… He’s dead…
Axe and I walk into the house, Jag is asleep in Axe’s arms, and I wished I would have come back when I found out, because spending this time with them together, it’s all I’ve ever wanted. We have just left my father’s house and even though the day was filled with nothing but family time, it was the best day I think I’ve had in years. We come to stand in front of the couch as Ash stares out. Caroline is at his side with a shocked look on her face as well. Glancing back at Ash, he just stares off until I hear Axe speak in a whisper, so he doesn’t wake up Jag.
“What’s going on?”
“Everything okay?” I ask Ash as he slowly looks up at us, swearing under his breath.
“Go put him down, we’ll all talk.” I can hear the hoarseness in his voice. Axe nods to me as he starts up the staircase on the opposite side of the room and I sit down, looking across the room at Ash as he continues to stare off.
I don’t remember him being this upset ever, even when he and Caroline split up. Well, that was an entirely unique thing. Right now, he just looks crushed.
“What’s going on?” I ask him as he looks up and shakes his head.
“Nah,” it’s barely a whisper. “Wait for Axe to get back. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to say it again.” I look up to Caroline as she just shrugs, telling me she doesn’t know what is going on either, but just watching him like this is breaking her heart.
Ash shakes his head as if to clear it as footsteps start on the stairs again and Axe comes over, sitting down in the chair next to me.
Ash clears his throat as he talks again. “Uh,” he exhales, “Remy showed up at Pistons today.”
“Just Remy?” Caroline asks before Ash looks over, nodding his head once again.
“Yeah,”
“Where’s Ace?”
“He’s dead.”
“What?” Axe and Caroline both shout at him as I just look up, looking right at Ash as he just nods his head. His eyes lock onto mine and I can see the pain underneath them. He may fight with all of them like they are literally brothers, but they are all a family here.
“Marc chased them for 2 years.” It’s still a whisper. We all just nod our heads, understanding that he’s saying Marc is the one who killed Ace.
“Who’s Marc?” I finally ask.
“He was the fed that was after Khan at first. Remy pissed them off and then he went after her.” Ash answers, and I slowly nod my head. “She also said he will be here soon.” He looks over to Caroline, who instantly shakes her head.
“No way am I going back up there, Ash. Especially not pregnant again.” He slowly nods his head and reaches over to clasp ahold of her hand, bringing his other hand up over her swelling belly. “I can’t, I won’t.”
“I’m hoping it doesn’t go that far.” He tells her as he exhales again, and I see water filling up his eyes.
“Well, I’m going to go to bed.” I tell them as I stand up and give Axe a look. Telling him that Ash needs a moment before I’m making my way to the basement. Ash practically raised me my entire life and I have never seen him that emotional. I couldn’t sit there and watch the tears come out.
“El,” I hear Axe whisper out as he pushes the crack open slightly wider. Looking up from my book as he walks across the room, still looking at me. His face is sadder than when I walked away from him in the living room and, just like Ash earlier, I can see the water forming in his eye. “I’m sorry.” It’s a whisper as he looks at me and his voice cracks just slightly.
“What are you sorry for?”
“When you came back. I was a dick. I’ve been a dick to you since.” I try not to laugh at what it is he’s saying.
“Rightfully so. You had just found and thought that I had kept a pretty significant secret from you.”
“Still, I shouldn’t have been like that.” He pauses, as he looks to sit on the bed, and I push myself further up.
“Axe,”
“No, Marcella, let me finish.” He glares at me, sitting in front of me. “Everything with Ace, it just kind of put things in perspective for me.” He swallows as he slightly bites his lip. “I understand why you stayed away. I understand why you didn’t want him here. I understand it all. If you still don’t want him here. Just tell me where you want to go, and we’ll go…” he trails.
“We’ll go?” I ask him, cocking my head and he nods.
“If you’ll let me come. I should have done it 4 years ago. I should have chased after you. I should have gone when Ash gave me your address. I am a fucking idiot.” He inhales quickly before he looks back up at me. “Back then, I thought everything needed to be perfect before…” he trails again as he looks at me.
