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“Ace, I suggest you sit down, son. You’re ruining Remi’s birthday meal.”
I shoot James a pleading glance. He’s making it worse. I know he probably didn’t mean to rub his wealth in his nephews’ faces, but that’s exactly what he’s done, and now he’s driving a wedge between me and Ace so deep I feel like I might fall in and never find my way out.
“Ace, please...” I say, tugging his hand. But his eyes are fixed on James, burning with so much contempt, I feel a tingle of fear. I know Ace hates his uncle. I know there’s more going on here than I understand, but I barely recognize the guy standing beside me right now.
“Ace, look at me.” I stand up, facing him. His chest is heaving and his eyes are so dark and empty. A violent shiver runs through me.
“Come on, let’s eat and try to make the most of it. Please.”
“This was a mistake,” he grits out. “I should never have come.”
Hurt swells inside me. “Hey, look at me.” I touch my palm to his face. He’s staring right past me. “Ace, please,” I beg.
“Excuse me,” the manager appears, “is there a problem?”
“Yeah, there is,” Ace’s tone is ice cold, “but don’t worry, the trash will see itself out.” He rips his hand away from mine and stalks toward the entrance. I’m about to take off after him, but James leaps from his seat.
“Stay,” he says, rubbing his jaw. “I’ll go and speak to him. I perhaps didn’t handle that very well.”
Tears prick the corners of my eyes as I nod. To my surprise, Conner and Cole don’t go after their brother. Mom is whispering something to Cole, and Conner is shaking his head as if he can’t quite believe what just happened.
“He got you a fucking car,” he sneers.
“I didn’t ask for it,” I choke out, rubbing my throat. My eyes flick to the door Ace just stalked out of. People are no longer staring, instead casting furtive glances at our table while they chat and eat their meals. “I told you this was a bad idea.”
Mom’s face pales. “I didn’t know he was going to give you the check, not here. I swear.”
So why did he do it?
It makes no sense.
James isn’t malicious. Sure, he might get it wrong sometimes, especially where Ace and his brothers are concerned. But he cares. If he didn’t, he would never have taken them in.
I glance to Conner, ready to ask him if he thinks I should go check on his uncle and Ace, but he beats me to it.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“You saw what happened just now.” He lowers his voice. “That’s the Ace we know. The guy with the short fuse and qu
ick temper. I love my brother more than anything, but he’s messed up, Remi. More than you’ll ever know.”
“I’m going to check on—“ I’m halfway out of my seat when James returns.
“Ace won’t be coming back.”
“What did he say?” I swallow the pain burning my throat. “Maybe I should go after him?”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, he needs some space to cool off.”
I look at Conner and Cole, hoping they’ll back me up. Cole’s eyes are narrowed, and I know he isn’t happy with what went down, but indecision flickers in his gaze. Conner looks resigned. His brows are drawn tight, and his eyes hold a sadness that squeezes my heart.
“He’s his own worst enemy, Remi,” he says. “All he had to do was play nice.”
I’m out of my seat before I can stop myself. “I’m going to see if I can talk to him.” Without looking back, I hurry out of the restaurant.
But when I get outside, there’s no sign of Ace.
