Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) (40 page)

Charlene stabbed the knife into Kyle’s leg and then his side while he wrestled her. Kyle spun them around and he went down and hit the floor, taking Charlene with him.

Chace put a gun to her head, “Drop the knife, NOW!”

Instead of dropping the knife Charlene jabbed it into her chest before he could stop her. She died almost instantly.

“Bro, you ok?”

Travis knelt on the floor next to his brother while Chace and Sawyer freed Kyle’s hands and pulled Charlene’s bloody body off of him.

Kyle was trying to remain conscious but his eyes kept blinking.

“Tell, tell my wife, I’m sorry and I, I love her.”

“Kyle, don’t close your eyes, stay with me. You can tell her yourself.”

Travis was pressing his jacket against Kyle’s side, trying to stop the bleeding. His leg wound wasn’t as bad as his side. Chace had run upstairs to meet the rest of the police and the ambulance. Sawyer stayed with Travis, he was too upset to leave him alone.

“I wish we had more time.”

“We will, I promise. Now that I found you, I’m not letting you get away.”

“Love ya, Bro.”

Kyle closed his eyes before Travis had time to reply.

“Love you too.”

I
T HAD BEEN A
long day and night but Kyle made it through and the doctors were hopeful that he would make a full recovery. Chace and Travis had spent the night with him. His wife and children had been at her cousin’s house visiting and were still traveling home.

“Chace, he’s out of the woods, why don’t you go. I know you’re supposed to leave for Vegas today.”

“I don’t feel right leaving him.”

“If Kyle knew you missed Shane’s fight because you were standing around staring at his ugly mug, he’d be pissed.”

“My brother’s right.”

Travis and Chace looked and Kyle’s eyes were open, he had regained consciousness.

“Hey, partner.”

“Bro, told you so.”

“Happy you proved me wrong, this time. Where’s…”

“Your wife and kids are on their way home, they were at her cousin’s remember? I’m going to call her now and tell her that you’re awake. You try to convince this one here to get his ass to the airport.”

Travis stood up, punched Chace in the arm and walked out.

“He’s right, you should get out of here.”

“You’re my partner. I’m senior man, I say when I leave.” Chace laughed.

“Chace, please go. I’m fine and once my wife gets here, I’ll be even better. Shane needs you now, not me.”

“You sure?”

“If you were laying here and I had a plane to catch wouldn’t you be telling me the same thing?”

“Yeah, I would.”

“Then get your ugly ass out of here.”

“Kyle, thanks for pulling through. I’d hate to have to train another partner.” Chace winked.

Kyle smiled, “Go, get out! Wish Shane luck for me.”

“Will do. I’ll call you later.”

Chace left to run home and pack.

Lucy’s brother Jake picked her up from the hospital. She was so happy to see him and not her overbearing parents.

“Lucy, it really upsets me to see you like this.”

“The doctor said I’m ok, don’t worry.”

“No, I mean miserable, heartbroken.”

“That’s Mom and Dad’s fault, if they wouldn’t have kicked Ace to the curb and…”

“Ace is responsible for his actions, not Mom and Dad.”

“Ace didn’t do anything wrong or illegal. I don’t like that he is a stripper, it bothers me. Ace loves it though and he isn’t sleeping with those women, he is coming home to me, so I’ve learned to live with it. He never lied to me about any of it. I found him and pursued him. He is the reason I broke up with Tom.”

“What? I didn’t know any of…”

“Yes, because Mom and Dad gave you their version of the story.”

“Maybe their version is all they see. I know Dad was really angry that Ace never told him.”

“I understand that Dad was upset but you know what, it wasn’t Ace’s responsibility to tell Dad about every aspect of his life.”

“Lucy, if you really love Ace and you accept his lifestyle, then why did you break up?”

“Ace left me because he refused to come between me and my family knowing how much you all mean to me.”

“Do Mom and Dad know that?”

“Yes.”

