Page 28 of Ace's Ascension

“Nope.” Rooster pops the P. “Kayne had a lengthy conversation with the Club Bunnies and told them they need to not be so provocative in their attitudes. We don’t have to keep them here and they’re not being forced to stay. If any of them don’t like the fact things are changing and kids are welcomed here, they can see their asses out.” I must have an incredulous look on my face because Rooster keeps going. “Ok, he laid down the law and some of them didn’t want to listen so they left.”

“Who left?” Like I give a shit since I’ve never touched one, but some brothers are attached to the willingness of the Club Bunnies.

“Bambi and Trixie left. The old-school ones don’t agree with the changes. Violet, Scarlet and Amber decided to stay and were good with the new rules. No sex out in the open unless there is a special party planned for just that. And no hitting on the brothers who are taken. There’s been too much drama with the Club Bunnies and the Ol’ Ladies that Kayne isn’t putting up with it anymore.”

I nod my head in agreement. “I’d hate to see another Bunny get the shit kicked out of her for messing with a taken brother.” I think back to the traitor Candy. She tried poisoning Holly because she was jealous and wanted Stryker. She almost succeeded in killing Holly too. Poison and Siren kicked her ass and let Holly finish the job. “Speaking of Ol’ Ladies,” I set my glass on the bar and stand up. “I’m going to find mine and bury myself between her thighs for the rest of the day.”

“Lucky fucker. I have another three hours before mine comes back to follow your plan.” Rooster laughs. “You know, I never thought I’d see the day you found someone who completes you, Justin.” The use of my real name tells me Rooster is getting personal. I stop walking away and turn back to my best friend. “If you can trust her with what you’ve been through, you need to put your patch and mark on her ASAP. And if you can trust her with your truth, you really should trust the rest of us.”

I walk away, thinking about what Rooster said. I know I can trust my brothers, it’s me I don’t trust to not go off the rails, telling them.

With my mind made up for Church tomorrow morning, I find my Ol’ Lady and do exactly what I told Rooster I was going to do until she has to leave for work.

Chapter Sixteen

Ace

Kayne called Church early this morning and I’m dragging my feet to make it there on time. He needs an answer from me today. I’m out of time and don’t know what to do. Liz and I talked about it last night while she was at work and her advice rings through my head.

The music from the DJ is loud behind me and the dance club is packed. Liz finally has a break when she comes to me on the opposite side of the bar. She won’t come around to my side because every time she does, I can’t help but put my hands on her, driving her crazy. There’s been a few close calls tonight, but Darrien, Liz’s coworker, always watched our backs when I wanted to get handsy with Liz. Her boss that met my fist a while ago still hasn’t shown up and that worries me. I send a quick text to Rooster, asking him to check on his whereabouts before I give Liz all of my attention.

“Why don’t you trust your brothers on this, Ace? The man I know wouldn’t let his past define him.” Liz asks, wiping down the bar with a white towel. I’ve been sitting on this stool forfive hours, waiting for her to get done. I love watching her sling drinks and chatting with the customers. But what I really love is the way her eyes always find mine, even if she’s deep in conversation with someone. Her body is always facing me, knowing I’m watching her and enjoying every minute of it.

“It’s not that I don’t trust them.” I exhale a deep breath and slam my palms on the bar top in frustration. Liz places her hands over mine, calming me down.

“Ace, look at me.” I drag my eyes from the scarred wood until I reach Liz’s beautiful bright blue eyes. Liz is smiling at me, waiting until she has my full attention. How can a woman so perfect be interested in an asshole like me? “The Club isn’t going to fault you for what someone did to you when you were a kid. They’re not going to shun you for the way you seek justice or how you fight to feel. If anything, I’m sure Stone will help you in killing those sons of a bitches.”

I snort because, like normal, Liz is right. “Stone would wipe the floor with half the guys I’ve gone up against.”

“I’ll tell you what. After we get home, I’ll consult my cards and see what they tell me. Will that make you feel any better if the spirits guide us?” My ears perk up at her use of the word us. Liz grins, “Yeah, ass. I used the word us. Because without you, there is no me.”

“And without me, there is no you.” I finish for her.

“We’re a package deal.” Liz shrugs her shoulders. “Whatever decision you make, I will support you.”

“And the same goes for you, Sweet Cheeks.” I bring Liz’s hands up to my mouth and press my lips against the back of them. “That sounds like a deal. You consult the spirits and I will consider their advice.” Liz blushes when I release her hands and she goes back to work.

Liz consulted the spirits and I consulted between her thighs when she was done. Who knew I’d enjoy watching her in herelement, teaching me what her Memaw taught her? I sure in the fuck didn’t. I also stole some of Liz’s old textbooks so I could read up onspiritual folkways and liturgical languagesand understand her when she starts speaking Louisiana French. She’s done it to me before but I never knew what she was saying. Now I do and when I let her know I understand, she will be shocked. Let’s just say, her vocabulary is very colorful when it comes to the size of my dick inside of her. Miss Prim and proper isn’t so proper when she thinks others can’t understand her.

I enter Church and take my respective seat, avoiding eye contact. Everyone is already here, waiting for me. Kayne slams his gavel on the table and leans back in his chair. “What’d you decide, Ace? Are you willing to trust us into your past or are you walking away?”

The last thing I want to do is walk away. When I needed this Club, every single one of these men was here. When Stryker, Blayde, Rooster and even Kayne needed us, we were there for them no matter what. That’s what Liz’s spirits told us last night. Even in our darkest days, these men will be here for me.

“Aye, Prez.” I gaze at Rooster, and he nods, encouraging me to continue. “I was fourteen when it happened. It was late at night and my little brother, Spencer, was in a mixed martial arts class I signed him up for. I went to the store and was returning when a group of teenage boys cornered me in an alley. I knew I was fucked when there were eight of them and one of me. The things they did to me were unspeakable.”

I talk for over an hour, giving my brothers more details about the rape I endured and how Spencer’s Sensi helped me than I told Liz. She didn’t need to know all of it. I explain how I’ve tracked down all of them but two and killed them in The Cage.

Once I finish speaking, I take a long drink of water someone set next to me. The burden I’ve been carrying for years has lifted off my shoulders and I feel lighter but exhausted. Kayne’s eyesare locked on mine and the room is quiet for a moment. No one knows what to say or do. He finally breaks the silence. “Why do you spiral so deeply when you fight?”

“Because I have so much rage and aggression built up inside of me, I have no way to release it unless I’m ending those assholes' lives. I could control it when they were in the ring with me, but when it’s not them, I have no outlet. If that makes sense.”

Kayne nods his head. “So, what are you going to do when you find the other two and end them?”

I haven’t thought about that. I’ve only been focused on getting my revenge for the past fourteen years. “I don’t know. I’d like to start a fighting ring but control it. With the Savage Saints' approval of course. Maybe giving me a goal will help alleviate all this rage?”

“Get all the facts and figures to Maddox in the next couple of weeks and show how it will make us money and we’ll bring it to vote.” Kayne sits forward in his chair and lights up a cigarette. “One last order of business, who do you want to ride with you to Louisiana?”

Having discussed this with Liz already, I have an answer immediately. “Stone, Duke, Tex, Damon and if the shit with Butch is finished, him too. If we can’t spare all of them, I’d like Stone, Duke and Butch.”

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