Till Death - Ace Merrill (BOOK 2)

I didn't play nice.

Their dinner was slightly awkward to say the least. Ace barely spoke a word to Jason but happily spoke to Connie when she asked him anything.

"So Jason, what is it you do?" Oceane asked as she tried to break the ice.

"Oh I'm a mechanic." He answered happily to her.

"Why'd you move here?" Ace fired his question out at him.

Jason felt like he was being interrogated by the police. Then he remembered Ace's job and it made sense.

He shrugged slightly. "Guess I just wanted a fresh start."

"From what?"

"Ace!" Oceane snapped at him.

Ace fell silent but kept his glare on Jason, who shook his head.

"No it's okay, I know he's meant to protect you." Jason forced a smile.

"I'm protecting Connie too." Ace snapped out, refusing to break his eye contact on Jason.

Connie turned to him blankly. In her entire time of knowing Ace Merrill, he had never wanted to protect her or show her any sign he even had a heart.

"Didn't realise she was under protection too?" Jason forced a nervous laugh.

"She dated one of my brothers and she's my future wife's best fucking friend." He snapped back.

Oceane reached out and smacked his arm but Jason just shook his head.

"It's okay, I know you're only doing your job."

Connie just continued to stare at Ace blankly. It hadn't sunk in yet.

"I just hope we can be friends." Jason offered up to Ace. "I really do like Connie."

"So does Billy." Ace snapped back.

Connie's mouth dropped as Oceane stood up quickly.

"Okay let's go Merrill." She snapped down at him.

Ace slowly rose to his feet as he walked out the room. Oceane looked back to Jason and Connie as they both stood up.

"I'm so sorry-"

"It's okay, don't worry about it." Jason interrupted, holding his hands up and shaking his head.

"I'm sure he'll come around." Oceane offered up as she looked to Connie.

"Sorry?"

Connie shook it off. "It's Ace Merrill. I know what I'm getting."

Oceane gave her a sympathetic smile. "Try being engaged to the git."

Connie laughed and shook her head as she walked around to give Oceane a hug.

"Yeah, you can keep him."

"Stell!" Ace's stern voice came from the hall.

"Honestly sometimes I swear he forgets I'm actually his boss." Oceane mumbled as she pulled away from Connie and looked up at Jason.

"It was nice meeting you."

He gave her a soft smile. "Yeah, you too ma'am."

Oceane gave him a confused look.

"Oh sorry, I just kinda know you get addressed like that. Your dad's-"

Oceane quickly shook it off. "Sorry you just threw me there." She laughed. "Call me Oceane."

He gave her a smile and nod as she quickly walked out into the hall. The front door was open as she went straight outside to see Ace standing by her open car door.