The Redemption of Ace Merrill

Fire.

Stella sat there looking down at Ace in silence.

"That's the deal he took?" She asked quietly as she looked up at Austin.

He nodded slowly. "It seems he was serious when he said he wanted to protect you ma'am."

She looked back down at Ace, still laying asleep in her arms.

"Why would dad give him that choice though?" Stella asked, once again looking up to Austin.

He could see she was confused, torn and upset all at once.

"From what I can figure out ma'am, it was either he take on the roll of your future head of security but not be allowed a relationship or let you go completely and stay here." Austin spoke.

Stella gently pulled herself free from under Ace as he stirred slightly but remained asleep on the bed.

"He just wanted to stay in my life..." Stella whispered quietly.

"That is the logical conclusion ma'am." Austin spoke calmly.

"What room am I staying in?" She turned away from Ace.

Austin used his arm to guide her out the room as she slowly walked away from Ace, not looking back.

*****

Stella woke up alone the next day. It still didn't feel right. Sitting up she looked around as she ran a hand through her hair.

Looking over she saw the candle she had lit the night before still burning in the window.

Her mind flashed back to her conversation with Austin the night before. Ace had chosen to give up a relationship with her to become her future head of security.

Feeling anger and pain she flung herself out of bed and went over to the window.

Looking down she saw all the cobras but Eyeball being guided away by her other agents. They all looked dead to the world but as her eyes fell on Ace, she reached down to pick up the candle.

He turned to say something to Charlie but got distracted as he saw her in the window.

Stella brought the candle up to her face as she blew it out, placing it back down and turning to go lay back in her bed.

*****

Seeing her blow out the candle hit Ace like a dump truck. She knew the deal he'd made with her father.

"You good?" Charlie asked him quietly as he saw it too and gently nudged Ace.

Ace nodded slowly. "Let's just fucking do this." He snapped as he turned back and continued walking.

"Hey where's Eyeball?" Jack asked as he looked around.

"And Salvatore?" Vince added as he realised neither had been seen since Salvatore dragged him away the night before.

The agents were all silent as they gave each other the same glance.

*****

"FUCKING FIGHT BACK!" Salvatore snapped as he punched Eyeball in the stomach again.

Eyeball dropped down to his knees as he clutched his stomach in pain. Salvatore ran a hand through his hair as he crouched down in front of him.

"I warned you kid. I'm not some sweet little karate teacher who will give you a fucking lollipop when you learn a move!" He snapped as he held Eyeball's head up to look at him.

"Quit." Salvatore snapped harshly.

Eyeball looked at him confused as he tried to gain breath back.

"You're not fucking built for this." Salvatore continued to snap in Eyeball's face. "Quit."

Eyeball shook his head as he used every ounce of strength and adrenaline in his body to swing his fist into Salvatore's face.

Yet Salvatore raised his hand, with reflex's faster than a cat and caught the fist.

Gripping Eyeball's fist he smirked slightly. "That's the fire you need."

*****

Austin snapped his instructions to each of the boys as they were being taught various punches and kicks.

The other agents standing by their assigned cobra as they attempted to correct their poses.

*****

"You know I haven't fucking slept in ages!" Eyeball snapped out as he heaved himself up off the floor.

"And you think I care?" Salvatore asked harshly as he walked around the cobra like a lion would circle it's prey before pouncing.

"When I was your age I'd already been serving 5 years, killed 50 plus people and once gone 72 hours without sleep." Salvatore scoffed out as he came face to face with Eyeball, hands behind his back.

"My only concern is the girl's safety so if this is the life you are wishing to follow then I suggest you start fighting back." He snarled out, getting his face centimetres away from Eyeball's.

Eyeball took a few deep breaths as he stared into Salvatore's eyes.

Before Salvatore could say anything else, he felt a fist going straight into his stomach as he stumbled back.

Eyeball winced out in pain but it didn't stop him from bringing his foot up and kicking Salvatore straight in the chest.

Salvatore stumbled back as Eyeball stood there trying to catch his breathe. He spat blood out from his mouth as he looked down and saw Salvatore smirking up at him.

"Again." He ordered as he stood up straight.

*****

"Standard issue handguns, you have the Sig Sauer P229 or the Glock." Austin snapped as he paced back and forth in front of the cobras.

They were all holding the guns of the agents and rolling them about in their hands.

"Automatics small enough to be concealed and light enough not to weigh you down if you have to give chase." Austin finished.

"Fully loaded with with 9mm hollow point rounds. Your best fucking friend in ensuring her safety." Austin continued to walk in front of them all.

"Always ensure your gun is fully raised before you take the shot. You want to see your target down the end of the scope before you pull the trigger."

"Men?" Austin asked.

Each agent appeared behind their designated cobra as they helped the boys stand in the right pose, with their arms up aiming the guns.

"You know all the tree of your target?" Austin asked as he moved aside. "Fire."

*****

Stella sighed as she picked up the Greek mythology book from her bed. She opened the first page and saw the list of tales laid out in the contents.

Her fingers brushed over the words 'Hero & Leander' before her face turned cold again.

Slamming the book shut she chucked it across the room. A knock came at her door.

"Is everything okay ma'am?"

Stella quickly brushed at her face so no tears came.

"Yes! Sorry that was me, I um, dropped my candle!" She shouted back.

"Of course ma'am." Came the voice of Wilder. "You have a guest."

Stella quickly took a deep breath as she walked over to the door, opening it she saw Jordan standing there.

"Can we talk?" He asked quietly.