Free Devil's Despair Box Set: Books 1-3 by A.C. Bextor Page B

head around first, his body immediately follows. He stalks toward me and, it has to be said, when Ace stalks, his large frame comes at you and he stalks . He’s angry.
    Putting my hand out to stop him from coming any closer, he runs his chest into it. “Ace, I don’t want to sound ungrateful…”
    “Know what I did all day today? Do you have any fuckin’ idea the day I had today, worrying, waiting, wondering? I thought, for six fucking hours , of ways to protect you. How I could keep you safe from all the Greysons, Vinnies, and bar idiots of this world. You have me going nuts here. Last night, Cherry…” His voice changes octaves, anger to concern, “you were so scared and I was helpless to save you from those nightmares. Nightmares that those kinds of men caused you.”
    I don’t say anything; he’s calming down, and anything I may say to try to make this easier for him could upset him further.
    Before I can think of anything to add, he shocks me with his statement. “Sadey’s gone.”
    Since I don’t know where this is coming from, I stand still in front of him, looking up. His eyes are glassy; evidently, he’s thought about a lot today while I was gone.
    “I can’t have her. I never could.”
    His hand reaches out to touch my neck, his fingertips tracing the dip at the bottom of my throat. Finally, a small tear releases from his eye and drops down his face, quickly falling to his shirt.
    “I’m letting her go, Cherry. I am. But…” he smiles, but it’s a stressful and upsetting smile hiding his sadness. “I’m doin’ it knowin’ I was the only one holding on.”
    “I’m sorry.” He’s broken. This large man in front of me is so broken, by mostly self-inflicted hurt, but in so much pain nonetheless. Realization is dawning that no matter what he does, he’s powerless. Ace doesn’t do well with the feeling that goes along with being helpless.
    Powering through his tortured admission, he continues. “I thought, while you were out with Trav, that I would have to let you go, too. It’s stupid and ridiculous, but it’s the truth. I swear, I’m telling you the truth.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    Hesitantly, he keeps going. “I thought that you and he…”
    “It’s not like that, Ace. I told you already — Travis and I are friends.”
    Using his finger to gesture back and forth between us, he explains the obvious. “You and I are friends.”
    Using a gentle voice to be certain he continues, I answer. “Yes.”
    “Then why do I hate that you…” He stops his thought mid-sentence, unsure if he should continue.
    I’ve seen many faces of Ace; he wears them hesitantly, but they’re there. Anger, resentment, lust, love, yes, but confusion has never been one of them.
    Standing on my tiptoes, I press into him, wrapping my arms around his neck, ensuring him that I’m here; safe and still his in whatever capacity he needs. He doesn’t make a move toward me, but I hear him draw in a ragged breath.
    I kiss his neck, small and quick, one after another aiming to find his ear, and once there whispering, “I’m right here.” I run my hands to the back of his shoulders, then his neck, finally running my fingers through his hair. “Here, Ace.”
    He doesn’t respond; still standing motionless, but allowing me to be this close to him while he’s this exposed. Seconds pass with him in my arms.
    Stepping back but leaving my hands on his chest for connection, I look directly at him. His face is still broken, his eyes still glassy. “I’m your friend, and you can talk to me… even if you want to talk about her.”
    His only response is to shake his head, and the silence surrounding us is deafening. I don’t know what else to say or do. While I was out with Travis today, seeing the town, getting to know my new friend, Ace was home in this apartment nervous for my safety and thinking about Sadey. I can’t make him talk about her and being honest with myself, this isn’t my problem. I didn’t