My Defendant

Broken Free

I shiver from the cold, Chicago wind, as I walk up to the steps of the police station, I wonder if this is a good idea but I refrain from turning around because as awful Ace Bennet is to every other employee in the company and me, he did defend me when my ex-boyfriend's drunk ass would have beaten me. Devin was never violent but he could be excessively angry in situations and I knew one day someone would push him far enough that things would get ugly, I just never thought it would be me. I inhale deeply and walk into the station. Of course, after Ace assaulted Devin he got arrested and was already intoxicated and couldn't drive himself. I could have left him there for him to figure out a way to get back home but I did feel like I owed him for what he did. I stepped up to the desk, where a nice young lady sat and told her I'm there to pick up Ace. Five minutes pass and I briefly worry that Ace just refused my offer, but as I turn my head I see him walk out with a confused expression until he sees me and relief crosses his eyes and his shoulders deflate. He steps up to me and a small smile graces his lips. He looks down at me with an unreadable expression. He licks his lips.

"Lana," he says.

"Ace," I say back.

"You didn't have to pick me up, I'm per-perfectly capable of driving myself" he slurs.

"I doubt that Mr. Bennet, you are quite drunk," I say with a grin. Never thought I'd see the day when my boss was this drunk and not yelling at me to go fetch his paperwork. He brings his hands up and I nearly flinch but stop myself. He grazes his hand over my cheek looking at me attentively with an unreadable expression.

"He hurt you" he whispers and although I'm shocked he cares, I grab his hand and remove it from my cheek.

"I'm fine," I say dismissively but I know that a mark has already formed from how hard Devin slapped me. His grip tightens on the hand I'm still holding.

"It's not f-fine, he's a sick, twisted man, who loves hitting women and didn't deserve you. I should've killed him," he says as his gaze darkens and he sways a bit. I hesitate before putting my hand on his chest.

"No, Ace, I'm fine okay. Thank you for stepping up for me" I say, smiling to try and dissipate his anger. He looks down at the hand I've placed on his chest and I remove it quickly. "I'm going to drive you home okay?" I tell him and he nods. When we got into my car,. I look over at him, but he's already looking at me and I wished he wasn't so attractive. His perfectly shaped jaw, his messy but nicely trimmed black hair, his tattoo-covered fingers and neck. They disappear into his gray suit, leaving every woman curious and lusting after him. I can see the way his big muscles move under his clothes and I quickly look away and ignore the spark of pleasure low in my stomach. He grunts and I blush furiously knowing I got caught gawking at him. I clear my throat.

"Um... Where do you live" I ask, hoping even in his drunken state he still remembers his address. I look back at him and notice he's looking at the ceiling of my car, thinking very hard, as his eyebrows scrunch up and the scowl returns and I just know this will be a long night because he doesn't remember where he lives. I laugh under my breath and he quickly turns to look at me.

"Why are you laughing?" he questions and I just chuckle some more. He frowns and pouts and it's now that I realize how soft and adorable he can be. Besides his tough exterior, he's genuinely nice and sweet, well when he wants to be.

"It's nothing," I say with a small smile. "Ace, where do you live?" I ask again. He grunts again and whispers a small "I don't know" and looks out of the window. I exhale the breath I didn't know I was holding and start driving home.