Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ace sat in the back room of August’s casino, The Jade Room, with a cigar between his fingers.
Surrounding the card table with him were the leaders of the Italian and Jamaican families of the Council.
The room was dim, with a thick smoke from the cigars they were smoking and the scent of expensive alcohol permeating the small room.
“Surely you can understand our concerns, King. From the outside looking in, it doesn’t seem like you have your house in order,” Leonardo De Leone said, tapping his cigar lightly until ash fell from the burning tip and into the crystal dish.
Ace took a puff of his own before answering, using the extra time to calm himself.
“My house is fine, De Leone,” Ace answered, hoping to inject some surety into his tone.
“Is it? Your organization has had more problems in your first month than it had all last year and that’s just the ones we know about. Your father—” Amos Toussaint started.
“My father is on a beach with his wife enjoying his well earned retirement. Let’s not bring him into this,” Ace cut in.
“Look Ace,” Leo sighed, sitting up from his reclined position in his chair. “What happens to one family affects us all. All this heat on your people isn’t good for any of us. I don’t know what’s going on over there but you need to tighten the fuck up,” he spat.
Ace was silent for a moment, holding Leo’s gaze with his own icy one as he ashed his own cigar. “First of all,” Ace started in an icy tone. “Watch how the fuck you speak to me. Second, as I’ve said before, everything is under control.”
Amos spoke up then, no doubt wanting to ease the tension sizzling between the two men before it got out of control. “King, we didn’t come here to step on your toes, man. This partnership only works when all of us are on our P’s and Q’s. Trouble in one house means trouble in all of ours.”
Ace nodded in agreement. The Council families were deeply intertwined, the only way to ensure loyalty when the alliance was first formed was mutually assured destruction.
He put out his cigar, then stood, prompting his company to do the same.
“I appreciate you bringing your concerns to me, gentlemen.” he said, buttoning his suit jacket. “I can assure you this is just a rough patch, as is expected during times of transition in leadership. It will be handled and blow over soon.”
“I hope so, King. For your sake and my own,” Leo said, shaking Ace’s hand. Ace shook hands with Amos as well and together the three of them emerged from the room.
The mechanical whir and dinging of slot machines met them as soon as they stepped into the general area.
They made their way through the casino, the crystal chandeliers overhead bathing them in a wash of jade green as they walked together, looking like nothing more than three wealthy men who’d come to indulge in a few drinks and cigars on a Friday night.
Ace’s progression to the exit was slowed by the sight of a cloud of curly hair and an ass he’d recognize anywhere sticking out amongst the throngs of people.
His eyes locked on the curvy figure, a wave of need crashing over him as he watched Joy saunter to the bar in high heels and a little red dress that made his rose look like sin incarnate.
She slipped onto a barstool, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
Ace didn’t need to hear her order to know that she’d requested a shot of bourbon.
The desire to go to her was strong. His steps stuttered to a stop and he felt like a magnet being pulled in Joy’s direction whenever she was near.
“Have a good night, gentlemen,” Ace said absentmindedly. “I have some more business to handle here,” he lied, his mouth moving before he could think about it.
The three bid each other a good night and Ace swaggered in the direction of the bar.
His steps sped up when he noticed a man sidle up to Joy. From steps away, it was clear the man was spitting game and Ace’s blood boiled seeing the way Joy smiled up at him, laughing at whatever he was saying.
As soon as he reached the bar, he wrapped an arm around Joy’s waist and kissed the side of her neck. “Good evening, Rose,” he said, completely ignoring the man.
“Aye, man we were talking,” the man protested.
“And now you’re done. Have a good night, nigga,” Ace replied, not looking away from Joy.
The man looked to Joy for a contradiction but there would be no protest coming from her.
She’d already made the mistake of looking into Ace’s eyes, falling victim to the feel of his breath against her skin and the possessive hand around her waist.
