Page 52 of Grace of Spades
"Alright, boys. Let's go talk." She walks over to Keir's hummer. "Keys." She commands and Keir obeys with a smug smile throwing her the keys. We all pile in, including Chekhov's second. What on earth is going on?
19
Grace
This is a terrible idea.
Let's let all four mafia heirs know who I am all at the same time. Yeah, I have abackup plan but I reeeally don't want to use it. Thank goodness for Gabe being good at all of his jobs. He managed to get me my blackmail just as we were leaving. The man deserves a medal. No, a parade. Depending on how many bodies I have to deal with tonight, he may get a national holiday. Gabe Day.
I park at the same construction site we were in yesterday. I know Christian must be shitting bricks but this is the only place I can think of where we can go without being heard or watched.
I get my shades and braid on so I can do a perimeter check. I leave the car and hear a collective gasp. Looks like they recognize me now.
Oh yeah, this is going to go well. Hopefully, I don't have to kill anyone. I really like these guys.
I take deep breaths as I walk the site. It's clear. Good, people can follow directions. I place my calm mask on as I walk back to the hummer. I can't afford to be emotional here. They can hate me if they want to. I will live. I've survived worse. I just really don't want to have to.
The silence is deafening in the truck as I slide inside. I stare out the windshield for a minute before I turn to look at the others.
Christian looks pale. Keir looks proud which is making me concerned for his mental health. Jai looksshocked and Liam looks...giddy. Oh dear lord. Alek is observing everything with watchful eyes.
"Grace, what's going on? Why are we here?" Christian asks.
"It's not what you're thinking. It's just secure." I assure him.
"You're Ace." He states.
"Yes. I didn't know who any of you were... until the day we handled the situation with Roberts." I explain.
"That's when I figured it out too. I saw her tattoo in gym class earlier that day. So did Alek." Keir admits.
"Do The Heads know?" Jai asks.
"No, and barring the apocalypse, I would like to keep it that way," I state firmly. "Now, Keir and Alek have already been given the threat. Now, it's your turn." I pass out a piece of paper to each of them and watch the betrayal cross their faces. I keep my face hard as my heart rips apart in my chest.
"What the fuck, Grace?" Jai asks.
"It's insurance, so you don't talk. I need to make sure." I clarify. "I can't take you out so I have to do this."
"You don't have to dothis." He argues shaking the piece of paper at me.
"Really? So when you decide that I'm too bloodthirsty or I do something you don't agree with or whatever else and feel vindictive or something comes up that's more important than my life. You'll keep my name? I don't think so." I watch as he thinks it over and nods. "I know it seems heartless. It's supposed to. It's my life on the line and the lives of the people important to me."
"You didn't threaten me," Keir says looking confused.
"Didn't I?" I ask flicking my eyes to Alek.
"Oh, fuck. That's brutal." He whispers.
"Unfortunately. But like I said. It needs to be done." I state.
"I get it." Liam nods.
"Yeah, it sucks but it's smart," Christian admits.
"Thank you for understanding." I nod. The tightness in my chest eases a fraction.
"Now, for the hard stuff." Liam chuckles. "We all really like you. I don't know about the others at the moment after this revelation but, I'm still all in." What?
