Chapter Three

Ace

Business and responsibilities.

That was all my life had revolved around ever since I took over the family business.

It was a huge task for someone who just turned twenty four, two years ago but now at twenty -five, heading to twenty- six, I was finally getting the hang of it.

Tonight, I was expected to be at this dumb awards show and even with everything on my watch I still had to make time to attend, I always did, especially when my father was involved.

The man was a moving charity machine and he expected me to follow suit.

Sponsoring a show doesn't demand your presence but Mr. Chanel Linton wasn't buying that.

I was the most influential man in New York, ranking the second in the world's top Billionaires. It was my father, ranking second before I kicked him out of the spot and took his place.

I had made sure to surpass my father in every way possible including business management skills, strategies and net worth.

People, both young and old regarded me with high respect.

A couple of a- lists celebrities evaded my personal space all willing to pay some sought of homage to me, but fuck it, I couldn't get the picture of the fiery minx I had encountered in the hallway out of my head.

Jasmine Parklane.

I had heard of her, heard her songs a few times but I don't count myself her fan.

It was my father, obsessed with her.

She stared at me like I was some sought of mystery to unravel, her stare a far cry from looks I was accustomed to getting from other women.

Even now, as I watched her from across the room, she radiated an overly confident smug temper that was a contrast to how she reacted when we first met in the hallway.

I don't know what it was about her, but as I watched her drink to stupor in a circle of male and female artists, like herself, I felt a sense of familiarity.

I didn't have time to dwell on that, as the man of the hour approached me.

“Mr. Linton…” He almost dropped to his knees as he shook my hand.

That's how much respect I am given…

“Mr. Jason…”  I took in the man, who ran this awards show.

He grinned, “We feel honored to have you grace this event.” 

“Hmm….” I plastered on a dry smirk.

“Jack..”

“Boss.”

Jason watched like a kid pinning for candy.

“Hand him the file.” I brought the tumbler of whiskey to my lips just as Jason took the file from my assistant.

His eyes shone like fucking stars and he grinned at me like I just gave him a ticket to heaven.

All I did was a huge donation.

“This is amazing Mr. Linton. We are truly grateful for your constant support and contribution to our management. May God bless you.”

I dismissed him after that.

More of my father's associates swarmed me and boredom fucking set in.

My eyes surveyed the venue and I found my annoying step brother glued to my father's side.

He was illegitimate anyways, but I fucking hated his guts and how my father galavanted around with him these days.

My phone rang out with a text notification.

I swiped it out of my pockets and read the text on the screen.

It was from one of my closest friends, Romano.

“You might wanna see this.” 

A single sentence that coursed anger through my veins.

My jaws clenched and I felt a muscle twitch as I glared at my screen.

The message was coded but clear to me.

It was about our prisoner. The prisoner who held my answers.

Romano was a friend of mine, we attended college together,same with my other friends, Raphael and Chase. We literally grew together and now we had this strong bond going on now for years and we ran this elite circle.

He ran a crime family here in New York, irrespective of that he was still my man. He had to take over after college, and since then I had employed him to do some dirty stuff for me.

Right now, he was currently holding captive one of the robbers who had broken into the Apex room of our grand store in search of the Blaine diamond.

The diamond was currently the most expensive piece in the entire world and it was our family's heritage, founded by my great grandfather. It cost a fucking lot and those losers thought they could take it away. 

I had decided to take matters into my own hands after four break ins. My father had been on my neck regarding the safety of the diamonds so I did away with the police, cause the only thing they ever did was bring more attention to the existence of the diamond. They never ever caught the thieves but all the new sources caught every tidbit of information about the diamond and now I had a pile of papers at my work desk from all the gossip Mills around the country, throwing talks about the diamond here and there.

It was like my business was the paparazzi's breakfast.

I got out of there, instructing my men not to follow me and sped down to the dingy warehouse where Romano was keeping him captive for me.

In the dark of the night, I recognized the old structure in the middle of nowhere and proceeded to it. I saw a couple of cars parked outside and I guessed he was still inside the building with a couple of his men.

