Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
“You can’t hog me all night, Mr. King,” Joy teased, but with her arms wrapped around his neck and her breasts pressed against his chest, she made no moves to extract herself from his hold.
After five songs and three twirls around the dance floor, Ace had still yet to relinquish her. People circled and stared, silently petitioning for his attention yet too afraid to approach, but Ace paid them no mind.
As far as he was concerned, he and Joy were the only two people on the moonlit dance floor and he’d monopolize her time and attention as long as he pleased.
He quirked a brow. “Says who?”
“Says me,” she motioned in the direction of the group of women watching them. “And your little fan club over there.”
Ace spotted Dana and the rest of the usual suspects throwing them glares dripping with envy and anger.
“Fuck them,” he shrugged.
His eyes were solely for her.
Her eyes, however, had snagged on something over his shoulder.
Ace followed her line of sight to see what had snatched her attention from him. His eyes landed on Vincent Price, the former federal prosecutor turned consultant.
He could practically feel her vibrating and her eyes never left the spot where the man hugged the wall. Ace looked down at her then back to Vincent.
“Would you like an introduction?”
Joy looked up at him, seemingly snapping out of whatever thoughts had been running through her head. Her eyes were bright and sharp when she spoke. “Yes. Please.”
Ace nodded. He unwound his arms from around her waist and placed a hand at the small of her back.
He ignored the stares they received as they walked through the dance floor, the crowd parting for them as they cut through.
He knew the unusual picture they painted.
Ace was never seen with a woman on his arm at these things and especially not dancing with one.
He could practically see the rumor mill beginning to turn but couldn’t bring himself to give a shit.
As they passed, Ace caught the eye of Senator Chad Thompson. Ace was prepared to ignore attempts for conversation but the Texas senator wasn’t looking at Ace, he was looking at Joy. His face was stuck and his eyes searching like he was trying to figure out where he’d seen her before.
Ace saw the moment clarity passed through his expression and fear flashed in his eyes.
He narrowed his eyes but before he could question it, Chad turned on his heels, nearly knocking over the man standing beside him, and rushed in the opposite direction.
With furrowed brows, Ace turned his attention back to Joy who walked beside him with her sharp eyes laser focused on Vincent.
He didn’t know what she was so intent on him for, but he knew he’d be sticking around to find out.
“Price,” Ace said in greeting as they approached.
Vincent looked up with eyes sharpened with age and knowledge. Like Jrue, Vincent dealt in information. Secrets. Like the Kings, he was able to move seamlessly between worlds and the things he learned along the way could make or break you.
Officially, Vincent was a political consultant. A crisis manager. A fixer.
Unofficially, he was a man who could make problems—and people—disappear. He was more enigma than man, but he was a valuable ally to have in Ace’s world.
“King,” Vincent returned. “I trust you’re doing well?”
Ace picked up on the double meaning and nodded. “All is well. And yourself?”
Vincent’s lips tipped up in a cocky smile. He spread his arms, the drink in his hand sloshing but not spilling. “No complaints, brother.”
Ace chuckled. “Glad to hear it.”
Vincent’s eyes fell to Joy, his eyes shining with lust as he trailed her frame from her toes to the top of her curls.
“And who is this?”
Ace stepped between them subtly but Joy clocked the possessive glare Ace shot the man.
She bit her lip to hide her smile then discreetly nudged him out of the way, extending her hand.
“Joy Thibodeaux,” she introduced herself.
Vincent grinned as he shook her hand. With a smirk aimed at Ace, Vincent lifted Joy’s hand to his mouth, placing a quick kiss to the back of it.
“Watch it, Price,” Ace growled in warning before he could swallow it.
“Relax, King. Just being friendly,” Vincent chuckled.
“How about I throw your friendly ass in that bonfire.”
That earned a hearty laugh from Vincent. “You would, wouldn’t you?” he said, releasing Joy’s hand and taking a step back for good measure.
“Very nice to meet you Ms. Thibodeaux,” Vincent said from an appropriate distance away.
Joy’s eyes flicked up to Ace, then back to Vincent, noticing how a man with arguably enough power to sway the president—or put one in office—heeded Ace’s warning.
“Same here,” Joy replied. “I’m a big fan of your work.”
Vincent’s grin widened, the praise feeding into his already large ego. “I appreciate that,” he said with a hand over his heart.
She nodded, her smile bright but her eyes holding that special fire Ace often witnessed when she was on a mission.
