I nod.
“Open to you if you need me,” he says, then walks off.
Surprise fills me. What does that even mean? Does he think I want to come into his room during the night? Theoretically, I might want to, sure, but that doesn’t mean I would. What kind of girl does he think I am? I literally just met the guy, and it’s clear Gage doesn’t want me going near any of his men, which is understandable.
I follow Gage down the hallway, but he notices my wariness. “You’re safe here, Erin. I want you to know that. And anything you need, I will get for you. Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks,” I reply, gripping the strap of my bag.
He stops at a locked door, opens it with a key, then turns the light on, and we step inside. The whole room is white, from the walls to the bed, and quite spacious. There’s a desk and chair in one corner of the room, a dresser on the other. The large bed is right in the center of the room, and there’s a door to the left, slightly ajar, which must be the bathroom.
“Do whatever you want with it,” he says, watching me. “It’s yours. It will always be yours, whether you decide to leave or stay.” He hands me the key, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows. “Tomorrow I’ll give you a tour of the place.”
“Thanks,” I say, forcing a smile. “I know this is a bit . . . much.”
His lip twitches. “I’m sorry you saw me lose my shit before. I didn’t think Louise would ever be capable of doing something like this, if I’m being honest.” He glances around the room, rubbing the back of his neck. “Did you grow up with a stepdad?”
“Yeah,” I say, shifting on my feet. “Brock.”
“Good guy?”
I nod.
I don’t elaborate; I think he’s had enough pain for one night, and I’ve had enough confusion too. I’m still not sure if I should have just stayed at the motel, but there was a look in Gage’s eyes that I couldn’t seem to say no to. He really wants me to be here.
“Good,” he says, clearing his throat. “Thank you for staying. You have any problems, you come to me, okay?”
“Okay,” I say, but neither of us move—we just look at each other, taking the other in, in a private, quiet moment.
This is my father.
This is the man who gave me half my genes and my blue eyes. He’s a stranger, yet I feel connected to him, and it’s the weirdest feeling. I want to give him a hug, but I feel a little awkward doing so. I don’t know what kind of man he is. All I know is what I’ve seen tonight, and what my mother told me, neither of which has painted him in the best light. Yet there’s something making me want to give him a chance.
“I’m happy you came to me,” he murmurs, and I can hear the emotion in his tone that I can tell he wants to mask. “Better late than never, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, better late than never.”
I lift my head and smile at him.
“You really do have my eyes,” he says, smiling and making a sound of dry amusement. “But much nicer than mine.”
I laugh at that. “It’s not a competition.”
He grins back at me. “Get some rest, Erin.”
“I’ll try.”
He leaves, and I lock the door behind him and put my bag on the bed.
As I look around my temporary room, I exhale. So much has just happened in such a short time, and I need to process it all.
I take a quick shower, brush my teeth, and get changed into my pajamas. As I’m about to crawl into bed, I decide to grab some water from the kitchen in case I get thirsty during the night. Unlocking my door, I step into the hallway. The place is quiet, with no one in sight, so I’m comfortable walking to the kitchen. I find a bottle of water in the fridge, so I help myself. Gage did say to make myself at home. As I’m returning to my room, I look toward Ace’s room. I still don’t know what he meant by his offer to drop by. I turn away and open my door, just as I see a tall, thin, dark-haired woman knocking on his. I pause, watching to see what will happen. After a minute I see the door open and watch her enter with the door closing behind her.
I guess his offer wasn’t just for me. I shouldn’t feel so let down by that after only meeting the man today. He’s clearly a ladies’ man, and it’s stupid to have any kind of fantasies involving him. He probably just wants to look good with my father and be my friend. It would be just my luck to be friend-zoned by a man whose clothes I want to rip off.
How many women does he tell to drop by if they “need him”?
Bet he likes feeling so needed.
I also realize that I don’t have my phone, because my dad threw it, and I never went to check if it was in working order. I can’t even message my mother to let her know that I’m fine. She’s probably freaking out after talking to Gage. I can’t deal with it tonight though; it’s all just been too much.
Gritting my teeth and feeling stupid, I close the door to my room, and this time I don’t resurface until morning.
“How was your first night, princess?” Ace asks me the next morning, opening the fridge while I sit at the table eating cereal. He grabs a carton of milk, closes the fridge, then smirks as he takes me in. “Nice pj’s.”
I’m in my pink cotton unicorn pajamas in front of a group of strangers and a man I think is sexy as hell. I’ve clearly given up on life.
“Thanks. And yes, my first night was wonderful,” I reply sarcastically, not bothering to look at him. I don’t feel like dealing with Ace right now. I’m only here to see Gage and then leave.
Dreads comes in and sits next to me, a beer in his hand. I make a face.
“Beer for breakfast? Seriously?”
He just grins, amber eyes dancing with amusement. “Hair of the dog.”
“I don’t even know your name,” I say to him. “I’ve just been referring to you in my head as Dreads.”
He chuckles and leans back in his chair. “How original.”
“Hey,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “It’s a great nickname.”
“Maybe you should just keep calling me that,” he muses, taking a swig of his beer. “It works for us, I think.”