I walked in and his men who were patrolling and guarding the area gave me acknowledging nods.

It was their sign of respect, they knew I was in Romano's circle.

Moving further in, I spotted Romano giving off instructions to one of his men.

He was dangerous. The most feared man in New York infact.

I strode towards him, “Show me” I let out in a low growl.  

Romano sucked in a breath as his eyes darkened.

“He has been in the cell where we've been holding him captive for days. He's a tough fucker Ace and has refused to drop a hint about his boss.”

He led me through the narrow corridor as he filled me in on details and I felt my muscle stiffening with anger threatening to consume me whole.

He opened a door on the left that led into one of the torture cells and pointed me in.

We shared a glance before I strode in and he followed me.

My eyes immediately caught the scene unfolding.

The thief had arms and legs bound with heavy metal chains, from the wall. He was standing, knee - bent and stretched from the wall as one of Romano's men subdued his  face into a tank of steaming hot water, for quite some time, before dragging his head back up after which he let out a torcherous scream, as his face visibly peeled from the pain. 

Just in, he was whipped with a rod by another of Romano's men which only made him groan louder.

They repeated the process again and the captive let out endless screams as they laughed at him.

The sight was indeed pure torture but I couldn't bring myself to feel shit for this man.

He was the only one we had caught out of his team, from the most recent attack and I plan on using him to get to his boss.

If anything, I reveled in his pain.

“We've tried many forms of torture on him but he just wouldn't budge” Romano's added behind me.

I shifted my glare to him, “Then keep trying…” I snarled in his face.

It's been a whole week and we've gotten nothing from him. That was fucked up.

But I had never been one to accept defeat…..

It's been a long time since I got my hands dirty anyways…

My eyes traveled to the set of weapons in a corner of the cell and I sauntered towards it. 

I sucked in a breath when I beheld the shiniest dangerous treasures before me.

I discarded my jacket and rolled up my sleeves, twisting my neck to loosen the kink.

I glanced at Romano, he was watching me with a malicious smirk because he knew what I was about to.

Only he brought out this monstrous side of me.

I ditched the blades and went for a bat hanging at a corner, and returned my glare to the captive.

I sauntered towards him, swinging the bat carelessly and his face paled when I came under the light.

“Ace….” He had a terrified expression on his face.

I traced the bat with my fingers, sucking in a harsh breath as I fixed my menacing gaze on him.

“Please…..” he cried.

I chuckled, “you like shiny stuff don't you?” He shook at the sound of my voice, and I inched closer.

“So here, I'll give you a deal, call your boss, tell him to come meet me man to man instead of sending his minions like a fucking coward, and then…” I inched closer to his bruised and battered face.

“I'll let you go..”

Suddenly, he let out a dark chuckle, and gave me a malicious look, “Are you afraid?” He sneered.

“My boss is this close..” I watched where his thumb and index finger struggled to meet, “to take that diamond away from you.”

“You douchebag, I almost got away with that shiny toy you know?” He spat.

“Well you didn't get away? Better luck next time or better still watch your ribs” 

“Huh?” 

Without warning, I swung the bat into his side breaking a rib in the process and I relished the sound of his pain.

I kept hitting the same spot over and over again, not caring that his blood was constantly splattering onto my face.

“Don't end him yet, we still need him.”

I snapped my head back to see Romano giving me a reasonable look. 

I wiped my face furiously.

He was right, if we really needed tabs on his boss, we needed him alive. I glanced back at the man, he was a weak and bruised mess, merely trying to keep his eyes open. I gritted my teeth, and swung the bat aside.

“Take care of him…” I spat venomously and Romano nodded to his men.

I stalked out of there before I lost my shit and went at it again.

I rinsed my face in a sink at the corner and just when I'd washed off his filthy blood from my skin, I felt Romano's presence behind me.

“Your father is here.”

I clenched my fist.

How did he find me here?

