Falling For Ace

Fifty-five

I V Y

"I made you guys my famous pancakes today!" Mrs Robertson exclaimed with a huge bright smile on her face. She served us breakfast and leaned against the wall as she waited for us to compliment her food like the six previous days.

It had been six days since we've been staying at the beach house, three days since I've last seen Ace. But I did, however, talk to him daily over the phone. He kept me informed about their plan and when they were planning to attack. My parents would also call me every now and then to ensure that I was safe. Isabelle would've come to stay with us but upon hearing that Kade was here too, she decided otherwise and I completely understood that.

"Awesome, like always, Mrs Robertson." Cole flashed her a million dollar smile.

"You're flattering me," she waved her hand, shaking her head with a smile tugging at her lips, "surely, it's not that good!"

"You say that everyday," Asher mumbled under his breath making Kade nudge his shoulder playfully, mouthing, 'be nice' which resulted in Asher rolling his eyes. But he was right though. Mrs Robertson knew her food was great yet she wanted to hear the compliment then act modest.

"What's the plan for to—" Cole was cut off by the sound of Kade's ringtone. He held a finger up, shushing Cole before he answered the call, "everything okay?" I took a bite of my pancake as I waited for him to speak again, "yeah, alright. I'll be there. See you later." Kade then disconnected the call, slipping his phone back in his pocket as he stood up and looked at us, "we gotta go. Pack your stuffs, we're outta here."

"Wait, does that mean..." Asher trailed off looking expectantly at Kade who nodded, his lips pursed in a thin line, "yeah, Mateo's been captured, the bounty was drop, Ivy's safe."

I couldn't help the smile that broke onto my face at his words. I was safe, finally and all thanks to Ace. Mateo had been captured, Ace avenged his parents. He should be proud.

**

Entering the familiar mansion, I was met with the standing figure of Ace who had a black shirt, like always, and his leather jacket, sleeves rolled up, on. Kade, Asher and Cole walked towards him. The four exchanged a few words before the three brothers walked away, leaving Ace and I alone. My suitcase and stuffs had been taken to my house.

I stared at his face. He had almost not visible bags under his eyes and his skin was slightly pale. His hair was dishevelled, he looked tired even though he assured me that he was doing fine everyday over the phone. I couldn't help but to think that he had been lying yet I didn't press the matter but seeing him looking like that right then made me feel bad and a little bit guilty, even.

"Have you been sleeping?" I questioned, walking towards him. He made no movements at all as he waited for me to come close to him.

Ace nodded his head, pursing his lips in a thin line, "I have."

"You look like a zombie," I pointed out and his lips twitched up a little, "do I, now? I was expecting a 'thank you for saving my life' or a 'I'm glad you're back and safe', you know?"

I chuckled, wrapping my arms around his torso as I embraced him tightly. He wasted no second in hugging me back, pulling me even close, his arms wrapped tighter on me than mine were around his. He rested his chin on the top of my head, "fuck, I missed you."

"It's been only six days, not months or years," I mumbled, placing a small kiss in the crook of his neck as I felt his grip tighten around my waist.

"Felt like years to me."

"Are you hurt anywhere?" I raised my head to analyze his face up close. He shook his head, amusement swirling in his eyes, "what, you thought he could hurt me? It was actually easy to capture him. He's so fucking dumb."

"Was anybody hurt during the mission or whatever you call it?"

"No, Ivy," he brought his hand to my face and pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear, "nobody was hurt except Mateo and his men. They should've known better than to mess with us."

"Where's he?" I asked, "where's Mateo?"

He was silent for a few seconds, his lips pursed as he contemplated on what answer to give me. Was he dead? Was he in the basement, perhaps? Or maybe he was being tortured? But knowing Ace, he wouldn't kill him that easily and quickly after everything he's done.

"He's not dead," he responded after a while, "he's being tortured in the basement of the main mansion as we are speaking. Why, you want to see him?"

I quickly shook my head at that, "no, I don't wish to see his ugly face ever again."

"His face's probably unrecognizable by now," Ace chuckled, "let's go to my room. I'll take a bath which of course, you're free to join, I don't mind," he shot me a smirk making me roll my eyes as he continued to speak, "then we could hang out all day unless you prefer to fuck all day which again, I don't mind."