Page 62 of Hers To Keep

“We need Beck here for this. Only Beckett.”

Chapter

Thirty-Four

SCARLETT

Iwoke up alone from my nap, with a deafening headache and just as exhausted as I was hours ago. I found Ace had stepped out and gone, who knows where, leaving me alone at the house, which I might say—although it is exactly what I wanted—left a feeling of emptiness inside of me. I hate that he left me here alone and vulnerable.What if Wesley realized he wasn’t finished with me? What if he’d realized I was too much of a liability and came back once and for all to end me?

I shot Ace a quick text letting him know I had left. Unlike me, the search party he’d send out to look for me was not worth the hassle. I told him I was safe and needed some space to sort out all the shit I had found out earlier that morning concerning my parents. He was reluctant to let me spend the day alone, you know because it’s my birthday and all, but I told him I was in no mood to celebrate, and I’d let him make it up to me later. I also may have mentioned I wouldn’t be alone, I’d be with the girls, even though I was planning on hiding away from them as well.

So I left the beach house and ran back to the safety of my bedroom at the Dahlia House and found Jade and Stella were just as insistent to not let me grovel and wallow in self-pity, but I swore I’d let them throw me a party if they just let me be.

Of course they believe it was just an argument I had with Ace that left me in this deplorable mood. I’m not ready to share the truth, not until I know all of it. So instead they immediately ran off to go plan my eighteenth birthday fiasco.

I know I’d soon regret it, but today is a new day. Today is the day I’m saying fuck it to everything I’ve previously believed. Nothing is as it seems, and everything has an explanation. Ace deserves the benefit of the doubt.

I’ve decided that the only way to make sure Wesley pays for everything he’s done, is to stand by Ace’s side and whatever scheme I’m sure he’s already concocted.

“Okay, I’m in!”I shout, marching up to Ace and the guys as they sit amongst their usual table in the courtyard. It’s once again Monday, and after spending my entire birthday in bed, I’m revitalized and ready for what’s coming.

I went to the dining hall with the girls earlier but snuck away after I finished eating and came down here to find the guys. For weeks now, since Ace and I first started dating officially, I’ve joined them at their table, but Jade and Stella refuse to come with me, saying they can’t leave Drake and the guys alone.

It makes sense since Carrington, and the girls are still hanging around here. I guess I’ve just become uninteresting or off-limits to them. Either that or with everything else going on I’ve finally learned to ignore them. I move toward Ace as the guys look over at me.

“Tell me what we have to do.” He looks confused for a momentbefore standing and tugging my arm, leading me away from the rest of the Horsemen and their equally bemused looks.

“We can’t be talking about this in front of them,” he mutters under his breath, turning anxiously to make sure no one hears us. The guys stand leaning against the bench watching us as we speak, clearly not trusting of whatever it is we’re up to. I’m not exactly here because they’ve accepted me. I’m here because their king has declared it that way, and who are they to speak against him.

Looking from them back to Ace, I raise my eyebrows in question.

“You’re keeping secrets from them?” I ask rather loudly, but he quickly brings a finger to my mouth in a shushing motion pushing me back against the pillar of the gazebo we’re under.

His large body hovers over me, suffocating me with his intoxicating scent. Of course he looks like a fucking wet dream dressed in only his black pants and white button-up shirt halfway unbuttoned exposing his tattoos that make me so fucking wet. God, I’m a sucker for him, but I mean, can you blame me? His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and his tie does nothing but loosely hang around his neck in decoration.

I look down as his silver cross chain blinds me. The sunlight reflects off of it and into my eyes. I reach out and grab it, but he quickly pulls it away, tucking it into the back of his shirt.

“I thought they were your boys, you know the Four Horsemen, loyal to you and all that shit you spew?” I ask sarcastically, running my hand under his shirt and over his delectable chest. I lick my lips and his eyes move down to my mouth as a groan escapes him.

He curses under his breath as his eyes lift back to mine. “Most are,” he says, looking back toward the guys behind us. Bass and Beckett have gone back to whatever boring conversation they were having, but Alek’s eyes remain focused on Ace and me. His eyebrows crease as his irritated frown directed at me deepens. Then it dawns on me. Alek is the most arrogant and patronizing ofthe four. He thrives in this world he was born into. Ace must still believe him to be loyal to Wesley to join the cause.

“Ahh, Alek,” I say, realizing his reluctance to give away our plan.

Ace pulls me further away from them after noticing Alek glaring keenly toward us. “I don’t want to take any chances.”

“Yeah, I’d be reluctant too. He sure as hell doesn’t like me, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d snitch us out just to get rid of me,” I scoff, moving to stand under the shade of a large tree in the middle of the walkway.

He struts over to me, placing his hands above me on either side of my head, his lips coming close to whisper against me. I can smell the spearmint scent of the gum in his mouth as he speaks.

“He won’t, he knows better than to go against me, against us, his brothers. I’ve brought Bass in, told him I’m bringing my Uncle Wesley and his corrupt empire down. Destroying it brick by brick until there is nothing left but the ashes of his once perilous domain. Beck will follow as well, but Alek, he might take a bit more convincing. I’m working on it, the guys and I will get him on board this week.”

I roll my eyes, unaware I’m doing so, only reminded I am by the angry growl that escapes him. “Well, either way, I’ve decided. I might regret this later, actually I’m almost one hundred percent sure I’ll regret this later, but I’m going to foolishly trust you.”

I step forward, my back no longer against the tree bark as my chest collides with his. My arms come to rest behind his neck as I pull him down to me, and he lets me, watching me impassively wondering what I’m about to say next, needing to hear what I’m about to say. The nervous look in his eyes makes me smile slightly. The declaration he made to me has been swirling around in my mind since the words left his mouth. At this very moment, I feel it in the depths of my soul.

“You were right, Ace. I love you, and although it may be stupid of me and I’ll probably end up worse off than I am, I’m done being scared. I’m done feeling guilty for what I feel. I’m willing to trustyou if you help me bring him down.” An honest to God, ear to ear grin, displaying those gorgeous dimples, appears on his face as he swoops me up and spins me around.

He kisses me on the forehead, bringing his lips down to my mouth as he whispers against them. “I promise you I will not fail you. Everything in my life, all the training and sacrifices, they’ve all led up to this very moment. This is our reckoning, baby. What happens when an angel and a devil come together for the same cause?” I shake my head unsure of what he’s getting at. “Utter fucking chaos.”