Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) (32 page)

“We don’t have to tell anyone, we can pack and go to Vegas and then when we get back we will already be married and they will just have to accept it.”

“As tempting as that sounds, unless you have your parents by your side and their blessing, I can’t marry you, Lucy.”

Lucy was crushed. She was never going to change his mind. She started pulling on her clothes while Ace just stood there watching. How could he just throw her away because it was easier than fighting for her? Maybe he didn’t really love her after all?

Ace’s heart was breaking with every article of clothing Lucy put on knowing she was one second closer to leaving him…for good. He had spent his whole life wanting a family, he couldn’t take that away from her. He tried to keep the tears from rolling down his cheeks but once it started he couldn’t stop it. He decided to just walk back into the bathroom. This way he wouldn’t have to physically watch as Lucy left him.

Lucy heard the bathroom door close and her heart immediately felt empty. She grabbed Ace’s suitcase, dumped his clothes on the floor and started tossing hers inside. Now she was becoming angry which was much more manageable to control than pain. When she finished packing up she glanced at the bathroom door and then picked up the suitcase and walked out.

Luke was lying in bed watching Shane sleep. He still couldn’t manage to wipe the smile off his face. They had just gone to bed two hours ago. He had more sex with Shane last night then he had in the past few months. As much as he didn’t want to move he had to pee and if he waited any longer Shane would be waking up in a wet bed. He slowly slid out of the bed so as not to wake Shane and went into the bathroom.

Shane wasn’t sure what woke him up but he was awake and alone. He had hoped Luke would still be in the bed. He had one of the best nights of his life. He couldn’t ever remember feeling so cherished and loved. No, not loved…wanted. He rolled over and was about to call out for Luke but instead he heard what sounded like his phone ringing. He jumped up and went down the hall to grab it. It had been in his pants pocket. By the time he got the phone in his hands it had stopped ringing. He looked and saw that he had five missed calls and enough text messages to keep him busy for an hour. He dialed Declan since all the calls were from him.

“Oh so you’re not dead?”

“Good morning to you too.”

“Shane, where the hell are you? I went by the house last night and this morning and your car is there but you’re not. The gym said you hadn’t come by yet, which by this time you are usually sparring for an hour already and…”

“Calm down, I’m fine. Now tell me why you’ve been looking for me?”

“At first it was because I needed you to sign a check but then I kept looking when I thought you disappeared.”

“I can come by on my way home.”

“I got Ace to sign it.”

“He’s back already?”

“He came back alone.”

“Shit.”

“More like shitfaced. He drank himself numb last night.”

“I can’t believe she said no.”

“She didn’t, he didn’t ask. Apparently, one of the wedding guests was at the bachelorette party and recognized him, made a pass and then when he rejected her she told Lucy’s parents.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, he’s a mess.”

“Where is he now?”

“Probably home, passed out, I would imagine.”

“I’ll pass by on my way home.”

“Home? Aren’t you hitting the gym?”

“Maybe later.”

“Shane, what the fuck is going on?”

“Nothing, I’m just tired, I didn’t sleep much last night.”

“Where are you?”

“What difference does it matter where I am?”

“Ok, let me rephrase that then. Who are you with?”

“What’s with the fifty questions?”

“You’re with Robert, aren’t you?”

“Alright, now you’re pissing me off.”

“Answer me, Shane.”

“No, I’m not with him, I swear.”

“You know I only asked because I care.”

“I know and I care about you too. I’ll catch up with you later.”

Shane turned around and Luke was standing in the doorway. Shane smiled but Luke didn’t.

“What’s wrong, Luke?”

“Why couldn’t you tell whoever that was that you care so much about that you were here with me?”

“You’re right. I could have said I was with you but I got so aggravated playing fifty questions that I didn’t.”

“Was that Declan on the phone?”

“Yeah.”

“You know you didn’t have to sneak in here to call him.”

“Luke, it isn’t like that. I woke and heard the phone ringing. I guess maybe you were in the bathroom? I ran to answer it and by the time I grabbed it, it had stopped ringing. I would have walked back to the bedroom but when I looked to see who had called and saw five missed calls from Dec, I thought maybe it was an emergency and I just dialed.”

“So it wasn’t an emergency but he continuously called you?”

“Yes, but he was worried about me.”

“Sounds more like he doesn’t trust you?”

Shane had hoped to stay and have morning sex but Luke wasn’t very happy with him it seemed. He picked up his pants and pulled them on.

“He probably doesn’t trust me with some things.”

“Are you leaving to go see him?”

Shane walked closer to Luke. He wanted to punch Declan for causing trouble between them.

