Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
M aggie paced Ace’s living room. Where was he?
“Babe,” Rhys said. “Chill.”
She glared at him. He was sprawled on the couch, looking sexy and unconcerned. He was flicking through channels on the television.
“I can’t chill.”
“I told you that Ace and Vander are fine. They’ll be here soon.”
She blew out a breath. He’d also told her that they’d found something, and that Ace would share when he got here.
She heard the front door and her pulse jumped.
“See,” Rhys said.
She rolled her eyes at him. Ace and Vander appeared, and both of them looked perfectly normal, no injuries.
Ace moved straight to Maggie and hugged her. She saw Vander flick a finger at his brother.
“Why don’t you sit down, gatinha ?”
Her gut cramped. “It’s bad.”
“No. It’s just not where I’d like it to be.”
She dropped down by Rhys. Ace sat on the coffee table in front of her and took her hands. Vander stayed standing, his hands on his hips.
“We visited Farrell and Chan, the local hackers. Quicksilver was staying with them.”
Rhys leaned back. “Is he still breathing?”
“Yes,” Ace said. “He gave us Booker, the bomber. He’s in police custody.”
Maggie gasped and squeezed Ace’s fingers. “Okay. So that’s good. He can’t hurt anyone else.”
“Quicksilver also told us that Spiner is the one giving the orders. Or rather the fake Spiner. He gave us an address of an office where he met with the guy.”
Maggie swallowed. “Go on.”
“Vander and I checked it out with Hunt. The guy was long gone, and had cleaned the place out.”
That explained the frustration she felt from Ace. “Oh, so do you think he’s left town?” God, she hoped so.
“Maybe,” Vander said. “But I don’t make decisions based on hope.”
“The office was for Cityscape Holdings. I’ve been doing some digging. It’s a property development firm. They bought some land in Dogpatch where they’re building luxury apartments. It’s owned by this man, Davis Haye.” Ace held up his tablet.
“That’s him .” Maggie jolted. “That’s Fake Spiner.”
“The guy sunk his life savings into the project. He brought in investors and he borrowed deep.”
“Like bottom of the ocean deep,” Vander said.
“And?” she prompted.
Vander shifted. “And he cut corners to save costs. Last week, the city building inspector didn’t pass the current work on the development.”
“Adrian Marks,” she whispered.
“Right,” Ace said. “Witnesses saw Haye and Marks arguing. Haye made threats.”
“And apparently Haye considers himself very smart and cunning.” Vander’s tone said the opposite. “He’s always bragging about his latest moneymaking schemes, about how clever he is. But with everything sunk in this building project, he was desperate.”
“So, he concocted a convoluted scheme to get Marks alone, and no doubt try to convince the guy to change his report,” Ace continued. “I assume Marks didn’t budge.”
“So Haye killed him.” She entwined her fingers with Ace’s. “And he used me as part of this complicated coverup.”
“My guess is he had one of his thugs drive out to meet them at Muir Woods.”
“They were no doubt hoping Maggie wouldn’t notice anything amiss,” Rhys added.
“And Haye wasn’t expecting Maggie to put the drone up,” Ace added.
She nodded. “That’s why he got agitated.”
“And after he failed to get his hands on your footage, he decided the best plan was to eliminate you,” Vander said. “He hired Quicksilver and Booker. Out-of-towners who couldn’t be linked back to him.”
She pressed a hand to her cheek. “God.”
“He had millions at stake,” Ace said. “And he was losing everything. His wife also left him.”
“So, he figured he’d just kill me?” Maggie shook her head. “Jesus, some people suck.”
Ace pulled her to his chest. “We’ll find Haye, and until then, we’ll keep you protected.”
“But it’s likely he’s run, right? Why would he stay here?”
A groove appeared in Ace’s brow. “Until I have proof, I’m not buying it.”
“I guess I should head out,” Vander said.
“Actually, you should stay,” Rhys said.
Vander raised a brow at his brother. “Oh, is this your house now?”
Rhys smiled his rock-star grin. “No, Haven just texted me. She’s on her way over with Gia and the gang.” He glanced at Maggie. “They wanted to do something to cheer you up.”
“Cheer me up?”
“Yeah. Now usually Gia’s idea of cheering someone up involves cocktails and a party. In these circumstances—” he gestured at Maggie’s stomach “—she’s been forced to get creative.”
“Well, Gia isn’t short on creativity,” Vander said. “Are they bringing food?”
“Yep,” Rhys answered.
“Good.” Vander dropped into an armchair.
“I guess we’re having a party.” Ace smiled.
About thirty minutes later, the extended Norcross gang descended.
Gia bustled in, holding a stack of shopping bags. Haven, Harlow, and Sofie brought in trays of food. Easton, Rome, and Saxon followed with drinks.
Maggie got hugs from everyone.
“It’s a night to relax, unwind, and have a laugh.” Gia patted Maggie’s arm. “We are all-too-aware of how it feels to be in your position, and you shouldn’t be stressed right now.”
