Page 54 of Grace of Spades

"I get it. Maybe we'll play strip poker soon. Work on it." I wink handing back the helmet and walking off as he groans, making me laugh.

"Am I allowed to come over tomorrow?" He asks.

"After lunch," I call over my shoulder and head inside.

Upstairs, I get changed into a band shirt and relax on the floor with my knife under my pillow. The silence feels heavy around me.

This was a terrible fucking decision. They all know. I'm going to die, it's only a matter of time. But if I'm going down I'm taking a few people with me.

1. Harry fucking Reid.

2. Nathan Marconi

Wow, only two. I guess my parents dying without my involvement was a mixed blessing. My hands are clean of parricide but I'm not sure if I like that. I'm still not sure how they died. Maybe if it was bloody enough I'll feel better. God, I'm a terrible person.

I hear a soft knock on my door.

"Yes?" I call out.

"It's me."

"Christian?" I ask making my way to the door. Sure enough, Christian Bianchi is standing there awkwardly in my doorway. "Is everything okay?" I ask.

"Um... yeah. I just... can I come in?" He asks.

"Sure," I say moving aside. He drops down on the bed hands scrubbing at his face. I close the door and make my way over tosit beside him.

"What's going on?" I ask.

"I need to tell you something."

"...Okay."

"Andras said I'd have to work for you to trust me... then he told me about the knives hidden around your room." He admits. Oh. Well, that's not good.

"I didn't know he knew about them," I admit.

"Ruby found them. They figured you felt safer with them so they left them." He explains.

"Wonderful." I sigh flopping back onto the mattress.

"I just figured you would want to know." He mutters.

"I do. Thank you." I admit.

"I almost thought you'd be asleep by now." He chuckles.

"No, my mind won't turn off. I gotta admit, I'm freaking out."

"I'm sorry." He whispers. I look over at him and he looks so sad I tug him down to lie with me.

"It was bound to happen eventually. I'm kind of surprised I got away with it with only Ray knowing for the last four years." I chuckle.

"Four years? You've been Ace since you were thirteen?" He asks rolling onto his side to look at me. I shrug and he lays a soft kiss on my lips. “I hate that. You should have had all the good things in life.” He's such a sweetheart, I can't stand it.

I smile and pull him down by the back of his neck for another kiss. This one isn't soft. It's hungry. I want all of him.

He moans against my mouth and holds me against his body. I hold him right back and wrap my leg around his waist.