I blink. “What works for us?”
Ace sits down opposite us, watching me.
I don’t look at him. I stare down into my cereal instead. Much safer.
Dreads stands up, the noise of his chair getting dragged across the floor loud in the silent room. “I’m supposed to take you shopping today.”
I lift my head. “Shopping for what?”
“Clothes and shit for your room. Whatever you want,” he says, shrugging. “You didn’t bring much shit with you.”
“Yeah, because I was going to meet Gage, then go back home. I never intended on staying more than a night or two,” I admit.
It wasn’t exactly a well-thought-out plan, more like a rash decision I made when my emotions were out of control. I wanted to see why my mother didn’t want me to come here so badly. Maybe it was part act of rebellion, part finding myself, I don’t know.
“Where is home?” Ace asks.
“A few hours from here,” I say, glancing at him briefly, then looking back to Dreads. “Why can’t Gage take me?”
“He has something going on today,” he says, shrugging again. “Prez is a busy man. He will see you when he gets back.”
Yeah, but I’m his daughter. And he should want to spend time with me. He can’t ask me to stay here, then not see me. I try to push away the disappointment, but I start to regret staying here at all, especially if he’s not going to be around today.
“Yeah, okay,” I say, knowing there’s not much else I can do now. “When are we going?”
“In an hour,” Dreads says, glancing at his drink. “I’ll stop after this one.”
“How considerate of you,” I mutter in a dry tone, shaking my head at him in judgment.
He grins and disappears, leaving me with the one person I don’t really want to see right now. I don’t have any reason to be disgruntled with him, I know that, but I just feel like this attr
action to him isn’t going to end well, and I don’t need to get to know him.
“You okay?” he asks, sounding concerned. His gray eyes narrow ever so slightly as he watches me. “I know it must be a lot to take in. Did you get some sleep?”
“Like a baby. And yes, I’m fine. Do you know where Gage is?”
I’m going to talk to him myself.
“He’s with Veronica,” he replies, then changes the subject. “I can take you shopping instead of Mac, if you want.”
Mac?
Yeah, I’d prefer Dreads too.
“Nah, it’s cool,” I say, shrugging. “I’ll go with Dreads. And who is Veronica?”
“Your dad’s woman,” he says, scrubbing a hand down his face. “He’s probably telling her about you.”
“Gage is married?” I ask, my nose wrinkling. I don’t know why, but I pictured him being alone. I never factored a wife into the equation, a stepmother, but I don’t know why. It’s been so many years since he was with my mom, of course he’d be with someone by now.
“They aren’t married,” Ace says, then adds in a lower tone, “And I want to take you.”
“Wait,” I say, a thought coming to me as I ignore his last few words. “Was she the naked woman in his bed last night?”
Ace cringes, then wipes his expression blank. “No.”
“I see,” I say, dragging out the words as I silently judge my newfound father.
“What do you see?” Ace asks, leaning back in his chair and studying me. “You know you can’t say shit to Veronica.”
“I see that all men are pigs,” I say, flashing him a fake smile. “And don’t worry, I’m not going to say shit. It’s none of my business.”
Women are treated differently here. It feels like the men are a unit, a strong one, and the women here must have their own role to play, which is hopefully more than just being in the kitchen and the bedroom. My mom definitely wouldn’t fit in here. She has an opinion on everything and can be kind of judgmental and condescending at times. I’m like her in some ways, and not at all in others.
“Not all men are pigs,” Ace fires back, scowling.
“Just my father?”
“I never said that,” he says, sighing. “Come on, I’m taking you shopping. I don’t care if you don’t want me there. Mac is drunk, and I want to fucking take you.”
He stands and leaves, like he has the final say. He doesn’t, and I’m not going to do what he says just because he said so. I don’t even want to go shopping. I just want to see Gage, maybe have a meal with him, and then go back home to my real life. He might be used to women following his every order, but I’ve always been a person who does what she wants.
Unfortunately, my heart usually leads me instead of my head, which is why I am here. I seem to have a little soft spot for the father I never got to know, and maybe a serious case of fear of missing out.
4
After a long shower, to try and clear my head, I throw on some skinny jeans and a pink T-shirt.
All I need is to spend a little time with him. If he’s too busy today, maybe I should just leave now. I’m obviously not a priority. I could call a taxi to take me to the bus station, and jump on the next available one, which will get me home in about four hours.
But what if I don’t see him again after this? I’m finishing getting dressed, contemplating what to do, when there’s a knock at the door. With one shoe on, I get up and open the door, sticking my head out.
“Yeah?” I ask Ace, as his eyes meet mine. I try to ignore the jolt that hits my body in his presence. I don’t know what this thing is between us, or why he has such an effect on me. The men here clearly have a different set of values than I’m used to, or a lack thereof. I grew up in a religious household, where we go to church every Sunday and have clear ideas on what is right and wrong. I’m not a judgmental person, but from what I’ve seen so far with how they treat women here, I would never want to become one of those ladies. I don’t want to be cheated on, or used and discarded.
I’m a hopeless romantic, I suppose.
Or a fool.
Most likely the latter.