Unruly tears threatened. “Crap, Gia, don’t make me cry.”
“Get some food. You’re eating for two now.”
“The baby is the size of a seed, so I’m not sure I can justify doubling my plate.”
“Pfft.” Gia served up a creamy pasta and handed it over.
The men ate, drank, and talked work, sports, and cars.
“Here.” Sofie delivered a drink topped with greenery to Maggie. “A virgin mint julep.”
Across the room, she saw Ace smiling at her. This was…nice.
She ate more and watched him. She wanted this, the two of them together, hanging with their friends.
But did he want her enough? He seemed to have no problems with the bachelor life. God, what if he felt trapped?
“Okay?” He appeared, squeezing the back of her neck.
She nodded quickly.
After they’d all eaten, Gia stood. “All right, it’s time for the gifts. Mostly, the men handed over money and let us ladies do our thing.”
“Thank God,” Vander muttered.
“I helped,” Rhys said.
“You did.” Haven kissed him noisily.
“You didn’t have to do this.” Maggie settled on the couch and Ace perched on the arm beside her.
Gia handed over the shopping bags. “Yes, we did. Besides, it was fun.”
Maggie pulled open the first bag and lifted out the clothes inside.
“Oh.” A huge jolt hit her. “Oh, God.”
It was a tiny onesie in a buttery-cream color. On the front of it was a picture of a bar loading, like from a computer program. Under the image it said, “Warning: diaper loading.”
Ace chuckled, and then she held it up to the others. More laughter filled the room.
Maggie stroked the soft fabric, trying to imagine a little person small enough to fit inside it.
The next onesie was gray, and had a picture of glasses on it with “Geek in training” written underneath.
“Funny,” Ace said.
“Look at the next one,” Rhys urged. “I picked it.”
Maggie did. It said, “My daddy is a geek, but I’m living proof he scored at least once.”
Maggie snort-laughed and Ace groaned.
Rhys looked smug. “Good, huh?”
“Thank you.” Maggie looked around the room. “These are awesome.”
There were also cute pacifiers, a set of tiny shoes, and an ultrasoft blanket.
“We’ll have a big baby shower bash closer to your due date,” Gia said. “I just wanted to do a little something fun, in the middle of the not-so-fun.”
Maggie leaned over and hugged Gia. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re not alone,” Gia whispered.
The gathering wound down, and everybody finally headed home.
When Maggie closed the front door and returned, she found Ace fingering the onesies.
“Makes it a little more real,” she said.
He lifted his chin. “Makes me realize I can’t let up on keeping you safe.”
Her heart clenched and she moved over to him. “It’s not all your responsibility. We’re in this together, Oliveira.”
He ran a hand along her cheekbone.
“How about if I take my baby daddy to bed?” she murmured. “And do naughty things to him?”
His lips twitched. “Hmm, let me think about it… Yes.”
She kissed him. Right there and then, it was just the two of them. For a little while, they’d shut out the world.
* * *
Ace watched Maggie brushing her teeth in his bathroom and grinned.
Damn, he liked seeing her there. They’d showered, and she was just wearing a towel wrapped around herself. It gave him ideas.
A cell phone started ringing in the bedroom. She met his gaze in the mirror. “That’s mine,” she mumbled around her toothbrush. “Can you grab it for me?”
When he returned with it, she’d just finished rinsing.
She snatched the phone with a smile. “Thanks.”
Ace took the opportunity to slide a hand under her towel and squeeze her ass cheek.
She smacked his arm, but was grinning. Then she thumbed the phone and held it up on speaker. “Hi, Mom.”
Mom? Shit. He pulled his hand back.
“Sweetie, where are you?” Her mother’s voice came through loud and concerned.
Maggie frowned. “Mom, what do you—?”
“Magdalena?” Her father’s deep baritone. “We’re at your apartment and you didn’t answer our knocks.”
“We wanted to surprise you,” her mother said.
Maggie closed her eyes and Ace stroked a hand down her back.
“We were worried,” her mother continued. “So, we spoke with those lovely neighbors of yours. The Paulsons. They said you haven’t been home for days .”
“And they told us that your apartment was broken into and your Jeep exploded out on the street,” her father growled.
A sob came across the line, and Ace assumed Mrs. Lopez was crying.
“Mom, Dad, I’m fine. I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Where are you, Magdalena?” her dad asked.
“I’m staying with a friend.”
There was a pause.
“A man?” Her father sounded like he tasted something bad.
“Look, why don’t—”
“We want to see you Maggie,” her mother insisted.
“We came all the way up here,” her father added.
Without even calling her or planning ahead. Ace saw Maggie rub her temple.
“Why don’t we meet up for breakfast,” Maggie said. “At Home Plate. Mom, it’s one of your favorites.” Maggie looked over at Ace and he nodded.
“All right,” her mother said. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
“Yes.”