Joy’s only goal for the evening was to indulge in some good drinks and end the evening by getting the dust knocked off of her neglected womanhood. Her usual vices and coping mechanisms weren’t sufficing lately and she was beginning to get antsy.
Being in the presence of Ace King day in and day out had awoken something in her that had been lying dormant since her exile and reignited an itch that she needed scratched. Badly. She was hoping that the man in front of her could do the job.
She’d looked for Ace in every man she encountered that night and to have him in front of her now, touching her and looking at her with such possession made all of her senses sing.
She was hoping to find a man who could exorcise her desire for him. She’d thought consuming the liquor would lower her inhibitions and make her more pliable to the flaws of men, opening up her search but all it’d done was exacerbate them.
As if she’d summoned him, he looked like he walked straight out of one of her wet dreams with a fresh cut, black suit that perfectly molded to each of his muscles and diamonds in his ears and around his neck that danced even under the dim lighting.
“It was nice meeting you,” Joy replied to the man whose name she hadn’t bothered to get, finally giving her best apologetic smile.
He smacked his lips, looking like he was about to speak again but quickly snapped his mouth shut and turned on his heels. Joy didn't need to look over her shoulder to know that the large man looming over her had something to do with his change of heart.
Once they were alone, Ace ordered his own drink then leaned on the bar top, his muscles bulging as his low eyes perused Joy's seated frame from the top of her curls to the soles of the 5 inch stilettos at her feet.
Joy could practically see the lascivious thoughts running through his head as he licked his lips.
She cleared her throat, pretending not to blush under his attention.
“You have a bad habit of inserting yourself into my evenings,” she said.
Ace chuckled. “You want me to leave?”
“Would you go if I said yes?” Joy asked with a raise of her brow.
“If you were telling the truth, yes,” Ace said, reaching up to push a stray curl out of her face. His fingertips brushed her cheek and Joy’s lashes fluttered slightly when the zing of awareness coursed through her. “But you and I both know you’d be lying,” he finished with a grin.
“What are you doing here?” Joy asked, hoping to change the subject and dispel the lust in his eyes and running rampant through her body.
Ace’s eyes shuttered. “I had a client meeting,” he said, without delay but devoid of emotion.
Joy’s brow rose. “Here? At 10 at night?”
“You know I have unconventional clients,” he shrugged.
Joy nodded.
“What brings you here?” he asked, turning the conversation back to her.
Joy discontinued their eye contact, instead looking down into her drink to swirl the bourbon and ice together.
“Honestly? I came to get drunk and take someone home but that's proving to be unsuccessful.”
Ace’s eyes bulged slightly. “Oh really? Why is that?”
“Because the pickings are slimmer than I thought,” Joy started with a sigh. “None of these men are…” you. “Up to my standards.”
“And what are those standards?”
“I know it when I see it.”
Joy realized she’d been staring too long and looked away. Ace raised his glass in her direction.
“To knowing what we want.”
She clinked her glass with his and they took swigs of their drinks.
She moved to leave, preparing to accept defeat, when the weight of Ace’s warm hand landed on her thigh.
“Stay. Have one more drink with me.”
Joy studied him for a moment. Staying with him would defeat the entire point of her night out but she caved regardless.
“One drink,” she acquiesced.
As the evening flowed so did the drinks.
One drink turned into two, then laughter loud enough to turn heads.
Ace suggested they move their party of two to a secluded section with more comfortable seating so that's what they did.
Joy sat first, crossing one leg over the other.
Ace slid in across from her, then leaned forward the same way she had without realizing it.
In a ducked off booth, the two switched from shots to indulging in cocktails and each other’s company.
Somehow, they’d migrated from opposite ends of the booth until their knees were touching.
Ace relished in the sound of Joy’s laughter and the sight of her smile. When she threw her head back, he studied the column of her neck, itching to kiss, lick and bite her all over until she bore his mark the way he bore hers.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as his desire bubbled to the surface.
Joy watched Ace as he laughed, the low rumble of it vibrating through the booth.
