Beware 2: The Comeback (15 page)

“He will meet you one day,” I confirm.

He lets out a light scoff. “That I know as well.”

A smile touches my lips. “Goodnight, Ace.”

“Night, Red.”

I hang up, and my heart swells. After placing the phone on the nightstand, I snuggle beneath my blanket and fall asleep. Thoughts of him linger. Romantic thoughts. Thoughts of knowing that he is mine and that this is love. That he’s fighting and working hard for us. Keeping me close.

My eyes pop open when I realize what I must do.

Greg.

I have to let him go.

I have to do what’s right.

I must follow my heart.

Losing My Way – Justin Timberlake

My son.

My blood.

So perfect.

Leaving him cuts me in two.

I don’t know him well, and he doesn’t know a single thing about me, but I feel like I’ve known him all my life. But watching him sleep, not knowing who I am or that I even exist, slays my heart.

How can I adore someone so small? So innocent? Someone who doesn’t need a man like me in his life?

I can’t taint my child. I don’t want him to grow up the way I did. Fucked up in the head, always seeking power. Wanting a kingdom as badly as I want to
breathe
. Wanting to be a ruler. He deserves to be free, but can he be that way with me around?

What if he picks up my traits? Becomes selfish and stubborn and murderous? What if he finds out about my past when he’s older? The things I did out of greedy habits and desires? He would hate me.

What if…

I rest my forearm on my forehead, staring up at the ceiling of the hotel bedroom. The fan spins and spins. My blood swims in my ears. I feel like I’ve lost my way. I don’t know what the fuck I want anymore. I know I want them, but outside of them… what do I want?

The clock on the wall ticks with every heavy heartbeat. It’s dark. Late. I left London’s place three hours ago, but I’m still wide awake.

My son…

London…

Do they need me, or am I fooling her and myself into thinking they do?

To be honest, with all they’ve been through because of my mistakes, they’re better off without me. But even if that is true, I can’t let them go. I’m selfish as fuck when it comes to what I want. They are what I want. What I need.

Call me selfish. What the fuck do I care?

I refuse to let them go.

They. Are. Mine.

Dead In The Water – Ellie Goulding

When I awake, I hear voices downstairs. They’re deep. I sit up, rubbing my eyes and yawning before climbing out of bed. I freshen up, change into a comfortable outfit, and then make my way downstairs. As I round the corner, I spot Greg sitting at the table and Maurice sitting across from him, a mug of coffee in hand.

“Maurice,” I say, pleased to see him.

“London Bridge!” He stands from his chair to give me a hug. “Feeling well?”

“Yes. I’m great.” I feel Greg look at me, but I avoid his eyes. Last night I wasn’t feeling too hot, and he noticed. Now that I’m “pretending”, he’ll know something is up for sure. But he won’t figure it out right now. “Is Bianca with you?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he points to the patio door. “Out back at the pool with lil’ Aden.”

“Ahh. Of course.” I walk past him and towards Greg. I place a kiss on his cheek, and he stiffens, forcing a smile. I don’t linger. I know he won’t say anything around Maurice, so I make my way to the patio door, stepping out into the bright, burning sun.

The glorious rays beam down on me, and I point my face towards the warmth, absorbing it before I make my way to the pool. Bianca and Aden are sitting on the edge, their feet dangling in the water.

“Morning, sleepy head!” Bianca shouts as I near them.

I smile, placing a hand above my brow line. “You’re here so early.”

“Yeah, well I’m leaving out for Belgium tonight, remember?”

“Oh.” I press my lips, stepping around her and sitting beside Aden. I kiss the top of his head, and he grins, kicking his feet in the water. “Aden, why don’t you go and get your new toy car set and show Auntie Bianca?”

“Oh yeah!” Eager to show Bianca as soon as possible, he draws his feet out of the water, splashing us and getting a few laughs as he runs to the patio door. I watch him enter, and when Bianca turns my way, I swallow hard.

“I’m sorry about the other day.”

“Pshh.” She shrugs. “I understood, London. Don’t apologize for how you felt. There are plenty of times when I acted permanently during temporary feelings.” Her dimples show. I smile with her. “I assume you two are on better terms?”

“Yes. Way better.”

