Ace: His Angel (Phoenix Riders MC 1)

18: Pinky Promises

Kaitlyn POV

Five minutes later, a plethora of motorcycles pulled into the parking lot. Not wanting to make a scene or cause the diner trouble, I headed outside and got in my car, waiting for the guys to drive before following. I am in trouble, and Kyle will want answers, but I need him to trust me.

Getting out of the car, a firm hand slammed the door behind me while the other boxed me in. Turning around, I came face-to-face with a pissed-off Ace.

"What the fuck were you thinking?!" he roared.

"Killer said to handle it, so I handled it. This is my fault, not yours. I'm trying to make sure that the club stays safe despite my fucked-up life! That's what I was thinking!" I yelled, pushing Ace out of frustration, but he didn't move. Ducking under his arms, I headed inside, ignoring the whispers and gasps.

Once inside Kyle's room, I closed his rood, wanting to be alone. I may be Kyle's sister, but that doesn't mean I can talk to Ace like that, especially when he is the enforcer. I knew better, and I will pay for it.

Kyle eventually found me and sat next to me in the bed. I didn't need a lecture on how I fucked up; I already knew. He said nothing and pulled me into him, holding onto me as if I would leave. How could he sit here, holding me like I'm twelve and got in trouble after everything I've done? But Kyle's my brother foremost, and that's all I needed to know.

"I'm sorry. I know I should've told you where I was going, but... I just..."

"I know. I get it. It's your fight, and you don't want us to get hurt," he said sincerely. "But I can't be your big brother if you keep hiding."

If only Ace could see it that way.

"I know what it's like to be on your own and fight alone. There were people in my corner who would fight for me if I asked, but I didn't want it. I thought it was me against the world, so I made it that way. Eventually, I pushed everyone who loved me away and ended up alone. When I was 16, the Riders took me in, and despite me fighting them at every corner, they stayed, showing me I wasn't alone anymore. It took me an entire year to open up and even longer to accept they are a family. My family. Who fight for each other and stay no matter what," Kyle whispered.

Tears threatened to fall, but I held them back. "That's all I want," I admitted. But I am hiding and fighting against them for their safety.

Kyle nodded. "I'm upset, but next time stop and tell me before you leave. I understand if you need to do something alone, but I would like to know where you are going. So, if you need me, or if something happens, I know where to find you," Kyle added.

"You found me though, eventually. I knew you would," I said, smirking.

"Not as quickly if you had told me."

Kyle is right... If I want them to be my family, I need to stop pushing and give a little. Maybe if I control what I tell them, then everything would be okay.

"Okay...next time I will tell you, but only if you promise you won't tell anyone else. I tell you and only you. I'm not used to a bunch of bikers coming to my rescue, and the attention is not my thing," I said nervously, looking at Kyle.

"Deal. You tell me, and I promise I'll come alone. Unless otherwise specified..."

Ace, he means Ace.

I nodded, and he held out his pinky finger. Is he serious? Kyle's stern face told me there was no ounce of joking as he waited for me to decide. This is a step in the right direction, even if it's a small one.

I took his pinky in mine. "I promise."

"Now," Kyle huffed, "Ace is not as understanding. His job is to protect the club and you. He'll come around. Just give him some time." Kyle leaned down, kissed my head, and left me alone to think.

Ace wanted to protect me, but I'm not the one who needs to be protected.

Eventually, the smell of food found my nose, and my stomach growled loudly at me. "I know, I know, I'll feed you," I whispered to my stomach and begrudgingly went downstairs.

*****

I had almost finished eating when Ace sat next to me, looking like he ran a marathon. Sweat ran off his bare chest, his face red, but his breathing was even-toned. I've never looked at a man and felt a desire to touch and be touched by them until now. However, when I met Ace's hazel eyes, my desire quickly disappeared. He looked hurt. I hurt him, and he doesn't deserve that.

"Ace I-"

"Don't apologize," he cut me off. "You did what you thought was right to keep us safe. I hope you understand we're family, and I'm not going anywhere, Angel." Ace stared at me worriedly, but got up, leaving me alone again.

I finished eating and found Kyle in his office, telling him I was heading back to the house. Kyle hesitated since we were on lockdown, but I reminded him I handled it, and he let me go.

Kyle called me the moment I stepped through the front door. Making sure I rearmed the house, even though he can see everything on the cameras. Sitting on the couch, I put on Netflix and spaced out. The call from earlier played over in my mind until all I could hear was his voice. After all these years, he still fucks with my head, consuming my thoughts, just as he did years ago.

Two hours later, my mind wandered down the dangerous rabbit hole I went down, and I needed to stop. Turning off the tv, I headed upstairs and hoped a cold shower would help turn my mind off and get me out of my headspace.

I turned on the shower, got in, still half-dressed, and sat on the floor, letting the ice-cold water hit my body. Closing my eyes, I pulled my knees into my chest, sitting until my body went numb from the cold.

After sufficiently freezing, I shut off the water, peeled my shirt off, left it in the shower, and grabbed a towel. I heard the front door open, and the alarm turned off and reset.

Great. Kyle is home, and I am half-naked and dripping wet. How do I explain this?

I dried myself off as best I could, still in soaking wet clothes, and found dry ones in my suitcase. Grabbing the clothes, I turned around to change in the bathroom but collided with someone.