Chapter Twenty-One
Ace
I walked into the old shipping warehouse that my crew used as a meeting ground. It was no secret that our specific gang used this place and the territory was ours. No other gangs dared to approach our turf unless invited.
There were several windows of the two-story building that were shattered, busted out. The exterior had a rusty brick color, and the heavy doors leading inside creaked in protest as I pushed them open.
Inside, a canopy of light spilled into the area from the windows above the rafters, illuminating rays of white light into the building.
“Hey,” I said as I approached Slash and Paco, two members of my crew. They were the two guys I trusted the most. I knew they would be my brothers to a certain extent for life, no matter how far I tried to run away from my job. But running away was one thing, retiring was another.
"You're late," Slash, the leader of our crew grumbled as I passed him to sit at the edge of the long wooden table we used for meetings. Slash had an enormous scar across the center of his forehead that was jagged and dragged all the way down the side of his cheek, which was the reason he acquired the nickname Slash in the first place.
“Transportation issues.” After walking from the cabin where I left Khloe, I hitchhiked to my storage unit down in Arrow Lake and got one of my other Harleys.
I plopped down in the only remaining chair and stared at my fellow crew members all lined up in a row at the table, waiting expectantly for instructions, directions and someone else to give them purpose.
I was already regretting my decision to leave Khloe all by herself at the cabin, but I wouldn’t have done it unless I was one hundred percent certain that she’d fair okay and would be able to fend for herself. She was stronger than she admitted. All she needed was a little help and a bit of a push and the right tools.
I hated the fact that I wasn’t laying in bed with her, nuzzling up beside her naked body and going down on her, listening to the pacifying moans escaping her throat in a passionate hunger. I was an idiot to think that I could offer her any remote possibility of a peaceful life with the threat of being a victim of a hit looming over her head.
It was now or never. It was time for me to initiate my own personal plan to protect her no matter the cost, or what fate might befall me in the process.
The meeting was the usual discussion of politics. It didn’t hold my interest anymore. I wanted out, but I had to take care of this business first. After we parted ways, I tagged Slash outside, asking him to wait up.
“Do you know where to find the guy who ordered the hit on the landlord?” I cut right to the chase.
Slash frowned, trying to remember. “Yeah. Why?”
“Don’t ask questions. This is personal,” I said.
He narrowed his gaze and grunted. “Leave this alone, Ace, or you’ll end up dead.”
“We all end up dead, right?”
With a reluctant huff, he pulled a piece of paper out of his back pocket. “Call this number. They should be able to help you.”
I stared at the number with a blank expression. “Any lead?” I asked. “Like who I should be addressing?”
“Ask for Paul,” he said and began to wander off, back to his motorcycle.
"Thanks, man," I called out.
“Now, I’ve gotta go. I have a contract.” Slash gave me a casual and busied wave over his shoulder.
I waited until everyone had left the meeting. I scoped the area, walking around to make sure there were no hidden cameras or extra people lurking about. Once I was certain that I was officially alone, I grabbed the cell phone I swiped earlier and dialed the number.
A gruff voice announced his name as Paul without me even having to inquire.
“Yeah.” I coughed into the phone, wanting to mask my voice as much as possible. “I saw your ah…your thing…”
“Yeah? And your credentials?” Paul asked.
I gave him a list of my credentials, keeping the lingo low-key, hoping that he understood. "Anyway, I'm trying to keep this call short. I need to know where I can come to discuss this job."
“I’ve hired before. Cats turned up with nothing. How am I sure you’re a professional?”
“I get the job done. I’ll even clean up after I’m through. No trace. No evidence. Like I said, not much I can discuss over the phone, pal? So what’s it gonna be? You need me or you don’t?”
“Come on. I’m still scouting. Carefully this time. Last ones turned out to be flukes. Anyway, we’re in Pennington City. North of Galloway. You know the place?”
“Yeah.” I cursed inwardly. The guy wasn’t even in the same state. It was going to take me all night and most of the day to get there. “What time?”
“Meet at the dock out by the old river access tomorrow night at eight o’clock. Bring your “A” game because you won’t be the only one on the chase.”
I swiftly hung up. I glanced around the warehouse. It was getting dark and I was still alone. I adjusted the pistol in the back of my pants and pressed on. I found a parking garage in the downtown area, picked a motorcycle that didn’t look like a piece of shit, and rode it across the state lines. There was just enough time to ride, stop and eat maybe once or twice, and take a short nap, but I was already pushing it. The last thing I wanted to do was tip the guy off by asking for more time and alerting him that I wasn’t even in the area. Or that Khloe wasn’t either, for that matter.
I arrived at the dock at eight o' clock sharp just as the man named Paul had instructed. I was on guard, just in case this was a setup. I didn't want to fall into a trap. After zipping my leather jacket up to conceal my tattoos, I approached two other men that I assumed to be bounty hunters as well. They didn't say shit to me, and I didn't say shit to them. After all, if this were the real deal, only one of us would earn the bounty.
