Free Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) by Michelle Iannarelli

the hell happened to you?”
    “You don’t look ok. I will explain later.”
    “Kid, I’m going to pack up and head home. If you need anything give me a call.”
    “Thank you, Buddy, for everything.”
    “You always make me proud, Kid. I’ll come by and see how you are doing tomorrow.”
    Chace sat down with Shane and Ace. Shane exhaled and then decided he needed to ask how things went with Robert. He needed to know he was gone for good this time.
    “So, did Robert pack up and get out?”
    “Oh, he’s out alright.”
    “Chace, what are you not telling me?”
    “I had Robert arrested.”
    “You did what? Chace, I didn’t…”
    “Hang on. Robert did this to my face. Just because you didn’t want to press charges didn’t mean I would allow him to hit me and get away with it.”
    Chace stood up and walked over to the bar. Ace reached his hand over and patted Shane on the shoulder.
    “Hey, why don’t I take you home with me for tonight?”
    “Thanks, Ace but I’m ok.”
    “Alright then, I’m going to mingle a bit. If you want to leave just send someone to get me and I will bring you home.”
    “Thanks.”

    Ace walked over to the bar where Chace was.
    “So what happened with my Chief’s daughter?”
    “Lucy gave her statement and then her father took her home.”
    “How was she when she left?”
    “Why don’t you call her and ask her?”
    “Chace, I can’t.”
    “You mean you won’t?”
    “I’m not good enough for her.”
    “Why do you think that?”
    “She’s smart and beautiful.”
    “Ace, you have women begging to get into your pants. I know I’m not into men, but damn you’re hot.”
    Ace smiled, “Yeah, I am pretty hot, aren’t I?”
    “Call her.”
    “She’s engaged to that asshole.”
    “I have a feeling that when Tom hit her, the engagement ended.”
    “I don’t want to be the rebound.”
    “You’re not the rebound, you’re the reason.”
    “Reason?”
    “She has the hots for you and I know something went on between you two. You’re probably the reason they were fighting. I bet she broke up with him.”
    “No, she loves Tom. I wasn’t anything except a quick fuck to get back at Tom. Can you get Shane home?”
    “Sure, why?”
    “I see a piece of ass over there who can help me forget Lucy is why.”

    Lucy had watched the fight with her brothers and father. After the fight when Shane was being interviewed she caught a few glimpses of Ace by his side. She wished Ace was by her side right now to hold her. In a way she was happy Tom showed his true colors. Now she could move on. She rolled over and closed her eyes. Maybe if she couldn’t have Ace in her bed she could dream about him.

    Shane walked into his house. It seemed so empty without Robert. He grabbed a beer and headed to the shower. He stopped and looked in the mirror at his face, he liked to survey his battle wounds from his fights but not those left by Robert.
    Declan walked into Shane’s bedroom expecting to find him but he heard the shower running. He wasn’t good at apologizing but he knew he needed to apologize to Shane this time.
    Shane was so weak after showering, he quickly grabbed his towel and headed straight for the bed before he collapsed onto the floor for the second time today. As he reached the bed he saw Declan standing in the doorway.
    Declan moved closer to Shane as he spoke, “I’m sorry.”
    “Sorry? Not, I told you so?”
    “Look Shane, I tried to apologize at the hospital and you wouldn’t let me. I wasn’t there then and I’m not here now to say I told you so. I’m here to tell you that I’m sorry I was a dick and I should have supported you no matter what.”
    “You were right about Robert.”
    “Shane, this is about us, not Robert. You’re like the brother I never had. All that should matter is that you’re happy and…”
    “I’m not happy, Dec. You were right. I should have listened to you the first time Robert beat me up. If Buddy didn’t walk in, I don’t know