Page 98 of His To Claim
Ace shifts away from me running his hand through his hair again, tugging on it like he has no clue what else to do to calm his frustration.
I look down at my feet, my legs bare under one of his t-shirts he must have changed me into last night.
“Scarlett, please, I can’t. It’s too dangerous for you to know. They’re probably already looking for you. They know you were there and what you saw. Drop this. You can’t go digging around, it’s too dangerous.”
“Dangerous for who, huh? For me, or for you? Ace, those girls, they’re children just like you and me.”
“Baby, I’m no child, never was. I grew up in this vile world and was forced to grow up quickly. They made me into what I am today. Into this ruthless, vicious beast and never once apologized for what that did to me, to my soul. But I’m not what you think I am. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me. You want to believe that under all of this maliciousness is a kind-hearted boy who was forced to become something he never wanted. But you’re wrong, angel. There never was such a boy. I grew up knowing what I’d become, and I followed this path that led me to greatness. It’s given me status, power, and wealth. Everything I could ever want and need. All I had to exchange was my soul. A small price to pay for all of this,” he says walking over to the open door of the balcony.
I walk toward him, stopping right beside him. He reaches for me once more but I step back and away from his grasp.
Instead, I cup his cheek in my hand and he muscles into my pa, like my simple touch is calming the fury inside him.
“You’re wrong, Ace, I don’t see that in you. When I look into your eyes, I see exactly who you are. A coward.” His jaw stiffens, a dark expression coming over his face that a moment ago looked at ease. “A fool hiding behind this pretense of ‘power’, only instead you use it to hide the fear buried deep inside your soul. You are terrified of this world you were born into. You may not have been before, but now that you’ve seen it up close, seen the extent of its wickedness, you fear what’s in store for you, what’s left on your path to greatness. You may be close to the top of the mountain, but I must say the path up is steep. And the higher you are, the harsher the fall. You’re a sinner, Wallace Servite, and there’s only one place where sinners belong.” I pull my hand away, unable to touch him any longer. “Enjoy the ride down, Ace, it’s gonna be a hard and lonely one.”
Thirty-Six
SCARLETT
Autumn leaves in various shades of orange, yellow, and red rustling in the wind. Birds chirping as they soar above us, migrating south for the winter. Trees whistling as the crisp breeze flows through their branches, leaves falling, footsteps crunching them as we walk on this cool autumn morning.
That’s all I hear as we head toward the Dahlia House. Ace walks silently beside me, his thoughts clouding his eyes and ridding him of words. I know there are so many things going through his mind right now. He’s at war with himself. A war between what he’s always believed to be true and the lies of what he now sees in front of him.
I begged him to let me go, to let me leave and come back to the girls’ house alone. I’m in grave need of a long, hot shower to burn away Macallan’s dirty touch. I ache for the comfort of my own bed to forget the events of last night, but he demanded that he walk me himself, to make sure I made it back okay. I can tell what occurredlast night is haunting his every thought as he stands so close to me, constantly looking over, not wanting to let me out of his sight.
However, what I’ve just discovered haunts me even more. The drugs, the girls, still children, being sold at The Gallows to the highest bidder. It’s repulsive, immoral, and downright evil. And somehow, I now find myself caught in the middle of it all. I can’t help but wonder why Agent Servite wanted me to find out, to find what they’ve been hiding.
What did he gain from showing to me the sinful empire he’s built? How did he know I wouldn’t divulge his corruption, and reveal his dirty little secrets?
I know there’s something else I haven’t yet uncovered. Something even more sinister is occurring deep within these gates, behind the brick walls of the academy and all of Hillcrest Hills and I’m going to make it my mission to find out.
Even if it kills me.
We make it to the front steps of the Dahlia House when Ace finally breaks his silence and speaks. I feel almost relieved to not have to listen to my thoughts any longer.
“I want to see you tonight,” he commands, not bothering to turn to me.
I scoff rolling my eyes at him. “We all want a lot of things we can’t always have,” I say, taking a step forward.
Big mistake.
Ace reaches out and wraps an arm around my waist turning me to him. Our chests collide and he instantly devours my lips with his. His arm tightens around me as his lips take what I’m so eagerly giving. The feel of his lips on mine is hypnotizing, and the fight is no longer in me. I never have been able to push him away once he’s close.
My weakness, like venom, lies in those luscious lips that tell nothing but lies each time they meet mine.
He breaks apart our lips whispering softly against them. “Let me rephrase, I need to see you tonight. I will see you tonight. Don’tmake me remind you, Red, you are mine,” he says, kissing me once again.
His lips make their way down my neck as his hands move up my back under his t-shirt, the only thing shielding my naked body from him. His fingers graze my sensitive center and I bite down on my bottom lip as my hands grip his arms firmly. “All of this belongs to me.”
I moan softly not wanting to concede but giving myself away, regardless.
“Meet me back at the beach house around seven. I want to show you something,” he says, and I simply nod in agreement. He kisses my lips once more before he turns and walks away leaving me breathless and wanting on the front steps of the Dahlia House.
I head inside and open the door of our quarter gently, not wanting to make a sound to alert the girls to my arrival. As I turn to close the door behind me, I hear someone clear their throat. Fuck, I’ve been caught. I close my eyes and carefully turn facing whoever is behind me like the guilty culprit that I am. I hear them clear their throat once more as I open my eyes slowly. I find both Stella and Jade glaring at me, their arms crossed against their chests. They look me up and down, and when they see my outfit, Ace’s t-shirt, devious grins appear on their faces.
“Well, well. Looks like I don’t have to scold you after all. I know exactly where you’re coming from,” Jade says, winking at me.
“Look, I don’t want to hear it. The good thing about not having a mother, I don’t have to report or answer to anyone. I’m tired, I need a shower, and then I’m going to bed. So, save your lecture and comments for another time,” I say, leaving them and retreating to the bathroom.