Page 69 of Cedar Edge
“In the legend of Tristan and Isolde roses bloomed over the graves and joined together so the two lovers would never be apart.” My eyes must have closed again because I have to blink them open, only to find Ace on his knees in front of me. “Roses have been a symbol of death and mourning but also of bridging the gap between two entities.”
I’m dropping to the floor to join him in one swift movement. Tears filling my eyes. “How… how did you know that?” I try to search my memory for when I told him the story but I come up blank.
The kiss he presses to my lips is soft, tentative, so unlike the usual fire that claims us. When he pulls back he drops his head to mine, our breath mingling as we stay bathed in the firelight. “When we lost you, I learned everything I could in order to make that garden for you. But also because I missed hearing you talk about plants.”
A sob breaks through and Logan and Law drop down next to us. We share soft kisses and healing touches that are beyond sexual and lean closer to sensual healing. As we each get to know the other’s bodies again. Outside the rain continues to pour as if it’s cleansing the air around us, washing away the past and ushering in the new.
Logan and Law fall asleep first, leaving Ace and I intertwined in one another on the pile of blankets in front of the fire. His hand is clasped through mine as he holds me from behind. His breath tickles my ear as he leans in closer.
“It’s finished.” He says softly. Turning towards him I frown, confused. “He won’t be coming for you ever again.”
I blink rapidly as the words seem to take root. “What do you mean?”
“Royce was picked up on charges by the Seattle PD. He’s locked away for a very long time.” Ace continues. His eyes track towards Law. . .
Ace
The phone rings and rings, a curse of frustration building on my lips as I wait for Law to answer. I pace back and forth in the shit motel room in Seattle, one that no doubt was once a pinnacle of comfort for those traveling down highway 99. Now however it was devoted to those who had deeds to be done that no one should be aware of.
“God damn it, Law answer!” I growl before hanging up and calling again. I had driven all night from Oregon and instead of heading towards home I came here. On a hunt. One that I would need help with.
Just as I’m about to throw my phone across the room and say fuck it Law’s voice comes through the other end. “This better be important Ace, I’m working.”
“I’m in Seattle.” I speak quickly. I hear him walk away from whatever he was doing, the sound of a door sneaking shut and locking the next noise I hear.
“Thought you were in Oregon.”
“I have a way to get rid of our problem,” Again my words fall out in a pressured tumble. “But I’ll need your help.”
“Be there tonight.” He doesn’t ask me to explain, only agrees blindly. Trusting me when he damn well shouldn’t. Not on this.
Five hours later there is a knock at the door. Keeping my gun in one hand and knife in the other I peer through the peephole breathing a sigh of relief to see Law. Opening the door he raises an eye brow at the two weapons as he walks in.
“What’s going on Ace?”
Shutting and locking the door again I place the weapons on the table. “Royce is resorting to bribery. He’s alerted too many people he’s looking for Thea. It won’t be long before they come for her.”
Law crosses his arms over his chest. “And us.”
“And us.” I confirm. “If we kill him now there'll be no question who did it, even with all my resources it’ll be pinned on us.”
“It was your employer who told you wasn’t it.” His voice is cold and calculating, the kind that indicates he’s moved into cop brain. Which is what I need right now.
I nod. “Chief gave me a heads up.” Law snorts. He’s never trusted anyone I work with, which, fair enough. A guild of killers for hire doesn’t exactly scream trustworthy.
“So what’s the plan here Ace?”
Taking a breath I unload my idea on him. His face grows grim but determined the longer I talk. “If you don’t want to put your career on the line for this I get it.”
Law has me against the door in a heartbeat, anger burning through his irises as he pins me. “Fuck you Ace. I’ll sacrifice my life for you three. My job means jack shit in the end.” He pushes back from me, releasing me and running his hands through his hair. “Its not like Royce is innocent. It’ll be an easy sell. But the question is, who is planting the evidence because it can’t be us.”
I wince, Law doesn’t miss it and shakes his head knowing exactly what I’m doing. “How long?” He asks.
“Another couple jobs.”
“Bullshit.” He snaps back. “You know as well as I do they’ll never let you out after this. You think my job is online here?! You went and sold your soul back to the devil.”
This time it’s me crowding into him, pressing him until his knees hit the bed and he falls backwards. Climbing up on him I pin up, hand to throat. “I am the devil.” When he opens his mouth to counter the argument I spit, the fluid landing on his tongue. “And my soul belongs to you three, forever.”
