"I'm not coming back to New York with you." Ace says, his eyes focused on the road.

My head snaps in his direction, "Why's that then?" I furrow my eyebrows, confused about the sudden change of plans.

He moves his attention away from the road, making direct eye contact with me, "I have shit to take care of." He says, directing his gaze back to the road.

One of his hands were on the steering wheel, the other was gripping on to the gear stick. The wind ruffled our hair from the ajar windows and the moonlight reflected on our faces.

"When will you be back?" I ask him, looking out the window.

"In a couple of days." He says, "Don't miss me too much." He smirks, glancing over at me.

"I can assure you that I won't miss you." I scoff, rolling my eyes.

"Ouch." He fakes his pained expression.

"Did I hurt your feelings Ace?" I exaggeratedly pout at him.

"Say you'll miss me and I'll feel better." He smirks.

"I'll miss you so much." I say sarcastically, feeling my lips curve upwards.

"Yeah you will, malyshka." He says with a cocky smile resting on his lips.

"Are you sure you won't miss me?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"There's nothing to miss." He playfully rolls his eyes, shooting me a grin.

I smack the back of his head lightly, smiling a little, "Kiss my ass." I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Sure if you're into that." He says, moving hand off the gear stick to squeeze my thigh.

"Shut up." I push his shoulder, smiling slightly.

The corner of his lips rise a little as he uses his thumb to rub circles on my thigh. My eyes drop down to the action, finding it oddly comforting. Even the smallest things he does is comforting to me.

I find myself reaching over to his hand, lightly brushing my fingers against his veins and rings. His eyes drift down to our hands briefly yet he doesn't say anything nor does he move away.

He flips his palm the other way round so I slide my hands in his. His hands are cold yet soft. He intertwines our fingers together and rubs circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. For the rest of the drive our intertwined hands rest on my lap with a comfortable silence settling around us.

xXx

Ace has been busy all day with meetings so I haven't seen him since yesterday. His flight leaves in a couple of hours which means I won't see him for a few days.

That's like heaven.

"We found Ivan in Vegas." Alea says, sitting down beside me on the couch.

"Try keep him there." I say, going through some of the shipment paperwork in my hand. I have to sign this shit before I leave and I'm only half way through.

"Will do. He also sent us a usb drive which you might wanna go over with Ace." She says, placing a usb stick beside me.

"I haven't seen that fucker all day. Send him a copy or some shit." I mutter, signing my signature on to the pieces of paper in front of me.

"There are no copies, dumbass." She scoffs, getting up from her seat.

"Then make o-"

The front door suddenly slams open and heavy footsteps echo outside my office door. I look at Alea with furrowed eyebrows but she just shrugs her shoulders in response, looking just as confused as I am. I get up from my chair and walk over to my door.

"Ace, don't do anything irrational. You know how much of a cunt Trey can be. He's just trying to get to you." Theo's voice spoke out from the end of the hall where Ace's room is.

"He wants to play fucking games then I will too. Tell that damn pilot to get my jet ready." Ace demands, his voice dripping with anger.

"Ace-" Theo tries to speak but was cut off by Ace.

"An order is an order. Get it done." He says sternly.

Theo sighs, "Yes, Don." He says, turning around and walking towards our direction.

His eyes widen slightly seeing me and Alea standing outside of my office, eavesdropping in on their conversation.

"What's going on?" I ask him, keeping my tone quiet.

"Trey." Was all he said before walking down the steps.

"Well no shit." I mutter under my breath, walking over to Ace's room only to be stopped my Alea.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" She whispers, furrowing her eyebrows.

"It's just Ace." I shrug, stepping around her as she sighs, walking towards the steps.

His room door was open so I quietly walk in. Ace was standing at the foot of his bed, aggressively shoving things into his duffel bag. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his tanned, lightly veined forearms. A heavy watch glinted on his wrist.

I cross my arms over my chest and lean my upper body against the doorframe, "Ace?"

"What?" He grits out angrily, not sparing me a glance as he zips up his bag.

I roll my eyes, sighing heavily, "What's up with you?"

"Nothing." He grumbles, stressfully running a hand through his hair.

"Look at me," I order him, leaning off the wall. He lets out a harsh breath as his hardened eyes meet mine, staring at me intensely, "What happened?"

He rolls his eyes, picking up his duffel bag and jacket before walking towards me, "I don't have time for this, River." He sighs, moving past me.

I place my hand on his chest, stopping him, "You don't want to tell me? That's fine. Take a breather for a second. You look you've escaped from a mental asylum and that isn't a good look." 

"Your insults aren't helping." He grumbles, looking down at me with slightly softened eyes.

"I'm sorry, hermoso. Is that better?" I smile at him, tilting my head to the side a little.

"I am pretty handsome, aren't I?" He smirks slightly. And there he is, the cocky bastard is back.

"I take it back." I scoff, rolling my eyes.

"You already said it, you can't take it back." He narrows his eyes at me.

"Too late." I smile up at him.

"That's not fair." He grumbles.

"I'm joking you grumpy man." I laugh at his glaring face.

"Don't call me that." He mumbles.

"I'm sorry grumpy." I wrap my arms around his waist, resting my chin on his chest.

He sighs, shaking his head slightly. He leans down, resting his forehead against mine as his tired eyes stare deeply into mine. He cups my jaw with his tatted hands, the feeling of his ice cold fingers against mine skin sends chills down my spine.

"You okay?" I ask him quietly in the close space between us.

His lips brush against mine, his minty breath fanning against my skin. Slowly, he latches his mouth on to mine and tenderly kisses me, running his thumb along my jaw. He moves his tongue with mine, stealing the air from my lungs effortlessly. I grip on to the back of his shirt, enjoying the feeling of his soft lips against mine. I flick my tongue along his upper lip, drunk on the taste of him.

We eventually pull away, both of us breathing heavily as we force oxygen into our lungs.

"Mhm." He hums, smiling down at me. His features now softened thankfully.

I wrap my arms around his neck, trailing my fingers through the back of his silky soft hair. He wrapped one of his arms around my waist and tangled his other hand in my hair.

"Don't you have a flight to catch?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

"You make it hard to leave, love." He mutters, his eyes looking between both of mine.

My heart thumps loudly in my chest from his words. It doesn't mean anything.

"Why's that?"

He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear, leaning down to whisper into it, "Potomu chto ya budu skuchat' po tebe."

(Because I'll miss you)

"I definitely know what that means." I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

He smirks and unwraps his arms from around my waist, "I'll see you later gorgeous." He says, pecking my cheek before turning around and walking away.

I watch his retreating back disappear down the stairs with a small smile on my face. I was too distracted to even notice Alea standing in front of me until she snapped her fingers in my face, trying to get my attention.

"What's got you smiling that?" She teases, smirking at me.

My lips settle into a line after hearing her words, "Nothing." I say nonchalantly, staring at her.

"Nothing, hm?" She says, smiling widely at me.

"Shut up before I throw you down these flight of stairs." I threaten, glaring at her.

"I'll drag you with me." She scoffs, turning on her heel and walking down the stairs.

Last time Ace left, I corrupted his company. Disrespectfully may I add. This time, I'm going to respectfully leave him alone.

Give it a day and I will already be fucking shit up again.