Beware 2: The Comeback (19 page)

“Stop blaming yourself, Red.”

“I know, but—I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t wait. I’m sorry about Greg and that you couldn’t be there for Aden. I’m sorry that I didn’t trust my gut. Something was telling me that you were still out there, and I gave up on that instinct. I thought I was crazy… clinging to false hope.”

A smile twitches at my lips. “Weren’t crazy, babe.”

Her lips split, revealing that perfect, white smile. Leaning in, she kisses me, wrapping her fingers around the back of my neck and drawing me in, pressing our chests together. My arms go around her waist, my cock pulsing from the sudden erotic moment. London breaks the kiss, panting as she says, “I love you, Ace. I do. I will talk to Greg tonight. I will end it for us. I swear. I love you.”

Those words, the words I wanted to hear, sound good coming out of her mouth. “Make sure it’s tonight,” I tell her. “Can’t handle knowing another man is messing around with
my
woman. That’s
my
pussy.” I squeeze her waist, sucking on her bottom lip, my hand running across her smooth, bare thigh. “Your heart belongs to me. You’re my woman. My Red.
Mine
,” I growl, inching closer to her pussy.

She smiles blissfully behind our next kiss, and then she says, “Yours.”

Our kissing session continues for several seconds, heat building between us. The breeze obviously no longer bothers her because she shrugs the leather jacket off, throwing her arms on top of my shoulders.

We rock unsteadily, greedy for one another’s affection. Eager, London starts to climb on my lap, but I stop her, chuckling as I interrupt the kiss. “I got you, Red. Trust me, I would love to fuck you right here, right now, but I won’t. Let’s take this back to the hotel.”

I stand with her hand in mine, and she rises, picking up the jacket along the way. I pull out some cash, enough to cover the bill and provide a generous tip, and then I turn for the door, but when I look up, my heart stops, eyes broad. My pulse picks back up again, way too fast for its own good. It’s almost like I’m seeing a ghost. The past.

Shit, is this what London felt like when she saw I’d returned? To come face to face with someone you never thought you’d speak to again.

Standing at the door in a well-tailored black and grey Armani suit, hair trimmed and his pale face clean, is none other than the man that used to be my driver and pilot. The man that flew London away from all the shit that went down. He informed Bianca of my death. One of
my
fucking men.

Trenton Brookes. Trent.

I can’t fucking believe it.

Nocturne – Daft Punk

He’s looking right at us, his face solid and serious.

He looks from me to London and then down to our glued hands. For a moment, I think he’s the one that turned on me. The one that might’ve been in charge, but as he walks towards me, a comforting hint of a smile on his lips, I know I can still trust him. He isn’t the one who fucked me over. He can’t be. I chose my men wisely. I made sure I could trust them. It all worked out until Krane and Jonah…

“Holy shit,” London breathes, staring wide-eyed as Trent walks towards us. “Trent?!” She releases my hand, hugging him hard as he meets up to us. He returns the hug, smiling over her shoulder.

“So good to see you, London,” he greets.

“It’s great to see you! What the hell are you doing in Cali?”

He looks from her to me, his face turning grim. Mine straightens as well, knowing he isn’t here for pleasure. “Boss, I’m sorry to interrupt like this, but there’s something you have to know, and I think you want that information
tonight
.”

“What’s it about?” I ask.

“I think I have a lead on who tried to take you out.”

“Who, Trent?” I demand, stepping forward. “Bridges? Is it Bridges?”

He raises his arms in the air, as if the cops have just caught him red-handed. “Nah, Boss. See, that’s who I thought it was too. I was wrong.” He lowers his arms, grabbing my arm and pulling me aside. He whispers over my shoulder for only me to hear. “Bridges died six months ago. Overdosed on painkillers. Depression. I’ve been keeping tabs. Can’t be him.”

That, I have to admit, catches me by total surprise. “Then who the fuck could it be?”