I walked out in a bloody shirt to the entrance of the warehouse where I found him standing there with..

You gotta be shitting me.

He was here with his overly righteous illegitimate spawn, mirroring my heated gaze with his.

“How did you find me here, and why are you here?” I was in no mood to entertain his presence.

He took a step closer.

My eyes traveled to his spawn by his side.

“Why is he here too?” I asked, referring to my step brother who was with him.

“You are still my son, and I believe it's my right to keep tabs on you especially after you left the event without proper word.”

“I don't owe anyone an explanation for leaving some event you clearly forced me into attending.”

He breathed out.

“Gael told me you were handling the attacker, your methods are ..” his eyes trailed my bloodied shirt in disapproval and he shook his head.

“I don't approve of the son you are becoming.”

“I also didn't approve of the father you became.”  I made sure to glance at his other son too. He equally frowned at me, and I felt like punching him square in the jaw.

His presence was a harsh reminder of my father's infidelity.

It had caused a rift between my father and I.

This was just how our relationship had been ever since I found out the existence of his other son.

He let out a defeated sigh.

I cocked my head, “ why are you here?”

“Have you made a choice on who to give the contract to?" He took a step toward.

He was talking about our biggest creation yet to come.

It was a one of a kind neckpiece that was custom made by me.

It will be my first design that was set to push out business to its highest point seeing how unique it was.

So since it was my own design, I took every intricate detail concerning its launch, personal.

Including chosing out who will be the first model of the neckpiece

I glanced between him and his very annoying other son, " I believe this is not the time and place to discuss that."

"You are wasting unnecessary time." He hissed. I believe he was more eager to showcase my design and turn up as a very proud parent on my behalf but I'm not willing to grant him that favour just yet.

“I'm the fucking head of the business now, I get to decide how to deal with matters concerning our job.”

“Don't talk to father in that manner.” I heard Armani say in a low in a  menacing tone.

I shifted my stony glare to him as he came in between us.

There was so much palpable tension between us as he mirrored my glare and I wished looks could kill.

Suddenly firm footsteps approached us and I turned my gaze to register a soldier of Romano's with a terrifoed look on his face.

“Boss, Mr. Linton.” I saw him hand Romano a bottle of what seemed to be..

“He consumed poison. He's dead” 

Shock embalmed my entire being as his words sank in.

He was gone. The thief was gone.

My only lead to the Mastermind stiring this entire robbery.

The soldier handed me a white sheet and I read the content. It was from an abstract source.

He said it was found lying around with the empty poison bottle. I hastily unraveled the content of the sheet.

Two words.

“Watch out.” 

From the man behind this all. 

Fury took over my head.

How did the poison get to our prisoner and how did his boss's warning get to me?

It could only mean one thing.

There was a fucking insider.

-----------------------------------------------------

I watched as Caleb's lifeless body was lowered into the fire pit by the soldiers and his entire body lit up in fucking flames.

It was just me, Romano and his soldiers performing his unruly last rite.

I lounged yet again another smoke into air, as I watched the process with narrowed eyes.

“We'll get to the root of this.” 

“ You better. Because I trusted you Romano. I gave your gang my fucking trust to deal with this shit and I have nothing anymore. That's effed up.”

I stormed out of there, and made my way straight to my car.

I slammed my car door shut, as I settled in and clutched my steering wheel as rage pumped through my veins. 

I needed a shower.

I turned on the ignition and a message popped up on my screen.

It was from a source I had been waiting for feedback from all day.

I had detectives all around the entire continents secretly searching for her…..

Their feedbacks were what I looked forward to each day.

I held my breath as I opened the text.

Disappointment settled in me as I read the message.

“No match found for the details you provide.”

I could feel my heart breaking all over again.

It's been Seven years without her…..

Seven years of regret and loneliness. 

I miss her so much.....

 

Every lead or hint I've ever had to finding her always lead to a dead end.

It was fucking exhausting, but I won't give up until I find her.

I got another text. This one was from my presumed  girlfriend.

Girlfriend.

