Page 87 of Until Ace

“What?” My head whips around to look at Jim.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” He gives me an oily smile. “Yes, you see, Ace Sterling is working the case against Gorskiy, and he had a witness stashed right here, in this very room. But I got to him before they had a chance to go to trial. Took care of that, even if it took a while and landed me in a world of hurt,” he ends on a mutter. “And then, you complicated things more.”

“I complicated things?” I ask incredulously.

“You should’ve just gone along with everything, Mandy. Like you always do, like a good girl. But when you wouldn’t, I trashed your apartment, sure you would end up at Mom and Dad’s. There, I could get to you. And I know Mom would have my back. I am her favorite, after all. But by then, Sterling had his hooks in you and marched you right into his place. There was no getting to you there. And I had to back off—orders from the top.”

“What the fuck do you mean?”

“Oh? You thought he was with you because he wants you?” he taunts me. “I mean, sure, he wanted to fuck you. You’re gorgeous. Why do you think I offered you up as collateral? But c’mon, Mandy. Let’s be real.” He scoffs. “Who would put up with you?”

Oh, God.

This can’t be true.

I know this is not true.

While the timing seems suspicious, I trust in Ace’s feelings for me, and I know there’s not a single shred of truth in Jim’s words.

He’s trying to get under my skin and get me to go along with his insane idea.

“You’re wrong,” I say, making sure he hears me.

Unfortunately, he’s so far gone he ignores even my presence in the room and continues to babble. “Not even Gorskiy could talk sense into him. He tried to reason with him, help him see things were too hot, and we needed to lay low for a while. But he wouldn’t listen. So, I had to back off. But watching you this past week, I saw my opening. I just had to make sure Sterling wouldn’t drop in. I knew morning was the best time. You always were a creature of habit, Mandy. You and your schedules. Cleaning, working, making sure your bills are paid on time, hanging out with those old broads three days a week. Pathetic.” Jim shakes his head at me like everything I hold dear is a huge waste, when in fact it’s my biggest source of pride. The fact that I managed to construct my life in such a way that I have good friends in it, friends who, when they got a whiff of me having difficulties in my life, roped in a man to help me. A man who became my everything.

But I don’t try to get Jim to see how beautiful my life truly is.

Something else caught my attention.

“Who are you talking about? Who wouldn’t let you come after me?” I tilt my head. “Jim, who are we waiting for?”

Just at that moment, the door cracks open, and the sunlight pours in, illuminating the dust particles dancing in the air. A man in a suit walks in, leaving the door open, and he turns to look at me. “You’re waiting for me.”

Chapter 21

Mandy

“What the fuck were you thinking?” The newcomer pushes Jim into the wall, his hand around my brother’s neck.

“I-I—” Jim gasps, his hands clawing at the wrist holding him, trying to get free.

“Shut the fuck up.” The man then turns and looks at me. “Mandy, I’m Garett Larkin, the district attorney. You just sit tight, and we’ll get you out as soon as possible.”

He delivers this tidbit like I’m not sitting handcuffed in a sleazy motel, but as if I came in for an interview of some kind.

“O-Okay,” I stammer, looking between Jim and Garett.

Garett looks me up and down, and mutters, “Good girl.” But then he continues, his words turning my blood to ice. “It’s a shame, really, the fact that we can’t use you now, that I have to dispose of both you and your brother. You would have been such a lovely addition to my stable.”

I look at Jim, my eyes widening. His are bulging, but I have no clue if it’s because of lack of air or fear. A bit of both, I guess.

His eyes dart to my feet and then to the door. In that second, I know everything I ever did for him was not in vain.

Because in that second, he shows me that under the filth and crap he piled himself under, still lies my goofy brother.

I feel my face get soft, my eyes filling with tears, and I whisper, “Jim.”

His eyes close, two tears running down his cheeks, and he mouths, “Go,” just as a fist connects with his jaw.