Chapter 15 #2
He smiled to himself. Except when he had her sprawled in his bed, shaking from an orgasm or two.
She threw her head back and laughed again. The sound hit him.
She lived her life to the fullest. She went her own way and did what she loved. She danced in the living room, sang to loud music, flew her helicopter.
All-out.
And she’d love all-out, too. Their child would always be cherished. He felt like he’d been sucker-punched.
“I’m in love with Maggie.” He blurted the words out.
His friends all looked at him.
Rome snorted. “You’re only just working this out now?”
“Look at Rome, all smug,” Saxon said. “It took you a while to admit you were gone for your princess.”
They all swiveled to look at Saxon.
Saxon sipped his drink. “Yes, it took me a while, too.”
“ Years ,” Rhys said.
“I’ve got her now.” He shot a look at Gia and smiled.
She spotted him and blew him a kiss.
“Any PDA tonight and I’ll shoot you,” Vander warned.
Easton slapped Ace’s back. “Maggie’s great. You guys are going to make a great family.”
Family . Crap, that still made him jittery.
When he looked at Maggie next, she was scanning the room, frowning. Her mommy-to-be sash was still in place.
Ace set his drink down and headed over to her. “ Gatinha ?”
“Ace, have you seen Gus?”
Frowning, Ace looked around. “Not for a while.
“He went to get another beer, and never came back.”
Ace’s muscles tightened. “I’ll look for him. Don’t worry. Maybe he’s flirting with some woman.”
“Gus?” she said skeptically.
“Okay, maybe not.”
Ace checked the restrooms, then headed back to the guys.
“Vander,” he said quietly. “Maggie’s employee, Gus, is missing.”
Vander straightened. “When did anyone last see him?”
“He went to get a drink and never returned.”
“I’ll talk to the bartender.” Saxon strode away.
“Could he have gotten a call? Or left?” Vander asked.
“Maybe.”
“I’ll check outside,” Rhys said.
After a quick search, they came back together.
“He got a drink,” Saxon said. “Was talking with a guy at the bar, but the bartender didn’t notice anything after that.”
“Fuck.” Ace could see Maggie was worried.
He waved her over. “We can’t find him.”
“God.” She pressed her palms to her cheeks.
Ace helped her sit down. Smelling trouble, the other women came over.
“Stay calm, gatinha . I’ll check the CCTV. We’ll find him.”
She nodded.
He left her with the women, then pulled out his phone. He would’ve preferred his laptop or tablet, but he’d make do. He tapped and opened a program
“Ace?” Vander said.
“I’m tapping into the bar’s CCTV.”
“You mean hacking.”
“It’ll be faster than asking.” A few more taps. “I’m in.”
Ace found the footage for the bar and scrolled back.
“ There .” He saw Gus leaning against the bar. Then a man appeared and started talking to the mechanic.
“The guy’s keeping his back to the camera,” Vander noted.
Asshole, turn around. Ace ground his teeth together.
“Wait,” Rhys said. “Go back and slow it down.”
Ace did. And saw what Rhys had spotted.
“Shit.” The man had tipped something into Gus’ drink.
The older man sipped. After some more talking, Ace noted the way Gus relaxed, and leaned more heavily on the bar.
Then the man took Gus’ arm and led him out. The guy didn’t look at the camera once.
Shit.
Ace tapped. “Let me see if I can find a camera on the street.” He pulled one up. “Got them. Look up, asshole.”
Gus was staggering now. Then the man with him turned his head.
Ace sucked in a breath. Vander cursed.
It was Davis Haye.
“Fuck.” Maggie would be devastated. If something happened to Gus, she’d never forgive herself. “I’ll tell Maggie.” Ace scraped a hand through his hair.
A muscle ticked in Vander’s jaw. “Ace, take care of her. The rest of us will get the women home, and we’ll meet at the office. Tell Maggie we’ll find Gus.”
Ace nodded.
“I’ll call Hunt,” Vander said. “And I’ll tap my informants on the street. Someone will spot them.”
“I’ll run any properties Haye might still own or have access to,” Ace said.
“Good idea. Send us any good options and we’ll check them out.”
The other men nodded. Ace took a breath and headed over to Maggie.
She rose, looking pissed, but her hands twisted together nervously. “Did he leave early?” She studied Ace’s face and her cheeks paled. “Tell me.”
“Haye was here. He struck up a conversation with Gus and slipped something into his drink.”
“ No ,” she breathed.
Gia patted her back. “Ace and the guys will find him. You can’t get too stressed. It’s not good for you or the baby.”
“Why?” Maggie said. “Why take Gus?”
“Revenge? Because Davis Haye is fucked up? He can’t get to you, so he targeted who he could.”
“Oh, God.” She pressed a hand to her stomach.
“Vander and the guys are going to search for Gus. I’m going to get you home.” He pulled her close.
She clutched his shirt. “So, I can sit and do nothing? Just wait and hope?” She shook her head. “I can’t do that, Ace.”
“I’m going to run some searches. Find out if Haye has any properties or hidey holes. You can help me.”
Her shoulders sagged and he wrapped his arms around her. When she leaned in, and pressed her face against his chest, he held her tight.
He felt a surge of emotion. Every time she turned to him, leaned on him.
She jerked, suddenly tense. “Ace, my parents? If he’s targeting people close to me—”
Ace cursed. “I’ll contact them and see where they are. I’ll get someone on them.”
“This is a nightmare.”
“Let’s go home, gatinha . I need to get you safe.”