Page 31 of Grace of Spades

"You're so tiny!" Christian chuckles. Andras has his brows pinched together concentratingon the video.

"You're good. Really good." He comments stiffly handing me the phone back.

"Thank you," I mumble. I'll have to talk to him later.

Liam

I sit at the pub my dad owns as Dylan laughs at me, clutching his stomach. Some best friend he is. I want to push him off that god damn bar stool.

"You said what? Hold on! Mr. McConnell! You have to hear this!" Dylan howls. Asshole. My dad does not need to hear about my failed attempt at a love life.

I did everything right. I asked her uncle, I was respectful, and I called him sir. He even said I could ask her. Then I looked into her gorgeous green eyes and I fucking blew it. I had a plan. I fucking practised it. I never do that.

It's never been that important. Grace matters. Gym class is great with her. She's funny and nice and tough as nails. So many scars, so much she has survived. I am in awe of her. Kennedy said she went through hell before she came to live with her uncle. She deserves the best, and maybe that's not me, but I gotta give it a shot.

"What did you do?" Dad asks.

"He- he- oh, God." Dylan gasps. I heave a large sigh.

"I tried to ask a girl I like out. It didn't go well." I admit.

"Didn't go well is an understatement!" Dylan cackles. "He basically said her uncle gave her to him!"

"Yeah, yeah, I fucked up," I growl into my beer.

"What girl? I'll talk with her." Dad threatens.

"No! I'll get her. I just messed up the first time. Don't getinvolved!" I plead.

"Fine. What's this girl like?" He says pouring a pint of beer for himself. "Dylan, fuck off."

Dylan leaves still chuckling to himself.

"So? What's she like? She must be something if you're drinking over her." He observes.

"Yeah, she is. Her name is Grace."

"How did you meet her?" He asks.

"I watched her threaten some jackass from school," I smirk remembering that vicious little grin at the diner.

"That sounds like something Ace would do." He laughs. "If it doesn't work out with this Grace girl maybe think about Ace. She would make a good partner when you take over."

"I don't even know Ace."

"Well, I have to call her tonight to help get some information. Maybe stay and get to know her." He shrugs.

12

Grace

"Hey, Ray. What's up?" I ask stepping away from the table and answering the phone.

"I got a job. Info retrieval. Meet me at the warehouse." He says in his hard business tone.

"Got it. Be there in twenty. Have everything ready to go." I reply.

"You got it. See you soon." I hang up and return to the table. Everyone is chatting happily and I feel bad for having to leave. I'm having a good time with my family. That's a weird sentence. I never thought I'd say that.