“I don’t know how to say this so I’m just going to throw it all out there, ok? Declan worries about Ace, Chace and I. He can be a pain but he is always right and always gets us out of trouble. Almost like a dad. He asked all of those questions because he thought I was with someone I promised I would never see again. I do need to go but it is because Ace broke up with his girlfriend yesterday and he needs me, not because I want to leave.”

“Is this person you’re not supposed to see another guy?”

Shane nodded his head.

“It upsets me to talk about it but I will if you want me to. Robert is my ex, you witnessed his abuse when you stitched my head back together again. If Buddy hadn’t of…”

“I’m sorry.”

“So now you know what a loser I am.”

Shane turned around and leaned over to grab his shirt. When he stood back up Luke was practically in his face.

“I don’t think you’re a loser. I think that you were probably in love and you trusted the wrong person because of it. Important thing is that once he laid his hands on you, you ended it.”

“Yeah.”

“You did end it?”

“I did, a few times. I’m not proud of myself for leaving, I am ashamed of myself for staying as long as I did. This last time was for good though. He tried to get me to give him yet another chance but I said no. Declan was there to take care of me each time. He saw how Robert abused me and tried to talk some sense into me but…”

“Now I understand why he was worried.”

“Listen, I have to get going.”

“Give me a minute, I will pull on some clothes and take you home.”

“Ace only lives about two miles from here, the walk will help me clear my head.”

Luke instantly felt rejected. He shook his head as he walked out.

“Whatever.”

Shane looked up and caught Luke walking out the door.

“Luke, wait.”

Luke didn’t want to wait. He didn’t need to hear Shane patronize him before he walked out never to be seen again. He walked into the bathroom and took a shower. He assumed Shane had left while he was in the shower but when he walked back into the bedroom Shane was sitting at the foot of his bed.

“You’re still here.”

“I couldn’t leave without saying Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.”

Luke dropped his towel and continued to get dressed. Shane got up and walked over to Luke and grabbed him from behind and wrapped his arms around him.

“I’m not leaving until I get a proper goodbye and you’re not upset.”

Luke turned in Shane’s arms and kissed him on the cheek.

“Goodbye.”

Shane shook his head and then pushed Luke against the wall and gave him one hell of a kiss goodbye.

“Can I see you again?”

“Seriously?”

“I had a great time. I really like you.”

Luke blushed and then smiled.

“Me too.”

“That’s better. Now give me a kiss and I will call you later, ok?”

Luke kissed Shane.

Lucy went home to her parent’s house, not because she wanted to but because she had nowhere else to go. When she moved into Ace’s she gave her apartment to a friend who moved in the next day. Now she was homeless and broken hearted.

“Can I come in?”

Lucy looked up and her mother was standing in her doorway.

“I suppose.”

“Lucy, your father and I are worried about you. We hate seeing you so upset.”

“Maybe you should have thought about that before you turned on Ace and left him no choice but to break up with me.”

“We left him no choice?”

“He broke up with me because of you and Dad. He said he always longed for a family and never had one and couldn’t bear the thought of me losing mine over him.”

“Lucy, he was the one who lied, to all of us.”

“He never lied to me. I found him, I approached him and if anything I am the one to blame because I fell hard for him. He’s the reason I couldn’t marry Tom. I guess deep down I already knew I loved him. Do I like the fact that he strips, no. It makes me very jealous but I trust him. He doesn’t allow the women to touch him, he is never completely naked and he has never been paid for sex. It started out as a way to make money to survive and escalated from there. He knows he doesn’t have to do it anymore but he likes the attention and if he enjoys it then why not, just like firefighting makes him happy. Do you know that he is one of four owners of the Underground? He is a very wealthy man who loves me but won’t allow himself to be with me because he doesn’t have yours and Dad’s blessing. ”

“I’m not sure I know what to say at this point. I don’t think I can respect a man who doesn’t respect himself. I know your father is sick over it.”

“Dad is sick because Ace was his boy down at the station and now he is embarrassed. Well you know what, the same guys who knew, still know and I’d bet you the guys who never knew, still don’t know. It isn’t like he did something illegal, he wasn’t a paid escort. You know what, I can’t discuss this anymore because right now, I’m struggling to exist. Please leave.”

Lucy’s mother stood up and walked out without saying another word.

Shane was walking to Ace’s and Declan pulled up alongside of him.

“Get in!”

“You can’t afford me.” Shane laughed.

“Dick, get in.”

“That’s what he said.”

“Shane, get in the fucking car.”

Shane opened the door and got in.

“Cranky, cranky.”

“Where the hell are you walking from and why didn’t you call for a car?”

“It was barely a two mile walk. I thought it would help clear my head.”

“So, uh, are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“Let me think about that.” Shane laughed.

“Shane, before we get to Ace’s.”