Beware

by Shanora Williams

  “Oh.” My eyes expand, my crankiness subsiding. “Okay. Sure… tell him I’ll be over after I freshen up.”

  “Sure thing. I’ll be out here waiting whenever you’re ready,” Gerrick says.

  “Oh, no. Please.” I shake my head. “You don’t have to wait. Just give me his condo number, and I’ll be there. It’s no problem.” I shrug carelessly, forcing a smile.

  He doesn’t return the smile. Instead, he grabs the door handle and starts to close the door. “It’s my job, Miss Stallone. I’ll be out here waiting and ready to go whenever you are.”

  The door clicks shut before me, and I blink rapidly. “Well, then,” I sigh out. I guess all the men are just like Ace. So serious.

  I figure I don’t have much of a choice. I don’t want to keep Gerrick waiting. I don’t have much money, and I could use a good breakfast right now after such a long and depressing week, so I hop in the shower, complete all my hygienic needs, then get dressed in something more tasteful than sweatpants and a T-shirt.

  I know it’s kind of cool out, so I go with a thin, aqua, long-sleeved V-neck and khakis.

  After grabbing my purse and cell phone, I head for the door where Gerrick is standing. He glances over his shoulder, fingers folded in front of him.

  “Ready?” he asks.

  I nod. “Yeah. Sure.”

  The walk to get to Ace’s building literally takes two minutes. As we enter, I roll my eyes at the thought of Gerrick thinking this is really a job. Shouldn’t this annoy him? How much is he getting paid to be my bodyguard? And if we’re safe, why couldn’t I walk here myself?

  Ace’s room is on the very top floor. The elevator dings, and I follow Gerrick down the hall, passing each solid wooden door until we reach the very last one. Gerrick pulls out a key and unlocks the door. Once it’s open, he allows me inside and tells me to let him know when I’m ready to head back.

  Forcing a smile, I walk past him and enter what I thought would be a condo just like mine.

  I’m wrong.

  This is a penthouse.

  It’s enormous. Beautiful. And it fits Ace.

  The space is adorned in all things silver and black, even the staircase is a shimmery chrome and sable. Red accent pieces are scattered about, bringing the whole Ace appeal to play. I realize he likes the color red. I don’t. Red has never been on my list of favorite colors. It reminds me of bad things… evil things.

  Surprisingly, the front room is empty. But there’s a buffet of food on the long table in front of the window. I walk toward the table, absorbing all the delectable food. I could use this right now. As I pick up a muffin, I stare out at the harbor. It’s a little windy out. The sails of the boats and yachts flap carelessly in the wind. The ocean water shimmers beneath the dim sun; the sky full of bundled, grey clouds. A storm seems to be coming, but it’s comforting. This view is breathtaking—way better than mine.

  “Help yourself,” a deep voice says from behind me.

  My insides tighten as his familiar, gravelly voice fills the room. Turning marginally, I meet Ace’s brown eyes. I start to smile, but that smile falters as my gaze lowers to his broad, tan chest.

  He doesn’t have a shirt on yet. It’s in his hand.

  And my lord.

  He’s glorious.

  There’s a tattoo of a cross on the right side of his chest. There are names bordering the cross, but I can’t make them out from here. He’s obviously just gotten out of the shower. His hair is damp, free of gel, and hanging on his forehead. His chest shimmers with a few beads of water, and as he brings his tank top over his head and pulls it down over eight packs of pure, desirable muscle, I feel myself nearly salivate.

  Goodness.

  “Not hungry?” he asks, starting in my direction. A simple smirk is on his lips. A knowing one.

  I snap out of my stare, and realizing how foolish I must look, I turn quickly and grab a plate. I’m so glad Gerrick decided to wait outside the door. No one witnessed my intense ogling.

  Ace steps to my side and picks up a plate. I avoid his gaze and the fact that he smells fresh and manly. I’ve always liked the smell of men’s body wash, but on him, I love it.

  “Sleep good?” he asks.

  “Good enough,” I respond.