Trent sighs, glancing over his shoulder at a curious London. “I heard through the grapevine that Miss Baker has been doing some extra digging on your case. To this day, she still holds the files, claiming she wants to take it to court and seek some sort of ‘justice’ for you. She’s lying. She’s hanging onto them because she knows something and doesn’t want anyone else to look into it. She knows the feds don’t give a shit about you or your case anymore and they won’t defend you because you were a threat to them. With you gone, they feel the world is safer. She’s our lead. I believe she plays a huge role in this, Boss.”

My throat works hard, absorbing the facts. Of course. Miss fucking Baker. My old lawyer. The snooping-ass bitch. I constantly fucked the shit out of her, but I could never trust her, and she could never leave me the fuck alone. She’s a coward. There’s no way in hell she did this voluntarily. “She can’t be working alone.”

“No.” Trent shakes his head. “I know for a fact she isn’t, but if we can get to her, we can get to the bottom of who the man in charge is. I was going to go at it alone seeing as she doesn’t know who I am, but I figured you’d want in on everything.”

I narrow my eyes. “Doesn’t make sense. Why would she want to see me destroyed?”

Trent flashes a half-smile. “You’re Ace Crow. Every man outside of Crow wanted to see you be destroyed, sir.”

I look over at London who is impatiently waiting for me to fill her in. Trent says the words I don’t want to hear, the words that must be put into action. “We have to go back, Boss. End all this shit. I can’t even sleep at night anymore. I feel like whoever it is is going to try and end my life too. I’ve had my guard up. I’ve moved far away from New York but my head’s all fucked up. I still can’t believe everyone’s gone. I should’ve been there. I should’ve came to that fucking alley the moment I saw London come to the jet alone and in tears.” He scolds himself, fists clenched. Loyal, my man Trent. His loyalty is why I hired him. He doesn’t even work for me anymore, yet he still acts as if he’s on my payroll.

“How’d you find me?”

“My family told me they received a large fund. I did some digging and saw it came from an Irish savings account under the name of Bruce Crow. Had to have someone do some encrypting for me to get the name. It took forty-eight hours, but we finally got it. That’s when I knew you were still alive. Not even Bianca knows about what you have saved for a rainy day.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Didn’t have to do it, Boss. Could’ve kept your money. I kept up with myself, as you can see.”

I glance down at his suit, smirking. Shrugging one shoulder, I say, “Owed you.”

“No. You don’t owe me a damn thing. In fact”—he digs in his pocket, pulling out a thick white envelope—“I’m giving it back to you.” He holds it out for me to take.

“Trent—”

“No, Ace.” His voice is firm, face like granite. “This is
your
money. Your blood, sweat, and tears. You worked for this. Not me.”

I stare him in the eyes. I know he isn’t going to take it back. He’d rather leave it on the floor of this diner than keep it. My men could be just as stubborn as me. Sighing, I tuck it in my back pocket, and Trent continues. “Anyway, I knew the first thing you’d do is find London”—he cocks his head in her direction—“so I had someone search for her. Told me she lived in Creole. Found her license plate number. I came here and watched her for a few weeks and all seemed normal, so I left. But then, I came back a few days later, and she was acting completely out of character. Paranoid and on edge like everything had changed. That’s how I knew you were around.”

“That obvious?” My question is rhetorical.

“Followed her to Valentina Hotel one day and figured you were there, so I waited. Saw you walk out one day. Found you. I’m coming to you now because I didn’t want to interrupt too soon. I wasn’t sure what your motive was, but as I watched you, I knew you were dying to figure it out but had to put your family first. I can understand that.”

“Shit, if you found me that fast I can’t even begin to imagine how quickly the enemies can.”

“I moved quick, sir. It helps that she used her mother’s maiden name as her last name for the house and car. She was being cautious. The first few days I didn’t see London with anyone but her son and another man. Didn’t see you anywhere in sight. I came back several weeks later and there you were.” He grins, giving himself an imaginary pat on the back. “I’m sure whoever tried to take you down came as soon as possible, saw you weren’t around, and left to look somewhere else. They’ll be back though.” They didn’t see me around because I was too busy shadowing Bianca those first few weeks. “That’s why we have to move. Now.”

