Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
A ce scribbled on his clipboard, noting that they were running low on the citric acid they used to clean the distilling tanks. He could have sworn they had another bag somewhere, but he hadn’t been able to find it while doing inventory in the stockroom. It didn’t appear to be here among the distilling tanks either.
“Dammit,” he grumbled, hoping the thief hadn’t been stealing more than just money.
The list of suspects kept growing. It seemed like everyone had a need for money. He really hated to think that any of their employees would steal, but the evidence was there. Unfortunately, they hadn’t been able to narrow down anyone yet. Millie was doing her best to suss out the culprit without giving herself away.
Millie
The memory of what they’d done in her studio space the other day heated his blood. The things this woman did to him. He couldn’t seem to help himself around her. Any time he got within a foot of her, his body burned with an all-consuming need to touch her. Pleasure her. Wrap her in his arms and never let go.
He should be more freaked out by that realization. This drawing need for her should bother him. But he couldn’t find the energy to worry about it when he had a million other things on his mind. Besides, they were just having fun. Enjoying each other to a mutual benefaction. One day Millie would quit and work full time at her studio.
Then we wouldn’t have to sneak around anymore. We can be together publicly.
He frowned. No. That wasn’t what he meant. When Millie quit, their…arrangement would be over. Hell, it might be over before then. They agreed to have fun. Nothing more. This wasn’t a forever type thing. They agreed. So why the hell was he thinking of it like a real relationship?
He shook his head. The off the charts sex was messing with his thought process. That was the only explanation.
And it was off the charts…and off the ground.
He grinned as memories of tasting Millie’s sweetness as she rode his face, hanging in the air, filled his mind.
“You’ve got to stop smiling. It’s creeping me out,” Charlie’s voice interrupted his musings.
Ace turned to glance at his sister. Because he couldn’t seem to stop—and maybe to piss her off a little—he widened his smile.
“Shit, it’s like I’m staring at a creepy Ace alien. Or a pod person.” She pointed a finger at him, eyes narrowing. “Who are you and what have you done with my grouchy older brother?”
“What? Am I not allowed to be happy?” he teased.
Charlie blinked. A strange light entered her eyes as she stared at him, looking very much like the small girl she’d once been. So filled with hope and wonder before the universe took a shit all over their lives by taking their father from them.
“I…I didn’t even realize. It’s been so long since I’ve seen you happy.”
What? He’d been kidding. Messing around like they always do. He was happy…ish.
“Alfa,” she spoke with awe as a smile kicked up the corner of her mouth. “You are happy. That’s wonderful!”
A surprised puff of air left him as she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed. Charlie had never been big on public displays of affection, so her sudden hug caught him off guard. He awkwardly patted her back with his free hand.
“Thank you?”
“Don’t be weird,” she admonished, hugging him tighter.
“Me weird?” He pulled back a bit so he could stare down at her. “You’re the one being weird. Luc has turned you soft, sis.”
She stuck her tongue out. “No, he’s helped me tap into my emotions or some crap. Call me soft again and I’ll kick your ass.”
He chuckled. There was his badass sister who didn’t take anyone’s shit.
“But seriously, Ace,” she continued, giving him another big squeeze. “It’s good to see you smiling.”
Knowing moments like this were rare, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged back. As a kid, Charlie used to crawl into his lap during the scary parts of movies. She’d bury her face in his chest, clinging to him. Made him feel like a god knowing his little sister trusted him to be her protector. The older she got the more independent she became. He knew it was a good thing, but he never realized how big a part of him missed that connection. Missed the simple act of hugging his sibling.
“Are you going to tell me who’s got you smiling like that?” Charlie asked, pulling away.
He paused, heart rate picking up as he chose his next words carefully. “What makes you think it’s a someone who has me smiling? Maybe I’m just happy business is good.”
Business wasn’t good. They had a thief stealing thousands of dollars, but she didn’t know that.
Charlie rolled her eyes. “Oh please. I know that smile. It’s an ‘I’m getting laid and it’s spectacular’ type smile.”
He held up a hand. “One, I don’t want to know why you know that smile—”
“Well, the other night Luc—”
“No!”
His hand covered her mouth before any more words could come out and scar him for life. He liked Luc and he knew his sister was an adult, but he didn’t want to know anything about their sex life. He’d like to live in the delusion that they only kissed and slept in two separate beds. As a big brother, it was his right.
“I said I don’t want to know,” he continued. “And who I’m seeing is none of your business.”
“Ah ha!” Charlie’s muffled voice cheered in triumph before she pushed his hand off her mouth. “You are seeing someone.”
Shit! He hadn’t meant to admit that.
“Don’t you have work to do?” He waved her away with his clipboard. “I’m very busy, go away.”
She snorted. “Fine. Keep your lover a secret. I have payroll to get to anyway.”
Lifting on her toes she gave him a quick peck on the cheek followed by a punch to the arm.
“Later, Jackasson!”
He chuckled, watching his sister walk toward the back office. A thought hit him just before she reached the office door.
“Hey,” he called out. “Do you know where the last bag of citric acid is?”
“On the top shelf, by the sink,” she yelled back, disappearing into her office and closing the door.