  “Good.” He places a few strips of bacon on his plate. “So, not only did I wanna invite you over for breakfast, but I know you didn’t bring much up here. Figured you might wanna go out and do a little shopping… splurge a little.”

  “With what money, Ace?” I question, picking up a bottle of orange juice.

  I meet his eyes, but he’s already frowning at me. “Told you not to worry about money.”

  “It’s nice of you,” I say, stepping around him to get to the dining table, “but I’m okay. Really. I still want to… adjust to this place. It doesn’t feel like home just yet.”

  He shrugs, grabbing a tall glass of milk. “Suit yourself, Red.”

  “Red?” I laugh, gnawing on a piece of sausage. “What’s that name supposed to mean, exactly?”

  He sits across from me and places his plate down. Sliding one hand through his hair, he looks at me beneath his thick eyelashes and gives a half-smile, revealing a deep dimple. “Like it. It was funny how red you were on the jet. Cute.”

  “Cute?” I give him a doubtful look.

  He assures me with a nod.

  I laugh silently as I pour syrup on my waffles. Ace digs into his scrambled eggs, and for a moment, things are peaceful. But, of course, it’s only for a moment. Out of the blue, a girl steps into the living room, wearing nothing but a white T-shirt.

  Her legs are long, sleek, and bare. Her nipples are evidently hard beneath the thin shirt. Her hair is a wild mess, but it looks good on her—way better than it would on me. She’s… stunning. But what the hell is she doing here?

  “Ace?” she calls.

  Ace jerks his gaze up, frowning.

  I slowly stop eating.

  The girl prances across the living room floor, meeting at his side. “Anything good for me?” she asks with a tone full of seduction.

  “Plenty of food over there,” he says, pointing over his shoulder with a fork.

  “How about we share?” she says in his ear. She tries to climb on his lap, but he stands to his feet, pushing her back by the shoulders.

  “Go get dressed, Layla. Now. And when you’re done, go home. Nothing’s changed.”

  Layla pouts at Ace then turns her gaze on me.

  She grimaces.

  I press my lips together, frowning back.

  She then marches around an upset Ace. When she disappears around the corner and up the stairs, Ace takes his seat again and finishes up his food as if nothing happened.

  My eyebrows are still raised in astonishment about the mini episode of drama, but I laugh it off silently and continue eating my breakfast.

  “What’s funny?” Ace asks.

  “Her,” I state simply.

  “She knew you were coming. Heard me on the phone with Gerrick. Hate when girls do that.” He isn’t looking at me. He’s concentrating on his food. His eyebrows are knitted together, his body hunched over.

  “It’s whatever,” I tell him, hoping he’ll ease up a bit. “Seriously. It didn’t bother me. Gave me a good laugh actually.”

  “It’s disrespectful,” he grumbles.

  I shrug. “It’s fine, Ace. Really.”

  Finally, he looks up at me, his face softening a bit. When he sees that I mean it, he nods and sits his back against the chair. I finish up my waffle, eggs and bacon, but feel his gaze on me.

  It’s heavy.

  Powerful.

  What is he thinking?

  Is he staring at the cleavage that I might have purposely put on display… for him?

  I don’t bother looking up. I can’t. It’ll just make things awkward.

  Just when I start to clear my plate, Ace speaks up, and I’m relieved. “You seem okay to be around me now.”

  “I’ve had time
to think, and besides, I have no choice but to be okay with it, right?” I press my lips, lifting one shoulder.

  “You have a choice,” he says. “We all have choices.”

  “Well, maybe I’m giving you a chance… at being trusted.”

  He cocks an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Why’s that?”

  I narrow my eyes at him. “You know why. Don’t play stupid.”

  He chuckles, knocking his head back and exposing the crow on his neck. “What if you can’t trust me?” he asks, a hint of a smile still on his lips.

  “Then I guess we part ways earlier than the three months we agreed and we never see each other again. Simple as that.”

  “I don’t think it’d be that simple,” he murmurs, moving his gaze to my breasts. So he was looking…

  I pretend to ignore where his eyes have traveled. “Why do you say that?”

  “Because… it just won’t. I’m a complex person. Things are never simple when it comes to me.”

