Page 13 of Ace's Ascension

Butch comes from the backroom. “He’s gone. I don’t know how or where, but I’ll have Rooster dig into him and figure out why he thinks he can get away with that.”

I nod my head and turn my body fully toward Liz. She’s trembling from head to toe and tears are glistening in her sapphire eyes. “I need you to come home with me, Liz, please.” I plead.

“Ok, but only because you sort of asked and I’m terrified to be alone.”

“Get your things and let’s blow this joint.”

Liz nods her head and disappears with Stone following. I know if I go with her, I’ll have her pinned to the wall with my dick inside of her and that’s not what she needs right now. We need to get the fuck out of here and figure out why this asshole thinks he can touch my woman. If I see him again, I swear to all that is holy, I will end him, no matter what the consequences may be. That motherfucker doesn’t touch what belongs to me.

Chapter Eight

Liz

I was shocked and excited the moment I saw Ace walk in the door to the nightclub. I’ve seen Stone here every night that I worked and even parked outside my apartment. I’ve talked to him a few times, trying to get information out of him, but all he would tell me is that Ace was busy with Club business and that he left his pickup for me to use while my shitty car is getting fixed. His words, not mine. I found Ace’s note with his phone number on it, but I’ve been to chicken to call or text him. I know the moment I hear his voice, I will cave to every demand. And I will not go down that path again.

Then when he demanded I stay with him again, anger bubbled through my system. I won’t allow any man to control me again. Ace will have to learn that, even if it’s the hard way. I will not bow down to any man ever again. Last time I did, I was almost killed for it.

I still can’t believe my boss tried to touch me without my permission, while Ace was here! Does he have balls of steel or something? My whole body is trembling after that fiasco. Stoneis following me to get my things and I’m thankful it’s not Ace. I need a moment to pull myself back together. Flashbacks from my ex kept playing on repeat in my head while Joe had me pinned against the wall. The last thing I expected was to have Joe lay his nasty hands on me.

“Ok, I’m ready,” I tell Stone after grabbing my purse.

He leans against the wall with one leg kicked up behind him. He doesn’t move, only stares at me intently for a few minutes. I open my mouth to ask him what’s his deal when he beats me to it. “Ace is a different breed. We all are. He’s had a tough life and you’re the first person to ever be able to touch him without him turning murderous. He doesn’t know how to ask for things. Like the rest of us, he’s always taken what he wanted. Be patient with him and teach him how to ask you for things.”

I open my mouth to respond but snap it shut. Stone can’t or won’t answer my questions. Why am I the only person who can touch him? What happened to him to make him this way?

“Come in before Ace gets the wrong idea and comes barging in here, looking to kick my ass. I mean, he’s one of the best fighters I know, but I don’t think he can touch me.” Stone pushes off the wall he leaned against and I follow him out to the bar. The relief I am going with them is evident on Ace’s face. His strong arms grip me when I get close enough and his lips land gently on mine.

“Let’s go, Sweet Cheeks. I need to get you home and in my bed.”

I follow Ace out of the nightclub with Butch and Stone behind us, protecting my back. Am I making the right decision in trusting Ace?

Only time will tell which way this is going, but right now I don’t care. Right now, I feel safer than I’ve ever felt. Once Ace learns about me and my past will he care or will he send me away like everyone I’ve ever known, besides my Memaw, has done?Will he cast me aside for someone who isn’t as fucked up as I am?

All these questions invade my headspace while we’re riding and I don’t pay attention to where we’re going. Ace slows down and turns right into a long driveway surrounded by trees. Once he reaches the end of the driveway, it opens to a beautiful huge two-story house and a pole barn with cars and pickups parked around it. Bikes are parked out front, sitting side by side in the setting sun. Four men come onto the porch with their arms crossed over their chests and snarls on their faces. One with light blonde hair and piercing blue eyes flick a cigarette into the driveway and watches us pull in. He raises an eyebrow at the sight of me but doesn’t say a word. Ace backs into a parking spot before turning off his bike.