“You ready?” he asks me, glancing down my body through the small gap.
I open the door wider, then sit back down on the bed to put on my other shoe. “I don’t need anything.”
I’m about to tell him I might just go home, when his next sentence captures my attention.
“What about food?” he asks, stepping into the room. He’s wearing all black again—T-shirt, leather vest, and jeans—and I’m beginning to think this is a regular occurrence for him. “We can get some lunch or something, or I can show you around the city.”
I lift my head slowly, trying to hide my interest. “What kind of food?”
The cereal from breakfast is already starting to wear off, and I have a craving for something greasy. The city has a much larger variety of food options than I’m used to from the country town I live in, and I wouldn’t mind eating everything in sight before I have to leave. I usually come to the city once or twice a year with my family for a little getaway, but that’s about it. And while I love trying new restaurants, I’d rather be doing it with my father. Maybe if I stay around, we could have dinner instead, and I could leave tomorrow morning.
“Anything you want,” he murmurs, grinning to himself, like he now knows that all he has to do is mention food to get my attention.
I hate to admit that it might be true. I’m kind of a foodie.
“And we can go and get this fixed,” he adds, pulling out my phone and flashing the cracked screen in my direction. Shit, I almost forgot about my phone.
I hold my hand out. “Is it just the screen?”
He nods and drops the phone into my open palm. “It looks that way.”
“Well, he can definitely pay for that,” I mutter under my breath, turning the phone back and forth in my hand.
Ace makes a sound of amusement, bringing my eyes to him. “Don’t think that will be an issue, considering he handed over his credit card for you to use.”
Credit card? What kind of girl does he think I am? I don’t want his money. Money can’t buy what I want, or fix anything. It’s not going to give me a relationship with Gage. That thought puts me in a bad mood again.
“Don’t worry about it, Ace,” I say, sighing. “I’m going to try and talk to Gage, and if that doesn’t go well, I’m just going to head to the bus station.”
“No, you’re not,” he murmurs, moving closer to me, thinking he can intimidate me with his large frame. “Come on, we’re going.”
“Or what?” I ask him, crossing my arms. “What are you going to do?”
When he bends down and lifts me into his arms, I slap at his shoulder. “What are you doing? Are you going to carry me through the mall too?”
My stomach takes that moment to rumble.
Loudly.
“See, you’re hungry. Stop being stubborn,” he growls, putting me down. “Grab your bag. And let’s go feed you.”
I sigh heavily and grab my purse. “Fine. But the food better be fucking amazing, and plentiful. When am I going to be able to see Gage?”
He stands at the door and waits for me to walk through. “He should be back by the time we return. He had to go somewhere with Knuckles.”
Knuckles?
“I’m assuming Knuckles is good with his hands?” I ask in a dry tone.
Ace chuckles under his breath and closes the door after him. “Maybe he cracks his knuckles a lot.”
“Yeah, in other people’s faces,” I reply, walking toward the exit.
More laughter.
As we walk through the clubhouse, I notice the interior decoration style includes a lot of leather and skulls, and there’s no clutter to be seen. The men are obviously into minimalizing. I point to one of the skulls on the wall. “Is that real?”
“Yep,” he replies simply. “Fox skull.”
I lower my hand, disgusted. I happen to think that foxes are
pretty cute.
“Who goes hunting?” I ask, wondering if it’s something Gage is into. Not that I’d join him, trying to bond with him, I could never kill an animal for sport. Or for any other reason. I’m not a vegetarian or anything, and I know that kind of makes me a hypocrite, but I could just never do it. I’m not judging others who do though. Well— No, okay, maybe I am.
“Most of us do,” is all he gives me.
I wait for him to lead me to his bike, because I can’t remember which one is his in a parking lot full of them, but he leads me to a BMW SUV instead.
“Why aren’t we taking the bike?” I ask, frowning. I was looking forward to being back on it, the loud wind rattling in my ears and blocking out the world around me, as close to flying as I’ll ever get.
As free as I’ll ever be.
“If you’re buying shit, we can’t carry it on the bike,” he murmurs, opening the car doors with a press of a button.
“I’m not buying anything, I just want to fix my phone and get some food,” I tell him, glancing longingly toward the motorcycles. I turn back to him to hear the doors locking, which means we get to go on the bike.
“Come on then,” he says, and I can’t stop the big smile that spreads on my face.
I don’t miss the headshake directed at me, but I don’t care.
“You used to getting what you want?” he asks me quietly as we stop at his bike.
“Nope.” I’m definitely not spoiled, if that’s what he’s insinuating.
“Somehow I don’t believe that for a second,” he says, handing me a helmet.
“Think what you want,” I fire back, tying my hair in a low ponytail and sliding the helmet on. I should learn how to ride, then I won’t need to depend on a man or ride at the back. I tell Ace as much.
“I can teach you,” he says quickly, a glint in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine.
“Maybe Gage will teach me,” I reply, shrugging.
I don’t need to spend more time with Ace. Gage, on the other hand . . .
“Here,” he says, sliding his leather jacket on my shoulders. “We’ll have to get you your own jacket.”
Ace of Hearts Page 3
