Page 67 of Wild Card (Advantage Play 1)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Kingston

After digging into the laceration in search of any more glass then sewing it up, I wrap her injured hand with some clean gauze. Those same vulnerable eyes watch every meticulous movement in a daze as if she’s waiting to snap out of a dream. Unfortunately, this is life. My life. And she just got thrown into the middle of it. The remorse that accompanies this fact is crippling.

Once I’m finished, I move to sit next to her on the couch once again, pulling her back onto my lap and cradling her injured hand, rubbing my thumb along the fresh bandage.

“I’m so sorry, Ace.”

Peeking up at me and looking confused, she whispers, “Why?”

“That I didn’t protect you. That you were dragged into this. That I asked you to give me information. Everything.” Part of me wants to add that I would take it all back if I could, but I’m too selfish. She’d call me out for lying, anyway.

“This,”––she motions to her face––“had nothing to do with you. It was my fault because I was stupid enough to cross Burlone. And if I had never met you, I would’ve had no one to turn to when I needed them most. I would’ve been on my own, and it gets pretty lonely not being able to rely on anyone.”

Wrapping my arm around her, I lean in and gently press my lips to hers.

“Yeah. It does. But you don’t have to feel that way anymore, Ace.”

With her eyes still closed from our kiss, she murmurs, “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I want you. And I promise that I’m going to take care of this.”

“You don’t have to—”

“It’s already done.” Again, I brush my mouth against hers when the sound of footsteps distracts me.

“Boss?” D calls from down the hallway.

I answer as he rounds the corner. “Yeah?”

Stepping into the room with his hands at his sides, he looks at Ace who’s huddled against me with her palms cradled in her lap.

“Can we talk for a second?” In private. He doesn’t say the last part, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hear his message loud and clear.

As gently as I can, and without jostling Ace too much, I slide out from between her and the couch, making sure she’s comfortable before I stand to my full height.

“Hey, Ace. I need to go have a chat with D. You gonna be okay here?”

“Yeah. Of course.” Lying back, she rests her head against the armrest. “Are you okay if I stay? I mean…I can go if you need me to.”

Did she not hear a single word I just said?

I brush away a stray hair that lays against her forehead and press a kiss to her temple. “Stay.”

“You sure?”

“I already told you that you’re mine now, so don’t bother leaving, or I’ll just come find you. I’ll check on you in a few.”

With a nod, she gingerly rolls onto her side and closes her eyes, sighing softly. My chest can finally expand to its full capacity when I see the peace written on her face. Yet, there’s a slight pinch too, and I pray to whatever gods might be watching over us that I don’t squander the trust she feels in my home. The trust that appears to be keeping her nightmares at bay for her to get some much-needed sleep.

D’s subtle attempt to grab my attention by clearing his throat is heard loud and clear, making me pull my gaze from an already unconscious Ace. Turning, I wipe my palms against my slacks and head to my office with D following behind. Once inside, Diece tosses a shirt at me, nearly hitting me in the face with it. Under normal circumstances, I’m sure he’d be giving me shit for walking around with my shirt off all night but now isn’t the time.

“Any update on Regina?”

His gaze darkens. “Yeah, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. We think Burlone might have her.”

Fuck. How did I not know? If D is right, then we’re in for a shitstorm. First, Reggie missing, then Ace’s face being busted in, and now he has my sister? If this isn’t a call for war, I don’t know what is. Clenching my fists at my sides, I weigh my options and know I don’t have many. The Romano family is strong. We can handle anything. But there’s already turmoil from Vince’s betrayal, and I don’t want to rock the boat any more than I already have with the transition of power.

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