Page 172 of The Fire We Make

They’d hit nearly every store in SoHo and Joy didn’t think anyone could rival her love for the finer things but April King had her beat.

The Kings were at another level of wealth. Theirs was generational and reputable. If it wasn’t clear by the way they handled themselves and the way they lived, it became so to Joy when the sales associates at every store they entered knew April by name and informed Joy that Ace had already called ahead to put her items on his tab.

The shock of it only lasted a moment before she got sucked in by the fabulous materials and luxurious designs, and April’s insistence on doing some damage.

“Me too,” Joy admitted, taking a sip of her diet coke.

April nodded. “Can I make a confession?”

“Of course.”

“I’ve never really had girl friends,” April whispered.

Joy raised a brow. “Really?”

April nodded. “It’s tough when you live this double life. I always had to keep my friends in the civilian world at arms length because they can't see too much. The women I befriended in the mafia world either didn't understand my role as most of them are stay at home wives and daughters, or just wanted to be close to me to marry one of my brothers.”

Joy’s upper lip curled slightly at the thought of women coming after Ace before another thought popped into her head, and she cringed. “You don't think that’s why we’re cool, right?”

April waved her off. “Girl no. I practically twisted your arm. And I've seen the way my brother looks at you. He’s the one doing the chasing, not the other way around.”

Joy chuckled. “That’s true.”

“Honestly, I’ve never had girl friends either. I had Mel but she despised anything to do with the underworld. Which is understandable because this life took her dad away. I’ve only ever been able to share half of my life with her,” Joy added.

April nodded. “Exactly.” She lifted her cocktail, prompting Joy to lift hers. “Cheers to girl friends we can go shopping and shooting with.”

Joy giggled. “Cheers!”

They stayed there for a few hours, enjoying the expensive sushi and bonding over their shared love of designer and desert eagles.

When the restaurant was about to close, a waitress came by to let them know, only to change her tune once she saw who was occupying the table.

“Oh, have we overstayed our welcome?” April asked, flipping her sleek tresses over her shoulder.

“Oh no, Ms. King. You’re always welcome to stay as long as you like. Is there anything I can get for you and your guest?” the waitress asked with a permanent smile etched on her face.

April returned the smile. “Just the check, love. Thanks.”

The woman nodded before quickly scurrying away. April produced a black card and a thick wad of cash, putting the card in the billfold and handing the cash to the waitress.

“Let me get you back to my brother before he comes looking for you,” April joked.

Joy laughed as she stood, gathering her purse.

Joy stepped through the front door of Ace’s home, her bags in tow.

The house was quiet aside from the soft jazz spilling out of Ace’s first floor office. The music beckoned to her, and she knew when she found it, she’d find him.

Sure enough, the door was slightly ajar and when she pushed it open, Ace sat at his desk. His tie was discarded, his shirt was unbuttoned revealing a few inches of his chest, and his sleeves were rolled up putting his corded forearms on display.

A glass tumbler was filled with scotch and sat among the various papers strewn across his desk.

He looked up when Joy entered and the stress and anger on his face just a moment ago melted into a small smile.

“Hey baby,” he greeted her.

“Hey,” Joy smiled, setting the bags down at the door.