Page 80 of The Fire We Make

“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” she said before following the same path that Stephanie had minutes ago.

“Aye,” he called to her before she could fully exit. “You good?”

Joy nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Will I see you at the anniversary party?”

“I’ll be there.”

Ace continued to watch her back until he couldn’t see her anymore.

He hadn’t lied to Stephanie about their packed day. It was filled to the brim with meetings, briefs, and evidence collection.

Joy was on point as always, but Ace couldn’t focus.

The image of her violence and beautiful rage played in his head over and over throughout the day, making his hardest task of the day being to conceal his steel erection.

Under the spray of the shower that night, Ace’s hand found his hard shaft. Lubricated by soap and water, he gripped it firmly at the base and tugged, finally giving himself some relief.

“Mm” a groan released from the back of his throat. Visions of Joy played behind his closed lids, giving him all of the ammunition he needed to bust.

Her furious eyes.

Her sharp red nails balled into fists.

The cruel smile that stretched her pretty lips.

Her viciousness was alluring. It was familiar.

She was beautiful and dangerous. And to Ace, that made her more alluring. He hated that she felt the need to hide it.

Chapter Twenty-One

Tony! Toni! Toné!’s Anniversary blasted through the speakers, competing with the chatter and clinking glasses that made up the celebration.

March 14th may as well have been a holiday. Everyone associated with the Kings had come from all over and were gathered at one of their many estates in upstate New York to celebrate Zachariah and Ella King’s 55th wedding anniversary.

The backyard of the $15,000,000 home had been transformed into an elegant courtyard complete with extravagant fountains, white roses, solid gold centerpieces and statues, and candles that would create an intimate ambiance once the sun finally set.

The 400 guests in attendance donned their finest all white attire as they mingled. Only at a King family event could a United States Senator and Miami kingpin share laughs over $30,000 cognac and southern style hors d'oeuvres.

Senior stood on a raised dais facing the attendants with his glass of champagne in hand. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today to help us celebrate my parents’ 55 years of love,” he spoke into the microphone.

Claps and cheers of congratulations went up around the crowd. Zachariah and Ella shared a loving glance at each other before Zachariah gave her a peck on the cheek that elicited a chorus of aw’s. The love radiated from the mature couple and warmed the partygoers more than the afternoon sun beaming down on them. Years of love, trials, and memories were between them and reflected in their eyes.

Ace looked on from the side of the stage where he and his siblings stood, living products of his grandparents’ love and legacy.

He couldn’t help but chuckle humorlessly, something twisting in his chest. Ace had seen his grandfather do unspeakable things to his enemies with his grandmother right beside him. He’d never admit it, but to watch two of the most ruthless people he knew treat each other with such tenderness, and love each other so wholly made him wonder if he could have the same.

A vision of Joy — violent, brilliant, and beautiful — flashed through his mind before he dismissed it.

“Isn’t it so crazy how in love they still are after all this time?” April asked, watching their grandmother nuzzle into her husband’s neck as their son spoke of their love.

“Mhm. Crazy,” Jrue agreed before taking another swig of his whiskey. Ace looked over at Jrue with a raised brow and sighed seeing the already glassy look in his eyes. He wanted to say something but knew that festivities such as this one dug up demons for his brother that could only be numbed, not buried. April opened her mouth to comment but Ace shook his head, silencing her.

Don’t, his look said, and his sister left it alone.

Ace and Jrue made eye contact, a silent understanding passing between the two brothers who carried a secret. When Jrue looked away to take another swig, Ace made a mental note to check on his little brother later. Pulling his eyes away, he began scanning the room just in time to see Joy by the champagne tower speaking to one of their colleagues with one of her fake ass, polite smiles.