Page 54 of The Fire We Make

Ultimately Joy’s coaching prevailed. She released her lip from the captivity of her teeth and the fire in her eyes fizzled out a bit. She gave a closed mouth smile before sticking her palm out.

“May I have my property back, Mr. King or is it being confiscated?” She asked.

Ace almost handed it over but decided he hadn’t had his fill of her for the day. So instead, he slipped the blade into the front pocket of his pants right next to the bulge he couldn’t hide if he wanted to and Joy couldn’t ignore.

“I think I’ll hang on to it. You can come pick it up when you’re on your way out for the day and we gon’ have a talk about why you feel the need to be armed in our building.”

“I don’t see why that matters.”

“It matters because I want to ensure all employees feel safe and comfortable while they’re here,” Ace answered and Joy answered with a scoff. “We’ll discuss it when you come to retrieve your property later on.”

“No need. They didn’t stop making knives when they made that one,” she replied, turning on her heels and storming out before Ace could stop her again. Her hard steps made her behind jiggle, and Ace was glad she was already halfway out the door—too far to hear the groan that slipped.

Once the door clicked closed, the other two men released the chuckles and low whistles they’d been holding in. Ace had completely forgotten his brothers were even there. Much to his annoyance, once she stepped in his space, she became the center of his universe and everything revolved around her.

A month ago, he would’ve found that fact unacceptable but now, he couldn’t bring himself to care.

“Where did she come from?” Jovon asked, his eyes still on the closed door Joy had just walked out of.

“Texas. Why?” Ace replied.

Von shook his head, serious in a way that only came out when he was talking about business. “You think it’s normal to have an attorney walking around strapped like she G.I. Jane or some shit?”

All three men’s hackles rose, the earlier playful camaraderie gone.

“Whatchu thinking, Von?” Jrue asked.

Von shook his head. “I don’t know. Just too much going on lately to be letting weird shit slide, feel me?”

Ace shook his head. “I’m looking into her,” he assured them.

Von grinned. “Yeah, I’m sure you are.”

Jrue chuckled into the glass at his lips. Ace’s nostrils flared, but he made no moves to get up from his seat, already knowing the game his brother was playing with him.

“Out. Both of you. Out,” he demanded. He’d had enough roughhousing with his brothers for the day and the impromptu visit from Joy had him wound up.

With a smirk, Jrue and Von both stood from their respective seats.

“Ace has a crushhh,” Von sang as he passed by the desk. Jrue cackled, almost spitting out the drink he’d been chugging.

Ace picked up the plastic plant Jrue had just knocked over by the leaves and chucked it at Von, hitting him square in the chest. “I’m a grown ass man, I don’t have no damn crush. Get the fuck out.”

Laughing, Von and Jrue made their way to the door. Before Jrue could exit the room fully, Ace called him back.

Ace wasn’t one to babysit grown men, nor did he think it was his responsibility to manage others’ alcohol consumption but he always kept an eye on Jrue during this time of year.

The two oldest Kings weren’t very close growing up but they bonded over the unfortunate necessity of sacrificing for the sake of the Family. Whereas Ace had never experienced certain things, Jrue’d had to give up something he held dear. Ace figured that was worse. To taste the forbidden fruit and have it ripped from you was cruel. Ace saw his brother broken as a result of his loss and attempt to numb it with alcohol, work, and women.

He didn’t understand Jrue’s pain but he empathized and that alone was enough to make him check in.

“You good man?” Ace asked.

Jrue looked up and nodded. “I’m straight, Boss. You good?”

Ace shook his head. “Nah. I’m asking as your brother right now. You good?”

Jrue simply stared at his brother with glassy eyes from the whiskey. “I’m good…”