Page 23 of Ace

Were they?

“How did you end up a Riptide prospect?”I asked.

“Just luck, really.My family life was shit when I was a kid, so I joined the Navy as soon as I made the age thing.”Tiny squirmed around in the chair to face me.“When I made it into the SEALs, I felt like I finally had a home, and a family.Prez was my platoon sergeant.All the guys were close.So, when I got out I kind of didn’t do so well.Felt like I was back where I started.Alone.Then Prez showed up and offered to get me into Riptide.Saved my life, really.”

“Offered to get you in?”I tilted my head.“Oh right, Mom told me you had to be sponsored or something like that.”

“Yup.Riptide is by invitation only.”He shrugged.“You have to have someone sponsor you, and then you have to prove you deserve the patch.”

“So, a prospect is not quite a member?”

“I guess.”He looked thoughtful.“I’ve been here over a year now.Prez is trusting me with more shit.It’s a real honor being asked to watch his old lady.”

“Old lady?”

“That’s just what you get called if you’re like claimed by one of the brothers.Mom is Jake’s old lady.It’s a term of respect.”

It didn’t sound that respectful to me.I did not consider myself old.Still, it was one more thing to take up with Ace.Or not.Once this murder thing got cleared up, I’d be on my way.I wouldn’t be here long enough for it to be an issue.

Why did that thought not make me feel happier?

“Guess I’d better get unpacked.Thanks for the dresser.”I withdrew back into Ace’s room and stared at the new dresser.Putting my clothes in it would make this seem real, seem like I planned to stay.

My side was starting to ache again.Hopefully I hadn’t overdone it.I downed a couple of the magical painkillers and laid down on the bed while I waited for them to kick in.I could always unpack later.

The sound of a dozen or more Harley engines pulled me out of a fitful sleep.It was no doubt Ace returning from his mysterious meeting.Minutes later, the clubhouse erupted with sound downstairs as the bikers all jostled their way inside.

I sat up, rubbing my eyes and glanced at the alarm clock.I’d been out for over an hour, but it sure didn’t feel like it.

“She okay?”

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of Ace’s voice.Much as I didn’t want to admit it, I was happy he’d come back, and happy he worried about me.

“Yes, sir.She’s been in your room the whole time.She didn’t close the door so when things got real quiet I peeked in and found her passed out cold on the bed.Been through a lot lately, I guess.Must have tuckered her out.”

“I’m sure it did.Thanks for watching her for me.Joker been around to see her?”

“No, sir.Not while you were away.Thought maybe he went with you.”

“Can you go tell him to come on up when he has a minute?”

“No problem.”

I heard the rattle of the chair as Tiny left to find Joker.

Ace loomed in the doorway.God, the man was gorgeous.Not fancy magazine type gorgeous, but the rugged, scarred kind of gorgeous that told you he knew how to look after himself and anyone he cared about.

He ran one hand through his thick mane of hair as he stared at me.“Woman, you are trouble.”

I propped myself up on one elbow and tucked my feet under me.“How so?I did exactly what you told me.I stayed put and didn’t even leave this room while you were gone.”

He stalked across the room, lowering himself to the bed beside me.Placing one hand on my thigh, he shook his head.“What you saw was an execution by a rogue club from Atlanta, and intel is that they plan to run drugs through Riptide territory.This is our town, and we like to keep it clean.No way we’re going to sit back and let them set up shop here.”

“How do you plan to stop them?”I had the sickening feeling I already knew the answer.

“We’ll throw some friendly clues their way.Let them know their presence isn’t appreciated.Hopefully they take the hint and move on.There are other towns around they can spoil with their presence.”

“Then why did they decide to use this one?”There had to be a reason, especially if it would have been easier to avoid it.

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