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Not meeting my brother right away was a reprieve. I wasn't sure I deserved it but was grateful for it anyway. I needed to get my bearings, and doing regular non-eventful things with Ace seemed to help.
After Ace told me we were staying in, things changed. We ate meals together and slept beside one another, but he didn't give me another orgasm. I was okay with that. It gave me less guilt. I wasn't sure what was happening between us. He'd been everything I'd ever wanted, but I knew I wanted my freedom more. The way I was feeling was all so confusing. So, Ace just holding me was helping; at least I thought it was.
I was sitting on the couch in the living room, staring out the window. Ace was working in the office. I was still in a fog, trying to wrap my head around everything.
I heard Ace's heavy footsteps as they headed down the hall towards me. I looked away from the window and met his eyes. So much depth lurked behind those dark eyes. There were so many more questions I had for him. I wanted to get to know him and find out more about him, but I was afraid. I knew there was shelf-life for all of this.
Ace plopped down on the couch beside me, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the television. Our legs barely touched, but the smallest brush of his leg against mine made me hyper-aware.
"Did you watch TV much?"
"No. I've seen it, but it wasn't something I had the luxury to watch whenever I wanted."
"What did you do to pass the time?"
"I read."
Ace nodded his head. He found a show where they were working on motorcycles, then stood and said, "I'll be right back."
I watched as he walked away and thought, not for the first time, that he had a beautiful ass. Before Ace, I'd never once had that thought about a man, and it shook me. A moment later, Ace returned with a thin black rectangle looking thing.
"This is a kindle. I read on it, maybe two or three times a year. You can download whatever books you want to read on it." He pressed a button on the bottom of the device and powered it on then handed it to me, explaining how it operated.
I browsed Amazon and couldn't believe all of the options of books to choose from. In Colombia, I read whatever I could get my hands on, but this was a bit of heaven. I couldn't help but grin.
Ace sat beside me watching his show, I heard the soft intake of breath beside me, then felt Ace's finger brush my cheek.
"This is nice watching you searching for something to read. You look happier."
"Ace, there are so many books! I can type in any trope I want, and literally, thousands of books appear."
Ace grinned at me then pulled me closer to his side. His arm swept around me, and I found myself leaning slightly against his chest. I settled on a romance called Tainted by Crazy. I thought it would be a lighter romance, plus the cover was gorgeous. I found myself chuckling as the story began. Every time I made a little noise of amusement, Ace seemed to give me a light squeeze. I could tell that it pleased him to see me enjoying something, and that thought slightly unnerved me.
We sat with him watching TV and me reading. There was a casualness about it that left me feeling lighthearted. Eventually, I felt my eyes get heavy and felt Ace shift us on the couch. I knew I was cradled against him, but I was too sleepy to suggest getting up. Plus, his body felt too warm and too comfortable to move away from him.
It was dark when I blinked open my eyes. The TV was no longer on, and we were on the couch in the living room. Ace's arm was around my waist, and he was sleeping. I somehow turned into him and could hear the even beats of his heart.
It was dark, but the moonlight from outside filtering through the window made it so I could make out the stubble that began to cover his jaw. It was alluring in its own way. I reached my hand up and stroked the side of his face feeling the roughness against my palm.
He shifted and cracked an eye open.
"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you," I whispered.
My hand was still on his face, and I felt him lean into it. Like my caress did something for him. Not too him, but for him. It was strange, but there was a difference. I'd done things to men, but I'd never really done things for them to make them feel. Feelings were never a part of it.
"Don't mind waking up to you, Princess," Ace responded sleepily.
I watched him—just stared at him and wondered how in the world I ended up here. He closed his eyes and pulled me closer to him, then kissed me on the top of my head. He began to fall back asleep, and I realized that it was in the darkest hours that it was easiest for me to say what was on my mind.
"Ace?" I whispered.
"Hmm?" he mumbled back.
"Thank you for saving me."
"Always, Princess. Always."
***
IT WAS THE FOURTH DAY in Ace's home. His cupboards were practically bare, and I had been living in Ace's T-shirts. After the first night and morning filled with orgasms, I expected there to be more, but Ace changed. He seemed more affectionate, pulling me close and continuously touching me. He didn't let things go any further. I wanted him too, but I could tell he was doing this on purpose.
I'd forgotten the guest bedroom and slept peacefully in Ace's arms in his bed. I didn't just feel safe while lying in his arms. I had this overwhelming sense that I actually was.
I was drinking coffee while lying in his bed. Ace hollered from the kitchen, "It's official, Alex. The cupboards are bare." His voice got louder as he approached the bedroom. I gulped at the sight of him bare-chested, wearing track pants and nothing else. He'd been up far longer than I had. By the time I had blinked my eyes awake, I was sure he'd already put a major workout in. How that man still smelled fresh after that, I had no idea.
“I'm going to the clubhouse to check in with Shane and Gunner. Then, I'll stop by the grocery store. You won't starve in a few hours, will you Princess?" he teased. Somehow, I no longer minded him calling me Princess.
"I think I'll manage."
He walked to his dresser and quickly changed from his track pants to a pair of jeans. I watched while he did this. It was a sight, the way his arms stretched over his head, flexing just a little as he put on his shirt.
"Do you have any specific requests?"
"I'm sure whatever you get will be fine."
"Come on, there has to be something."
