Her Five Brothers

Chapter 19 - Ace

Ace: TW

The moment I saw Aspen, i was in shock. The Bianchi Princess, finally safe at home after many years. Something was different though, she was different. Not in a bad way, but the look behind her eyes told me everything i needed to know. This girl is strong, stronger than she may ever know.

Her and Elijah walk back into the living room, red eyes and slight tear tracks along their cheeks. I clench my fist in anger. Who made her cry? She doesn't deserve to feel sad or anything else but happy and safe and loved.

I watch as Aspen retakes her position in between Axel and Cameron. She curls into Axel's side and his gaze scans her face before whispering her ear. She mutters something back and he frowns in confusion before nodding and holding her tighter.

Elijah takes his place beside Alexander, doing the same secretive whisper only Alexander's face hardens and his eyes flash in anger. They quickly excuse themselves and Elijah sends Aspen a reassuring nod.

Curiosity fills me but i realise that it's not my place. I already know Aspen had a dark past, that's clear from her movements. The way she scans every room twice before entering, her scared face in large crowds, the way she attempts to make her small body look smaller.

I look back up to Aspen, tuning out the conversation of everyone, but she's already looking at me. Her gorgeous green eyes go wide, never breaking contact with mine and i smile. Not smirk, smile. A smile i will only reserve for her. She smiles back nervously, her cheeks blushing a shade of pink.

She's beautiful, inside and out. It's undeniably. But Lorenzo has already made it clear. I wasn't to interact with his sister romantically in any way whatsoever. Yes, i've hurt girls in past but i've always made it clear to them what i wanted. I never led anyone on or made it unclear for them. If they were okay with it, great. If not, then we wouldn't interact again.

But Aspen's different. I don't want her for her body, or her beauty. I want to get to know her. I want to know every little detail about her personality. I want her to know me and I know her.

"Hey, how about a game of monopoly?" Suggests Asher, sending a knowing wink to Quinn. They are masters at monopoly because they cheat.

"No! You always cheat." Moans Lorenzo, flopping dramatically onto the couch.

Aspen laughs at him. "I'd like to play."

"The lady has spoken." Asher grins, standing up and grabbing Aspen easily, spinning her around and she giggles, clinging onto his neck.

He puts her down and she stumbles a little, looking a little dizzy and i rush to her side.

"Relax Ace, i'm just a little fuzzy." She laughs and I laugh too.

Asher leaves to get the board game and we all split into teams. Axel and Cameron, Asher and Quinn then Lorenzo and I.

"Alright bubs, who do you want to team with?" Lorenzo asks, pointing to himself.

"Definitely not with cheaters." She sticks her tongue out at Asher and Quinn.

"We are not cheaters!" Quinn exclaims. "We are just smarter than everyone else."
We all laugh because it's true.

"Well, what about me Princess?" Axel offers cockily, offering his hand out to her.

"No, you smell. I'm going with Lorenzo and Ace." She laughs at Axel's shocked face before sitting in between Lorenzo and I.

"Good choice." I tell her, winking.

Lorenzo sends me a threatening look over her head and i raise my hands in surrender. I'm not trying to die today. Or any day. Especially not from Lorenzo. If anything, i want to die doing something cool. James Bond gone wrong type of thing. Bunch of explosives and guns, cool music as i'm burned to death, remembered as the fittest man alive.

Anyway.

"Your roll, dipshit" Axel throws the dice to me, hitting me spark on the nose. I groan out in pain. That girl has one fucking good hit on her, exactly like her brothers at that age. Well, apart from Alexander, he hit like a professional by the age of 9. There's stories that roam the mafia of his extreme strength and accuracy. You do not want to get on the wrong side of him.

"Thanks." I say, pursing my lips together.

Lorenzo jokes out a laugh. "Good shot."

"Don't take his side, Enzo." Aspen protests loudly. "He's throwing me off my game."

"And damaging my already damaged face. My poor beautiful face." I add in.

Aspen's eyes light up and her laugh covers the room. "And of course causing more damage to poor Acey's face." She playfully pouts in my direction and laugh escapes my throat.

"Hey! You are the one that gave him that damage in the first place." Axel grins, picking up his rouge shoe from the floor and lobbing it towards my face.

Luckily, i am able to duck out of the way just in time and Lorenzo takes the shoe in the arm at full force.

"BROTHER! OH, MY DEAREST BROTHER! HOW COULD YOU!" He flips himself onto the floor, dramatically rolling and grasping at his red arm, reminding me of why he is my best friend.

"Stop being a dramatic ass." Asher exclaims. "I've been hit with everything ranging from pickles to a tv. I'm sure you can bear a shoe."

"A shoe?" Quinton questions, looking up from his place where he's counting his and Asher's money.

"Are you surprised?" He replies.

"I'm not." Cameron adds. "When we were nine, i had a full melon smashed into my head in the supermarket. It wasn't my fault that they were out of stock on raspberry yogurts but, somehow, i got the blame."

"Yeah- well, i mean- you." Axel stumbles over his words as we all laugh at him. He hides himself under a pillow, cheeks flaming red.

All laughter joys out when Alexander and Elijah both walk back in, backs straight and as serious as ever. Their faces are pulled in grim expressions and i can only dare to imagine what has gone off.

"Cameron, Quinton, Ace, would you watch over Aspen for a little while. We have something important to discuss with the boys." Alexander says solemnly, directing his gaze to Aspen who nods understandingly.

"Of course." Quinn agrees.