I was silent, waiting for them to speak first. These were probably guys that had been called from various MC clubs and gangs around the region. They were probably even independent professional bounty hunters by trade. As long as I remained calm and pretended to be one of them, I’d get through this. They looked bloodthirsty as I glanced into their dark, hollow eyes.
“Now,” one of the bounty hunters took it upon himself to begin the conversation. “We know the location of the shop, but the chick is missing.”
Paul crossed his arms over his chest, resting them over his big beer belly. “Yeah, and she saw the hit. She was close to him, I think. Probably fucking him. Knows too much. That’s why she ran. The dumbasses I hired to raid the shop didn’t do a good job by letting her get away, talking that shit about how they don’t shoot women and how I only paid them for one kill. Then, wouldn’t you know…they wouldn’t even finish the job. They’re off the case. Sorry sacks of shits.” There were some grunts, grumbles, and a chorus of agreements from the other two bounty hunters. Then, Paul continued to bitch and bellyache. “If she doesn’t keep her dicksuckers shut, I’m in trouble. I can’t have this marring my reputation in town. I want her killed on sight. Then, get rid of the body. Leave no evidence. Didn’t one of you say you have training in cleaning up.”
“Yeah,” I grumbled, clenching my teeth.
“Well, maybe you can all team up, split the money three ways, you know. Last hunters weren’t from shit. They couldn’t find her. One of them didn’t even report back,” Paul grunted.
“Nah, dude. I don’t work in teams. I’m not splitting shit three ways. Whoever gets to her first and makes the hits…that’s who should get the bounty,” the younger of the two said.
“Yeah.” The other nodded in agreement. “But my price to kill women is higher, especially now that she’s gone off the radar. She could be anywhere by now. She could be six states over.”
“Didn’t you say she was using a fake name? This sounds to me like that bitch knows how to duck and run. She’s the type you have to sneak up on and whack from the back,” the other one claimed proudly.
Paul looked at me, probab
ly expecting me to reveal why I had the upper hand on the other two. That wasn't going to happen. Even if this was a real gig I was taking on, I never revealed my sources. But this wasn't a real gig, and none of them would succeed.
I held my breath. This was do or die. I couldn’t risk allowing any of these men to roam free because if I did, Khloe didn’t stand a chance of peace. She’d always be running.
"I'm offering top dollar to whoever executes the hit. I need some kind of evidence after the deed has been done. Now, I only have one bounty to award. It’s up to y’all if you wanna team up or go it alone. The trail is getting cold. Have we got a deal?" Paul looked back and forth between us.
All two men nodded. Except for me. That's when Paul frowned. I could tell he was becoming skeptical of my neutral responses.
“Well, you ain’t saying nothing, young fella,” Paul declared. “Do we have a deal?”
These men were scum, the true evil of the world. Who would agree to kill an innocent woman over nothing? It just wasn't done.
“Deal?” I uttered. “Here’s the deal…”
One by one, I eliminated the threats. I extracted both handguns from my belt and simultaneously put a bullet in each bounty hunter's head. They dropped instantly. Paul's eyes widened in shock. It didn't look like he had a gun. Or maybe he did. He reached for something behind him, but it was too late. One bullet in the foot brought him to his knees, and a small pistol dropped from his hand on the dock. As he stared at me, recognition set on his face.
“It was you…you helped that girl run. You were with that crew, weren’t you? You got her up out of the shop and told her to hide,” he sputtered.
“Yes, it was me.”
He spat on the ground. “You piece of shit ex-convict. I shouldn’t have trusted your gang. I’ll kill you both—”
A bullet to the head always silenced them. This one was no different.
I looked down at the bodies around me with a chill creeping up my spine in the deadly silence. None of them even stood a chance at fighting back, it happened so fast. But I had succeeded in my mission—the threats to Khloe's life were finally eliminated. That's what I did. I eliminated threats.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ace
I cleaned up, taking the evidence to destroy in a fire later and rolled the men into the lake. Of course, they’d resurface later, but I’d be long gone.
I jumped back on the bike and sped down the interstate, stopping only once to get rid of the evidence and pick up my Harley. Then I drove to Khloe, my only saving grace. My only living redemption.
I knew that as soon as I saw Khloe again, all of my guilt would melt away. I needed to see her now more than ever. The image of her flushed cheeks in the height of erotic bliss surged into the front of my mind. My heart pounded. I was unable to deny my burning desire for her. Khloe was the only thing from my past that I wouldn’t bury. My need for Khloe was growing deeper with each and every mile I traveled closer in her direction.
I hoped that she wouldn't be upset with me for leaving. I hoped that she would understand in the end that I had to make an ultimate choice, and she was the reason for everything I did whether it was built on a foundation of crime or not.
I may have ended the lives of the men standing in her way, but as I rode along in the private seclusion of my own mind, I couldn’t help but have doubts in my head that I probably wasn’t good enough for her.
Khloe deserved the very best out of life. She’d already attempted to start her life over and forget the dark issues of her past. In some ways, I might have been a representation of the demons of her past still out there, haunting her. I cringed at the idea that she might view me in that foul way.