Ace turned to look behind him. The large sink in the back left corner of the room was where they washed the distilling equipment. The parts that could be washed in a sink. He glanced up to see the familiar blue bag with the white label sitting on the shelf above the sink next to the extra mash baskets.
“Who the hell put it up there?” he grumbled to himself, walking over to the sink.
The shelf was about ten feet off the ground. Too high for even him to reach. He looked around for the step ladder they kept back here, but he didn’t see it. Someone must have grabbed it for another reason and forgotten to put it back. He swallowed his frustration and searched the area for something else to use. His options were limited. He settled on an empty five-gallon bucket they used to collect dirty rags.
Placing the rags under the sink area for the moment, he tipped the bucket upside-down and positioned it where he needed it. Putting his clipboard down on the ground, he placed one foot on the bucket and lifted slightly, testing to see if it would hold his weight. When he was confident it would, he rose, reaching high above his head to grab the twenty-pound bag. He hefted it into his arms, losing his balance at the added weight. Not wanting to fall, Ace jumped off the bucket, intending to land on the floor.
That was his mistake.
He’d forgotten about his clipboard on the floor. His left foot landed directly on the metal clipboard. The metal slid against the hard concrete causing his foot to fly out from under him. The bag fell from his hands as he started to fall. His hands flew out to brace for impact. His left made contact first, twisting as a sickening pop filled his head. It was so loud it sounded like it came from inside his skull. Red-hot stabbing pain shot up his arm as a shout tore from his throat.
“Fuck!”
Stars filled his vision, threatening to turn into blackness, but he blinked, willing the pain away.
It stayed.
“Ace!”
Charlie’s cry reached him first, followed by the calls of Kelley and other staff members. He was sure everyone heard his shout. Dammit. He hated causing a scene. He’d be more upset, but his fucking hand was on fire. Hard to think about anything else.
“What happened?” Charlie asked, reaching his side.
“You okay, man?” Kelley asked, coming to stand by Charlie.
The others gathered asked similar questions. The pain was clouding his head too much to answer any of them. He felt boxed in, crowded. He couldn’t think straight to answer any of them. All he could do was focus on the searing pain in his wrist.
“Back up!” a voice shouted from outside the circle.
The crowd parted and he saw an angel with blue hair kneel at his side.
“Ace,” the soothing voice called to him. “Let me see.”
The fog of pain cleared enough for him to realize Millie knelt at his side, gently inspecting his hand. She didn’t touch it—thank fuck—just moved her head above the wrist he cradled to his chest, examining it.
“That looks like a wrist fracture,” she said.
“How do you know?” Charlie asked, her voice tinged with worry.
“I’ve seen a lot of injuries over my years in circus. He’ll be okay, but we should get him to the hospital.”
“I’m fine,” he grumbled. Now that the initial shock of pain had subsided, embarrassment set in. He’d been a fucking Marine for shit shake. How did a goddam bucket and clipboard take him down?
“Alfa Jackson, you are not fine,” Millie said, pointing a stern finger in his face. “You have a wrist fracture and might need surgery so stop being a stubborn ass and let me take you to the hospital.”
A small gasp filled the room. No one talked to him like that. No one but Millie. He ducked his head to hide a smile. She was just as stubborn as him. So stubborn he knew he wasn’t getting away with slinking home and icing this thing. Besides, it was already swollen and turning a lovely shade of purple. She was probably right. He needed an x-ray at the very least.
“What happened,” BJ asked, rushing in from the restaurants connecting back door, a hint of pain in his eyes.
“Nothing,” he grumbled as Charlie and Millie each grabbed an arm to help him up. “I fell, like an asshole, and hurt my wrist. No big deal.”
He watched BJ rub his wrist, knowing his twin must have felt the moment he fell. Millie gently adjusted his elbow and arm so his wrist was high in the air, elevated above his heart. She scowled at him before addressing BJ.
“He fell and probably broke his wrist. I’ve seen this before and the sooner we get him to a doctor the better his chance of a speedy recovery.”
BJ Nodded. “I’ll grab my truck. Charlie, tell Del what’s going on. Call mom too. I’ll call you from the hospital.”
Charlie nodded, giving him a gentle side hug before racing off to the restaurant to find Del. Ace frowned.
“I’m fine, you guys. Stop freaking out. It’s just a little bruising.”
“Bruising means damage underneath the skin,” Millie insisted. “And the swelling makes it even worse. You’re going to the hospital.”
“Fine,” he grumbled. “Back to work, everyone. I’ll be fine.”
The crowd dispersed as he followed BJ out the back door, Millie still pressed close to his side, arm around his back. They got into his brother’s truck, Millie helping him in the front and buckling his seat belt before hopping into the back.
“You don’t have to come,” he said, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. “I’m fine.”
“Shove it, Ace. I’m coming.”
Her words were harsh, but he saw the lines marring her forehead. Her teeth came out to worry her bottom lip. She was scared…for him. Huh. He didn’t know what to do with that or with the warm feeling inside from that knowledge. He wasn’t used to people worrying about him. He was usually the one to do the worrying.
“Okay,” he said softly into the cab as his brother pulled out of the parking lot and they headed to the hospital.