20. ACE
Chapter twenty
ACE
W e're home; we are finally fucking home.
We got home as the sun was coming up this morning and it is now falling again.
Emma is still sound asleep; not moving a muscle in my bed.
And now with Charles in our possession, my mind is set on Luca, needing to find him.
Trying to work quietly in our room so I can keep an eye on her while she sleeps but the uneasy feeling I have flooding my every nerve causes me to just pace wearing a path in the carpet.
I look over at her peaceful sleeping body, not at all how she was last night.
She finally broke with everything she had been given the last week, she broke, but pulled herself together, only to break again when she stepped foot into our room.
It was like she could let go of everything, and she did, until she cried herself to sleep in my arms.
Thinking back to that; I can't be in here anymore, I need to take care of something and get it off my chest. I'm fucking angry; no, I'm not angry, I'm fucking furious with how she has been treated.
I look back over at her again, before I reach for the door handle and open the door. I step out into the hallway hearing heavy footsteps coming my way, I look up and see Bear as he asks. “Where are you going?”
“I need to speak with Papa.”His eyes widened with my tone. “I don't think that's a good idea do you? ”
I clench my jaw; no, it's not a good idea, because I'm going to do something I've never done before, but I won't stand for these secrets and lies anymore and more importantly, I won't let Emma get smashed down anymore.
I shake my head in response to Bear. “Then why are you going?” He asks. “Bear, April is her mother!” I snap.
“WHAT!”
“They kept it from her, and Papa dropped the fucking bomb on her right before we got Charles. I won't stand for his secrets anymore.”
He stands in front of me, searching my eyes, probably trying to see if what I'm about to do is justifiable.
In our world, if we challenge our Father's or Uncle's power, and our challenge is not justifiable, we pay a price…
The price of a finger being removed. Each challenge, unjustifiable, means 1 less finger on your hand.
I've got all mine, I've never challenged Papa, but today, I am, because what he did is unforgivable.
Bear's missing two of his fingers for challenging his uncle, he's fucking crazy in the head. “If you're doing it, you better not back down.” He reminds me and I nod my fucking head before I step around him, headed for my father's office.
BEAR
I saw that look in his eyes I know all too well. We've talked since he's been home here in the states, but seeing it first hand how he is with Emma. This mother fucker is in love with Emma and will stop at nothing to protect her.
One thing about Ace, he protects what is his at all costs and that murderous look he carries.
I know what he's doing, he didn't have to tell me.
I carried the same look when I challenged my uncle twice.
And I'm missing my middle finger and ring finger on my left hand because of it, but I was young and dumb.
The third time I challenged him I was older and wiser, but he took Sadie from me.
The only woman I ever loved, so I killed him and became this crazy version of myself.
I know what Ace is feeling, and he needs to do this for himself.
He's rightfully the one in power here, not Ryan.
When Ace and Emma took over this empire, that kicked Ryans power to Ace.
So I'm interested to see what Ace has got up his sleeve, kinda proud of the fucker for finally stepping up to Ryan, that fucking dick deserves what he gets from Ace. Ace may have the Devil in him, but his respect for Ryan has always been there, but I think Ryan lost that shit.
I think I better get comfy, I foresee myself staying in the states and not returning back to Russia.
ACE
My mind is focused on one thing. Blocking out what doesn't matter in this moment, only what does matter as I walk through my father's office door. He sits in his chair, meeting my gaze and that shit eating grin spreads across his face, knowing why I'm here. And I fucking lose it.
In a zip, I launch myself at him, my right fist connects with his jaw before my left wraps around his throat, lifting him from his chair.
He struggles against my hold, his fists connect with every part of my body he can reach, but I'm a fucking steel wall, un-fucking-breakable.
My grip tightening as my father holds his deadly gaze on me and the words spit from my mouth.
“I've always respected you; I've never challenged you, but I warned you not to test me when it came to her.” The door flies open behind me, two of my father's guards advance me, and I spin with my father.
Pulling my gun from my holster, facing his guards, I pull him against my chest, raising my gun.
