Chapter 11
eleven
Penny
Ithink I can admit that Steelwood isn't as bad as I originally thought. They're not just a bunch of criminals running around and killing people just because they're in the mood for it.
The way they treat Leliah, I can see they're just regular people wrapped up in leather.
Cassia helps with dinner, happily cooking up chicken nuggets for Leliah. While she's drowning her pieces in dressing, the woman is watching me more than her.
"Ace didn't ever mention having an old lady, but I've got to say... It's going to be really nice having more women around. Not just ones passing by, but ones that actually hang out, you know?"
Not knowing what an 'old lady' is in her context, I'm too stuck on the rest of her statement to ask.
Is she assuming I'm going to be around now? Did Ace say something to them?
Does he... want to keep me around?
"I feel very out of place." Admitting the truth softly, heat creeps against my cheeks at her snort.
"Wait until Ace gets you a vest of your own. Heck, we might even be able to get this little lady some leather." Cassia's eyes brighten at the idea, and she swiftly grabs her phone, probably to look something up online that matches what she's thinking.
As I turned my gaze toward Leliah, she appeared quite happy, evident from the curve of her lips.
She's probably loving all the spoiling she's gotten in the last couple of hours.
Plus, she's not used to having so many people around her to entertain her.
Strangers or not, they're radiating friendliness.
Taking care of her all on my own, passing her around has given me far more of a break than I've ever gotten before.
It’s been pretty... pleasant. Considering the rocky beginning, the atmosphere is actually quite relaxing. Sure, these guys might be having a decent day, or perhaps they're just not being their true selves in front of someone they see as a stranger. But still, maybe… I could get used to this.
Would Ace really want me around after this mess of mine is managed?
As lovely as his apartment is, a few days locked away make this feel more like a breath of fresh air than anything else.
While I'm stuck in my head, it doesn't take long before there's a sudden shift in the air.
Hearing some commotion outside of the room, Cassia tucks her phone back into her pocket. "Sounds like they've returned."
Is Ace finally back? From the lack of details he's given me, I can only imagine what has stolen him away for so long. Either he's trying to keep me from being scared, or he's trying to keep me safe.
"I'll send him your way. You should really look for something to eat." Her mouth quips up. "You'll get used to those nerves every time the guys slip off. Once you realize they can take care of themselves, it gets easier."
Thanking her for everything, I watch her slip away before returning my gaze to Leliah. Reaching out, I stroke her hair. "Are you having a good time?"
Looking at me with those big green eyes of hers, my chest tightens when she smiles and jerks her head into a nod.
However, she looks like she's enjoying those nuggets even more with how quickly she's chomping them down.
The color on her cheeks is a flushed pink, and I can't help but wonder if her face hurts from how much smiling she's been doing lately.
Deep down, I don't think I want anything to change. While she's this happy, I'm happy.
The thump of boots has me lifting my gaze before my stomach is tightening for an entirely different reason.
There's something about seeing Ace that makes all my worries melt away. It's the curve on his lips, and the way he looks relieved, too, that hits deep.
"Sorry that took so long." Coasting across the room, he shoves the leather sleeves of his jacket up his arms and washes both of them and his hands. Thankfully, this time, he doesn't look like he has any injuries worth worrying about. "Miss me?"
"A little..." The truth slips out without thinking, and I notice the glance he slips over his shoulder before finishing up. "Are you okay?"
"More than that, sweetheart. I'm feeling the best I have in ages.
" Drifting back over to us, he reaches out and steals one of her nuggets in passing before stopping behind me.
His hands find my shoulders, and the moment he starts kneading them, I'm going slack against his chest. Feeling him rumble in approval, I sense his eyes on me the entire time.
"What did you think about the others? Not too bad, I hope? "
Shaking my head, my eyes drift close. "Everyone seems pretty nice. Well, mostly. Some are a little rough around the edges."
Both Dante and Butcher seem like the scariest ones here, but I think that could've just been their faces. I don't know how these guys get their nicknames, but I don't think they're very fitting.
"Does the thought of coming around more often make you feel uncomfortable?"
Opening my eyes, I look up to meet his gaze. There's a shift in his voice, filled with more concern than curiosity. Did something happen while he was gone?
"As long as it's appropriate for Leliah, I'd be willing to return." Answering with the truth, I don't miss his relief. "Is everything okay? Did something—"
He gives no warning before he swoops down and kisses me. Doing it just because, he makes my worries sizzle up, leaving nothing behind.
"How about you two finish up here, and I find someone to give us a ride back?" Lifting his hand, he grazes my flushed cheeks with his thumb before touching my mouth next. He's staring too deeply, as if he'd much rather kiss me again.
