Page 51 of Their Tracked Obsession

“Then why are you fucking here, cousin?” I asked in a hoarse whisper.

I wanted a goddamn honest answer. Everyone in this fucking club deserved the truth. Our guests were justified in me kicking his ass out.

“To see my estranged cousin,” Ace answered with a flick of his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Why so hostile? We’re family.”

Ace went to graze my shoulder, but I flinched. He dropped his hand to his side and shifted his feet on the ground. The slight movement made his suit jacket move, and I glimpsed a handgun.

I leaned in close and whispered, “Wherever you go, danger follows. I won’t have your fucking enemies crashing my party. I’ll slit everyone’s throat if I have to.”

Ace tilted his head.

“Already done,” Ace whispered in my ear. “In a sense.”

A chill of adrenaline ran down my spine at any discussion of a kill. I pictured Ace slitting throats with playing cards. Or maybe he punctured eyeballs with the deck.

I leaned back. “Are you goddamn certain?”

“Absolutely.” Ace gave a curt nod and stared me straight in the eye. “I ensured I tied up all loose ends so I could attend. My siblings will keep the rest in line.”

I had only met his family in passing. Briefly at funerals. Far too fucking many. I think the only bloodline left were the Madden siblings, but I could be wrong.

I heaved a long sigh. “Okay. Stay. But I want you gone after the wedding.”

“Done.” Ace held out his hand.

Fuck. Ace wanted me to shake his hand in good faith. No way.

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Ah… How about a fist-bump explosion instead?”

“What the fuck is that?” Ace narrowed his eyes.

“You know…” I stood back and fist-bumped the air with an expanding hands gesture. “Fist-bump explosion.”

“Fine.” Ace rolled his eyes.

We fist-bumped in earnest.

“Nice.” I grinned with a nod. “Enjoy the party.”

I was about to turn around when I saw Raven strut by Ace in a long black dress. Her heels tapped along the floor, and his eyes followed her. Transfixed on her and no one else. I thought he’d go after her, but he remained still until she went out of sight.

Ace’s mouth formed a slow smirk. “I’m sure I will.”

My cousin picked up his drink and took a sip.

Suddenly, Liv came from the same direction Raven did with a tarot card in her hand. I caught her by the waist, and she squeaked a surprised gasp. We twirled until I stopped and dipped her as if we had finished a lovers’ dance.

“Sin…” Liv locked wide eyes on me.

“Hi, beautiful.” I brought Liv back up, and she laid her hands against my chest. “I want you to meet someone.”

I turned around, my hand intertwined with hers, certain she’d be safe. I’d protect Liv. We’d keep her out of harm’s way.

“Who?” Liv asked.

Ace was gone. Vanished into thin air. Only his drinking glass remained on the table, showing that he had been there.

Fuck. For a second, I thought I was crazy.