Walking into Ace’s office wasn’t exactly on my list of things to do today.
I spent the last two days tracking down whoever thought to pull a weapon on my wife. Every lead, every tidbit of gossip was followed and eliminated. It kept me from our bed because I needed to find a way to keep Sloane safe.
So far, nothing. Just like the missing shipments. The rat in my fucking family.
I need to find answers—and soon.
Right now, instead of sitting across from my sister-in-law, I could be out there looking for leads. But one of the agreements of the contract was coming when sent for, so here I am. In this drab, gothic office. The walls are covered in old green wallpaper, golden animals painted on it with, black paneled wood underneath. Far back is a row of bookcases holding various dusty tomes of books and priceless trinkets.
The desk Ace sits behind is large. Too large for someone of her size. It has a marble inlay, stacks of papers neatly organized, and a computer on the side. There’s an empty tumbler of what looked like liquor by her elbow and a mug of steaming black coffee across the way.
Behind her is a black marble fireplace roaring to combat the last stray chill of the morning before summer arrives. It’s there, in the slight breeze outside; the smell of summer, of late balmy nights and blooming flowers fighting for dominance.
I can’t wait to see Sloane in summer shorts and designer dresses. She deserves to be clothed in rich fabrics, her spark and curves being admired. I make a note to do so once this rat is found and gutted.
The chair Ace sits in is dark and ornate. It dwarfs her. She’s a small woman already, a few inches shorter than Sloane even without her precious heels, but here, it’s painfully obvious.
She looks too young to be the leader of the clan.
But the coldness in her eyes suits her, this life. And it’s directed all at me.
Behind her, is the smug fucking face of Killian Linwood.
I got two days before the call. Two whole goddamn days before he ran back to his master and told her what happened at the docks.
I wasn’t sure if I was worried for my sake, or Sloane’s. The wrath in Ace’s eyes is liable to kill us both.
“Ace,” I greet, smiling as if this is a cordial visit, tugging on my gloves. “You’re looking well.”
The glare she gives me is glacial. Sloane shifts beside me, her silken dress a bit too thin for the weather but hugging her curves nonetheless. She’s a vision of light in this depressing room. A bright fire that burns only for me.
“Alessio.”
“Lex, please.”
Her face drains of emotions. “Alessio,” she says, ignoring me. “What the fuck is this?”
She tosses a thick newspaper on to the desk in front of me. I grab it, hearing Sloane’s sharp intake.
Pictures of me carrying my bride from the club a week ago are plastered all over the black and white pages. Ah, I was wondering when it would hit newsstands.
I shrug. “Luckily, they didn’t get what happened after that.”
“And that is?” she asks reproachfully.
“I fucked your sister in the middle of the sidewalk.” I cross one leg over my knee, hand falling to Sloane’s thigh in a clear sign of possession.
Ace rolls her eyes, not bothering to rise to my bait. Sloane smiles next to me but it clears when Ace levels a look at her.
My protectiveness rears its head at the dismissal. Sloane is not a woman to be ordered about or silenced with a look. She is a beautiful soul, destined to be a powerful player in my organization.
“Lucky for me,” Ace drawls, voice cool. “Anything else I should know?”
“No.” I shrug.
“No?” Ace sits back, curling one leg into the chair. Killian stalks forward, leaning against her desk as if he belongs there. She shoots him a displeased glare before returning to me. “What’s this I hear about taking my youngest sister to the docks?”
“It was my choice.”
“And the mugging?”
Fucking hell. I’d be impressed if I wasn’t irritated. Ace has better spies than we do.
“Eyes everywhere, huh, Ace?”
She looks bored. “You have a pretty face but must be an idiot to think that I don’t.”
Killian practically glows with amusement as I growl under my breath. Sloane’s hand curls into mine, holding me firm as a way of steadying my urge to reach for the gun at my hip.
“Ironic to show that you care now, Ace, considering you sold me your sister for the clan.” Her eyes darken, Killian’s smile slipping instantly. Both look like twin ghouls, readying to devour my heart. “But in case you’ve forgotten, Sloane is a De Luca now. You have no control over her.”
Killian freezes, tilting his head like a predator sizing up his next kill. My blood pounds, adrenaline flooding my hands as my foot taps to ease the discomfort. I know they’re both thinking of ways to kill me and although I’m usually smarter than this, I’m on edge.
Sloane is my responsibility. She’s my wife. And these two are acting as if I cannot take care of her.
I don’t appreciate the insinuation.
Sloane looks to me, eyes bright, pleased that someone is standing up for her.
Fuck this clan if they’ve ever made her feel like she isn’t worthy. That she was never worthy enough to be loved.
Ace leans forward, face contorted into a shallow mask of fury.
“Maeve,” Sloane interjects, gaining her attention. “It’s fine. Nothing happened at the docks. Nothing that I haven’t heard about before.”
Her sister glares harder. “Seeing and hearing are two different things, kid.” She turns back, her rage focused on me. I wonder how many times she’s imagined shooting me. “You killed a man in front of her.”
“And you haven’t killed before?”
She smiles and it’s not pretty. “Not in front of an innocent.”
“Please,” Sloane rolls her eyes. “Innocent is a stretch. Besides, it’s over. I’m fine, he’s fine. And if he hadn’t killed the captain, I’d be dead.”
