Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) (20 page)

The doctor walked in and tapped Lucy on the shoulder.

“It’s time to go now.”

Lucy nodded and then let go of Ace’s hand.

“I’m going to see my father now, if there is any change can you please let me know?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank you.”

Lucy walked out and headed down the hall towards her father’s room.

Declan sat in Ace’s room staring at him. The nurse said he could stay until the doctor came and chased him away. He was the same age as Ace, Shane and Chace but he always seemed to be the one they looked up to. He felt responsible for them, even though Ace and Chace never really needed him. It was Shane who he had the strongest bond with. He wasn’t sure if it was because Shane always asked for his advice and confided in him or if it was because of their mutual need for one another.

“Hey, how’s he doing?”

Declan turned around and Lucy was standing there.

“No change.”

“He told me he loved me and I was such a bitch. I think I really hurt him and then I left.”

Lucy started to cry. Declan got up and hugged her.

“Shhh, he’s a stubborn prick, he’ll be fine.”

Lucy giggled and looked up at Declan.

“Thank you.”

“I’m going to go check in with the guys. Why don’t you stay with him?”

“Do you think he will forgive me?”

“This is all new to me, your relationship and all, but I think if he is in love with you, then yes, he will forgive you. Just remember like I said he is one stubborn prick.” Declan winked before walking out.

Lucy sat down and held Ace’s hand.

Chace and Shane were taking turns pacing it seemed. They finally decided to go and grab some coffee. Shane went to sit down and almost missed the chair. Chace grabbed his arm.

“Hey, are you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m just worried about Ace.”

“Shane, almost falling on your ass is reason to worry. What’s going on with you?”

“I just get dizzy…sometimes. Please don’t tell Dec.”

“Don’t tell Dec what?”

Shane looked at Chace. Chace shook his head.

“I’m sorry Shane but I’m worried about you.”

“Shane, what’s going on? Is it Robert?”

“No, it’s not Robert.”

Declan placed his hand on Shane’s shoulder.

“Are you going to tell me or are you going to make Chace here rat you out?”

Shane shrugged Declan’s hand from his shoulder as he stood up. He gave Chace an icy stare.

“I got a little dizzy and Chace freaked out.”

“Shane, you almost landed on the floor.”

“I’m fine.”

Shane walked out.

Ace wanted to open his eyes but he felt too tired. He could hear voices. His throat burned and he felt like he couldn’t breathe. He tried to move his limbs but it didn’t seem like he could move them. He was starting to panic that maybe he broke his neck and he was paralyzed. He had to open his eyes. He needed to know what was going on. He finally willed himself to open his eyes.

“You’re awake!”

Lucy? Lucy was sitting at his bedside? As beautiful as she was, he didn’t want to see her. He was angry with her. Yeah, angry! He wasn’t allowing her back into his life.

“Ace, I’m so sorry.”

Ace just stared at her. He was finally able to lift his hand up and tried to pull at the tube in his mouth. Lucy grabbed his hand and then hit the call button for the nurse.

“What’s going on in here?”

“He’s awake and he’s trying to pull the tube out of his mouth.”

“Mr. Dean, you need to relax. Your condition is still critical. We need to keep that tube just where it is. I know it’s uncomfortable and I’m sorry but without it you would have died. Do you understand?”

Ace nodded his head, yes.

“Good. I’m going to go get the doctor. I will be right back. Promise me you won’t pull that tube out or I’ll have to restrain your hands. Do you understand?”

Ace again nodded his head, yes.

“I will be right back. Keep an eye on him.”

Lucy smiled at the nurse and then looked back at Ace. Ace looked at Lucy for a moment and then looked away. Lucy’s heart sunk. He wasn’t going to forgive her.

I
T HAD BEEN TWO
days since the fire. Declan, Chace and Shane took turns sitting by Ace’s bedside. Lucy left Ace’s room after that first night when he turned away from her but she never left the hospital. She sat vigil in the waiting area.

“Lucy, I just spoke to the doctor and she said Ace is breathing on his own. He’s finally out of the woods.”

Lucy looked up at Declan and smiled.

“Thank you, for letting me know.”

Declan sat down and reached for Lucy’s hand.

“I want to thank you for being here with us…for Ace.”

“Now that I know he is going to be ok, I think I should go.”

“Lucy, don’t give up on him just yet.”

“I think it’s too late. I think Ace gave up on me.”

Lucy stood up and walked out the door.

Shane grabbed a bottle of water from the cafeteria and was on his way back up to Ace’s room. He stepped into the elevator and was excited to see Luke.

“Hey.”

“I’d like to think that you’re here to see me but judging by the way you look, I’d say you’ve been here for the last two days. How’s your partner doing?”

“He’s breathing on his own and is finally out of the woods.”

“Then don’t you think you should head home and get some sleep?”

“That’s the plan after I check in on Ace one last time. Then I think Chace, Dec and I will head home, shower and crash.”

“You all live together?”

“Hell no, we’d kill each other. We barely survived back in college.” Shane laughed.

“I’m not one to pass judgement but if you’re not living together and you don’t all get along, then why are you all partners?”

“We weren’t always partners. At first we all worked for Declan until we graduated college and he asked us if we wanted to become partners. I mean who would pass up that kind of an opportunity. Declan had already been pulling in over six figures for the past two years. So we all got together one night, signed a bunch of legal documents and drank until we passed out. Boom…that’s how our partnership was formed.”

“He made you sign legal documents?”

“Yeah, don’t most partnerships?”

“I’ve never made any of my partners sign papers but hey, it is your business, not mine.”

By now the elevator had reached Ace’s floor and it was time for Shane to get off. Luke was just looking at him. He couldn’t read his expression but he felt almost as if it was disbelief or disapproval.

“Luke, did I say something to upset you? Because I’m getting this weird vibe.”

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?”