Page 227 of The Fire We Make

Isaac visibly paled. “You pull that trigger and whatever’s left between our families is over. You'll start a war.”

“You started a war the moment you betrayed us. I’m just finishing it.”

“The Council won’t see it that way.”

Ace’s mouth curved slightly. “The Council already did.”

Isaac’s gaze sharpened. “What do you think my father will do when he finds out what happened to me?”

“Your father knows we’re here,” Joy said.

Isaac’s face went slack and for the first time since they walked into the house, Isaac’s inevitable fate became clear to him.

Isaac’s hand slid slowly from his lap to the space between the cushions. Joy tracked the movement.

She crossed the distance before his fingers could disappear, driving the heel of her boot into his mouth. His head snapped backward as his teeth clacked, blood spraying onto his chest.

“Don’t even fucking try it,” she warned.

Ace dug into the cushion and pulled out the hidden gun, tossing it aside.

Isaac pressed one hand to his bleeding mouth, the arrogance from before completely taken over now by panic.

“Ace, listen,” he panted.

Ace held his hand up, silencing his pleas. “You tried to take the crown. This is the risk.”

Before Isaac could say another word, Ace pulled the trigger.

The sound cracked through the room—sharp and final.

Isaac’s body dropped back into the chair like the strings holding him upright had been cut.

Silence followed.

Ace didn’t move or look away for a moment. The weight of what Isaac’s greed and impatience had almost cost him and his family finally being removed from his shoulders.

The clean up crew who’d been standing just outside filed in and Ace lowered the gun slowly.

“Take him to his father,” he said, giving the instruction emotionlessly.

Ace finally turned to find Joy was already looking at him.

“You good?” she asked.

He nodded. “I am now.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to Joy’s forehead. “Let’s head out before April has both of our asses.”

April waited for them at the airstrip, her arms crossed over her chest with a scowl as she stood between her two security guards.

“This couldn’t have waited a day?” April asked once they were close enough.

“No,” they said in unison.

April huffed, rolling her eyes. “Whatever. Come on Bonnie and Clyde. We have a wedding to attend.”

Joy chuckled, looking up at Ace. “See you at the altar,” she smiled.