Benny shakes his head violently beneath the gag, tears pooling in his swollen eyes as muffled sounds force their way through the cloth stuffed into his mouth.
“But ghosts don’t steal from me.” Ace’s voice remains almost conversational, yet every word lands with the weight of a verdict.
“You took something that belonged to me, Benjamin.”
He walks over to my uncle, giving his shoulder a light pat, almost affectionate. “A lot of something.”
Benny’s muffled pleas become more frantic. His head shakes violently beneath the gag, tears spilling freely down his bruised face. Ace watches him for a moment before exhaling through his nose.
“You disappeared before I could collect what was mine.” He turns toward me, his expression calm. “I knew I’d find him eventually.” His eyes settle on mine. “I just didn't expect to find you.”
A knot twists in my stomach, but I don’t answer him. I don’t know what the fuckThe Godfatherasshole is on about, but when I figure out how to get out of this hospital bed, I’m going to make him regret ever laying a finger on Maddie.
“One of my men called. Told me he’d found someone.”
Ace studies me as though he’s seeing if I live up to whatever expectations have already been set.
“Someone smart. Someone disciplined. Someone who understood loyalty.” His mouth curves into the faintest smile. “Someone with potential.”
I shake my head. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“He said your uncle had spent years shaping you into exactly what he needed.” Ace pauses. “Unfortunately for him, he didn’t realize he was shaping you for me.”
The words hit me like a punch to the chest.
“He told me not to waste you.”
My pulse pounds in my ears. “...Who?”
Ace's smile widens ever so slightly. “Nate.”
Everything inside me stops. No fucking way. Nate wouldn’t double cross me like this. He’s been with me for years.
“He spoke very highly of you.”
“You’re fucking lying.”
“I have no reason to.” He says it so matter-of-factly that, for the first time since waking up, I don’t know what to believe.
“Nate wouldn't?—”
“He didn't call because of Benjamin.” Ace cuts me off without raising his voice. “He called because of you.”
Silence swallows the room.
“He thought you deserved better than the life your uncle had planned for you.”
My eyes flick toward Benny. He’s still shaking his head, begging and trying to tell me something through the gag. I don’t know who I’m supposed to believe anymore.
Ace extends his hand, and without a word, the man behind Benny places the suppressed pistol into it.
The moment the weapon settles into Ace's palm, my blood turns to ice.
“No.”
Ace looks down at the pistol briefly before raising his eyes to Benny. “You’ve cost me enough.”
He lifts the gun.