I thought about it. There was something that I could use. "How about women's shampoo and conditioner?"
"Got it. Any brands?"
I'd never been to a store, and I didn't know brands. Everything had been purchased for me. I shrugged my shoulders, "Whatever you get will be fine."
Ace walked to me and kissed the top of my head. "Don't open the door for anyone. Don't go outside without me. You're safe here, but I don't want to take any chances."
I nodded, "Okay, Ace."
He pulled away to walk out of the bedroom, then backtracked and bent low to hug me. His hug was tight, and I clung my arms around him. I not only felt safe in his arms, but I felt this unfamiliar feeling of longing and acceptance, mixed with a heavy dose of guilt.
Ace left, and I finished my coffee, trying to figure out what to do.
Freedom. That was what I was after. That was the goal, right? But how could I do what Hades wanted? I hadn't even met my brother yet, but I knew I didn't want to betray him. I felt safe here. Safer than I'd ever felt before. Was that really so wrong?
I moved to the spare bedroom and stood at my bag filled with jewels. I could take that and try to disappear, putting Hades, Gunner, and Ace behind me. I could just run.
I found myself laughing as I clutched the bag. What a ridiculous thought! Run. I'd never even visited a store before. It's not like I could go in and trade a necklace for a meal, could I? I'd be found right away.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I'd barely heard the doorbell. Seeing the tire of a motorcycle through the window, I thoughtlessly opened the door. It happened so quickly, I must've thought it was Ace, or one of his brothers as he'd call them. That is the only thing I could come up with when I'd thought about it later, for why I opened the door so freely.
It wasn't Ace.
An older man with greying hair and a round belly, wearing a leather vest that read Hades Runners stood in front of me.
I was stock-still, unsure of what to do.
"Your old man ain't happy with you, girl. Says if you don't go get your phone and call him, I'm to put a bullet in you." He moved his vest and flashed a gun that was strapped to his side.
Oh, I'd fucked up.
I'd fucked up big time.
Mindlessly, with the door left open, no less, I moved to my room and dug the phone out from the bottom of my bag, then walked back out to the man at the door.
I powered on the phone, and it rang almost immediately. I didn't want to answer it. I wanted nothing to do with it, but here it was... Hades' way of making sure that I recognized my safety for the lie it was.
"Answer it now!" The man said in a low guttural voice that sent a shiver down my spine.
I hit the green button and heard a voice with more malice than I'd ever heard before, and Enrico and my grandfather were masters at malice, so this was saying something.
"It's been days, you stupid cunt. You don't call. You don't text. It's like you want to die. I should put an end to you right now, you worthless little slut."
Oh, how the tears threatened to fall. Ace was making me soft. I needed to remember my backbone.
"Hades," I steeled my voice as much as I could, given the amount of fear that ran through my body, "I've been at Ace's. My brother wants to make sure I'm safe before bringing me out into the real world."
"But you're not safe, are you? You meet your brother and stop playing house. I need intel, and I needed it yesterday. We had a deal, Alejandra. I can tell your grandpa where you are, you know, and then none of these Bleeding Scar pansies will be safe. Do you understand?"
"Perfectly."
I was met by silence on the other end. Hades had disconnected.
The man at the door lifted his gun to me, tapping the trigger with his finger. "Not today, sweetheart. Remember we know where you live." He cackled as he reached his bike, not holstering his gun until right before he swung his leg over his bike.
I watched him leave, and only once he was out of sight did I let my weak legs drop. I sat against the wall staring at the door. I wasn't safe. Not even a little.
***
I JUST FINISHED PUTTING the phone away when I heard the roar of a motorcycle. It made me freeze. I didn't know who it was or what I'd do if it was actually Hades. I was frozen in the guest bedroom, staring at the floor when I heard Ace bellow my name, "Alex!"
He was frantic, "Alex, where are you?"
I looked up and met his eyes just as he hit the doorway.
"Alex," Ace sighed, "Jesus, I was calling you. Are you okay? I got an alert that someone was on the property, and then I checked the feed. A fucking Hades Runner was here. What happened?"
Shit, shit, shit.
Still frozen and unsure what to say, I kept quiet.
"Alex." He gently shook my shoulders. "As soon as I saw him, I rushed right here. Why the fuck did you open the door? Answer me, Alex."
I was frozen, trying to figure out what I should say, and then it came to me. "I thought it was you. I didn't think."
"No, you fucking didn't."
He pulled me close, hugging me tightly. It was the most unfamiliar feeling I'd ever experienced. He was genuinely worried that something had happened to me. He wasn't angry, or maybe he was and was just mad at the idea that I was at risk. Tears stung my eyes. For a brief second, I allowed myself to feel everything he was giving me. It was kindness and warmth. It was security and comfort. And under it all, it felt like something else. Something more, but I couldn't allow myself to dive into those feelings. We barely knew each other. Sure, we'd spent some very intense moments together, but the way he held me left me feeling even more confused.
"What did he say?"
"That Hades knows I'm here, and he wants to see me."
"Fuck that! He's not getting anywhere near you."
"I don't know about all of this, Ace. I think maybe it's time I meet my brother."
Ace scrutinized me. I was sure fear and unease were written all over my features. I didn't know what my next move would be, but I was certain I couldn't just hole up here in the safety Ace was creating. It wasn't safe. Nothing was.