“Then our parents are morons. Who the hell would let someone who loves you and our family as much as Ace does, walk out the door?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It matters to me. I don’t want to see you look like this or even worse, end up with a fucking loser like Tom again. I love you and I want you to be happy.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m going to talk to Jon and tell him everything when we get home and then we are going to have an intervention with Mom and Dad.”

“Jake, I love you for wanting to help but…”

“No buts, Sis. Not this time.”

Shane’s last stop before the airport was the gym to grab his gloves. He couldn’t believe that he forgot to take his gloves.

“Good luck, Saturday.”

Shane looked up and Andy was standing there holding a duffle bag.

“You left so fast this morning. I never got to say goodbye.”

“I’m not big into goodbyes.”

“So you’re all packed up?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure you won’t…”

“I’m sure, if you’re sure?”

“I’m with Luke.”

“Like I said, good luck at your fight.”

Andy turned his back to Shane and walked out. Shane just stood there staring until he couldn’t see him anymore, then he muttered, “Goodbye, Andy.”

Declan brought Kaylee breakfast before he left for the airport. She was doing much better but was still in need of the wheelchair because her wounds were still too tender to use the crutches. Knowing that the person who did this to her was now dead helped to put her mind somewhat at ease.

“I wish I didn’t have to leave you like this.”

“I’m fine now, really. In fact, I think I should move back to my apartment.”

“No, absolutely not!”

“But, I’m not in danger anymore, so there isn’t any reason for me to be here.”

“Please stay here at least until you are out of that wheelchair. I can provide you everything you need.”

“Declan, you’ve already done so much for me. I don’t want to take advantage of your kindness. I don’t know when I will even be able to repay you for all you’ve done so far.”

Declan walked over and sat down next to Kaylee.

“You’re not taking advantage of me. I’ve told you that and I mean it. God blessed me with wealth and I’m sharing it. Please let us help you. I know the rest of the guys will be upset too if you leave, especially while we are gone and can’t check up on you.”

“Ok, I’ll stay but only until you get back.”

“We can renegotiate then on Monday.”

“You’re impossible.”

“Pretty much, why do you think I live alone, I have yet to find anyone who could put up with me.”

Kaylee didn’t feel comfortable talking about Declan’s private life. She decided to change the subject.

“Please thank Ace, Shane and Chace for me and wish Shane good luck at his fight.”

“I will. Can I get you anything before I leave?”

“No thank you.”

Declan stood up and then looked down at Kaylee and smiled.

“Take care of yourself, see you in a few days.”

Ace was the first one to arrive at the airport. As he sat waiting for the other guys he thought about how Lucy was supposed to be there with him for her first trip to Vegas. He had promised to show her the sights and take her to a show. Now, he sat here alone with his empty promises.

“You look miserable.”

“Chace, how kind of you to point that out.”

“We’re going to have fun this weekend. No thoughts about women unless we’re having sex with them, deal?”

“Deal.”

Declan, Buddy, Shane and Luke came walking over together.

“I want to thank you all for coming with me, it means the world to have you all here with me.”

“You know there’s no place else we’d be, Shane.”

“Thanks, Dec.”

Shane hugged Declan. Ace and Chace joined in. Luke stepped back and watched the four of them. Buddy walked over to Luke, “They’ve got a four way bromance going on there.”

“Looks that way.”

Shane caught a glimpse of Luke standing there out of the corner of his eye looking left out. When they were all done hugging he walked over to Luke, grabbed him and kissed him. Luke pulled away.

“Shane, not here in the middle of the airport.”

“Why not?”

“Do you really want a picture of us kissing plastered all over social media?”

“I don’t care.”

The guys all started towards the exit door where the jet was, leaving Shane and Luke to have their discussion in private or at least without them standing listening.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“Not ready for people to know you’re with me? Or not ready to have your privacy invaded over social media?”

Shane was getting himself upset.

“I just need a bit of time to adjust. This is new to me.”

“Being with me or is it that you never broadcasted that you were gay before?”

“Maybe a little of both?”

“Luke, I asked you to come as my boyfriend. Am I supposed to pretend you’re just an acquaintance and not spend time with you or introduce you as such? Am I supposed to say you’re my doctor?”