I lick my lips, lowering my head. If I leave after spending so much time with London and even promising her that I wouldn’t go back, she’ll never trust me again. On the other hand, if I don’t, my life will forever be in danger, as well as hers. I refuse to constantly be on the run. That’s not who I am.

I’m the type of man that settles shit.

I don’t run or fear for my own life.

Not a soul on this earth will fuck with me or the people I love and get away with it.

Not one.

Rubbing the back of my head, I tell him, “Let me talk to her tonight. Let her know what’s going on. She’ll understand.”
I hope.

Trent nods, stepping back. “Got it, Boss.” He hands me a business card. “Call me when you’re ready. I am when you are. Those were my brothers too. They fucked with the wrong people.” And with that, he turns around, gives a swift goodbye to London, and then he’s out the door. Through the windows, I watch as the translucent headlights of a Bugatti spark and Trent climbs in, pulling off immediately.

When he’s long gone, I turn to look at London. She’s already staring at me. I hate what I have to tell her. I don’t know how she’ll take it but I have to do this. I must. For us. For my family—our family. For my men’s sacrifice.

Walking towards her, face sullen, I deadpan, “We have to talk.”

And she simply nods, grabbing my hand and leading the way out of the diner, no words spoken. No questions asked.

Give Me Love – Ed Sheeran

I rode to the hotel without a word.

I’m not quite sure what to say, how to express myself. At first, I didn’t want Ace to go back. I hated that he wanted to, but after hearing what really happened to him and seeing Trent, a living, breathing memory of what he once had, I know he has to go. He has to do what he has to do.

This isn’t just his life in jeopardy anymore. It’s mine. Aden’s. Bianca’s. Even Maurice’s. Everyone he loves and cares about could be harmed if he doesn’t step up and settle it.

We arrive at the hotel, and Ace walks in first, holding the door open for me. I walk in, and he follows behind me. Before I can get too far, he reels me back by the waist, his lips pressing on my cheek. “Upset with me?” His breath is hot on my ear and cheek.

I shake my head. “No.” I turn in his arms. “Actually, I’m not. I… want you to do this.”

His eyes expand, shocked to hear me say it. “You want me to?”

“Yes.” My eyes burn, tears begging to be shed, but I hold onto my composure. “I want us to be happy, Ace. I don’t want to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I can’t live in fear. I don’t want our son to be in danger. I don’t want
you
to be in danger.”

“I’ll be fine—”

“No.” I cut him off, fear coursing through me, and he narrows his brows. “No, Ace. Don’t say that. That’s what you told me the last time. That everything would be okay. You can’t promise me that. These people,” I say, breathless, “…they’re dangerous. They know what they’re doing. They know how you are, what you’ll do. What if they’re waiting for you to come back? What if they take you again, but this time you don’t get away… you don’t come back?”

“That won’t happen,” he snaps, teeth gritting. Clasping my face in his hands, he tells me, “That will never fucking happen to me again.”

I press my palms on his firm chest, bottom lip trembling. “What if this is a trap? I can’t afford to lose you again—I can’t.” He looks me hard in the eyes, his glazing over. Raw emotion takes hold of me, and I break down. Immediately, he pulls me into his arms, holding onto me, breathing hard. His warm breath caresses my skin, comforting me.

Lifting my head, Ace observes my wet eyes for a few seconds. I study his, watching as they fill with guilt and even fear. I know the fear is for me. He’s afraid of losing me again. Anything could happen. Everyone is in danger now. It’s not just him, and he knows this. He’s put us all in harm’s way, and now he must settle it.

“This all started after my graduation, the day we met. I was curious from the start,” I say against his chest. “When I dropped everything in Atlanta and went to New York with you, I knew what I was in for. I can’t pretend I didn’t.”

