Page 11 of Ace (Riptide MC #1)

“Then why did they decide to use this one?” There had to be a reason, especially if it would have been easier to avoid it.

“That is the fucking million-dollar question.” He reached up to trace the outline of my lips with the rough pad of one finger.

“What does this have to do with the guy I saw get murdered?” I tried to ignore the tingle in my gut as his finger slid down to my neck.

“Intel says he was a drug mule, and he tried to keep some of the product for himself. That kind of shit never goes well.”

Still didn’t make sense to me. “How do you know the guy was a mule?”

“Club business, but you can count on it. Our source is reliable.” He quirked the corner of his mouth.

The butterflies in my belly stirred to life. “I’m still in danger?”

“Not as long as you’re with me.”

“Fun as that sounds, what about my life? My job? School? Friends?” Frustration had me clenching my fists, and the pain in my side did nothing to calm me down.

Ace looked thoughtful. “Your job is a dead-ender. If you want to sling drinks, you can do it at the club’s bar. Plenty of protection there, and the girls make good tips.” He chuckled. “Assuming you’re any good at it.”

“At flirting with guys for money? I’m really good at that. Just come watch me some night.”

A thunderous expression crossed his face. “I don’t think I’d like that.”

“It’s really not up to you, is it?”

“Actually, it is. You’re under my protection right now so you might want to be careful.”

“Or what? You’ll throw me out?”

“Worse.” His smile held no warmth. “I’ll have you locked in, with a twenty-four seven guard on you.”

I gaped. “You wouldn’t dare!”

He stood and stalked over to the dresser. Pivoting, he pinned me with a glance. “Try me. You asked for protection, and I promised you’d be safe with me. I never promised you’d like it.”

A giggle escaped my lips. I couldn’t help myself. Standing there, with his hands on his hips and that cold, don’t-fuck-with-me expression on his face, he reminded me of the godfather in some Mafia movie. All he needed was a couple of menacing bodyguards to back him up.

Oh right. Tiny and Tigger.

He closed the gap between us in two long steps, grasping me lightly around the waist. “Care to share the joke?”

“You.”

Brows raised he studied me. “Me?”

“Yeah you.” I managed to get my laughter under control. “You looked like the godfather from a Mafia movie. All stern, and in control.”

“Well, I am the Prez of a powerful motorcycle club,” he pointed out.

“True.” The throbbing in my side was increasing painfully.

Laughter and gunshot ribs were apparently a bad combination.

“Sorry. I blame the drugs.” I glanced at the doorway behind him.

“Speaking of which, is Joker around? I really hurt, and the drugs don’t seem to be working as well as they did yesterday. ”

“Yesterday you weren’t jumping all over the place. I think you need to lay down for a bit. Tiny should be back with Joker soon.”

I raised my eyes to his. “Can you lay with me? Just for a little while.” Wow, those drugs might not be handling the pain, but they sure killed my inhibitions.

“Thought you’d never ask. Just let me have a word with Tigger first.”

I clutched my injured side, watching him stride to the door.

Returning minutes later, he closed the door and lowered himself to the edge of the bed. He rubbed his hand gently down my arm, waking my inner sex fiend. Hopefully he wasn’t aware of her voracious nature.

“This is serious, you know. Those guys play for keeps.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you involved in something dangerous.” I paused, running the events of the yesterday in my mind. “I guess I didn’t think past escaping from the shooter.”

Ace smoothed a lock of hair away from my face. “Don’t feel bad. I’m glad you came to me. The club will take care of this, and then we can work out the future. For now, you stay here where I know you’re safe.”

“Did I ever say thank you?” I ignored his assumption that I’d do what he decreed, or that we had a future.

“Not necessary.” He slid onto the bed beside me, stretching out to full length. “Turn over. You don’t want to sleep on your hurt side.”

I did as I was told, for once without complaint, and was rewarded when I felt his warm body mold itself against my back. I could feel the hard length of his cock pressing into my butt, and suddenly I wasn’t sleepy anymore.

Ace’s hand slid around my waist. I hadn’t bothered with a bra, and he reached up to fondle my breast. I let out a low moan, and he chuckled. “I love how sensitive you are.” He scored his thumb across my nipple, and my breath caught in my throat.

I heard footsteps outside in the hallway, and a muffled conversation. The realization that what Ace and I were doing could be clearly heard by anyone wandering down the hall jerked me out of the lustful haze. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what?” Ace’s hands paused in their exploration.

I struggled to sit up, to extricate myself from him. “I can’t stay here. Like this. With everyone able to hear what we’re doing. It’s degrading.” I took a deep breath, willing him to understand.

