Till Death - Ace Merrill (BOOK 2)

Vanished

Oceane took 3 of the tablets before Skylar and Eyeball appeared in her room, gently shutting the door behind them.

She didn't say a word as she finished her drink before placing the glass down on the side and rolling over.

She kept her back facing them as she yanked at the blanket, trying to pull it out from underneath her.

It got stuck and she began yanking hard as she felt a hand over hers.

Looking up she saw Eyeball giving her a weak smile. She released the blanket as she allowed him to pick it up properly and lay it over her.

She watched Skylar walk over to the window and stand looking out as she reached out and tugged on Eyeball's arm.

Neither said a word as she watched Eyeball climb on top of the bed with her as she rolled over to face him, holding onto his arm closest to her she snuggled into his shoulder slightly as her eyes closed.

Skylar and Eyeball shared a nod as Oceane finally managed to get some sleep, still clinging to Eyeball's arm.

*****

"You slept at all?" Hugo asked Ace as he walked outside into the back yard and offered him a coffee.

Ace took it as he looked up at the sun slowly beginning to rise over Castle Rock. He shook his head.

"Couldn't sleep."

Hugo nodded. "Marco's just got off the phone with her dad."

Ace turned to him expectantly. "What did he say?"

Hugo sighed. "Wasn't exactly pleased, as you'd expect."

Ace nodded slowly.

"Offered to send extra back up. Practically the entirety of the US army at his disposal willing to come raid the town to get AJ back."

Ace scoffed. "Could do with that actually."

Hugo was silent. Ace turned to him blankly.

"You're fucking joking?" He mumbled out. "Tell me you're joking?"

"If we haven't got him back in 3 days then double soldiers than citizens will be marching into Castle Rock to search each house." Hugo spoke firmly.

Ace let out a breathe. "What the fuck do I do?"

Hugo offered him a sympathetic smile. "Your job."

Ace looked up at him blankly.

"Your job is to protect her and that means from everything. If anything happened to AJ, she'd be inconsolable. Protect her from that."

"How? You expect me to just give in and give this arsehole what they want?!" He almost snapped.

Hugo sighed slightly as he looked at Ace. "Do you remember what Austin told you all? It's your life or hers."

Ace was silent.

"Welcome to the team." Hugo mumbled as he took a sip from his coffee and reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper that had been delivered the night before.

Ace took it as Hugo walked back into the house. His eyes looked down at the words.

John Merrill. Midday. Irbys. Come alone or your son gets a bullet in his head.

Ace sighed slightly as he looked up at the sun rising.

Walking back into the kitchen he saw Seth, Charlie, Vince and Evans all look up at him. A sympathetic look on their face.

Ace ignored their looks as he grabbed a notepad, ripping a sheet of paper he grabbed a pen and quickly scribbled something down.

"You're not actually doing this are you?" Billy said as he walked in, seeing Ace.

Ace looked up at him as he folded the sheet in his hands.

"You can't go alone!" Billy snapped.

Ace shook his head. "You lot come then my fucking son dies."

"We can-" Charlie started but stopped receiving the Merrill glare from Ace.

"Even I don't like this." Seth spoke quietly.

"Well it ain't your fucking son." Ace snapped moving closer.

Seth instantly took a step closer to Ace as Evans reached out and held onto his arm. Seth shook him off as he moved toe to toe with Ace.

"You might be higher than all your fucking cobras," he snarled out. "but we're fucking top around here. And don't for a second think I wouldn't hesitate to cuff your arse if I thought your judgement was clouded." He threatened.

"So cuff me." Ace snapped back. "I'm still going and I'm still getting my fucking son back."

"Easy." Austin spoke as he came in and quickly moved himself in between the two men, using his hand to push Ace back, his loyalty always remained with his old squad.

"You always told us it was our lives or hers." Ace snapped at Austin. "Hell even fucking Salvatore told me the same thing, my life or hers."

The agents went silent at the mention of Salvatore.

"So I'm doing it." Ace finished as he moved to the table and grabbed Eyeball's gun laying there. "I'm getting my fucking son back."

"At least let us stay outside." Bruce offered as he came in.

"There's no way you're going without backup." Marco agreed.

Ace sighed slightly. "I can fucking-"

"No you can't." Seth snapped as he moved closer to Ace. "This ain't some fucking game."

"We go with you or you don't go at all." Evans snapped back as the agents somewhat surrounded the cobras.

"Fine." Ace submitted, deep down he knew he wouldn't stand a chance against them. "Give her this though." He offered them the folded piece of paper.

*****

"We're all out here if shit goes south." Hugo said as him and Ace walked down the street.

"I can't see anyone." Ace mumbled as he looked around.

"That's the point genius." Hugo mumbled. "Skylar and Eyeball are back at home with Oceane so she's fine too and right now there five guns aimed straight at that front door." He said as he gestured to the door across the street.

Ace looked over at the old bar. His old bar. He remembered all the nights he had spent there with the cobras and even with Oceane when they first found her.

Good memories and bad memories flashed through his mind as he gripped the gun tighter in his hand.

"You'll be fine." Hugo mumbled as he gently nudged Ace forward.

Ace gave him a small nod as he slowly began walking to the bar. Looking around the street he really did see no-one.

No agents.

No cobras.

No civilians.

It was like everyone had just vanished.

He turned and saw even Hugo had disappeared.

Looking back at the bar he gripped the gun tighter as he slowly walked closer.

Why was he nervous? This was his bar? His hometown? His job?

He reached the door and took another deep breath as his hand stretched out the handle.

Gripping it tight he made sure he had a firm hold on the gun before he slowly opened the door and walked in.