  I grin. “I guess it’s a good thing I’m a patient girl that likes to figure shit out then, huh?”

  He laughs at my statement, and I giggle.

  It feels sort of good to laugh… but I’m not sure if it’s good to laugh with him.

  Stomping starts a distance away, and I look toward the door at Layla who has her purse tucked beneath her arm, a barely there dress on.

  “Bye, Layla,” Ace calls.

  She ignores him, slamming the door behind her.

  I burst out laughing, and Ace looks my way, shrugging smoothly. “Women.” Standing, Ace picks up his plate and mine. “Listen, I have some work to do in about an hour. If you want, you can stay here and eat some more… or Gerrick can walk you back to your place.”

  I sigh, standing from my chair. “I think I’ll just go back to my place.”

  He nods. “I’ll see you another time, then. Hope you enjoyed breakfast.”

  “I did. Thanks.” I strap my purse on my shoulder as I make my way to the door. As I clutch the doorknob, I glance over my shoulder just as Ace enters the kitchen. “Thank you, Ace.”

  He looks up, his face blank and his eyes harder than steel. I can’t read his expression, but then again, who can? I know he understands why I’m thanking him. For welcoming me. For getting me to actually smile. For being kind because none of this seems to be in his nature.

  Finally, he says, “No problem, Red,” and with that, I’m walking out his front door and following Gerrick to my condo with thoughts of him calling me ‘Red’ dwelling in my mind.

  It’s odd, yeah, but I can’t say I don’t like it.

  ***

  I don’t hear from Ace the next morning, but the rest of my afternoon is carried on with me lounging on the sofa and surfing through the channels on the TV. Twirling my finger around a lock of hair, I sigh and look from the TV to the long rectangular window to my right.

  I never thought I’d hear myself whine about this again, but I’m bored. As hell. I need something to do.

  The thought of taking Ace up on his offer to go shopping comes to mind, but I shake my head and fold my arms.

  “No,” I mutter. I refuse to use his money. Besides, I still have a few hundred from Jonah on graduation day and a paycheck from my last week at work. His car is also being shipped here soon, so I’ll be able to sell it. I plan on saving that money though. Not that the little bit of chump change I have will last me the three months I’m staying here with all I need to do, but oh well. I’ll make it work.

  I’ll find a job.

  Something.

  I just can’t live off of Ace, no matter how much money he has. By the looks of how things are going up here, I’d say he has a lot… maybe too much.

  Jonah used to tell me there was no such thing as making too much money. “Money is what makes the world go round. And unfortunately, money is what makes motherfuckers happy, sis. Don’t blame ‘em, though. We all need it. And life is so much easier with it than without it.”

  I shut my eyes, fighting the memory. If only that were true—life being easier with it than without. It’s not easy anymore. And it’s not fair because I don’t have him.

  It sucks.

  Ace got rid of my cell phone before the flight, so I can’t call Ver or Garrett. I mean, I know their numbers by heart, but his warning was clear. Stay out of contact with anyone that’s close to me. Their calls could be traced or monitored. They could be watched. I don’t want that for them. It’s already enough that I’m wanted.

  I bet they’re worried sick about me. I gave them no heads up, but I did place a letter in each of their mailboxes the morning I left, letting them know that I had something important to handle, couldn’t give them details, but that I’d be returning soon. I hate that I didn’t tell them what was going on, but Ace insisted I didn’t, and after a while, I knew he was right.

  Besides, they’d never believe that I’m wanted just to be killed, that Ace used to work with my brother, or that my brother ended up getting murdered because of some shit Ace put him in. They would have a difficult time believing that my too good of a brother would actually have anything to do with someone like Ace in the first place.

  Everyone looked up to Jonah when he was around, but if anyone ever found out the truth about him—about his final days on earth and that he was killed over some illegal shit—then they’d look down on him. They’d consider him a criminal. Jonah is far from that. I’m the only person that really knew him.

  ***

  Around six that afternoon, the telephone rings.