He squeezes me, sighing. Then, after lifting my chin, he brings his mouth down to mine, and keeping my face locked in his hands, he kisses me zealously, roughly, making my insides ooze with pleasure.

“I know. And like I said before, I’m here to protect you. Nothing has changed about that.”

My sight becomes blurry. Eager, I throw my arms on top of his broad shoulders, and when he picks me up, my legs lock around his waist. Ace carries me to the dark bedroom and gently places me on the large canopy bed, panting as he sinks between my legs.

I claw at his jogging pants, yanking them down as he snatches off my skirt. He pulls my shirt over my head and from the sliver of light filtering in through the door, I see his eyes study my breasts, traveling down to the valley between my legs.

“So fucking beautiful,” he whispers. Grabbing my hips, he brings me towards the edge of the bed, and when I’m hoisted around him, he takes his shirt off. I study his delicious, solid body—the way he flexes naturally. Even with the flaws, the scars, he’s beautiful. A masterpiece in my eyes.

Sitting up, I grab Ace’s hips, and without thinking I kiss each scar. Each bullet wound. The burn near his shoulder. Each and every memory is caressed. He strokes my hair, sighing, body locking. My eyes shut briefly, fighting tears. Sliding my hands down his thighs, I pull him close and sigh, pressing my cheek to his stomach.

Ace is still for a minute, but then he tilts my chin, and I can’t believe it, but a tear has escaped him. Since he’s been back, I haven’t seen a tear touch his face, but now, in this moment, he’s revealing himself. The rare side of Ace Crow I’ve been dying to see. He knows anything could happen, that going back is a colossal risk.

I can no longer contain myself. Seeing that single tear slide down his cheek brings on the waterworks. I break down, throat thickening as I pull him in close, refusing to let go. Slowly laying me back, Ace slides me up the bed and eases himself between my legs; his solid thighs elevate my lower half, his cock right at my entrance.

Before he takes me as his and his only, he whispers, “We’ll be together, London. We’ll fight through this shit. You will become my wife because you are my fucking
everything
.” I look away, the hot tears sliding down the side of my face. He gently grabs my chin, forcing my eyes back on his. “You hear me?” he demands, voice raspy. “You will be my wife. As soon as I get back, we’ll plan a big wedding and it will be the best day of your life. We won’t look back. We’ll only move forward. You, me, and Aden. Bianca and Maurice. All of us will be one big, happy family, and nothing will break that. You hear me?”

I nod as he swipes my tears away. “Okay,” I whisper. “I believe you.” Releasing my chin, he lowers his body, and his lips consume mine. Slowly, he sinks inside me, a moan boiling between our glued lips.

He situates himself, his strokes the gentlest I’ve ever felt them. He makes love to me, gripping my face and panting, groaning, thrusting as if it will be our final time. His cheek rests on mine, his breathing warm and running past my ear. I feel his tears mixing with mine, his body rigid, out of control.

I cling to him, cling to
my
Ace. The Ace that loves me for me, just like I love him for him—in every single way. My legs fasten around his waist, back arching, sex throbbing.

Flipping me over, my ass pointed upward, he strokes into me again, and I cry out. His hand comes around to my throat, and he grips it just enough to make me feel him. His other hand clings to my waist, and thrust after thrust, his grunts become heavier.

Thicker.

I feel myself growing louder, constricting around his cock. When he shoves himself in completely, balls deep, I cry out, but he flips me over. I flop on my back again, and just like that, he’s inside me, stroking relentlessly. Hammering his way inside. It’s rough, but he’s making a statement.

“I want you to feel me when I’m gone,” he grumbles. “I want you to remember how I fucked you raw and deep, just like this.” He leans forward and kisses the bend of my neck, plunging deeper. In my ear he breathes, “Want you to remember me making passionate, sweet love to you, Red.” He squeezes his eyes shut, and I lace my arms around his neck. “God, London,” he groans, pressing his forehead to mine. “I fucking love you.”

“I love you too,” I pant. I grip his face. “I love you, Ace. So much.”

