goodbye ladies. Don’t ever let me catch you doing that again. Understand?”
The two nurses both took their phones back and nodded their heads as they walked out.
“I can’t believe it. That makes like a half dozen today.”
“Well Ace does get around.”
“Around?”
“He knows a lot of people.”
“I somehow think you are regretting saying that, Chace?”
“Look, he’s been at the club for fifteen years. The women like him. He has a bit of a reputation.”
“I suppose that is something I will have to get used to.”
“Get used to what, Babe? Hey, Chace.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
“I came by to check in on you but it looks as if you’re going home?”
“Yes, thank God.”
“Do you want to bunk at my house?”
“Thanks but I have this beautiful woman here who has demanded to come home with me.”
“Ok, then I will give you a call later and see if either of you need anything.”
“Chace, are you alright? You look awful.”
“I’m fine, just exhausted. It’s been a few days since I’ve slept.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not just you, its work too. I’m gonna get going.”
Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) Page 11