“Good.”

“I’m, uh, going to tell Greg tonight,” I inform her.

Her face contorts, confused. “Tell him what?”

“That maybe we should take a break…”

Her eyes thin. “A break?” She shakes her head. “Let’s be realistic here, London. It will be more than a break. It will be permanent.” She kicks her feet in the water, lowering her gaze. “You’ll break his heart.”

“I can’t keep lying to him or myself, Bianca.” She looks up at me, her face softening. “And sooner or later,
he
is going to meet Aden without asking me. I can’t keep holding it off.”

“You think that’s a good idea right now?”

“What do you mean?” I ask cautiously.

“I mean… well, he’s only been back for a few days. Yes, I know he loves you and you love him, but what are his motives, London? Do you even know? Has he told you his plan? Is he really back for you and Aden or will he return to what he was doing as soon as he has you two in his clutches?”

I study her face, eyes wide. I didn’t think of it that way. I had no reason to. He’s here, and it seems he’s really around for us. He said he wouldn’t go back… he promised. And Ace Crow doesn’t break promises… well, before he didn’t.

“I just—think you should give it more time. See what Ace is really about, ya know?”

I nod, but inside, I’m upset. “I… spent a lot of time with him at his hotel yesterday. He showed up here last night.”

Her eyes stretch. “Here!?”

“Yes. Right in my and Greg’s bedroom.” She gasps, but I continue. “Luckily, Greg slept downstairs.”

“He is fucking insane,” she groans, rolling her eyes. “He’s risking it. It’s like he wants to be exposed.”

“You think so?”

She shrugs. “Maybe to make it easier on you. You know, let Greg have a definite reason to let you go.”

Hmm… I didn’t think of that either. Is that why he keeps showing up and planting things? Like those pearls? Greg could’ve spotted them. Greg could’ve come upstairs at any given time last night and spotted Ace. Or even the first time when Ace showed up in the kitchen. Greg could’ve come back home because he forgot something; he can be pretty scatterbrained.

I sigh. “I don’t want to keep dragging Greg along. He’s a good guy, and he deserves
way
better than me. He doesn’t need someone damaged.”

She plants the palms of her hands behind her. “If it were me, I’d wait it out. Remember when I told you that I don’t even trust Ace one hundred percent?” She picks up her sunglasses but looks me dead in the eye before placing them on the bridge of her nose. “Well, I still don’t. I love him to death, but there’s something behind him. He may not go back now, but he will eventually. Ace hates not knowing the truth—unanswered questions. He likes to feel on top of things. You know this as well as I do. Now, I’m not saying that you should doubt him because, who knows, maybe whatever happened to him changed him, but I’m just telling you to keep your eyes open, London. Don’t let your love for him blind you. Ace Crow always has a plan. He always has an ulterior motive. Most times, we never know what it is until it finally happens and we end up trapped in a sticky situation because of him. You, of all people, should know this after what happened in that alley.”

She looks toward the beach, and I follow her gaze, saddened that she feels this way. She loves Ace. I know it, but she doesn’t trust him the way I’m sure she wants to. He’s a huge part of her life, but she’s not me. I’m in love with Crow. That’s her cousin, more like a brother. She can see right through him. She sees the things that I can’t. Just like how I used to be when Jonah was around.

“I told him about the rehab thing,” she murmurs. Laughing, she says, “He was super pissed.”

“Why?”

She glances my way before dropping her gaze. “I promised him I’d never go back to it. That I’d drop it. He expects me to be the better Crow. The rare, good one.”

“Don’t blame yourself, Bianca. You were upset and vulnerable. You gave into temptation. It happens to everyone. It’s okay to make mistakes.”

She lifts her hand, swiping beneath her eyes. Turning my way, she grabs my hands, and it’s now that I realize the tears. “Can I tell you something?”

“Yeah, Bianca. Anything.”

She lowers her sunglasses, her eyes cloudy. She’s worrying me. I squeeze her hand in mine. “I’m terrified of the new Ace.”

I frown. “What? Why?”