  I spring up, confusion causing my forehead to crease. Standing rapidly, I rush for the phone, only to see it’s Gerrick.

  With a heavy sigh, I answer. “Yes, Gerrick?”

  “Need anything, Miss Stallone?”

  “Where are you?” I ask, hearing the commotion and chatter buzzing in the background.

  “Grocery store, picking up a few things for Ace. I’ll be heading to the liquor store in a few. Would you like something?” His voice is sympathetic, and it makes my throat constrict. How much does he know?

  “Only if you’ll share a few glasses of whiskey with me, Gerrick,” I say.

  “Oh, no.” His chuckle is deep. “Not allowed to do that, but if you’d like, I can tell Crow to come over, keep you company?”

  Is he out of his damn mind? I shake my head, laughing nervously as I clutch the phone. “Please… no.” I force a laugh. “If you don’t mind, a bottle of Jack is fine. Maybe some crackers or something from the grocery store to prevent me from throwing up all over this place, too?”

  Gerrick laughs a little then says, “You got it, Miss Stallone.”

  He hangs up, and I lower the telephone, staring at the screen for a few moments. Just as I’m about to place it back on the table, it blares again, startling me. Grabbing the heart of my chest, I pick it up again.

  Ace.

  Oh, God.

  No. Did Gerrick…?

  I answer before I can ask myself too many questions.

  “Hello?”

  “London,” Ace purrs into the phone.

  “Yes?”

  “Have a minute? Or are you busy doing girly things?” His tone is full of sarcasm.

  “Well, I just finished shaving my underarms and legs, washing my face, flossing, and putting on some makeup to go nowhere, but I’m all set now,” I say, returning the sarcasm. He laughs. “What is it?” I ask.

  “Gerrick tells me you’ll be drinking tonight.”

  Ugh. So he did spill. “Maybe I will.”

  “You need it,” he says.

  “Maybe I do.” I shrug as if he can see me.

  “I’ll be going down to the docks tonight. The weather cleared up a bit, and Trent will have the yacht revved up and ready to sail. A few of my friends will be coming down as well. We’re just looking for a good time. We’ll share a few drinks, have a few laughs… so on.”

  I smile. “Is this you extending an invitation to me, Crow?”

  “It is. Come.”
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  Sighing, I say, “Well, I’d love to, but I have nothing to wear. At all.”

  “I doubt that. Have you checked the closet in your bedroom?”

  I narrow my eyes at the carpet then turn my head to look toward the room. “No…?”

  “Check,” he murmurs.

  I start toward the bedroom, the phone glued to my ear. “I won’t find any dead bodies in there, will I?”

  As soon as I say that, I regret the words, thinking he’ll get angry, but surprisingly, he laughs. “Not at all. Something much more pleasurable.”

  When I make it to the room and pull open the closet door, I frown at the sight of nothing. “Nothing’s in here, Ace.”

  “Strange. Check the other one… in the bathroom.”

  Cautiously, I make a deep pivot and walk into the bathroom. The door creaks open as I pull it, and I must admit, what I’m seeing is a much better sight than the empty closet in the bedroom. “Shit,” I whisper. I didn’t even think about looking in this closet. Everything I have is still in the suitcase. I’ve been here for a week now but wasn’t up for exploring or even unpacking. I didn’t want to be here… still don’t.

  “Plenty to wear, right?” He clears his throat. “Wasn’t sure of your size, so there are various ones in there.”

  “All of this… is for me?”

  “All of it. You’ll meet Bianca tonight. I showed her an old picture of you that Jonah had and told her to buy whatever she could that’d fit you and your looks.”

  Wow.

  I lean my back against the wall, running my fingers down a soft piece of garment. Everything in here looks… expensive.

  “Ace?” I call.

  “Yeah?”

  “Why are you doing this?”

  Silence bleeds through the phone, and for a brief moment, I think he isn’t going to respond. Finally, he speaks up. “I told you you wouldn’t have to worry about anything when you came here. I knew you weren’t going to shop with my money, so I had someone do it for you before we came. I knew you’d be… suspicious of me, so I guess this is my way of getting you to trust me a little.”