chapter 6. Mr Ace Hale

AELLA

I don't shy away from his mouth on mine, I close my eyes instead. Mama would be disappointed. I wonder what Eva would have to say about me wanting a man who kidnapped me to get to my father Mike.

Father? The word leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I can't unsee whatever just happened in that cabin, I just watched a man die in front of me, a man who didn't deserve the peace that comes with death. I curse under my breath, I hope he meets with Mama and they relive every bad memory they once shared for the rest of their lives.

I have never wanted anything for the past twenty years of my life, and even after gaining my freedom, I only wanted to do those things I knew Mama hated. But ever since I woke up on that strange bed and saw him watching me, I have needed him.

Every sensible human would be scared for their lives, every sensible girl would look for ways to escape. I am not that girl, I hope I never get free of him, I only started living the minute I saw him. He looks so young and if not for his constant frowning I could swear he had to be in his early twenties.

His striking face could be described as a masterpiece sculpted by a skilled artist. His chiselled jawline framed a perfectly symmetrical face adorned by high cheekbones that added a touch of aristocratic poise. His gaze held a mesmerizing intensity and those eyes... they seemed to see beyond the surface into the core of a person's soul.

His mouth is soft and gentle on mine, I inch closer to him, but he doesn't deepen the kiss. He is only touching my face, but I am on fire everywhere. I sighed in disappointment when the kiss ended almost immediately as it started.

"Look at me." I waste no time in obeying, my body and mind seem to be controlled by him. "Never do that again or I swear Aella, I would put you over my knees. it won't be to please you and trust me you won't enjoy it."

I turn red, do grown-up men beat the women they love? I sound like a delusional person; he would never love me. He is the first man I have ever kissed, but I have seen Eva kiss her boyfriend Fox in school, they don't peck each other on the lips.

"You will speak when you are spoken to Aella."

"I am sorry" my voice breaks, I sniff to avoid another crying episode. "I just got scared that you were bleeding."

"Me?" he asks confused. "Come here." We are already so close, that I can almost hear his heartbeat. when he keeps beckoning me forward with his hand, I shyly move to sit on his lap. I don't feel uncomfortable and only the scowl on his face stops me from kissing him again. I want to touch him so badly, I want to bury my face in his neck and keep breathing him in until I forget what I just saw at the cabin.

He smells so manly, a combination of musk and sandalwood. I inhale more often than necessary his smell completely intoxicating me. "Why were you scared Aella?" his breath fans my face and I can't help but notice the faint hint of mint on his breath, his straight white teeth cause tremors to ripple down my body. I feel scandalized that I am getting wetter by the second.

He is equally shocked that I care about him bleeding, welcome to the club bro. "You were shot because you tried to protect me."

"I also kidnapped you, took you away without your permission, I almost got you killed. How can you not be scared of the kind of man I am?"

"I don't know" We stare at each other for a long time, finding comfort in the silence.

"I am not a good man Angel. Mike always saw the good in me, do not be like your father." Ace's face loomed closer, the fire in his eyes dying down to a burning ember as he cupped my face in the palm of his hand. His lips touch mine again "You should run as far away from me as possible, but I won't let you."

"Why?" I am gasping for air; we are so close to each other. "Why does my father want you to protect me, why is he dead?"

He doesn't respond. "Are you okay?"

I know he is referring to my father's death, but I don't know how to respond to that, I don't know if I would ever be fine. I would forever be hunted by the distant look in his eyes and the endless blood gushing out of his head. I swallow when I see him watching me, patiently waiting for an answer.

"I am fine." I wince when I look at his blood-soaked shirt, how is he not in pain?

"You just saw your father get shot; I understand how traumatizing that can be. Don't ever lie to me."

I flare up, fuck him for thinking so, fuck him for assuming that I would ever shed a single tear for Mike. I push his chest; he doesn't bulk but keeps holding onto me. "I never knew that asshole, he was never there when I needed him the most,"

I remember those nights when Mama locked me up in the store, I was so cold and hungry, I prayed for him to come, and I was ready to forgive him if he did. "Fuck you for even thinking that I would ever be bothered by his death."

This man whose name I now know is Ace shocks me by staying silent. He never is. For a second, I start to sweat thinking he might make do with his threat and spank me. He is so well built and even if I tried, I would never be able to fight back.

