ACE:Las Vegas Bad Boys(61)
I’ve spent three days straight in a sex-bubble fifty stories high, and now that I’m back on the ground floor I’m reminded how far Ace and I have come in a few days.
That boy has stolen my freaking heart. Something I would have sworn was impossible … yet he found a way in.
“Look who’s alive,” Tess says, smirking as I lean in to give her and Claire hugs.
“And look who’s decked out in more new clothes.” Claire looks me up and down, her eyes considering me.
“What? I came to his place from the hospital and haven’t been home since.” I don’t want to get all-defensive—but God, Claire, what gives?
“That’s cool—just, I remember you saying you wanted to keep your head straight and the next thing I know you’re MIA for half a week.”
“Gosh. Claire. Be nice,” Tess says, elbowing her. Then, leaning toward me, she adds, “Claire’s just jealous because her bowling-boyfriend dumped her.”
“Oh, really? What happened?” I ask.
“You would know if you answered your phone.” Claire shrugs, then sighs. “Sorry, I’m being a bitch. But, yeah, I’m a little jealous of this whole Cinderella story. Oh, before I forget, some girl was here earlier looking for you.” She snaps her fingers. “Crap. I can’t remember her name.”
“She work here?”
“No, I’d never seen her before. But she was pretty, and asked for you.”
“Huh. I don’t really know anyone in Vegas not connected to the hotel. And guys, I’m sorry for disappearing. I just—” I look away, feeling tears prick the corner of my eyes, and I brush them aside. “I just really like Ace. Like, really like him.”
“Oh, Emmy.” Tess pulls me into another hug. “It really is a Cinderella story. You fell in love with the owner of the hotel. He swept you off your feet. That is so romantic.”
I smile, shaking my head. “I know, it’s crazy. But I need to get to the hospital and check on Janie. The doctor has left some messages, but apparently she’s still in recovery and hasn’t spoken or anything.”
“I’m just glad you had a chance to rest,” Claire says. “And sorry for being so jealous. I’m a brat.”
“I get it. I want you both to find happiness, too. We’re all working our asses off and deserve a break.”
“And you trust him? The stuff with him being called Bullet and knowing your sister? You trust him about all that?” Claire asks.
“It’s like this: Grotto is in for questioning, and for all I know he’s behind bars. He’s super shady. If Ace had anything to do with my sister, he would have told me by now.”
“I’m glad you’re able to put that behind you. And maybe you can sue the shit out of Grotto?” Claire adds.
Tess twists her lips, thinking. “You sure you’re okay with your man running the whole escort thing out of his hotel? I mean, that’s why he knew your sister, right?”
“I don’t know how I feel about that, Tess. But maybe when Janie starts talking, she can explain it.”
“I hope she starts talking soon,” Tess says, patting my elbow.
I adjust the tote bag on my shoulder, and take a deep breath.
“Me too.”
I’m in line for a taxi outside the hotel, when my phone rings. I don’t recognize the number, but answer anyway, hoping it’s the hospital.
“Emmy? This is Denise. Ace is sending a car for you, have you left yet?”
“I’m outside the hotel, in line for one now.”
“Sweetie, you don’t need to wait for a car. Ace owns this place.”
“I know. I just—”
“Listen, a car will be there in a minute. Just hold tight.”
I hang up, thinking that was strange. I literally just told Ace that I didn’t want special treatment, and that if this was going to work between us I wanted my life to go on normally. That if things became too much too fast, I would run.
A long, sleek black car pulls up and the front passenger window rolls down.
“Emmy?” an older man asks.
“Yep. This the car Ace sent?” I ask, a little surprised at the pretentious vehicle. I really would have been fine in a yellow cab.
He nods his head and gets out of the car. He opens the back passenger door for me, and I slide in.
“Thank you,” I tell him, as the door closes behind me. Hard.
I slide into my seat, and instantly freeze.
Grotto is sitting opposite me in the limousine.
Fuck, I need out of here. Now.
I grab the door handle, but the locks won’t budge. The driver has already pulled away from the hotel, and there’s a divider blocking him from me anyways.