Page 32 of Grace of Spades

"Um... sorry guys. I have to go help Ray with something again. I'm sorry." I wince.

"Oh, that's okay, Dear! We understand." Grandma smiles softly.

"We do?" Asks Andras.

"Yes, we do. This Ray guy is her family through choice. He is important." Grandpa explains. I'm glad they get it. Andras seems to think about it but ultimately nods.

"Alright, remember you have school tomorrow though." He says pointedly.

"Okay, thank you!" I run off and then run back in. "It was nice to meet you. Have a good night everyone!" I smile and grab my jacket and helmet and head to the warehouse.

Ray is waiting outside with the van and he helps me get the bike in the back.

"Hey, little mama. How was your meltdown?" He smirks.

"How was Shay?" I snipe making him glare at me. "Then shut up." I smile sweetly.

"Fine. Get in."

"Yes, sir." I sass and get in the back.

We make our way to another warehouse, this one in a shipping yard. I have my aviators, braid, and weapons in position as we exit and lock up the van. We stalk towards the specified container and knock.

Liam opens the door and smiles. Fuck today. The whole day, fuck it all!

"Mr. McConnell." I greet him with a straight face.

"Ace. Right, this way." He says. He seems different than he is at school. Harder. I mean, I get it. I'm the same. Grace is scared and angry all the time, but Ace is strong and ruthless.

"What all are we dealing with tonight?" I ask.

"We have three guys. They're higher up some things aren't adding up and my father wants to know what they're hiding." He explains handing me three file folders. One on each man.

He opens the first door revealing a man tied up and left on the floor. That's what I like about the Irish. They're practical. The Italians seem to be very dramatic. The Russians are brutal. And the Yakuza is very traditional. Me? I'm flexible.

I stalk in towards the man on the floor, he's a mixture of scared and confused. Liam takes up watch on the wall opposite Ray beside the door. I open the file on the man in front of me.

Brian O'Connor. Age 35. Married. With the McConnells for ten years. Loves his mistress Angela Marconi. Marconi? Interesting. I know a Marconi. He's a total scumbag. He was one of my parents' dealers among other things. She's going to be the key here though.

"Hello, Mr. O'Connor. My name is Ace. I've been sent here to talk to you." I say in a friendly voice.

"A-ace?"

"Yep."

"But you're a girl," Brian observes making himself sit up as Ray curses under his breath.

"Well spotted. Yes, I am. But I can guarantee that won't matter in the end." I smirk cruelly taking out a big hunting knife from its sheath behind my back. "Now, I'm after some information today so depending on how good you are, you may walk out of this room. Or not. Your choice."

"What do you want to know?" Brian asks holding his chin up. Bold move but I guess one of his bosses is supervising this so if he was hiding something he'd be a lot more nervous or a lot more obstinate.

"I need to know about Paolo Roberts and his associates. Mainly his boss."

"Roberts? I know him but isn't he with the Italian mafia?" He asks genuinely confused.

"Hewas." Liam chuckles darkly. I turn to Ray giving him the signal to get Liam out of here. He fucking ruined my plan.

Getting information is a delicate process. You can't just fucking jump in and give the prisoner new information.