He nods, and in a few short, all consuming seconds, he slams into me one final time. His lips press hard on mine, and we release, hanging onto each other as if our lives depend on it. Breathless, he stills, but his forehead stays glued to mine.

After catching most of his breath, he tells me, “We’ll be okay. This time, I mean it. I will be back for you and my son. I will make things right. I will make sure we never have to worry again.” He places a tender kiss on my cheek. “I’m doing this for us. You trust me?”

“I trust you,” I whisper. And I mean it. I trust Ace. More than I ever thought I would. When I said he’d changed, it wasn’t for the worse. It was for the better. He’s motivated. He’s dedicated. He appreciates the good has when he has it now. He’s nowhere near as selfish as he used to be. He displays compassion. He lifts me up, makes me feel even more beautiful than he once did. His main focus is Aden and me. His main goal is to keep us safe and happy.

He’s sacrificed so much for me. Ever since I entered his life, I felt like I’d ruined his. For years, I blamed myself, but not once did he ever blame me. He’s never put the blame on anyone but himself. Why couldn’t Bianca see that? It’s like she’s only accepting the worse. Like she has no faith in his future.

He has changed, and I’ve fallen in deeper love with him.

I never thought it would be possible to fall harder for Crow, but I have, and I will fight just as hard as he is.

Lifting up, Ace climbs off the bed and makes his way towards the closet, rambling for something. I push up on my elbows, sliding to the edge of the bed. “What are you doing?” He turns around with a silver gun in hand. I gasp. “Ace…”

He steps forward, grabs my hand, and places the gun in my palm. “This is yours. Take it everywhere with you while I’m away.”

“I—I can’t use this.”

“You were going to use one before… on Krane.”

“I was never going to really shoot him,” I tremble.

“I don’t believe that. We were in danger, and we’re in danger again.” He squats between my legs. “Use it when you truly need it. I’m not leaving you here unprotected.” Holding the back of my hand, he wraps my fingers around the cold metal, and I swallow hard, nodding. “Don’t forget to take the safety off if you need to use it.”

“Fine.” I release a heavy breath. “Okay. Only when I need it.”

***

Ace calls Trent, and he arrives fifteen minutes later. Before Trent shows up, Ace packs a quick bag and changes into a well-fitted black suit, as if he’s going to get right down to business as soon as he hits New York. I help him with his tie, and once he’s ready, he kisses me.

“I love you,” he says into my ear.

“I love you too.”

He climbs into the car but not before planting a quick goodbye kiss on my lips. I watch as Trent’s car pulls away, the headlights slowly but surely disappearing. Gone. Again. Just like that. But this time, I’m not upset. This has to be done, and there are things here that I have to take care of.

I hop into my car and drive home. Greg’s car is parked in the driveway when I arrive, which I find surprising. He’s never home before nine unless he has the day off. I step through the front door, shutting it behind me as quietly as possible. The TV isn’t on. It’s vacant downstairs, which means he’s upstairs, most likely asleep.

Sighing, I remove my purse from my shoulder, and as I enter the kitchen, I place it on the table. But as I flip the light switch on, I catch Greg sitting at the table with Aden asleep in his arms.

My heart leaps in my chest, and I press my hand to it, gasping. I lower my gaze to Aden in question, and Greg stands, laying him on top of the table. Aden squirms, groaning a little. And when I see the grimace on his face, I freeze, head tilted slightly, a deep frown on my face.

“Greg…”

“I know,” he mutters, running his fingers through Aden’s hair.

My frown twisting into a scowl, I ask, “Know what? Why do you have Aden?”

“Picked him up from Bianca.”

My throat thickens. “How did you know he was with her?”

“Because he wasn’t with you… and you weren’t with them.” He looks at me beneath his eyelashes, face grim. I’ve never seen him like this before. Dark. Eerie. He’s creeping me the fuck out. He continues running his fingers through Aden’s hair, and my heart beats a mile a minute.