The words are deep, demanding, and full of truth. “Back down now or you're both dead.”
Lester and Case search my eyes before they drop their gaze to my father who's still in my death grip.
“Ba...ck... d...oww..nnn.” My father rasps out before they slowly lower their guns.
I drop my hold on my father as he falls to the floor, gasping for air, I squat next to him, and my words are filled with venom.
“You are going to stay the fuck away from Emma.” I pause and grin.
“No, you're going to go back to Russia, then you and April can live your miserable lives together, there.
Let's not forget who holds the power of this empire now, I'm the fucking King.” I hold my deadly gaze with Papa a moment longer, waiting for him to say something, but he stares into my eyes, holding his throat, not saying a fucking word.
I rise to my full height, then step over him, leaving him on the floor, I walk past Lester and Case, and leave the room.
Technically, Emma and I are the leaders of our empires, the day we signed that contract, the empires joined, and it's ours.
Out of respect, I allowed my father to hold his position.
Allowing me to work on my plans for the future, but also, to get to know Emma.
But I'm not being respectful anymore, he's lost that, he knows what he did was wrong, I can't forgive him.
Still needing to blow off some steam, I get the worst fucking idea of paying Charles a visit.
Reaching the chamber's Charles is being held in, two men, guarding the door, I give them a nod before I walk into the room. Charles looks up before his eyes roll as they fall to the floor, his lip curling to a snarl. “Where's my worthless daughter?”
My eyes widen, gritting my teeth. My fist connects with his jaw, stepping back, the words seeth from my lips.
“You are a fucking piece of shit. Emma is stronger, smarter than you ever could have been, and she's just getting started.
You're the fucking worthless one.” I lean against the table behind me across from Charles as I stare him down, waiting for him to react, but he doesn't. “Why? I want to know why you treated her like you did?” He doesn't answer, which infuriates me.
My foot comes up, kicking him in his knee; well, what's left of it.
He groans in pain satisfying me for a moment. “ANSWER ME.” I growl.
“She reminds me of her cheating mother.” He snarls.
“I don't believe that for a second.” I kick him again. “If that's what you want your answer to be now, that's fine, but Emma will get every answer to every question she has, and return the pain you caused her in the process.”
EMMA
My eyes flutter open as a chill causes goosebumps to prickle my skin making me wrap myself with the blankets. I look out the window and notice it is dark outside; also Ace is not here.
I sit up in the bed feeling a little more rested, more like myself. When we got home it was like I took a breath for the first time in awhile. But that feeling came with a shit ton of ugly crying.
I honestly don’t know what has gotten into me; I don't break like this.
But I need to pull myself together. It was for me to allow myself to fall apart in Ace's arms, not something I've ever had before.
It was nice. He held me with just the right amount of tightness, warmth, meaning, and full of love.
Which melted me and I could find that comfort I needed.
He's the key to my locked heart and my rock, keeping me grounded, and I need him to keep doing it, or I'm going to lose myself.
I blink a few times, pushing back the tears that are pricking the backs of my eyes, before I shimmy from the bed. A quick trip to the bathroom before I make my way from our room to find Ace but also to find some food; I'm starved.
“And where do you think you're going?” I jump, spinning around and my eyes snap up to Bear as he peels his back from the wall, then drops his bent knee, taking a step towards me.
“Where is Ace?” I ask.
“He's around.” He smirks before his eyes fall, trailing down my body before working their way back up, lifting a brow. “Ace let's you walk around his men dressed like that?” He asks.
I snort. “He isn't the boss of my wardrobe.
Not my fault you men can't keep your eyes where they belong; on my eyes, not my tits.” I snap my fingers in front of his face causing his gaze to snap up to mine, away from my tits.
He chuckles before he says. “I'm just warning you; Ace can be protective, Emma; especially when it comes to…” He pauses and I tilt my head, asking.
“Comes to what, Bear?” He lets out a sigh before he says.
“Comes to someone he really cares about.” And now I'm interested, so I ask.
“Was there someone else, Bear? Before me?”