I kind of want him to. Especially with how easily he makes my heart jump.
"We've got to talk about some things. Might be better to do it in a place you feel more comfortable in."
Nodding in a daze, I fight the urge to reach out for him when he already pulls himself away.
"Don't think about overthinking the conversation, either," he orders, giving me a look. Just like that, he already knows me well enough that once the heat seeps away, that's the exact thing that'll happen.
Nodding, I watch as he drifts back out, leaving us alone.
I hope this 'talk' involves him asking us to stay. If not, then I think I may have to be the one to push the idea. The more I think about it, the more I want it to become a reality.
The drive back is almost quiet. Leliah's soft snores are against my ear, and Ace is constantly shifting like he can't sit still.
Once the vehicle has come to a final stop, he doesn't waste time grabbing our stroller and carrying it out. As if he doesn't have any patience, he's helping me out and carefully tugging us toward his unit.
Slipping inside, I have to excuse myself to tuck Leliah in bed. After her eventful day, I wouldn't be surprised if she remained knocked out through the entire night.
Once I've kissed her forehead and made sure those soft snores continue undisturbed, I'm quietly slipping out.
Finding Ace standing in the living room, I take a seat and pat the empty cushion next to me. When he doesn't budge at first, I realize things might not be okay. Maybe something did happen while he was gone.
Telling myself not to get worked up, especially if it's not over anything, I try my best to relax. Curling my fingers again, the best I get is him stepping close enough that he's almost within my reach.
"What happened?"
Letting out a sigh, he runs his hand down his face before shaking his head. "Best to just rip this off like a band-aid. So, I've got good news and bad news. Good news, you don't have to worry about those Outlaw Sinners chasing after you two anymore. I've handled it."
Before he can get to the bad news part, my heart suddenly stills. If he's taken care of it, then he's either paid the debt himself, something I realize he could do from one look at his wallet, or he's...
Ace takes another step forward before he's suddenly on his knees, nearly shaking the ground to meet my eyes. "Don't think about it, Penny. Just know, both you and your daughter are safe. Not because of Steelwood, but because you don't owe them anything anymore."
Trying not to think about it, my bottom lip wobbles. "If that's the good news, then what's the bad news?"
Moving to sit back on his heels, he tears his eyes away.
"I think I fucked up. Because of how I've acted, they believe you're one of ours.
If you haven't noticed, each club is very territorial over what section of town is theirs.
Now they see you as more of a threat. So, while you won't have to worry about looking over your shoulder here.
.." He grimaces and looks back up at me.
"You can't go back without putting yourself in danger.
Because of me, you can't return to your old life. "
Hitting me with the complications, he follows up with an apology, and I can see the way it tears at him.
"I'll find you a place to stay, of course.
We've got good daycares on this patch of town for Leliah if you'd want to work, but it won't be needed.
I'll support you two and make sure you have everything you need.
" Like he already has everything planned out in his head, he keeps going.
Yet, there's one thing he's not including in this picture.
Him.
"You don't... want to be with us?"
I should be kicking myself about his good news. Johnny's alive. He's been... taken care of. Yet, there's no denying the relief swirling in my chest. Instead, I'm finding myself more upset that this feels more like a goodbye than a reassurance.
Ace is caught off guard by my question, as if he didn't even realize the option was available.
He blinks a few times before nudging closer.
He reaches out, stroking my knees, and then my thighs when he realizes I'm nowhere close to brushing his touch away.
"I want whatever makes you happiest. What I don't want is for you to feel forced to stay with me, with the club, because of how things have played out. "
"These last few days, I've been the happiest I have in a long time." Murmuring the truth, my heart flutters as the words pass through my lips. "I haven't felt this... wanted in a long time. A very long time, Ace. And you want me, right?"
He curses under his breath before squeezing my thighs. "So fucking bad that it hurts being away from you. Just the thought of watching you from a distance kills me, Pen. But I am willing to do it. For you two, I'm willing to do anything."
It's that confession that confirms it for me. I'm not going to ever meet a man like Ace again. Not someone who looks at both of us and is ready to give a devotion I've never known.
Lifting my hands, I cup his face. "Your apartment is incredibly small for three people."
Groaning low in the back of his throat, he nods. "I can start house shopping. Find a place with a big yard for Leliah to run around. How's that sound?"
Better and better with every second passing by.
"I love you, Penny. So fucking much. I know it's a lot, this whole thing, but I need you to know that." Leaning into my touch, he doesn't even flush a little at saying such words.
Yet, here I am, pinker than I've ever been in my life.
Ace loves me. Being hungry for these feelings between us is one thing, but love is a whole different concept. As scary as it is to trust someone enough to the point of trying at this again, for Ace, I'm willing to do it.