19
Grace
This is a terrible idea.
Let's let all four mafia heirs know who I am all at the same time.
Yeah, I have a backup plan but I reeeally don't want to use it.
Thank goodness for Gabe being good at all of his jobs.
He managed to get me my blackmail just as we were leaving.
The man deserves a medal. No, a parade. Depending on how many bodies I have to deal with tonight, he may get a national holiday. Gabe Day.
I park at the same construction site we were in yesterday. I know Christian must be shitting bricks but this is the only place I can think of where we can go without being heard or watched.
I get my shades and braid on so I can do a perimeter check. I leave the car and hear a collective gasp. Looks like they recognize me now.
Oh yeah, this is going to go well. Hopefully, I don't have to kill anyone. I really like these guys.
I take deep breaths as I walk the site. It's clear. Good, people can follow directions. I place my calm mask on as I walk back to the hummer. I can't afford to be emotional here. They can hate me if they want to. I will live. I've survived worse. I just really don't want to have to.
The silence is deafening in the truck as I slide inside. I stare out the windshield for a minute before I turn to look at the others.
Christian looks pale. Keir looks proud which is making me concerned for his mental health. Jai looks shocked and Liam looks...giddy. Oh dear lord. Alek is observing everything with watchful eyes.
"Grace, what's going on? Why are we here?" Christian asks.
"It's not what you're thinking. It's just secure." I assure him.
"You're Ace." He states.
"Yes. I didn't know who any of you were... until the day we handled the situation with Roberts." I explain.
"That's when I figured it out too. I saw her tattoo in gym class earlier that day. So did Alek." Keir admits.
"Do The Heads know?" Jai asks.
"No, and barring the apocalypse, I would like to keep it that way," I state firmly.
"Now, Keir and Alek have already been given the threat.
Now, it's your turn." I pass out a piece of paper to each of them and watch the betrayal cross their faces.
I keep my face hard as my heart rips apart in my chest.
"What the fuck, Grace?" Jai asks.
"It's insurance, so you don't talk. I need to make sure." I clarify. "I can't take you out so I have to do this."
"You don't have to do this ." He argues shaking the piece of paper at me.
"Really? So when you decide that I'm too bloodthirsty or I do something you don't agree with or whatever else and feel vindictive or something comes up that's more important than my life.
You'll keep my name? I don't think so." I watch as he thinks it over and nods.
"I know it seems heartless. It's supposed to.
It's my life on the line and the lives of the people important to me. "
"You didn't threaten me," Keir says looking confused.
"Didn't I?" I ask flicking my eyes to Alek.
"Oh, fuck. That's brutal." He whispers.
"Unfortunately. But like I said. It needs to be done." I state.
"I get it." Liam nods .
"Yeah, it sucks but it's smart," Christian admits.
"Thank you for understanding." I nod. The tightness in my chest eases a fraction.
"Now, for the hard stuff." Liam chuckles. "We all really like you. I don't know about the others at the moment after this revelation but, I'm still all in." What?
"You know my feelings. They haven't changed." Keir smiles his crooked smile.
"I've been yours since that first night. This doesn't change anything." Jai admits. Oh no.
"I told you before, I think you're perfect." Christian smiles.
"I can't... choose sides. I need to stay working for all the families. I know too much to be allowed to live if I don't." I explain.
"Fuck." Jai frowns.
"Well, I had an... unconventional idea on that one." Alek smiles. There's a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You all like her, she likes you guys. Why don't you just be together? All of you." I don't think my cold-hard mask is working anymore. I'm fairly certain my brain isn't working anymore.
"What?!" I shriek.
"Hear me out. Polyamory is a thing. It works for lots of people. It might also be your only option other than not being together at all." He explains.
"That's–" I start.
"If it means being with you, I'll do it." Christian smiles. What?
"Yeah, it'll be an adjustment but think of it as more protection." Jai shrugs.
"Not like us together though, right?" Liam asks gesturing to the other guys. Well, there's a thought. Keir chuckles. I think he's onto me as he slings his large arm over Liam's shoulders.
"Only if you're up for it." He taunts. Oh dear lord. "Just think of her between us." He grins lasciviously. Holy shit, did my panties just catch fire? I think they did. Especially when there is a round of low groans and all four of them shift in their seats.
