Page 31 of Ace's Ascension

The man swallows hard, “Are you threatening me?”

“I don’t make threats, I keep promises.” The man steps away, shaking his head. Stone scared the living shit out of him and I can’t help but giggle.

Stone turns his gaze on me, but I’m not afraid of him. “You got a problem, Red?” A small smirk appears on Stone’s lips before he turns his attention back to the crowd.

“Quit instigating him, Sweet Cheeks.” Ace murmurs against the side of my neck. I groan when his lips make contact with my sweaty skin.

“You’re up next, Ace. Do you really think you should be teasing me?” I ask.

Ace’s lips leave my skin and I shiver missing his warmth. “Consider this a warm-up, Liz. Cause once I’m finished taking this fucker out, we’re not leaving my dressing room until you can’t walk.”

I stare into his mesmerizing eyes. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Ace releases me and slides his shirt over his head, revealing his chiseled body. He hands me his shirt before walking into the cage in only a pair of jeans and his knuckles taped. He took his shoes, cut and socks off before I went in for my fight. Said he wasn’t going to let me out of his sight for a moment tonight.

Ace’s opponent is a big-ass man, with back and chest hair already inside. A clean shaved head and solid muscles. He has to be around six-two or six-three. He cracks his neck from side to side and starts waving his arms around like a pinwheel. I try not to laugh at how ridiculous he looks but I can’t help it. Ace looks at Stone and Stone nods, stepping closer to me, protecting me. Ace is satisfied because he steps further into The Cage and Seth closes the door.

The bell dings and Ace is light on his feet. He’s teasing and taunting this big-ass man with light slaps to his face or feather-like kicks to his chest and knees. The guy plows into Ace a few times and hugs him, but Ace manages to push him off. The guy is gassed and is losing steam pretty quickly.

“FINISH HIM!” I shout over the crowd. Ace smirks before he goes in for the strike. He throat punches the guy so hard, that he falls on the mat, his hands wrapping around his throat trying to breathe. Ace brings his fist down onto the guy's temple and he hits the mat, not moving. The bell dings and Seth unlocks and enters The Cage. He holds Ace’s fist covered in blood up, announcing he is the champ. The crowd goes wild with shouts, catcalls and whistles.

Ace climbs out of The Cage and heads right for me. He picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. He sways a little biton his feet but shakes his head and carries me into his room. We don’t leave the confines of the little room for several hours. Ace upheld his promise and what a promise he delivered.

It’s been two weeks since the cage fights and we are getting ready to ride down to Louisiana. I have stayed at the Clubhouse the whole time, too scared to go back to my apartment alone. I even quit my job at the nightclub and Kayne is letting me start working at their bar once we get back. No one has said anything about my old boss Joe, but I’m learning if it’s Club business, it’s not mine.

I’ve gotten used to climbing on and off Ace’s bike but I still struggle with getting the damn helmet off. I suggested we fly, but those who were coming with us refused. Said they’d rather have a biker butt than fall out of a tin can and plummet to their deaths. Whatever.

“Ready?” Ace asks, carrying my bag and stowing it in his saddle bag. I don’t bring as many clothes as I normally would have since we’re taking Ace’s bike and there isn’t enough room.

“Ready.” I nod my head. Settling the helmet on my head, Ace tightens it for me. His fingers linger a little too long on my chin and I shiver. The whole Clubhouse is out here to see us off and it’s kind of unsettling.

“If we get down there and something makes you uncomfortable, you tell me and I’ll get you out of there faster than you can blink. Don’t hold anything back because you think it’ll be an inconvenience to us. We’re here for you, not the other way around.” Ace stares into my eyes, willing me to argue with him. I snap my mouth shut and nod my head.

Stone, Duke and Tex are riding down with us. Butch was supposed to, but he’s been missing for the last couple of weeks. No one will tell me where he is, yet again, it’s Club business. I swear if I hear that excuse one more time, I’m going to junk punch the person who said it.

“Ok, Ace,” I answer rolling my eyes. I have my stones with me to help ward off negativity, but it’s not working too well. I’m edgy and in a pissy mood and I can feel it grating on everyone else. I know going back home is a big mistake, but it’s one I have to face so I can move on with Ace and the family I’ve grown to care about up here. Besides, if I don’t show up to Memaw’s death celebration, she will haunt me until I go. I don’t want to have her all up in my juju, she’d be hitting on Ace every chance she got. She might have been old, but she wasn’t senile and she liked to look at good-looking guys. Ace is a very good-looking guy.

“You guys be safe and keep both tires on the ground.” Kayne offers Ace, Stone, Duke and Tex all bro hugs. Blayde is next, then Stryker, Rooster, Maddox, Axel, Talon, Tatt and Knuckles.

“We will, Prez. Thank you.” Ace acknowledges Kayne.

Poison and Siren come up to me. Poison’s baby is sitting on her hip, babbling about everything and anything. Poison hugs me and I return her hug. “If you need anything, do not hesitate to call me.”

“I won’t,” I promise her.

“Same goes for me. If you can’t get Poison, try my phone. You never know what kind of position Poison will be in.” Siren winks at me and my face heats up, knowing what she’s talking about. I’ve walked in on her and Kayne a couple of times in the kitchen and it’s not something I want to repeat.

Alyssa and Holly approach me next and Poison and Siren step back to give them room. Alyssa leans forward to give me a hug, her belly getting in the way. “I have 4 months left and this baby is the size of an overinflated balloon.” I chuckle.

“But it’s cute on you.” I praise.

“Be safe down there and don’t let anyone boss you around. You are the queen bitch down there.” Alyssa says.

A couple of nights ago, I was drinking Tequila with the Ol’ Ladies (minus Alyssa who had pop) and spilled to all the ladieswho my Memaw was and how powerful she was. How I was supposed to take over the Voodoo linage but couldn’t. I didn’t tell them about my ex or my twin brother trying to kill me and make it look like a suicide. Ace doesn’t even know about my ex, only what my brother tried to do to me.

“I will, thank you, Alyssa.”

Holly hugs me, “Be safe and give those men riding with you as much shit as you can.”

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