"Don't ever swear again Aella, not at me, not at anyone." he sounds so calm.

"I am sorry," I say quickly, part of my apology is my fear of his anger.

"I would not try to justify Mike, but he was a good man, I want you to be comforted by the fact that he loved you, he always did. The world I was born into is cruel and unforgiving, you mess with the wrong people and they in turn take away everything that ever matters to you." he strokes my hair, tucking it behind my ear. "You were the one thing Mike genuinely cared for, you mattered to him. And thank you, Aella, for crying for me, no one ever did."

I close my eyes trying to absorb his words. Maybe one day when I don't feel so raw inside, I will ask him about Mike, and maybe I might learn to forgive him. My heart weeps for Ace, he sounded so hurt and sincere saying the last part, he is such a sweet man, I don't know how anyone could ever not love him.

"You are still bleeding," I say pointing at his gun wound, his white shirt is soaked with blood.

He doesn't reply, he pulls me closer to him until my head rests at the crook of his neck. "Sleep Aella" I obey, closing my eyes exhausted.

*************

I wake up alarmed, opening my eyes, I realise I am on a bed, I jump up startled and immediately calm my nerves when I realise, I am in his room, on his bed. it smells like him; I smell like him too. He must have carried me here, even with his bleeding arm I selfishly let him do that.

I look around the room but not in search of him, I know he isn't here. I don't like the fact that I woke up alone, I like him watching me, and as much as it scared me waking up yesterday and seeing him do that, I was also excited.

I stand up moving to the door, I need to make sure he is okay. I swallow my screams when I am faced with two hefty men. "Fuck!" Do these people make a living scaring the shit out of others?

I compose myself "Please, can you take me to Ace?"

The most handsome one responds. he looks like a movie star with his long hair and straight nose. "Mr Hale has instructed that you get a tour of the house only if it pleases you." Be still my heart, he also sounds like a movie star. Ace's surname must be Hale.

I repeat my question for emphasis. "Can you take me to Ace?"

"Would you like a tour then Miss Aella?"

They must be deaf "I would see Ace first please."

"Mr. Hale is not available at the moment." the second guy with shorter hair and a friendly face replied. what does he mean by he isn't available? he was shot, and he needs to rest.

"He must be at the hospital then; can you take me to him?"

"You don't have that in your schedule tonight" schedule! I laugh, a full belly one, I didn't even realise I had one.

They don't look at me, they continue to maintain a straight face even when I don't stop laughing for a long time. I wipe my tears and stare at them.

"Fine, can I get a tour?" I will take what I can have now, I am bored, and I am sure Ace will be home soon. "Is he fine?"

They nod their heads in unison. "I will lead you to the dining hall then."

"I am not hungry" The thought of food makes me want to puke. I was hardly ever hungry; I only ate because Mama would always threaten to lock me in the storeroom if I didn't.

"I am sorry Miss; you have to eat before the tour."

Okay, now I am pissed off, first, they told me I couldn't see Ace and now I have to eat. I have spent twenty years of my life bossed around by Mama; I refuse to let them decide for me. For some weird reason, the only person I would ever listen to is Ace.

"I said the tour first, I am not hungry." I am so done with the conversation. When they don't move, I go back to the room frustrated, slamming the door in annoyance.

I busy myself with showering. His toilet is like Mama's living room. the giant bath looks like a pool, and I imagine sitting there with him naked. I want to see all of him, I blush embarrassed, what is wrong with me, I have been acting like a horny teenager since I set my eyes on Ace.

I use the shower instead when I am done, I pick up his toothbrush and use it. I dance back into the room naked. I start singing Wrecking Ball by Cyrus, swaying my hips and clapping my hands. I do not stop dancing until I start to feel dizzy from all my jumping and shouting. I open his wardrobe, Well It is an understatement, it is like a room full of clothes. I pick up a white shirt and put it on. Compared to my smaller frame, Ace is a very muscular man, the shirt is big and stops on my knees. I start my hunt for his briefs, doing a tiny dance of victory when I find them.

I sit back on the bed frustrated and bored; I need my phone. Eva! She must be so worried. I have been so wrapped up in Ace Hale that I forgot all about my pathetic life. I almost make my way back outside, but I am too angry to speak rationally to those two men out there. I might start a crying episode if they refuse to give me my phone.