Page 111 of Ace of All Hearts

“She will be once we get her the medical attention she needs. Move,” Rose growls.

He brings a finger to her cheekbone and runs a knuckle against the bruise forming there and below her eye. He cocks an eyebrow at her.

“I thought I told you to not put yourself in danger.”

“And I’m pretty sure I replied that I didn’t answer to you.”

“Keep fighting me, Rose.” His simple words sound like a warning to do the exact opposite.

She swats his hand away from her face and pushes past him.

“Unlike you, I wasn’t going to let her die at the hands of a cunt who abuses women who can’t defend themselves. Now let’s fucking go,” she instructs harshly.

My heart pinches, feeling helpless and humiliated that I was the woman who couldn’t defend herself. Even if I know what she meant by that. Not that I am weak, but I was put in a situation that weakened me. A family putting pressure on me and who always told me I was too stupid to be independent. A man who was physically stronger and who struck when I couldn’t defend myself.

But still, I feel like a victim. And I hate myself for it.

23

LIK

Girls of My Dreams- Guti

“Xi, promise you’re not going to fuck this up,” I insist as I open Rose’s car.

I’m meant to get rid of the body with him, but I can’t stay away from the people I love. Right now, the need to be close to Rachel and know if she’s okay, the need to hold Rose and ask what happened…they’re both too strong for me to ignore. I always go with my gut feeling, no matter what. And it’s telling me to be close to Sam, Rose, and Rachel.

“When have I ever fucked up a body clean-up?”

“Ziad,” I warn him, hoping the use of his full name reflects the situation I’m in.

“WAllah,” he promises in Arabic. “I’m going to take care of it. Now, go.” I lock eyes with him one last time before I close the car door and drive away. I trust my brother. He knows what he’s doing.

Dread grips me as I speed my way to Sean’s. I know where he lives because I know everything about the North Shore, especially who the King’s Crew uses. I’m on high alert the moment I drive across the imaginary line that separates our side of town from theirs. It’s stupid. A gang turf war because we all want our cake and to eat it too. But if I’m caught on my own, they’ll send my body back to the North Shore Crew with bullet holes as decorations.

Not taking any risks, I don’t even stop at the red light. When I park in front of Sean’s house, I look around multiple times before getting out of the car. I guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t driving my own car, or they would have known it was me.

I knock harshly multiple times. He’s got a metal security gate, and I have to fit my fist between the bars. When Sean opens, his face falls. He knows who I am and that I don’t belong here. We’re supposed to be enemies.

“Let me in,” I direct calmly. “That’s my girl bleeding in your basement.”

“Yeah, she’s a lot of people’s girl,” he mutters as he unlocks the metal gate and steps to the side before guiding me to his basement.

The whole space has been turned into the equivalent of a hospital room, and I know that’s where the King’s Crew goes to heal their wounds from altercations with us. It’s strange being here. I’m aware Sean has worked with Sam before, although I never thought I’d end up here. This is how gangs work. He might work with my boyfriend, but I will never be someone other than the North Shore Crew to him. Whether it be now or ten years down the line.

Rachel is sitting on the edge of a stretcher. Rose is holding her hand, staying close to her. On the other side, Sam is talking to—I stop in my tracks.

“What the fuck,” I spit, rage building in my chest.

Kayla King and Sam are in a debate, and my desire to break everything grows.

“What is she doing here?” I hiss as I settle next to Sam.

“As far as I’m aware, you’re the one in the wrong zip code so watch yourself,” she bites back.

“She was here when we arrived,” Sam tells me. The composure in his tone doesn’t match my anger. He puts a hand on the small of my back, but it doesn’t help.

“And let me guess,” I say. “She won’t let you use Sean to save an innocent girl’s life.”

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