Free Ace in the Hole by Marissa Dobson

process. Not to mention the state you left Gwen and the whole damn family.”
    “Dad…”
    “I don’t want to hear any excuses. I just want you to know if you screw this up again, you’re going to have all of us wanting a piece of your ass. Gwen is a good girl, she deserves better than what you’ve done to her in the past. I’m damn surprised she didn’t move on and find herself a good husband, someone who could treat her right.” He glared at Ace, everything about the look reminding him just how angry his father was before. “You’re not just getting a wife, but a child. You screw this up and you can find yourself a new family. Your mother and I raised you right, I won’t have you disgracing the Diamond name.” With that, Buck turned and walked back into the house.
    “Well, that could have gone better.” Ace leaned against the railing.
    “What did you think would happen?” Lucky took a swig from his beer. “We were all left to put the pieces together while you were across the country living it up. Gwen could barely walk into the house with tears springing to her eyes.”
    “I know I fucked up before.” With a clunk, he set his beer on the railing. “I failed her and the whole family, but not this time.”
    “For her sake I hope not.” Lucky leaned against the railing, as cool as the air that whipped around them. “That’s not why I came out here. I came to congratulate you.”
    “What?” He wasn’t sure if he heard his brother correctly.
    “Congratulations on getting your act together. Marrying Gwen might be the first thing you’ve done without your head up your ass and in your career. She’s always loved you and now she’s going to make an honest man out of you. I wish you both all the best.” Lucky stepped away from the railing and headed for the door. “Don’t screw this up.”
    Ace stood there alone with anger pulsing through him. He was tired of people thinking he was going to break Gwen’s heart again. Did his family think so little of him? Sure, he had made his fair share of mistakes in the past, but he wasn’t that bad of a person.
    He had just polished off the last of his beer when Gwen opened the door. “I thought you were going to stick by my side tonight. Instead, I get trapped in the kitchen with Wynn. Your mom came to my rescue.”
    “Come here.” He placed the empty beer bottle on the railing and held out his hand to her. She crossed the patio quickly. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. “I’m sorry for leaving you alone with Wynn, I just needed a breather. My family can be a bit intense.”
    “You’re telling me.”
    “Do I need to have a talk with my baby sister?” He ran his hands down her back, enjoying the feel of her pressed against him.
    “It’s fine, she’s just concerned. Your mom already had a few choice words for her. How did things go with Lucky and your dad?”
    “Could have gone worse. Lucky congratulated me on getting my head out of my ass.”
    “Who’d have thought your mom would be the most supportive.” She chuckled, sending the vibrations through him.
    “I know you’re upset Wynn isn’t supportive too, but she’ll come around. She’s just worried her asshole brother is going to break your heart again.”
    “You won’t,” she whispered.
    He kissed the top of her head. “I love you.”
    The love he had for her was stronger than anything he ever felt before. He wasn’t about to mess it up.
    “Look…” She pointed to the edge of the lawn. The moonlight was coming through the trees, casting a white, heart-shaped glow. “It’s an omen.”
    “An omen of our love…It’ll last through the darkest times and go on forever.”
    He lowered his head and claimed her lips.

 
    Marissa Dobson
     
    Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She’s a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different