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“I’ve been trying to keep Ronin from retaliating against the Kings,” Ares said, eyes dark as he ran his gaze over Jace’s face. “If I had talked to you or even looked at you, he would have known.”
Known what? He wanted so desperately to ask that, but he didn’t. He was too scared of Ares’ answer.
He nodded and leaned back to close the door, but Ares’ hand shot out, catching the door, and keeping him from moving it.
He looked up into Ares’ eyes and found himself caught in those swirls of light and dark shades of blue. That hope he’d tried so hard to quash was getting bigger and brighter by the second as Ares reached out to brush his fingertips from his eyebrow down to the corner of his still-bruised eye. It didn’t hurt. Physically. Emotionally, though? Ares was wreaking havoc on his heart with just a small innocent touch.
When Ares’ fingers disappeared, he looked up and saw a fire in the man’s eyes. Ares removed his hand from the door and stepped back.
“I’ve got you,” Ares said before walking away.
He knew what Ares meant and yet, his heart tried so desperately to make him believe that Ares was talking about more than just keeping him safe, because Ares had him, alright. Falling for him was probably the worst thing he could’ve done, but it had also been the easiest.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Ares
MAKING A deal with the Kings was likely the dumbest thing he’d ever done. It was also their only way out. He would do whatever it took to save his brothers and Jace.
Ronin had made a complete shitshow out of things. First, he’d had a few of their brothers move their latest shipment to a house in Baltimore because Ronin was so desperate to try to take over the Salvation Kings’ territory. Not only had Ronin not told him, but when he’d gone to find out if the guys had taken the drugs for themselves, they’d been attacked by the Kings. In the meantime, Ronin had gotten the brilliant idea to kidnap Nash who was the Kings’ Road Captain’s ex-boyfriend. They were a bunch of fucking idiots.
He’d gotten Nash out of there just in time for them to get taken by the Kings. There was something about Nash. A vulnerability coupled with an intense fire. He reminded him of Jace. Of who he knew Jace could be without Ronin and the Henchmen. That fire in Jace that Ronin had spent so many years trying to put out. That was the reason he’d agreed to work with the Kings. He wanted Jace to have a shot at rekindling that fire. He wanted to see him free. Free to choose. Even if it scared him, because what if Jace wouldn’t choose him? He had no right to wish for Jace’s affection or love and yet, he couldn’t stop himself from wanting it all so desperately.
He knew who he was taking with him. Who he was telling. The ones he wasn’t sure about would have the choice to join them later. He didn’t know where Stone stood in this, so he didn’t tell him and tried to keep his distance in case he was firmly on Ronin’s side. It was hard to tell with the man. He’d gotten that road name for a reason.
Digger, on the other hand, he had no doubt about. Not with how many of Ronin’s orders he’d disobeyed. The only reason Digger was still alive unlike others who’d gone against Ronin, was because Ronin was scared shitless of him. Most were. The man had a distinct air of death surrounding him.
Diesel was with him. Always. He hadn’t hesitated to tell his best friend. Diesel had called him an idiot and then promptly asked when the hell they were getting out of there.
It was a long game. They couldn’t rush this. He had to be careful. If they got caught… he didn’t even want to think about it.
There was only one more person he needed to tell.
He walked through the back door of the clubhouse, looking behind him to make sure no one was following. He closed the door and headed for the tree where he wasn’t surprised to find Jace. He spent most of his time by that tree. Away from the others. Away from Ronin.
“I’m getting us out.”
Jace snapped his head up, confusion covering his face.
Ares walked closer and sat down next to Jace, back against the tree.
“I’m deflecting,” he said.
He wasn’t surprised by Jace’s gasp nor the fear spreading in his eyes.
“You can’t,” Jace whispered.
Ares reached out to take Jace’s hand in his and met his gaze.
“I’m taking everyone who wants to leave Ronin with me.”
“But…” Jace trailed off, shaking his head.
Ares squeezed Jace’s hand. “It won’t be for a while. I’m working with the Kings to stop Ronin, but I want to take everyone I can with me to a new club. I want you to come with me.”
Jace pulled his hand away and stood, Ares pushing off the ground, as well. Jace walked two steps away, then turned back around, shaking his head vehemently.
“No.”
