Page 70 of Grace of Spades
"I'll grab you one, Dad." Keir offers before kissing my shoulder and moving to a little drink cart.
"So, Ace, you're dating all of The Heirs?" Figures he would start with that. I would.
"Yes. I met three of them after my parents died. I already knew one before, but I didn't realize who any of them were until the day we found out about Roberts." I explain. He nods and accepts his drink from Keir. Keir stands at my side and starts texting.
"Keir, is now really the time to be on your phone?" Chekhov admonishes.
"Actually, yes. I'm letting everyone know that she's safe and with me. You don't want her uncle or the butler to show up here." Oh, that's a good point.
"Fine."
"Ray has been calling your phone." Keir reads.
"Yeah, probably because your dad called Ace to get information out of me." I smile when he chokes on air and Chekhov turns a little green.
"Dad?!"
"It's okay. He was working with only part of the story. It's completely understandable." I excuse.
"So... how did this come about?" Chekhov asks getting us back on track.
"It was actually Alek's idea. She couldn't pick a side without getting hurt and we all liked her and she liked us so... we're seeing how it goes." Keir explains.
"Jesus. Okay, that makes sense. Now I guess it's my turn." He drains his glass and takes a deep, steadying breath. "Your parents crossed a line. They were working for us and with a guy named Marconi. He is with the Italians." I nod knowing the scumbag. He is on my list after all and not just for kicks. "Well, we found out he was also communicating with someone from the Yakuza. Sensitive things. That was how we found out about the files." He explains. My head falls into my hands.
"Fucking idiots," I grumble. "Well, that explains how I got dragged into all of this. I haven't lived with my parents for almost three years now though. Before they died I was living on the streets because it was safer than at home." I reveal watching as he pales and Keir's breathing hitches. "I know Marconi too. He was a threat that my parents used to use on me. If I was too... present I would be sent to him. He likes little girls." I explain trying not to get sucked into the nightmares.
"Fuck."
"I only ended up there once before I was too old for his taste. But they had others to sell me to. I assure you I was not involved with any of what they did."
"Fuck... I should have made it last longer. Their daughter..." he shakes his head standing up and pacing.
"If it wasn't you, it was going to be me." I shrug.
"You would kill your own parents?" He asks. His tone isn't judgmental but curious. As if wondering what a parent wouldhave to do to make their daughter become me. It's a good question but no one would like the answer.
"Yes. I've done it before but it didn't stick." I admit.
"Jesus. Okay, well as for the rest of my plans, I guess they are cancelled. I am sorry for the misunderstanding." He smiles gently. "I will call Ryan back and cancel my request for Ace."
"Ryan?" I ask my eyebrows snapping together.
"Yes. Our contact. Ryan Oliver, our runner." He explains with a chuckle. Oh shit.
Ryan Oliver is Ray? No, that can't be right. Still...
"Mr. Chekhov, please keep all further communications between you and me directly. I need to figure something out." I explain vaguely. I grab a pen and a piece of paper and scribble down my number for him.
"Is he not trustworthy?" He asks immediately.
"I'm not sure but I don't want to risk it. Call him and explain that you got an outside contractor instead. Sound angry that you were made to wait and that you'll be thinking hard whether or not to hire us again." I direct before turning to Kier. "We need to leave."
"Okay. Let's go." He says not questioning me at all. He hugs his dad and then we're sitting in his hummer as my thoughts overtake me.
Sure, Ray has been acting off but playing the mobs off of each other? He can't be that stupid. Right?
"Kier, I need to ask you a favour"