“Joy’s my right hand on the case I’m working right now,” Ace supplied.
And off fucking limits, his glare translated.
Vincent’s eyes sharpened with interest. “Is that right?”
Ace nodded, “Her methods can be a little… unconventional but she gets results.” He looked down at her, unable to shield the admiration from his eyes. “Sharpest attorney we’ve got.”
Joy looked up at him, their eyes catching for just a moment before she cleared her throat. “You’re flattering me, Mr. King,” she chuckled softly, turning back to Vincent. “Sometimes you have to be creative to get things done.”
“Creative can be useful,” Vincent grinned.
“It can be,” she said. “When yielded correctly… and by the right person.”
Vincent nodded, taking a sip of his drink. “I’ve found that some of the most effective work happens when you push the limit a little bit.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Especially when…certain outcomes are preferred.”
Joy held his gaze and she could see the moment the wheels started turning in his head.
Vincent’s eyes sharpened slightly and so did Ace’s.
“Where did you say you were from Ms. Thibodeaux?”
“I didn’t,” Joy answered. “But I’m from Texas.”
“Hm,” he hummed, bringing his drink to his lips and eyeing her over the rim, no doubt filing that information away for later.
The conversation flowed easily after that.
Their conversation continued around Ace, with him inserting a few bits of commentary every so often to engage but otherwise, being content to watch her work.
He couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride watching Vincent eat out of the palm of Joy’s hand.
There she was.
The version of her he’d gotten glimpses of but hadn’t yet had the pleasure of seeing fully.
Confident.
Strategic.
Not dimming herself but completely in control and standing in her power.
Joy must have made a joke that he missed because he was pulled out of his awe by Vincent’s hearty laugh and Joy’s uncharacteristic one.
Ace couldn’t help the jealousy that rose in him, wanting to keep her smiles and laughter all to himself.
Joy and Vincent clinked glasses as they settled.
“You’ll do well in this city,” Vincent said.
Joy’s expression sobered slightly. “I’m not sure New York is where I plan to stay.”
“No?”
Joy shrugged delicately. “Home has a way of calling people back.”
Vincent studied her for a long moment.
“Well Ms. Thibodeaux, I have a feeling you’ll do well wherever you land. If you ever find yourself needing help navigating complicated situations in Texas or elsewhere…” he reached into his jacket and produced a business card, “…give me a call.”
Joy accepted it carefully.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Heat prickled the side of her face, and looked up, finding Ace watching her with searching eyes.
“Good seeing you, King,” Vincent extended his hand towards Ace. He took it, exchanging a firm shake.
“Always a pleasure, Price,” Ace returned.
“You know how to get in touch if you need me.”
Ace nodded. “I do.”
Once alone again, Joy turned to him, her eyes glinting with something that looked like triumph but the rest of her expression unreadable.
“Thanks for the introduction. I see someone else I wanna spea?—“
She began walking away but he tugged her back with a grip on her arm until their faces were inches apart.
“What are you doing, Rose?” he asked, unable to hold in his curiosity any longer.
“It’s called networking,” she said. “What are you doing?” Her eyes flicked to the place where they connected then back up to his face.
“Trying to figure you out.”
“I thought I told you to stop that.”
Ace shook his head. He wanted to probe her some more and opened his mouth to do just that when Jrue approached.
“Ace. There’s someone that needs to speak to you.” His tone held no room for refusal or delay and Ace understood the severity and importance.
Reluctantly, he unwrapped his fingers from her arm .
“I’ll see you later,” he promised. “Save me one more dance before you leave.”
Joy smirked, licking her lips. His eyes dropped to the movement with a hunger that he hadn’t been able to satiate no matter how hard he tried
“I’ll think about it,” she said before turning on her heels.
Joy retrieved her clutch from April and turned her attention to the rest of the dance floor. She scanned the crowd, dispelling the buzz from Ace’s touch and the power of having the most influential man’s number in her bra.
The room was full of money. And power. Joy inhaled like she could pilfer some of it out of the atmosphere and into her lungs for herself.
She was back.
She felt it. Her blood felt alive and her mind felt sharp.
This was only the start of her comeback and it would be sweeter than anything her father could ever imagine. He would have no choice but to allow her back after seeing the things she had up her sleeve.
She pulled her phone out, taking a look at the rest of the names she’d written in her notes and pinpointing each face around the room. With a fresh glass of champagne and sway in her step, she moved on to her next target.
She made her way through the crowd smiling when necessary, speaking when it was advantageous.