“He’s… not the same. He has even more secrets. He won’t tell me anything about what happened. It’s like he’s bottling it all up, and I know, eventually, he’ll blow up. I see the pain in his eyes. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s almost hollow, empty, but at the same time, filled with dense, dark secrets, pain, hurt. I know, around you, he probably feels and looks alive, but with me, he’s a different Ace. He talks, but he doesn’t dare touch that subject.”

“He would never hurt you, Bianca. You know that.
I
know that.”

“I know, but until I see that he’s really dropped the past and is moving on, I think I’m going to have to stay away for a while.” My heart sinks to my stomach. I stare at her, baffled.

“Stay away? W-where?” I stammer.

She sighs and shrugs as the wind picks up. It tousles her black hair, and she tucks it behind her ear, her dangling gold earrings swaying. “Just… away. I’ll focus on working. Staying busy.” She grabs my hands. “This doesn’t mean that I won’t call everyday. I will.” A smile tugs at the corners of her glossed lips, but I don’t return one. I hear my heart beating. Pounding. She can’t go. How did it come to this— trading one Crow for another?

“Aden will wonder where you are,” I say, fighting tears.

She looks towards the house, and through the corner of her eye, I spot the tears. They drip down her cheek, but she swipes them away, just as Aden comes running out with his car set. “Look Auntie Yanca!” he yells, rushing to her.

“Slow down, sweetie,” she laughs, clutching him in her arms. “What’d I tell you about running around a pool. You could get hurt.”

Aden apologizes, and she kisses his cheek. He explains each car to her as she clings to him. Her head falls on his shoulder, and my heart aches. I want to cry, but I can’t. Not while my son is out here. He’ll worry. Greg is around, and he’ll worry too.

“These are great,” she tells him. “Don’t lose them, okay?”

“I won’t,” Aden assures her. He steps away from her, walking towards one of the lounge chairs to play. I watch him for a moment before turning and looking at Bianca. She’s staring towards the ocean again, eyes damp.

Her eyelashes flutter when she finally blinks. Coming back to the here and now, she says, “Aden will be okay. I’ll call and check in, tell him I’ve been booked for work a lot. And besides, London,” she waves a hand in the air, “…it’s not like I’ll be gone forever. It’s only temporary. Only until I know Ace is here for good. For his family.” Honey-brown eyes meet mine. “I can’t feel like I’ve lost him again. If I keep my distance and he does end up going back, it’ll be easier to bear. Being around and watching will kill me inside. I’ll resort to the toxic things. I can’t do it to myself. I have to put
me
first, London, and so do you.” Bianca pushes to a stand, and I watch her step back, ridding herself of the tears. She extends her arms, fluttering her fingers and gesturing for me to get up too. “But, while I’m still here, how about we go catch some breakfast and then take Aden to the waterpark?” After helping me up, she digs in her
Michael Kors
purse on the lounge chair, pulling out five tickets and waving them in the air with a wide grin. “I’ve got tickets!”

My head bobs as I clear my eyes and straighten up. I adjust myself, swiping the back of my pants. “Okay. How about you get Aden ready—spend a little more time with him—and I’ll tell Greg to get ready.” I start to walk around her, but she catches my arm and shakes her head, her face stern.

“Um… no. The fifth ticket isn’t for Greg,” she says beneath her breath.

My eyebrows draw together. “Then who’s it for?”

She smiles. “My bullheaded cousin.” Tucking the tickets back into her purse, she says, “I may be leaving because of him, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend time with him while I’m still around.”

“How the hell are we going to explain that to Greg?”

“Already talked to him. He has to work.” Her eyebrows wiggle as she says, “Busy man.” She makes her way to Aden, picking him up and tossing him over her shoulder playfully. Aden giggles as they head for the house, and I watch until they disappear. When the door shuts, I take a look around. I turn for the gate that leads to the beach and walk down the wooden steps, my feet sinking into the warm sand.

I need a moment.

Or two.

I sit in my favorite spot, the one closest to the shore. Drawing my legs in, I wrap my arms around my knees and stare ahead, watching as people on wave runners and surfboards pass by. Infinite thoughts fill my head. Tears threaten me.

Bianca is leaving, and I don’t know how long she will be away. I understand why she’s going. What she went through was terrible, and I’d hate for her to go through it again. She may be onto something with Ace, but why am I so stupid as to ignore it?