Page 37 of Ace of Spades

"Good.”

I glance at the cards in front of me. Wouldn’t want any of my guys caught on these streets driving under the influence.

I’ve already had to experience what that’s like with my own son. Speaking of…

"Anybody seen Theo?"

The silence is loud. No one meets my eyes.

Of course, they haven’t. Because Theo Steele is hardly around anymore, not since he fell in with the crowd at the tattoo studio he now works for.

The same crew that convinced him to cover his body in ink and drive under the influence.

"He'll come around," Benji offers.

"Mmhmm."

I really could do without their pity. Theo has been my everything since my ex-wife told me she was pregnant nineteen years ago. I've lived a lot of life since then.

But getting the news that I was going to be a father. That was the best news of my life. That news sobered me up, launched me into the service, and led me to Brody, this island, this shop.

Everything.

Now the kid won’t even answer my texts.

The door creaks open again. Joey’s grinning. “You won’t believe who I found outside!”

And just like that, my stomach drops.

“Hey everyone,” Sienna says, stepping into the room like she owns it. Her little black skirt flutters just above tall boots that hug every inch of her legs.

She looks lethal.

Why does she have to behere?Of all places.

She's already shown up at my shop. At Brody's house. Now at Rusty's Tavern? Is there a place on this island where I can go and not run into Brody's daughter?

The crew all greet her and Carter stands, all charm and swagger.

“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced,” he says, extending his hand. “I’m Carter. Levi’s younger—and much, much cooler—brother.”

She takes it with a smile. “Oh, really?”

"At least that's what I'm told," Carter says with a wink. I could actually strangle him for how obnoxious he is.

“By who? Your reflection?” Kim mutters, not looking up from her hand.

“Many people, Kick,” Carter says. “Many people.”

As if she senses my reluctance to look her way, Sienna says, "Hi, Levi."

I nod, terse. The chip in my palm digs into my skin as I knock the table twice.

“All right. We playing or what?”

“Shall I deal you in?” Carter asks her.

She lifts her hands, palms out. “Oh, I don’t play.”

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