Hers To Keep (Servite Academy #2)

Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

SCARLETT

“ Y ou didn’t have to just show up like that,” I snicker from the passenger seat of Ace’s car. His eyes remain focused on the road, not bothering to turn to me. “You had no right to barge in not only unannounced, but unwelcome.” I may have left with him to prevent further problems from arising, but it doesn’t mean I am not pissed at him for causing a scene.

“What the fuck was I supposed to do? I came to see you because I missed you. I get there and they tell me you’re out back with the fucker, and I was just supposed to sit back and wait or what, leave?” Jealousy is clear in his gravelly tone, and somehow the thought of him being jealous sends a shock of heat through me. What is wrong with me?

“Yes!” I shout, the seat belt cutting into my chest as I turn angrily toward him. “I didn’t need you to cause some jealous scene in front of my foster moms. I didn’t want them to know the shit storm my life has become since I left them. I didn’t want them to feel guilty.” My eyes burn with tears threatening to pour out, his eyes softening at my confession. He reaches a hand over to me, running it gently across my thigh.

“I’m sorry, okay, but I can’t think clearly when it comes to you. I’m impulsive, reckless, and when you’re not with me, I become desperate. I need to know you’re safe every fucking minute of the day. I need to know that he can’t get to you.” I can sense the anguish radiating off of him like raging waves of emotion threatening to drown me as he watches me with a kindness in his eyes I never thought I’d see in him.

I reach a hand up to cup his cheek, his face slightly tilting to fit perfectly in my palm. “That’s the thing, Ace, you’ll never be able to be sure.”

“That’s why I needed to talk to you. I talked to Bass, and he agreed to help me uncover what my Uncle Wesley’s hiding regarding you. He’s going to do some digging on his part. His father doesn’t seem to be too keen on Lilith’s role here, he might let something of importance slip, but we need to be patient.”

A deep chuckle escapes me as he pulls the car into the lot back at the beach house. “Patience is the last thing I have right now. I’ve been patient for too long. Do you know how it feels to live every day with the uncertainty of what’s going to happen? Of what he will threaten next, of who will be harmed next? Because I do, ever since I moved here, I’ve lived with that uncertainty. I don’t know who to trust, who to turn to. I’m keeping secrets from everyone. I don’t even know what’s real.” He reaches over to unbuckle me, pulling me into his lap, grabbing my hand and bringing it up to rest on his chest. Right above his beating heart.

“This is real,” he whispers, lowering his head, leaning his forehead against mine. “Never, not even for a single, fleeting moment, question the realness of what I feel for you. You are like nothing I’ve ever known, Scarlett. An angel amidst this hell, an innocent walking amongst devils, a queen this self-proclaimed king doesn’t deserve but is too selfish to ever let go. You are mine, and there is nothing you can do to change that. ”

I stiffen at his words, the gravity of their meaning bruising my heart, all the while filling me with a warm feeling I don’t quite know how to explain. I glance away, my gaze looking out the window, distracted by the sun setting on the horizon, darkness looming in the clouds. It’s been eerily gloomy this time of year, but I guess the further up north, the colder the California weather gets. No more sunny summer beach days. Now all we get is dark clouds filled with icy rain and pretty soon a coat of snow.

Ace pulls my chin to his, bringing me back to the moment at hand, a moment I’m not ready to give in to.

“Let’s just hope you’re right.”

Once we’re at the beach house, Ace heads upstairs to grab some blankets we can use to lie by the fireplace downstairs. I move toward the table beside the couch, plugging in my dead phone to charge, immediately an array of text messages come in as it turns back on.

I unlock it, opening up the three messages blinking on my screen, my heart dropping as I see who they’re from. Of course it’s him.

Unknown: I hear you’re not only following through with our little arrangement but thriving off your relationship with my nephew.

I roll my eyes opening up the next one.

Unknown: Not smart to ignore my messages angel, but I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume since you’re home with your foster moms you’re otherwise preoccupied, or the service down in the slums isn’t particularly good.

Ugh how kind of him.

Unknown: Answer me sweetheart or you will come to regret it.

I debate letting him wallow and wait but decide it’s not worth the wrath that will ensue if I continue to ignore him. Wesley’s proved over and over the extent of his hold on me and I’m in no mood to try and test it today. I quickly type up a response, before Ace comes back down to join me.

Me: What do you want from me now Servite?

He immediately replies, my heart beating rapidly afraid of what’s in store for me.

Unknown: Don’t take that tone with me little girl, you forget who it is you’re talking to.

Before I can reply another comes in right after.

Unknown: In a few days, my family will host a New Year’s Eve Party down by the private beach you are so fond of. It is crucial you be in attendance as I will require something from you. More instructions to follow.

Great, here we go again.

Unknown: Do you understand?

Ace appears at the top of the stairs, his gaze worrisome as he watches me standing by the window, phone in my hand, a surely terrified look upon my face. He raises a brow questioningly as I quickly type out a reply shutting my phone off and setting it back down on the table.

Me: Of course. Your wish is my command.

Let the charade continue.