Page 164 of The Fire We Make

“You better stop looking at me like that,” he warned, his voice low and gruff.

“Or what?” joy whispered back.

“Or I’ll take you into one of these 10 bedrooms and wear yo ass out.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Mr. King.”

Ace’s eyes darkened and he opened his mouth to speak when Ms. Connie rounded the corner with Remy trailing closely behind.

The stone expression on his face said he wasn’t there for leisure.

“Hi Remy,” June greeted him with a soft smile. “Would you like a plate? We have leftovers.”

Remy turned to her, his expression softening. “Thank you mama June, I will definitely take you up on that later on, but I have something to discuss with Ace.”

June nodded her understanding. “I’ll warm it up for you when you’re ready.”

Ace stood and his siblings did the same, the atmosphere shifting from comfort to business.

“Pops, can we borrow your office?” Ace asked.

“Of course,” Zachariah said.

Joy sat, her hands folded in her lap and her eyes on the half eaten cake before her.

“Baby,” Ace called from above her.

She looked up to find him staring down at her. “You can come if you want,” he said. “Only if you want.”

Joy smiled. She held her hand up, palm down, and Ace grasped it, helping her out of her seat.

He interlaced their fingers and led them from the table and down the dimly lit hall.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ace lowered into the throne-like chair behind the desk. He placed his hands on Joy’s hips and with a gentle tug, brought her down onto his lap. His arms encircled her waist, holding her firmly against him.

“Whatchu got?” Ace asked once everyone was present and seated.

“We got him,” Remy said.

“Marco?” Ace asked.

Remy nodded. “Hacked into some cameras and found him hiding out right outside of Baltimore.”

Ace chuckled. “Innocent men don’t hide two states away.”

“No they don’t.”

“Where is he now?”

“I already sent his location over to Sasha. He should be waiting for you at your warehouse along with the two other lieutenants he was working with.”

Ace shook his head. “How many were there?” he asked.

How many of his men had planned a coup under his nose? How many people had been sowing the seeds of dissent while he was distracted?

“Just those three and a few of their soldiers. Most of them were taken out at the gala though,” Remy said. “From what I was able to gather, a lot of their soldiers either weren’t on board or weren’t aware of what was going on.”