Page 116 of Ace of Spades

Kick slinks back down into her seat, surprised. “Oh.”

“Yeah…” Theo says, throwing up his hands. “So I guess, Congratulations?”

Sienna looks at her. “You okay?”

She’s quiet a moment but when she looks up she’s all smiles. “Yeah. Hell, yeah. I guess I’ll be getting engaged soon.”

Gramps jumps up a few rows back. “Hey! That’s cause for a celebration! What you say, boss?”

“Dinner’s on me tonight,” I say to the crew.

Kick gives me a look that saysyou don’t have to do that.

“Non-negotiable,” I say. “Everyone be ready to leave in an hour.”

* * *

We find a steakhouse not far from the hotel. It has dark wood walls, low golden lighting, and steaks the size of hubcaps according to the online menu.

Everyone orders like they haven't eaten in a month. And to be honest, at the rate we’ve been going this week, it feels like we haven’t had much time for anything.

Our table is loud and rowdy in that way that I would expect it to be. Conversation flowing over thick steaks and drinks for about half of us.

I sit back and soak it all in.

This crew has become so much more. They don’t know it, but… they’re my family. And my heart swells just looking around at the faces surrounding me.

I clear my throat, lifting my glass of water when the waitress brings out more drinks.

"Alright," I say. "Listen up."

They hush, mostly, and turn toward me.

"I know I give you hell," I start. "I know I'm harder on you than I probably should be. But... what you’ve done these last few weeks? The hours you’ve put in? The heart you’ve shown?"

I shake my head, throat tightening.

"You reminded me why I built SKC in the first place."

Sienna’s watching me, eyes bright.

I keep going, even through the lump forming in the back of my throat that I try to clear away.

"Before Sienna showed up, I was... ready to sell the shop."

Kick’s fork clatters against her plate.

Gramps straightens, eyes narrowing.

"I had a broker. Brody had papers drawn up. I was ready to walk away."

The table's dead silent now.

"But then this crazy redhead rolled into the shop," I say, letting my gaze find Sienna’s, "and somehow, I don’t even know how, she made me believe again. Helped me believe in all of you again. And what we could achieve."

I lift my glass higher.

"To the best damn crew a man could ask for."

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