Before He Dies.

Before He Dies.

Ace – Point of View

Ashley Bolova had been trying to sneak into Konstantin’s house and murder him. I didn’t need to ask much because it was clear why. Konstantin had been a raging misogynist, a sexist, a racist; he was the worst kind of person. We all knew that. Even my father knew. Ashley couldn’t pretend to be oblivious, which was why I couldn’t understand why she chose to work with him.

I wanted answers from her, but there was a hindrance, which was the fact that I didn’t touch women. I couldn’t in my right mind torture her. I would leave that honour to Cateleya.

I’d been thrilled – Konstantin was dead. We had Ashley. Spades was working on Silas’s wife. Everything was falling into place.

The rug was pulled from under my feet when Armani told me that Spades was hit.

My Spades was hit.

Apparently, there had been a sniper sent to take out Silas’ daughter. Spades took the bullet for her. My Spades was ever the hero. It was fucking infuriating, especially because I know I would have done the same thing. Spades Ivanov had infected me with his virtue. How disgusting.

Thankfully, we used a private jet. We got to Florence just in time. I made my way to Spades, who had been attended to by the Doctors.

He was asleep now. He was stable. It was obvious that he was. I listened to his heartbeat. I placed my trembling hands on his cheeks and sighed deeply. This wasn’t a journey I could walk alone. This was our mission. He was meant to be by my side.

My knees weakened, and I sank to the floor. My gloves and mask were long discarded. I was in new clothing now. I wouldn’t touch him with something that carried the stench of Konstantin. Even now, I still feel unclean.

My chest was tight, as if it were held together by a vice. I felt bruised and scrubbed raw. Spades was my centre, and now, with him on the bed, I felt so lost and empty.

I fell asleep to the sound of his steady heartbeat, and when I woke up, I did so to my Mother’s warm touches.

“Karlin.” She smiled at me, and my heart grew heavy at her sight.

“Mom,” I whispered, my voice trembling like a leaf. My grief flooded me in waves, but oddly enough, there was something comforting about it, because my mother was the only person who truly understood what it felt like to lose him.

“Come, let’s take a walk.” She smiled at me, caressing my cheek like I was still her precious boy and not a grown, vicious man.

I stood up and turned to Spades. He was still sleeping. His face had regained colour. He looked better than he did, which made me wonder how long I’d been asleep, because the sun was high.

“Come on. He’ll be fine. He is just resting. He’ll come back to you.” Mom assured me and linked our hands.

I nodded and followed her outside. The sunlight was bright on our faces. Warmth spread through me, and a lightness like no other filled my chest. I wasn’t sure if it was hope or just ease. Maybe it was the realization that I was finally avenging my father.

“Sorry about faking my death and stuff,” I broke the silence, scratching my head awkwardly.

Mom chuckled, “It’s alright. Valentina kept me in the loop. We both find it cute that you boys think you can sneak around without her knowing.”

“Yeah, sorry still. We just had to do something when we figured out that Lee was behind everything.” I frowned, my heart racing, the rate slowly increasing.

Mom was silent for a moment before speaking, “Deep down, I guess I have always known. Lee has always been a weak man, but this, what he has done, transcends weakness. He crossed a line. He took my husband from me. He took your father from you. I am behind you, Karlin. Do whatever you want. Make it hurt. Make him bleed. Make him feel every drop, but let me watch as the light goes out of his eyes. I want to be the last thing he sees before he dies.”

My shoulders squared with determination. I clenched my jaw in rage. My blood simmered.

“Yes, Mom.”

We spent the next twenty minutes talking. I told her about New York, about our short-lived vacation, about my therapy, about Spades, about everything. Then, we returned to the bedroom to find Spades awake. He was seated, leaning against the wall. Marie and Caine were talking to him. Heat flushed through me. The hand around my heart squeezed. When did he wake? Why did no one tell me?

He turned to me as though sensing me. A big smile spread across his flushed face. He looked so handsome. He looked alive.

I exhaled in relief, “You fucking cunt. You got yourself shot.”

He chuckled softly, smiling at me, his eyes twinkling, “It was just a flesh wound. Don’t burst a vein.”

“It wasn’t. The bullet went in you and stayed. We are glad it didn’t hit any vital organs.” Caine interjected, and I nodded, not really listening to him. It was hard to see anyone else when Spades was in the room. The spotlight on him was always very bright and consuming. I could spend the rest of my life looking at him.

I walked to him and threaded my fingers through his hair. I cupped his face softly and whispered, “How do you feel?”

“Better now that you are here.” He murmured, leaning into my touch.

“I was really scared, Spades. Don’t do that again. Ever. You are not allowed to go anywhere without me. Fuck the rules.” I snapped, my brows furrowed.

He chuckled softly, shooting euphoria into my spine. I was done holding back. I smashed my lips against his and groaned softly when he wrapped his hand around my neck. Everything fell into place whenever I was with him.