Page 42 of Ace's Ascension

I pour Poison and me a couple of drinks then take them to the loveseat Poison is sitting on, next to Kayne. She takes a sip and hums her approval. “Girl, this is fantastic, what is it?”

“It’s Casa Amigo Blanco Tequilla with lemon-lime soda. It’s my favorite mixed drink.” I answer, taking a drink of my own.

“Don’t get too drunk on me, Poison,” Kayne says while nuzzling Poison’s neck. “I’ll need you to be able to hang on, later.” He raises a blonde eyebrow and Poison giggles.

“Don’t worry, Kayne. I’m sure I’ll be able to hang on, later.” She wiggles her eyebrows at him. Kayne leans in and plants a steamy kiss on Poison’s lips and I have to look away. I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment whenever I’m around these two. Kayne reluctantly pulls away, whispering I love you to Poison and stands up, adjusting himself. He cants his head to the door and Stone and him leave. I hear the lock in place and take a calming breath.

Looking through the double-pane windows, the floor below us is filling up with spectators waiting for the fights. None of them know what’s about to go down, but the tension radiating from them is seeping everywhere, putting me on edge. Who arethe special guests tonight? Me and Poison or someone else? Is there something going on I am not aware of?

“Liz, will you chill? You’re making me nervous.” Poison settles her hand on my bouncing leg. I didn’t even realize it was moving it.

“Sorry. I don’t know why I’m on edge. Do you know what’s going on? Why we’re up here instead of down there with Ace?”

Poison shakes her head. “Kayne said it was Club business.” I roll my eyes. “Ace wanted you up here tonight.”

“I’m so annoyed with the,” I raise my hands using air quotes, “Club business.” I lower my hands. “If Ace’s life is on the line, I should know what to expect.”

I sound like a whiney little brat. So, I do the next thing that comes to mind. I cross my arms over my chest, flop back in my seat and stew like a sulky teenager. Poison laughs at my antics.

“Listen, Liz.” She leans forward getting my attention. Her normally smiling face is gone. In its place is Kayne’s Ol’ Lady. The one everyone respects and listens to. The one in charge next to Kayne. I uncross my arms and sit up straighter. “Sometimes when the guys say Club Business, it’s to protect us. We might disagree with it, but sometimes the less we know the better. I get you’re new to this world and that’s OK. Just know every member of this MC will do everything they can to protect their family and protect us. If that means some things are kept between them and not shared with us, then we need to learn how to adapt to it. We don’t have to like it, but we do have to accept it and do our part to stay diligent in our surroundings. Does that make sense?”

“It does, but I still don’t like it.”

“Neither do I sometimes, but like I said, I learn to adapt.”

“How do I adapt to this situation? I see what’s going to happen and I want to be down there offering Ace my support, but I’m stuck up here.”

“You adapt by staying up here where Ace knows you are safe from whatever is going on down there. No matter what you see or what happens, if you leave this room, Ace will worry and it will distract him from getting this job done. Which could lead to him being hurt badly or killed.”

Well, shit. When Poison puts it that way, the last thing I want to do is get Ace hurt or killed. “How do you know so much about this?”

“Honey, I grew up in this life. Drex, who I thought was my father, was the President of Deadly Sins MC.”

“What happened to him? If you don’t mind me asking.” I question, intrigued by Poison.

“Siren and I killed him.” Poison says it so flippant and takes a sip of her mixed drink.

“Wait, what? How?”

“Let’s just say this particular Club Business Siren and I were involved in was for our peace of mind, which is why Kayne pulled us in. It’s a story for another day, look, Ace is about to go into the cage.” Poison points out the window.

Ace steps into The Cage in a pair of shorts, his hands are tapped up. He’s barefoot and shirtless, his powerful muscles rippling with tension. He’s focused on the two men entering The Cage together. One is as tall as Ace, built like a bull with all brawn and no brains. The other man is shorter than both Ace and the other guy but evil radiates off his skin. I can feel it from here and it sends a shiver down my spine.

“He’s going against two men!” I leap from my seat and pace in front of the windows, agitated. “Does anyone know what this will do to Ace?” I am worried about his mental state once this match is over.

“Kayne knows, Liz. Now stop pacing, you’re making me nervous.”

I give Poison an incredulous look. “I’m making you nervous? This whole situation is fucked up. I should be down there in The Cage with Ace, not locked up here in some tower like a fucking damsel in distress!” I slam my fist onto the window. “DAMN IT!”

Poison makes her way over to me, “Liz, look around The Cage.” I do as she requests. “There are brothers all over protecting Ace, not to mention Seth and his men won’t let anything happen to Ace. He needs to finish this job, Liz.”

I see Stone next to the door, ready to plow into it at a moment's notice. Kayne, Blayde and Rooster are surrounding the area with Seth’s men, keeping people back and ready to act in a heartbeat. I breathe a little easier, but not much, not until this is over with.

The speakers come to life in the room and the voices make me jump. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a special fight in store for you. Our man, Ace will be battling not one, but two men in The Cage. The first man is from Lansing, Michigan, weighing in close to two hundred and fifty pounds, standing at six foot three inches, Steven.” Most of the crowd boos and some cheer. The cheering side has Kayne and Blayde alert to where they are. “Up next, he comes in a six foot even, weighing one hundred eighty pounds, also from Lansing, Michigan, Anthony.” The crowd gives the same response, except this time the cheers are more widespread, causing Kayne and Blayde to check their surroundings. I focus on the crowd and from my vantage point, I see a handful of men dressed in business casual moving around The Cage, just out of Kayne’s sight. “Tonight's event will be winner takes all. Only one man will walk out of The Cage.”

“Oh fuck.” My blood turns cold, making my stomach drop to my toes. Vomit works its way up my throat and I do what I can to hold it back.

I have to get down there. I have to help Ace.

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