That word still sounds absurd to me.

There wasn't supposed to be anyone but her.

But somehow Veronica happened.

A dazzling woman she is. 

Blonde. Blue eyes. Model figure.

Veronica.

The senator's daughter.

I met her at a party two years ago. She was friends with my friends, so gradually we warmed up too.

She was one of the few females I'd warmed up to.

Things were going completely fine and platonic between us, until we spent a night, drunk together at Romano's club. 

I fucked her and now I can't do away with her because I got her pregnant.

My cock ruined things and being a man that I am, I had to take responsibility.

Responsibility came with starting a relationship with her.

And now, we were this perfect celebrity couple in the eyes of the public.

It was what she wanted, so I gave it to her but between us we both know there's no love going on.I still consider her just a close friend.

I only loved one woman…..

I pulled up to her father's mansion, after I had branched at my house and cleaned up.

The man considers me his son- in - law now, after what happened between his daughter and I.

He invited me over for dinner tonight, like he has been doing lately..

I walked in through the foyer and the sound of merry laughter filled my ears.

As I moved further in, my eyes settled on the source of the laughter.

At his long dinner table, he sat with a couple of his business associates and close family members as they indulged in slight chatter over some tea.

Out of all, I only recognized two people besides him at the table. One of them was Zac, Veronica's uncle, who always moves with Senator Noah and the other man was my father.

I had totally forgotten they were friends and he too got invited to Senator Noah's dinner.

Senator Noah's eyes landed on me and he gave me an award winning grin. 

“Ah, there's my future son - in - law, come over dear.” He approached me.

“Your father said you would be late, so we decided to wait for you over some tea.”

"Join us Son.” I watched the table with disinterest, yet managed to pass a polite nod to everyone present at the table.

One of the women present , presumably Veronica's aunt winked at me..

“Where's Veronica?” I fixed my gaze on Senator Noah.

Her text said she was mad at me.

“She was here a while ago. Locked herself in her room when the servant announced your arrival.”

I almost rolled my eyes.

She definitely did it for my attention.

I made my way to her room and knocked.

“Who is it?”

“Your boyfriend.I breathed out and tucked my hands into the pockets of my slacks.

“I don't want to see you.”

“Why?”

“Oh you are asking me? You literally pushed me aside for two days. No calls, no messages. Just stupid gifts….”

I sighed. I really don't get why this woman expects so much from me. I thought girls just want sex, money and diamonds, so that's what I gave her.

“Open the door.”

“No, say you are sorry first.”

“Ver…”

“Say it…”

She makes me do shit I shouldn't be doing for any other woman….

“Fuck, I'm sorry now open this damn door.” 

She unlocked it.

And stared into my eyes.

Then she pulled me in for a hug, completely breathing me in.

“I missed you so much. Don't ever do that to me. I love you so much Ace. I think I might die if you don't talk to me…”

She loves me.

She had been saying that to me alot for the past few weeks.

I reached out and caressed her hair. “I won't.”

“Did you take your meds?”

“Uh huh.”

“And you are eating healthy? No smokes, no alcohol? No hard partying?”

“Yes. I promised you. I won't ever do anything to harm your baby Ace.”

“Good girl…..now come have dinner.”

“Promise me I'll have your attention all the time.”

“I promise you.” I breathed out, then she leaned in and kissed my cheek completely catching me off guard.

I led her downstairs, hand in hand.

Everyone's smile widened as he sighted us. One of the women even hushed the chatter at the table, causing us to be the center of attention.

“Ah ... .there is my favorite couple.”

It made Veronica clutch my arm more and I could see her blushing hard.

“So Ace…your father and I have been discussing, and we realized we do not want to gatekeep anymore.”

Then he dropped the bombshell that completely threw me off.

“The engagement will be next month, after that you two will officially get married.”

I stilled, just as Veronica almost exploded with excitement beside me and kissed my cheek hard, as everyone rejoiced.

I'm getting engaged to her.

I'm in love with another woman.

Fuck!