She noticed the small scar near his eyebrow she’d never seen before.
The way his rings flashed when he lifted his glass.
The way his suit stretched across his broad shoulders when he leaned back.
The way he seemed just as comfortable in her presence as she was in his.
She swirled the straw in the cocktail before her that was quickly watering down. She didn’t need the liquor anymore. Ace’s presence alone made her body buzz like something was alive beneath her skin.
Or waking up.
It was better than the drinks. Better than the blunt sitting untouched in her purse. This – whatever he was – was far more potent.
When her gaze made it back to his eyes, she found him already watching her and neither of them looked away.
Ace leaned closer, close enough that Joy could feel his breath and see a slight sparkle in his amber gaze.
“Joy.”
The way he said her name made something inside her chest tighten and the seat of her pantries dampened.
“Mhm,” she hummed in answer, not trusting herself to speak just yet.
“I want you,” he murmured, their earlier humor sobering.
Joy’s breaths came quicker and her heart pounded in her chest.
God, what was he doing to her?
It must be voodoo. He had to have put some roots on her.
That was the only way to rationalize why he made her feel like this. Why her body responded to him like this.
Like he’d already owned her body and it recognized him.
Like he already knew her.
She wanted him too — so badly— but even the alcohol that was starting to wear off couldn’t calm her fears. What if she got too comfortable? What if he saw too much?
Joy shook her head.
“You think you do.”
Ace smirked and leaned forward. “How you gone tell me?”
“You don’t know me.”
Ace licked his lips, his eyes never wavering from hers. “I think I’m starting to.”
Joy tried to look away but Ace brought her eyes back to his with a firm hand gripping her jaw. He looked so deep into her eyes Joy thought he would penetrate her soul.
“Come home with me, Rose.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“A lot of reasons.”
“Give me one good one.”
“I work for you. Aren’t there rules about mixing business with pleasure?”
“You signed the fraternization form during your onboarding right?”
“Yes but–”
“Next reason.
“I don’t know you like that,” Joy said, crossing her arms. “That wouldn’t be safe or smart.”
Ace laughed. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’re a big girl remember?” His head tilted slightly. “Try again.”
“Why won’t you leave me alone?” Joy asked, exasperated.
“Because…,” he shrugged. “I like you.” He said it like it was the most simple thing in the world.
Joy quirked a brow. “Yeah? What do you like about me?”
“A lot of things.”
Joy’s tone hardened. “Name one nigga.”
“I like your fire,” he licked his lips.
Joy scoffed. “Fire is destructive.”
People always liked the fire but never what was left in the ashes.
Not the anger.
Not the grief.
Not the parts of her that burned too hot and too long.
Ace shook his head, taking a slow sip of his drink. “Not yours. Not to me.”
“Your fire is like…,” he sighed, looking up at the ceiling like the word he was searching for would be written there. “Like sunshine.”
Joy blinked.
He nodded to himself. “Yeah. That’s how you feel. Like sunshine on my face after a cold front. Being around you warms me from the inside out. Your fire isn’t destructive or painful to me. It’s peaceful and I can’t lie, I’m starting to need it.”
Joy was struck speechless. “Adonis, are you a poet?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Nah,” he denied. His tongue dragged over his lips when he turned back to her.
“Let me find out you’re out here being Langston Hughes and shit,” Joy laughed. She needed humor to lighten the tone he’d set. If she sat in it too long, she’d cry or mount him. Or both.
Ace’s expression turned to stone though. He didn’t let her deflection to allow her deflection to confuse his words for anything but truth.
Ace caught her jaw and turned her back to him. “I’m hearing everything except that you don’t want to. Do you wanna come home with me Rose?”
Joy swallowed.
Every logical thought in her brain screamed for her to say no.
Instead she whispered, “Yes.”
She’d wanted very little else since the moment she laid eyes on him.
A smile spread across Ace’s lips and he leaned down to place a quick kiss on Joy’s.
Releasing her, he said, “Let’s go,” and stood.