Ace swallows, fingers curling into the desk. “You should never have been there to begin with.”
“But I was.” She shifts under her sister’s gaze. “So stop treating me like some dumb kid. I’m married now. I’m the wife of a future Capo. I can handle these things.”
Ace’s mouth clamps shut and Killian edges back, as if to shield his master. Maybe he’s stopping her from flying across the table to kill my wife.
No matter who she is, Ace won’t touch Sloane. I won’t let her.
“The point of this,” the captain says slowly, focusing on her words as if to rein in her anger, “was so you wouldn’t have to handle these things.” She glares at me. “I told you to keep her safe.”
“And I am.”
“Then explain the mugging.” Ace leans back, the green returning to her eyes. “She didn’t have a guard? She didn’t have protection? She was held at gunpoint, in broad daylight. Where were your men?”
Licking my lips, I hold Sloane tighter, reassuring myself that she’s right here and not dead on the street. Like she could have been.
Because I screwed up.
“That was an oversight on my part.”
“You didn’t think anyone would go after her.” Killian smirks, clutching his tongue. “Your arrogance is astounding, heir.”
“Fuck you, reaper.”
“I entrusted my sister’s safety to you.” Ace seethes, tapping fingers on to her desk. “Maybe you’re not up to the task. Maybe this arrangement should be voided.”
Before I can argue, tell the Captain that over my dead body will I let her take Sloane from me, Sloane stands, slamming her tiny fists on to the desk.
Killian nor Ace move, watching her display as if they expected it. I certainly didn’t.
“If you even think of annulling my marriage, I will set this entire house on fire and lock the doors on my way out,” she promises, eyes alit with a craze I’ve never seen.
Ace watches her carefully, taking in her protective stance, the way she shields me, the rage in her few words. My wife means every bit of her threat.
My throat clogs up, tight with emotions.
I don’t think anyone has defended me as viciously as she has just now. Not even Nico, who loves me like a son, has stood before me, ready to take my hits.
Ace stands slowly, leaning into Sloane’s space. Only then does Killian react, placing a large hand on his master’s stomach as if to halt her movement.
My eyebrows rise in surprise, at the very intimate touch.
“Sit down, Sloane.”
“Promise me you won’t touch him,” she fires back, eyes locked. “Promise me, you won’t hurt him.”
There’s a tense beat, both sisters glaring before Ace sighs, pulling back as Killian’s hand falls away. He’s still at her back, ready to intercede.
“I promise.”
Only then does Sloane’s shoulders drop and she retreats to her chair.
Ace continues to stand, staring at her sister with an emotion I can’t quite place. It’s not love, at least not openly, but it’s something curious.
Killian clears his throat. “C’mon, Sloaney. Collins wanted to see you. We’ll let them talk business.”
“She stays.”
“She doesn’t,” Ace argues, sitting finally. She doesn’t look at me. “We’re on my territory. I hold the power. I don’t want my sister in on these discussions.”
I can see the hurt flash across Sloane’s face at the clear dismissal. Frustration simmers in my gut at the bullshit and my need to defend her as brutally as she defended me rears like a viper readying for an attack.
Killian escorts her out and I turn, snarling at the leader. “My wife deserves to be in these meetings. It’s as much her organization as mine.”
Ace’s cold eyes finally look at me and blink once, unaffected. “Point?”
Her fucking attitude. “Point is, don’t fucking dismiss her like that in my presence again. She’s not a dog to be sent away.”
She smiles now, and if not for the edge of murder in her eyes, I’d almost say it was pretty.
“And you’ll do what, heir?” Ace leans forward, smile growing. “You forget who you’re talking to. You’re in my home. In my office. You are married to my sister. Whatever power you think you have, whatever control you have over my sister, doesn’t include me.” She takes out a knife, holding it between two fingers.
Where the hell did that come from?
“You’re a goddamn monster.” I shake my head, never letting the knife out of my sight. I know the rumors. Ace prefers knives.
She tilts her head, laughing. “If I’m a monster, what does that make you, Alessio?” She throws a stack of white papers at me, all documents about her upcoming shipment.
It’s arriving tonight and I plan on being there to hand inspect it. I can’t let her know I’m missing products. I can’t let it happen to her.
The knife glints against the fire. Especially now as her threat hangs between us.
“Now do your fucking agreed upon job, and make sure my shit comes in.” Her green eyes bleed black. She looks deranged. “And don’t fucking tell me how to handle my family.”
“I won’t.” I grab the papers and glare down at the woman. “But Sloane isn’t your family anymore. She’s mine. You’ll treat her with respect or that agreement won’t keep me from blowing your head off, Ace.”
“Try it.” Killian smiles from the doorway, leaning against it.
The trademark smirk is there, but it’s not friendly. It’s dangerous and I measure the distance between me and safety carefully. “I’d love to see you try, heir. Really.”
He slithers close, smelling like death. “Piece of advice.” He leans close, Ace watching from my back. I don’t like having her there with a weapon but I’m at a disadvantage. “Don’t threaten the captain ever again. Especially in front of me.”
I narrow my eyes. “Still the perfect lapdog, I see,” I retort.
Killian chuckles but it’s not humorous. “Want to see if my bark is bigger than my bite?”
Ace interrupts. “Make sure my shipment makes it where it belongs. And fucking do a better job of protecting my sister, Alessio.”