“You can’t go home.” Implacable iron was in his voice. “Not until we know it’s safe.”

I knew he was right. Going back to my place would be tantamount to suicide. “We could go to your place?” More of a question than a statement.

Ace was silent for a long moment, and I regretted blurting that out.

Just because we had sex, I had no illusions.

It’s not like we were suddenly an item, despite what the rest of the bikers thought.

We were just scratching an itch, and when it was satisfied, we’d go our separate ways.

Asking him to take me to his place was over the line.

I opened my mouth to apologize, but he cut me off.

“That might work. Shadow already has a security system in place, cameras and all that shit. Yeah. We can do that.” He shifted to capture my gaze. “You’d be stuck with me though. Just me. Here you have Mom and the other guys to talk to.”

“I’ll survive.” The thought of being closeted with Ace didn’t frighten me. Maybe a few days of isolation would help to get him out of my system.

A wry smile curved his chiseled features. “I can see you’re thrilled with the idea.”

“It’s just…” I gestured at the door. “I’m used to some kind of privacy, and here everyone knows exactly what we’re doing.”

“If we go to my place, they’re going to assume that’s what we’re doing. Not much difference.” To his credit, he said that with a straight face.

“But they won’t get to listen. Besides,” I tried to voice my feelings. “I’m used to living alone. Quietly. No one else. This is just too much all at once.”

He held up a hand to stop me. “I get it. After Joker checks out your side, we can move your shit to my place. I’ll have the prospects go check it out, establish a perimeter.”

“Establish a perimeter?” My brow furrowed.

“Sorry. Military talk. Make sure there’s a safe zone around the house and set up patrols.

” He touched my neck, a feather light caress.

“These guys are serious bad guys. They know who you are and where you work. So far, I’m not sure they’ve connected you to me, but when they do, they will come after you with both barrels loaded. Unless we get to them first.”

“Or the cops pick them up.” I had to hope that was still an option.

“I wouldn’t count on that. They probably have one or two in their pocket.”

“Oh.” That hadn’t occurred to me. How had my life gone from boring, nothing but work and school, to this in less than a week? No wonder my head was spinning.

A knock on the door interrupted our discussion.

“You guys decent?” Joker asked.

“Yeah, come on in.” Ace let go of me and levered himself off the bed.

Joker stepped into the room, his medic’s bag hanging from his hand. “And how’s my favorite patient today?” He exchanged a hooded look with Ace.

“Sore.” I scooted over and swung my legs over the edge of the bed. “Any chance you’ve got some stronger painkillers in that bag?”

“No. And you wouldn’t need them if you’d obey doctor’s orders and avoid any strenuous exercise.” He gave me one of those looks usually reserved for naughty toddlers.

“I’ve been good,” I protested.

He didn’t look convinced. “Pull off that shirt and let me take a look.” Placing his bag on the bedside table, he squatted down beside me and waited for me to expose my side.

“We’re planning on moving over to my place.” Ace outlined the plan to Joker. “You think she’s okay for that?”

“It’s healing well, so yeah. I can come check her out over there, or you can come into the clubhouse. I’d like to keep an eye on it daily until I’m sure it’s well on the way to healing.” Joker finished his inspection and rewound the bandage to hold the gauze in place.

Ace nodded. “Good. I’ll get the prospects on it.” Pulling out his cell phone he moved to the doorway and started barking orders out.

“He’s a good man.” Joker looked at me intently.

“Yes, he is.” I paused. “We knew each other growing up.”

“Ah. That makes sense then. Thought this was a bit quick.”

I cocked my head. “What was?”

“Him falling for you. He’s never shown much interest in the groupies who show up for parties, other than a quick lay.

Suddenly he brings you in and he’s all over you like you’d been together for years.

Pissed as hell that someone has the gall to threaten you and ready to start a turf war over it without approval. ”

“Approval from who?” Confusion caused me to frown.

“I think Joker’s said enough.” Ace pocketed his phone, glaring at Joker.

“Sorry, Prez.” Joker ducked his head and glanced at me. “Club business. Forget I said anything.”

I looked from one to the other. Club business?

What? That the other bikers thought Ace had the hots for me, or that he didn’t have the final word on anything that happened?

My head was spinning already, without wondering if the club was a democracy or a dictatorship. To be honest, it didn’t matter to me.

“The prospects are going to set things up at my place.” Ace eyed up the unpacked baggage stacked in front of the new dresser. “Since you haven’t unpacked much yet, it should be an easy move.”