Page 110 of Ace of Spades

"He survived the war over there." Levi’s throat works as he swallows. "But… he didn’t survive the one he fought once he got home."

The words land like stones pummeling my chest.

I reach across the console without thinking, covering his free hand with mine.

He doesn’t pull away.

Instead, he shifts his hand tangling our fingers together, resting our joined hands on his thigh.

"You know," I say after a while, voice barely more than a whisper, "we should dedicate the build-off bike to him."

He smiles, but it’s sad around the edges. "Already got a bike for Drew."

I glance over, wanting to hear more.

"You remember that bike I told you not to touch? First night you walked into the shop like you owned the place?"

A slow, stunned smile curves my mouth and realization clicks into place like a puzzle piece.

“The one you nearly bit my hand off for wanting to touch? That’s his?" I whisper.

Levi nods. "Built it when we had the show. He never got to ride it."

Oh my God… the man who called Levi,Ace.Of course.

His words hang between us, heavy and full of all the things we don’t say.

I squeeze his hand tighter.

“I have a confession to make.”

He looks over at me. “Okay?”

“I touched the bike. When you weren’t looking. Just to spite you. That was… that was so immature. I’m sorry, I had no idea.”

He chuckles, low and rough. "Don’t worry about it, Angel."

“You sure?”

“Positive. Tripp would’ve loved for a pretty little thing like you to touch it. Hell, he would’ve asked you to jump on so he could take you for a ride.”

He smiles as he says that. And the air feels lighter because of it.

I grin. "I might’ve taken him up on that offer. I’ve been known to be a little reckless."

"He would’ve had to fight me first," he says, playfully. “And probably Brody, too.”

We lapse into silence again, but it’s warmer now. Familiar.

He runs his thumb over the back of my hand, slow and deliberate.

"You have no idea how bad I wanna tell everyone you’re mine," he says, voice low, almost pained. "Wanna pull you into my lap in the middle of the damn shop. Wanna tell every guy who looks at you that you’re already fucking taken."

My throat goes tight.

"Me too," I whisper. "I want that too."

He glances over at me, and for a second, we just… breathe.

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