Free ACE (Defenders M.C. Book 4) by Amanda Anderson Page B

knees and stood toe to toe with her father.  Any other time it might be funny how similar they were, but nothing was funny right now.  Janice was afraid, not only for Marty, but for Ace too.  He looked like he had one foot in the grave already.
     
    “They won’t get me.  I won’t leave the diner with him.  Janice will be there with me the whole time.  I’m just supposed to talk to him.  I’ve been on dates with Harper several times, he’s not a bad person.  I could help here.  You told me to win their trust.  To make them respect me and this is the only way I know.”  Tears rolled down her pale cheeks.  “Nobody likes me here except Spec and a couple of prospects.  I thought it would make you proud of me.” Ace was firm.
     
    “It’s not worth the risk.  Plus I know that’s bullshit.  The old ladies loved you.”
     
    “They treat me like a kid.  I want to be respected as an adult.”
     
    “The only thing these guys want from a woman is her pussy so I don’t see what that will do for you.”
     
    “If that would make them see me as an adult I’d do it.”
     
    “Then they’d just see you as a whore like all the other bitches that hang around so they can fuck a brother.”
     
    Janice felt shame crash over her and felt Marty’s arm slip around her shoulders.  Ace had all but called her a whore to her face and Marty had picked up on it.
     
    “You’re a pig!”
     
    “Tell me somethin’ I don’t know.”  Ace wouldn’t even look at Janice.  She tried to hide her hurt, but she knew it showed.   She forced her face to blank.
     
    Marty threw her hands up and stomped to her room.  Janice helped Ace to a chair in the living room.  His skin had gone and ashy grey and she knew he was in pain.
     
    “Should I call Lizzie?”
     
    “No.  I don’t want a fucking thing from them anymore.  Just leave me alone.”
     
    “You can’t live like this Ace.”
     
    “Give me a shot of whiskey and stop bitchin’ at me for two seconds so I can catch my breath.”
     
    Janice got him the shot and watched as he wince when the liquor hit his stomach.  She knew she would pay for it later, but she picked up her phone and dialed Lizzie’s number.  Lizzie answered on the first ring and Janice could tell she’d been crying.
     
    “I can’t help tonight Janice.  I’m so sorry.  Daddy just left and he’s pissed at Ace.  Said he deserves what he gets for putting shit before the club.  Call an ambulance Janice.  Don’t let him suffer.  Please.  If he won’t let you… call mama.”
     
    Janice heard Ace groan and the whiskey glass hit the floor.  She rushed to his side to find him gripping his stomach. 
     
    “Ace?”
     
    “Call.”  He let out a guttural moan that made Janice want to cover her ears and brought Marty from her room.
     
    “Lizzie can’t come tonight Ace.  I need to call an ambulance.”
     
    “Fuck no.”
     
    “Call mama Janice.”  Lizzie insisted.  “He needs to be in a hospital and he can’t get pissed at her.”
     
    “What’s going on?”  Marty looked like a child.  She was terrified.
     
    “Ace is sick honey.  Get me a cold rag while I make a call.”
     
    “No fucking ambulance Janice.”  Ace insisted.
     
    “I’m just a stupid whore Ace, I only know how to do what you say.”  She knew she was being petty and he couldn’t handle it, but she couldn’t hold back her venom.  She dialed the number Mrs had given her the night of the party and waited.
     
    “Shit doll tonight is not the best night for a chat.”  Mrs’s voice sounded strained.
     
    “Ace is in bad shape.  Won’t let me call an ambulance.”  Ace let out another low moan.
     
    “Fuck.  I’ll call the ambulance.  Hang in there honey.  This anger shit won’t last and I don’t always do what Preach says.  Ace matters to us all.”
     
    “Let her call and I promise I won’t go near the Devils.  Show me I matter enough.”  Marty had tears streaking her