Page 26 of Ace's Ascension

“There’s one other thing,” I say, dropping my gaze to the floorboards again. I raise my eyes until I’m staring into Ace’s gaze. “I have to go back to Louisiana in a couple of weeks for Memaw’s death-ivesary. It’s tradition in our culture to come back on the day the Voodoo queen died and pay your respect to her. The only thing is, I’m terrified to go alone.”

Ace kisses the top of my head before pulling me into his arms. “Let me talk to Kayne and I’ll go with you. I’m not letting you out of my sight, even for a moment.”

Relief fills my body from Ace’s words. “You mean that?”

“Every word, Sweet Cheeks.”

“Thank you, Ace.”

“Don’t thank me, Liz. I want to do this with you.”

The front door swings open with force and Butch is on the other side scowling at us. I hide behind Ace, terrified of this big brute, but I realize he isn’t giving me a nasty look. Instead, he is glaring at the car pulling up the driveway. A beautiful woman with long brown hair steps out of the car with a matching scowl on her face.

“What the fuck are you doing here,Detective?” Butch’s deep voice spits detective out. He’s glaring at the woman as he stepsoff the porch. His posture is ridged and his big hands are clenched at his sides.

She crosses her arms over her ample chest, barely confined behind the white silk dress shirt under a black blazer. She has on black dress pants, black shoes, and a gun strapped to her hip. “I’m here to speak with Kayne. Not that it’s any of your business, Mr. Christiansen.”

“If it involves my club, Detective, it involves me.” The fury in Butch’s voice is making me shake in my boots. But this woman stands strong. She doesn’t back down. Instead, she steps away from her car and approaches Butch with the same amount of hatred in her silky brown eyes.

My gaze ping-pongs between the two of them. There is a lot of tension festering between them and I wonder what that story is about. I don’t hear Poison or Kayne step outside until a baby squeaks next to me, making me jump.

“Detective Kendrick, please come inside.” Kayne interrupts Butch and Kendrick’s standoff.

Butch’s back straightens even more from Kayne’s words. He towers over the best of them at six foot six and is intimidating as hell, but this detective has balls of steel. “Gladly, Kayne. Good to see some people are still polite, instead of brooding assholes.” She pushes past Butch, brushing her hand against his junk, giving him a smirk as she passes.

Butch scowls even deeper at her brazen grope but doesn’t say a word. Instead, his dark eyes follow her as she sways her hips and walks up the porch. Ace wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his side protectively. I watch with fascination at this big burly biker being manhandled by a woman. Butch shakes his head and releases a deep growl before following Kayne, Poison and the detective into the Clubhouse.

“What was that about?” I ask when they’re out of sight, fanning my face.

“No idea, but I need to go with them in case Butch loses it,” Ace responds.

I snort. “That man has it bad for her. If he loses it, it’ll be her pleasure.”

Ace shakes his head. “No way. Bikers don’t get mixed up with cops. It’s bad for business.”

“Tell that to Butch’s dick,” I respond. Ace scowls at me and I hold my hands up in mock surrender. “Just saying, is all. He’s either going to blow a gasket or blow his load.”

“When did you get so crass?” Ace asks with a grin.

“I don’t know.” I tap my fingers against my chin. “Maybe about the time I met this biker and he corrupted my innocence.”

Now Ace snorts, “Innocent my ass.”

I swat him on his chest just as Ace’s lips land on mine. He kisses me hard before pulling away “Babe, I’ll corrupt you every day if you’ll let me.”

“Keep kissing me like that, and I’ll let you corrupt me,” I respond breathlessly.

A loud crash comes from inside the Clubhouse and I jump. “Shit, I’ve got to go. I’ll see you in a little while. Don’t get into trouble.” Ace gives me a quick kiss before disappearing inside.

I stay out on the porch for a little while, soaking in the morning sun and enjoying the quiet. I pull my phone out of my pocket and type out a text.

ME: I’ll be home in two weeks but I’m not staying.

MOM: Please come home for good. Your brother and father miss you.

I snort and roll my eyes at the last sentence. I know better. My brother wants me dead and my father wants to cover up his indiscretions. My mom is blind to it all or she’s afraid.

ME: Can’t. I have to finish school and I have a life.

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