“It’s not that, it’s Toni.”
I rear up, then regret my sudden action. I hold my breath, hoping Ace won’t notice my distress. He’s already feeling bad enough. He doesn’t need to know I’m hurting. “You got used to having an aunt, yeah?”
His voice is little more than a whisper. “I liked her, Trixie. But, maybe more, I liked the idea of her. Did you know she was my mother’s twin?” When he looks at me expectantly, I raise my chin in confirmation. “Dad’s got no pictures of my mom, neither has Nana. I didn’t even know what she looked like, or whether I resembled her at all. For the first time, I had an image to link with her. Dad even said Toni was her spitting image.”
I don’t know Freak’s background or anything about his relationship with Ace’s mother. But maybe Toni looking identical to her was part of the reason he fell for her. His long-lost love coming back to life. I can understand Ace’s point of view.
“I wish I’d never met Toni. I don’t want to think of my mom being like her.”
I rush to reassure him. “I’m sure she wasn’t, Ace. Twins can have different personalities.”
Pulling away, Ace sits on the bed, draws up his knees, and wraps his arms around them. “I know people think I’m highly intelligent, but I didn’t see anything off with Toni. Maybe because I was so thrilled to have a substitute mom. D’you know I even asked Dad to make her his ol’ lady?” I shake my head. I didn’t know that. But I suppose it makes sense. It was understandable Ace would want to keep the reminder of his real mother close. “When I saw her with Candyman, it all fellinto place. I realised she’d played Dad and me from the very beginning. And like an idiot, I’d taken her at face value, because it gave me more family. Perhaps if I hadn’t been so focused on having an aunt, maybe I’d have been able to see what she was doing.”
I’m struggling here. I’m out of my depth. What do I say to that? I don’t want to say anything that will make Ace feel worse. I go to the bed, slide on top of the covers beside him, take his hand, and hold it tight.
“It’s not your fault. I promise you that. Your dad, the club, they researched her. Your dad thought she was genuine. He really liked her.”
“He thought with his dick.” Ace snorts.
“Ace!” My mouth drops open, then I bark a laugh. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“Why?” He shrugs. “I’ve seen the mechanics often enough.”
Right, well, that’s enough of that conversation. “Look, I really think I should take you back to your dad. He’ll be worrying where you are.”
“No, he won’t,” Ace cries out. “Toni will spin more lies to him, and he’ll take her back. Especially since she’s hurt. That’s what the brothers do. They protect the women they care about. And I don’t want Toni as my stepmom…”
“Ace,” I bark sharply. “I’m sure your Dad’s not mending those bridges.” Perhaps my tone is a little caustic, as I’m worried about that exact same thing myself.
“Please, Trix, can’t you do something? I don’t want him to make Toni his old lady.”
“That’s not going to happen,” a deep, gravelly voice says, making both me and Ace jump.
As I cover my fast-beating heart with my hand, I see Freak standing in my open doorway.
“For a big fuckin’ man, you can move quietly.” My words come out as an accusation.
He shrugs. “Something I learned in the Army.” His tightening jaw shows he’s dropped the subject as he approaches the bed, sits on the edge by Ace, and addresses his son, though his eyes do flick to me while he’s speaking. “Toni’s being guarded by a prospect to make sure she doesn’t escape. Ace, there’s no coming back from what she did to us, I promise you that. And I promise I won’t be led by my dick in the future.”
My mouth drops open, and I watch as a side of his mouth curves. “Your door’s thin, Trix. I might have been listening for a while.” He waits a beat for his words to settle. “Hey, budge over, Ace, I’m fuckin’ dead on my feet. Let me lie down with you for a while.”
Ace tries to shift over, but I’m in the way. I twist my body to give them room, and can’t prevent the gasp when my busted rib protests. Freak’s back on his feet immediately, coming around to my side of the bed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
FREAK
They say eavesdroppers never hear well of themselves.
I’d been standing outside the door listening, my heart thumping as Ace related his worries that I’d once again fall for Toni’s charms. It had made perfect sense to hear why Ace, himself, had bonded with his aunt so quickly. He’d wanted a replacement mom. But what about me? I’ve got no fucking excuse. I’d been taken in by her playing the role of what a perfect woman should be, and she wasn’t even a good actor. Now, my eyes have been opened. Despite her trying to convince me otherwise, I know it was all lies. There is no way on this earth I could ever again trust her.
It does hurt that Ace didn’t come to me with his worries. Instead, he sought out the woman who’d probably saved both our lives. Ace, well, his story is already written, and as for me? I couldn’t have lived in a world where I’d lost my son as a result of being so fucking stupid.
While I was listening outside the door, I’d realised I’m not even jealous he’s chosen to open up to Trixie. It seems he can bemore open to her than me. There’s clearly something about her that draws both of us in.
When I asked Ace to give me some room so I could join them on the bed, Trixie gave an involuntary exclamation of pain as she moved to accommodate my request.
I’m on my feet fast, berating myself for not checking whether she had any injuries.