If I could just race back to her and explain to her how much I cared about her, to admit that I loved her, then perhaps she'd finally understand. From the moment I first laid eyes on her that fateful day so many years ago, I knew I could love her forever. I didn't normally believe in love at first sight, but with Khloe, it was different. The chemistry between us was wild, electric, and alive.
I hated the fact that I hadn't treated her to dates and courted her properly, like an average, respectable guy out there in the regular society might do. I was different back then. I didn't know how to treat a woman in a dignified way. I was older and wiser now. I was ready to make up for lost time and treat her like the princess she was.
All I had known for my entire life was crime, and I was ready to disappear from that terrible train of destruction as quickly as I could. Starting over with Khloe in the quiet cabin tucked away in the woods was the best way to start.
If she’d have me.
My stomach rolled in nervous waves. I knew that as soon as I approached her, I'd have to shift the tide and become a different, cleansed person. Enough was enough. I had all the money I needed to take care of her, and I'd already been offered a real job once before back in Arrow Lake. If that boss would still have me, I'd gladly trade this life for a 9-to-5 just so I could wake up next to Khloe every morning and come home to her every evening. I yearned to feel her delicate fingers running through my hair. I lived for the moment that I could feel her stroking my head.
I had to make her feel wanted, appreciated, and loved. I had a lot of work cut out for me, but I was up for the challenge. I missed running my fingers through her delicate, midnight hair. I wanted to bury my face between her legs and give her orgasm after orgasm until she forgot all her problems.
I had to make it up to her, all the pain and suffering I’d equipped her with when she believed that I was dead and gone. I wanted all the burdens of her past to finally be lifted off her shoulders. I was a new man, and she breathed new hope and life into me that I’d never experienced before.
But then again, maybe she was better off without me…
Chapter Twenty-Three
Khloe
I knew that Ace was back the moment he pulled into the driveway on a Harley I didn’t recognize. My bare feet pounded against the wooden surface of the floor, desperately fleeing to the front door. I honestly didn’t expect him to come back this fast.
My heart spoke for me, making my body move as I flung the door open and rushed the steps on the porch, racing towards Ace as I unconsciously stirred the dirt with my feet.
Ace placed the motorcycle in park, removed his helmet, and stared at me with an intense gaze of longing as I ran across the yard.
“Khloe…”
He rose from the bike and we collided in one intense hug. It had only been three days, but I missed him like crazy. I stood on my tiptoes, slid my fingers up the back of his neck, and kissed him with everything I had. If I had known he was this irresistible, I might have consummated our relationship sooner. His lips moved across mine passionately. He tasted like cinnamon and spice—all male and all testosterone.
I pulled back from the kiss and examined him. His face. His arms. Everywhere. Maybe I was looking for signs that he’d been hurt or maybe I was just trying to figure out if he was a figment of my imagination or a dream that my mind was desperate to control and make real.
I stared into the burning passion of his eyes, the window to all the desires of his heart that he wanted me to know but couldn’t explain.
“You’re back,” I stated as if I couldn’t believe it was true.
“I never want to leave you again,” he confessed.
I nodded, feeling a lump as hard as a rock in my throat. “Neither do I.”
“I’m so sorry for everything.” The remorse was blazing in his voice.
"It's okay," I whispered, wanting to pacify him. I knew by the expression on his face that he'd probably done the unthinkable to protect me and save my life.
“No.” He swallowed hard. “I had to end this.”
It looked as if he too were on the verge of crocodile tears. Knowing him, he’d hold them back instead of letting me see him like that.
I shook my head, trying to understand what he was talking about.
“I had to e
nd this threat on your life. It had to be done,” he said.
Like a light bulb being switched on in my mind, I knew without a doubt that he had killed again for me. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay. I’m a selfish monster who doesn’t deserve you—”
I cut him off, placed my finger tenderly to the edge of his lips. “All I want is you. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Ace's eyes flashed with surprise. “I want to be good for you.”
“I know,” I whispered. “I want to be good for you too. I want to be the woman who convinces you that you’re not the monster you call yourself.”
He lowered his face to mine until our cheeks touched. He didn’t want me to see the tears escape from his eyes. When he looked at me again, there was no evidence he’d been crying. I knew better, but I just smiled.
“I don’t want a normal man. I want you,” I told him. “That first day we met and you looked at me…no man had ever looked at me that way before. And I had never felt the way I did before that day. I wanted you. I didn’t know what I was feeling, so I was scared.”
“I thought you were afraid of me.”
“I knew what you were the moment I opened that door. I wasn’t afraid of you. I was afraid of what I felt inside. I was so alone back then after my Mama passed. I had already associated love with heartbreak and pain.”
“I’ll never cause you heartbreak. I’ll never do anything to hurt you. I just want to love you.”
At a loss of words, I nodded.
His face flushed with relief as he placed his lips on mine. I kissed him silent so he wouldn't be able to speak any longer. I kissed him until the world faded away and left only us standing there together.
Claimed by the Ex-Con: An Ex-Con Second Chance Contemporary Romance Novel Page 12