"Okay, so we're doing this then?" Jai rasps.
"I think it's unanimous," Alek smirks. "I now pronounce you all in a relationship!" He cries making us all chuckle.
"Are you still going to that party tomorrow, Grace?" Jai asks.
"Yeah, Kennedy and I are going."
"Yeah, Kennedy invited me to go swimming with them." Keir smiles as I groan and softly smack my head against the steering wheel.
"That girl is so lucky I haven't killed her yet," I mumble making Keir and Alek bark out a laugh.
"Alright, I don't know if it's the smartest plan, but feel free to come over after lunch tomorrow.
Now, I'm going home, I'm exhausted." I start up the hummer and drive back to the tattoo shop where we all separate.
Turns out Liam has a gorgeous black roadster. I approve.
"Want a ride, beautiful?" Liam smirks.
"Sure. I caught a ride with Kennedy." I smile as he beams and passes me a black helmet. "Thanks."
I watch him swing a long leg over the bike and enjoy the view before climbing on behind him.
"Hold tight." He warns before pulling onto the road. So I do. I hold onto Liam's hard body as the wind whips my hair back, and we go from the grey and fluorescent-lit derelict settings of downtown to the green lawns and large houses of his part of town. I guess it's my part of town too now.
We pull up to the gatehouse to see the lovely gentleman who almost called the cops on me the other night. I take off the helmet and smile at him.
"Hey, do you need my ID? I have a real one now."
"Nope. I know all about you now." He chuckles. I feel Liam tense under my hold.
"Thank you...Hunter." I say looking at his name tag. He shakes his head but lets the gates open.
"Have a good night, Toni." He laughs as we pull ahead.
"You, sir, have to work on your poker face," I whisper after Liam turns off his bike.
"Sorry. It's still new." He mutters.
"I get it. Maybe we'll play strip poker soon. Work on it." I wink handing back the helmet and walking off as he groans, making me laugh.
"Am I allowed to come over tomorrow?" He asks.
"After lunch," I call over my shoulder and head inside.
Upstairs, I get changed into a band shirt and relax on the floor with my knife under my pillow. The silence feels heavy around me.
This was a terrible fucking decision. They all know. I'm going to die, it's only a matter of time. But if I'm going down I'm taking a few people with me.
1. Harry fucking Reid.
2. Nathan Marconi
Wow, only two. I guess my parents dying without my involvement was a mixed blessing. My hands are clean of parricide but I'm not sure if I like that. I'm still not sure how they died. Maybe if it was bloody enough I'll feel better. God, I'm a terrible person.
I hear a soft knock on my door.
"Yes?" I call out.
"It's me."
"Christian?" I ask making my way to the door. Sure enough, Christian Bianchi is standing there awkwardly in my doorway. "Is everything okay?" I ask.
"Um... yeah. I just... can I come in?" He asks.
"Sure," I say moving aside. He drops down on the bed hands scrubbing at his face. I close the door and make my way over to sit beside him.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"I need to tell you something."
"...Okay."
"Andras said I'd have to work for you to trust me... then he told me about the knives hidden around your room." He admits. Oh. Well, that's not good.
"I didn't know he knew about them," I admit.
"Ruby found them. They figured you felt safer with them so they left them." He explains.
"Wonderful." I sigh flopping back onto the mattress.
"I just figured you would want to know." He mutters.
"I do. Thank you." I admit.
"I almost thought you'd be asleep by now." He chuckles.
"No, my mind won't turn off. I gotta admit, I'm freaking out."
"I'm sorry." He whispers. I look over at him and he looks so sad I tug him down to lie with me.
"It was bound to happen eventually. I'm kind of surprised I got away with it with only Ray knowing for the last four years." I chuckle.
"Four years? You've been Ace since you were thirteen?" He asks rolling onto his side to look at me. I shrug and he lays a soft kiss on my lips. “I hate that. You should have had all the good things in life.” He's such a sweetheart, I can't stand it.
I smile and pull him down by the back of his neck for another kiss. This one isn't soft. It's hungry. I want all of him.
He moans against my mouth and holds me against his body. I hold him right back and wrap my leg around his waist.
"Grace..." he warns.
"Christian," I smirk.