Page 188 of The Fire We Make

She leaned up, pressing her lips to Ace’s then her forehead to his as well.

“I love you too,” she said. “Every part.”

She loved the lawyer and the boss.

The lonely man and the killer.

The gentle hands and the violence they were capable of.

Ace’s stomach flipped and his heart raced.

He hadn’t realized how much he needed those words from her until they fell from her pretty lips.

When he looked in her eyes, he knew they were true.

“Come on!”

Ace pushed the heavy door to his grandfather’s office open and was instantly hit with the familiar cloud of cigar smoke and Louis Armstrong humming low through the speakers.

Zachariah sat reclined behind his desk, one leg crossed over the other, a cigar between his fingers he had no business holding.

“Come on in, grandson,” Pops beckoned him over.

“You’re not supposed to have those,” Ace muttered, stepping fully into the smoke-filled room.

“I’m a grown ass man,” Pops griped.

Ace snorted. “I’mma tell Granny you’re not listening to the doctor’s orders.”

Zachariah waved him off. “I’m not scared of that old woman.”

“Bet,” Ace grinned, dropping into the chair across from him. “I’ll be sure to let her know.”

“Shut up,” his grandfather scowled.

Ace leaned back, letting the moment settle for half a second before getting to it. Pops outstretched a fresh cigar in Ace’s direction but Ace shook his head and declined.

“I’m not here for a social visit tonight, Pops. This is business,” Ace informed him.

Pops leaned back in his seat with a heavy sigh. “Go ‘head,” he waved Ace on.

Ace rested his forearms on his knees.

“We found out who put the hit out on me. And who’s been feeding the cops information.”

“It was Isaac… Wasn’t it?” Pops said, taking a pull.

“It was,” Ace confirmed.

Pops released the smoke he inhaled then a solemn sigh. “Gahdamnit boy,” he cursed under his breath. “I didn’t wanna believe it.”

“I know you and uncle Christopher were close so I’m coming to you first out of respect,” Ace continued slowly. “But I’ll be going to the Council to get authorization.”

Pops didn’t need any further clarification. He just nodded slowly.

“Do what you have to do. If the Council approves, you’ll get no pushback from me.”

Ace dipped his chin. “‘Preciate it Pops.”