Page 96 of The Fire We Make

“My house is fine, De Leone,” Ace answered, hoping to inject some surety into his tone.

“Is it? Your organization has had more problems in your first month than it had all last year and that’s just the ones we know about. Your father—” Amos Toussaint started.

“My father is on a beach with his wife enjoying his well earned retirement. Let’s not bring him into this,” Ace cut in.

“Look Ace,” Leo sighed, sitting up from his reclined position in his chair. “What happens to one family affects us all. All this heat on your people isn’t good for any of us. I don’t know what’s going on over there but you need to tighten the fuck up,” he spat.

Ace was silent for a moment, holding Leo’s gaze with his own icy one as he ashed his own cigar. “First of all,” Ace started in an icy tone. “Watch how the fuck you speak to me. Second, as I’ve said before, everything is under control.”

Amos spoke up then, no doubt wanting to ease the tension sizzling between the two men before it got out of control. “King, we didn’t come here to step on your toes, man. This partnership only works when all of us are on our P’s and Q’s. Trouble in one house means trouble in all of ours.”

Ace nodded in agreement. The Council families were deeply intertwined, the only way to ensure loyalty when the alliance was first formed was mutually assured destruction.

He put out his cigar, then stood, prompting his company to do the same.

“I appreciate you bringing your concerns to me, gentlemen.” he said, buttoning his suit jacket. “I can assure you this is just a rough patch, as is expected during times of transition in leadership. It will be handled and blow over soon.”

“I hope so, King. For your sake and my own,” Leo said, shaking Ace’s hand. Ace shook hands with Amos as well and together the three of them emerged from the room.

The mechanical whir and dinging of slot machines met them as soon as they stepped into the general area.

They made their way through the casino, the crystal chandeliers overhead bathing them in a wash of jade green as they walked together, looking like nothing more than three wealthy men who’d come to indulge in a few drinks and cigars on a Friday night.

Ace’s progression to the exit was slowed by the sight of a cloud of curly hair and an ass he’d recognize anywhere sticking out amongst the throngs of people.

His eyes locked on the curvy figure, a wave of need crashing over him as he watched Joy saunter to the bar in high heels and a little red dress that made his rose look like sin incarnate. She slipped onto a barstool, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Ace didn’t need to hear her order to know that she’d requested a shot of bourbon.

The desire to go to her was strong. His steps stuttered to a stop and he felt like a magnet being pulled in Joy’s direction whenever she was near.

“Have a good night, gentlemen,” Ace said absentmindedly. “I have some more business to handle here,” he lied, his mouth moving before he could think about it.

The three bid each other a good night and Ace swaggered in the direction of the bar.

His steps sped up when he noticed a man sidle up to Joy. From steps away, it was clear the man was spitting game and Ace’s blood boiled seeing the way Joy smiled up at him, laughing at whatever he was saying.

As soon as he reached the bar, he wrapped an arm around Joy’s waist and kissed the side of her neck. “Good evening, Rose,” he said, completely ignoring the man.

“Aye, man we were talking,” the man protested.

“And now you’re done. Have a good night, nigga,” Ace replied, not looking away from Joy.

The man looked to Joy for a contradiction but there would be no protest coming from her.

She’d already made the mistake of looking into Ace’s eyes, falling victim to the feel of his breath against her skin and the possessive hand around her waist.

Joy’s only goal for the evening was to indulge in some good drinks and end the evening by getting the dust knocked off of her neglected womanhood. Her usual vices and coping mechanisms weren’t sufficing lately and she was beginning to get antsy.

Being in the presence of Ace King day in and day out had awoken something in her that had been lying dormant since her exile and reignited an itch that she needed scratched. Badly. She was hoping that the man in front of her could do the job.

She’d looked for Ace in every man she encountered that night and to have him in front of her now, touching her and looking at her with such possession made all of her senses sing.

She was hoping to find a man who could exorcise her desire for him. She’d thought consuming the liquor would lower her inhibitions and make her more pliable to the flaws of men, opening up her search but all it’d done was exacerbate them.

As if she’d summoned him, he looked like he walked straight out of one of her wet dreams with a fresh cut, black suit that perfectly molded to each of his muscles and diamonds in his ears and around his neck that danced even under the dim lighting.

“It was nice meeting you,” Joy replied to the man whose name she hadn’t bothered to get, finally giving her best apologetic smile.

He smacked his lips, looking like he was about to speak again but quickly snapped his mouth shut and turned on his heels. Joy didn't need to look over her shoulder to know that the large man looming over her had something to do with his change of heart.