Page 20 of The Fire We Make

Now, though, he just wanted to leave.

He should’ve been more excited. Becoming the head of the Family had been his only goal since he was a child. The only goal he was ever really allowed to have. Now that he was finally realizing everything he’d worked for, he should be basking in the accomplishment and joining in on the festivities but he couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. The feeling of completion he thought he’d have had yet to come.

Standing on the edge of the VIP section filled for him, he was growing more irritated by the second. The music was giving him a headache, the voices were grating on his nerves and the clinking glasses and popping bottles were causing a ringing in his ears.

Looking down at his watch, Ace saw that it was barely after midnight. With a huff, he decided he’d give it another 30 minutes then he’d dip. By then, they’d all be too drunk to care whether he was there or not. Content, he turned, putting the section and his siblings at his back to survey his surroundings.

His gaze bounced around, stopping on nothing in particular, just occupying his time and attention with something other than the pang of an emotion he couldn’t name rattling around his empty chest.

“Nigga you know we out here celebrating for you right?” Jrue called from behind him, pulling Ace out of his thoughts. He turned to see his younger brother with his arms wrapped around a woman and a bottle in his hand.

“We turning up for this nigga and he looking over the balcony like he Ghost or something,” Von chimed in causing the section to erupt in laughter. He too had a woman in his lap.

Ace shook his head. “I’m chillin ‘, man.” He turned to move back to the couches, planning to get his hands on something stronger than the champagne he’d been nursing to put him at ease.

He took out his phone to open the text messages app and scrolled to the thread with the woman he kept on standby for nights like these. When he felt lonely even in a crowd, and needed intimacy in any form he could find it. When he needed to get lost in something warm and wet to distract him from his thoughts. He’d have Dana waiting at his secondary penthouse once he was done there.

Before he could draft a message summoning her, he heard his name called.

Ace turned to see Isaac sidling up beside him.

“What’s up man?” Ace greeted him with a dap. He wouldn’t consider them friends but he and Isaac had grown up in the same circles with grandfathers who were best friends. They were as close as anyone outside of the Family could get.

“Wanted to talk to you about something.”

Ace waved for him to go on.

“My OG and I been wanting my family to take a more active role in the organization. I know my grandfather put us on the bench but I’m ready for us to be in the game. I’m hoping I can get a position in your regime to make that happen. We talked to your old man about it last year and he played me off.”

Ace nodded, listening to Isaac’s request.

“All of my high ranking positions are already filled but let me get settled and I’ll see where I can put you,” Ace answered diplomatically. Truthfully, of all of the Kincaid’s, he least wanted Isaac around his business. He was impulsive and flashy — had been since they were children — and really only wanted to be connected to the business for the clout and cash.

“I was thinking maybe I could handle⁠—“

“Let me get settled and we’ll talk,” Ace reiterated.

Isaac’s whole face scrunched up, his entire demeanor shifting from not getting his way.

“What we need to talk about? It’s a yes or no,” Isaac said, with a bit more bite than Ace was willing to tolerate. Ace paused and set down his drink on the banister. He had no intention of making any hasty promises that night and he didn’t appreciate Isaac trying to corner him at his party into doing so.

“If you thought you were gonna come over here and rush me into an answer at a club you’re sadly mistaken. Things need to be discussed and arrangements need to be made. This is a well oiled machine and sticking you just anywhere so you can say you have a position will only fuck my shit up. So my answer can be wait or no. Your choice.”

Isaac chuckled. “Yo shit? You and yo daddy got that bad huh? I’m asking out of respect but I’m entitled to a spot in the organization. Maybe I should go to the Council.”

“Go ahead,” Ace shrugged. “They’ll tell you exactly what I’m about to tell you: You ain’t entitled to shit but what you have right now. If you have a problem with that, dig up your grandpops and take it up with him. I understand your family’s intentions may have changed but it’s not as simple as just throwing you into a position just because you asked nicely. Now would you like to schedule a time to talk it over with the rest of the family and enjoy the rest of the party or you wanna pout and leave with exactly what you came in with?”

Isaac’s nostrils flared but he nodded. “I’ll bring it up at the next meeting.”

“Great.” Ace’s eyes found Ray’s who was motioning for him to come to him at the entrance of the section. “Have a good rest of your night,” Ace said, walking away.

“One of my men said Perry and his second are here,” Ray said as soon as Ace reached him.

Ace rubbed the hair at his chin. “Where?”

“Said they were headed up to the restaurant.”

“Let’s go get him,” Ace said, glad to have a productive distraction.