“Ace, we all good?” The blonde hair man says. Jesus, they’re all huge and ooze sex appeal. I see why women flock to them. They give off a hint of danger, bad boy and hot steamy sex all rolled into one fine-ass package.

“We’re good, Prez,” Ace responds before tapping my leg. I jump at the contact and scramble off his bike almost falling on my ass, again. Ace catches me quickly and pulls my body flush against his. How in the hell did he move so fast? “Easy Sweet Cheeks. Don’t want you hurting that fine ass before I get my hands on it.” His hot breath fans across my skin sending goosebumps down my arms.

I don’t know what to say until someone clears a throat behind us, making me jump again. Ace grips my waist with his hands and his jaw ticks, tightening with agitation. He breaks eye contact with me and glares at whoever cleared their throat behind us. I spin around and eight sets of eyes are watching me. Three are women, five are men. The women all have huge grins on their faces and the men look confused as hell. I back up into Ace and try to hide, but he won’t let me. He wraps hisarms around my waist and the top of my head comes to the bottom of his chin. I can feel the hardness behind his jeans press against my ass and I try not to moan. With the hint of the size of that thing, I’m positive Ace can do more than make me moan. I wiggle trying to release some pressure between my legs when Ace grunts behind me.

“Who’s our guest?” The blonde-haired man, Ace called Prez, asks. He struts down the porch, eating up the distance between us. I get a closer look at his vest thingy and it has Kayne on one side and President on the other. Oh good, they wear name tags so I know who people are.

“Kayne be nice. She’s obviously scared out of her fucking mind right now.” A woman with blonde hair and green eyes comes down the porch. She also has a vest thingy on too. Hers reads Poison on one side and Cleaner on the other. Everything I’ve always read about bikers said no women are allowed into the inner workings of a club. But these men must live by different rules which puts me at ease a little.

“Her name’s Liz and she’s staying in my room for a while,” Ace responds. His deep voice vibrates behind me sending a chill down my spine. “I’ll also need a prospect, preferably Stone since she’s used to him, driving Liz to and from work and staying with her while she’s there.” I open my lips to argue about needing a babysitter, but Ace’s grip on my hip tightens. He leans in and whispers in my ear, making me putty in his hands. “No arguing Sweet Cheeks. I’ll explain later.”

Kayne raises an eyebrow and smirks. “Good to meet you, Liz. Name’s Kayne.” He pulls the woman who told him to be nice into his arms and kisses the side of her head. The love these two share is something I’ve always wanted but never had. “This is Poison. Up there is Duke, Talon, Stryker and his Ol’ Lady Holly, then Blayde and his Ol’ Lady Siren. Rooster and Alyssa are at Rooster’s house with their daughter, Elsa. Come on in, makeyourself at home. We have Club business to discuss.” With that, Kayne turns on his heels and walks back up the porch leaving no room to say anything else. “Church in twenty, Ace.” Kayne throws over his shoulder.

“Is he always so bossy?” I ask. Chuckles vibrate around me from the others listening to our conversation.

“He’s my Prez. His word is law.” Ace nuzzles the side of my neck before stepping away taking his warm body with him. He grabs the bags I packed out of his saddle bags and throws them over his shoulder. “You can get more later if you need to. Come on, I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping.”

Ace wraps his free arm around my shoulders and pulls me next to him. A spark surges through my body and goes straight to my under-used core. I snuggle into his embrace feeling safe and empowered at the same time.

“What you might see, will be a shock to you. Since Rooster and Alyssa are at their house with their daughter, it’s free rein in the Clubhouse. Remember all these women inside want to be here and want to do things you might think should be done behind closed doors. The ones who wear Ol’ Lady patches are the untouchable ones. Once a brother stakes his claim on a woman, no other brother will touch her and they’ll treat her with the utmost respect.”

“Uh… OK.” I’m not sure how to respond to that but I pull up my big girl panties and walk with Ace into the house. He’s right to warn me. If he didn’t, I might have made an ass of myself.

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