Ace POV:
The cold water ran down my naked body. Relaxing my muscles, calming my thoughts.
I exhaled and inhaled slowly and deeply.
I was in a daze.
I can't kill Isaac but now I know he's not his brother. So I can kill him now, right?
I have to know about her, her past…
I came out of my shower, a towel wrapped around my waist. It was 7 in the evening.
I wore a casual gray shirt and black pants.
"Did you find him?" I asked Liam, walking past the hallways.
Yeah, are you sure about it," Liam asked, blankly.
I nodded and saw everyone gathered in the living room, confused and anxious.
"Ace"
I froze. It was my Mini's voice.
I turned around to find her looking at me, embarrassed and nervous.
Liam walked away giving us privacy.
But from the living room, everyone could see us but can't hear us.
I-I am sorry, I behaved like a child," she said, looking up at me.
Don't," I said, unconsciously.
She looked at me, and I stared back.
We simply stood there staring at each other. My heart started pounding again.
She was dressed in a gown, a plain, inexpensive frock.
A basic blue dress with no motifs or embellishments.
Nonetheless, she appeared to be a rare gem.
Her hair was in a low, loose ponytail, some hair strands were tucked behind her.
She cleared her throat loudly, bothered by the awkward silence.
"Your collar," she whispered, her lips pursed.
I hummed and nodded my head.
Your collar," she said, again.
I touched my collar and looked at her, emotionlessly.
She frowned and stood on her toes.
She adjusted my collar from behind and buttoned my top three buttons, which I had voluntarily left free.
Her hands were resting on my chest and she was looking at my pendant.
She loves my pendant. It was simple and plain.
It was octagonal and in the middle black onyx stone.
I rubbed her cheeks with the back of my hand and released a sigh.
She removed her hand from me and backed away.
You're going somewhere," she asked.
I hummed.
Come back soon," she said smiling, and disappeared into the kitchen.
I smiled and walked away. Feeling somewhat relieved.
I heard Aiden and Felix whistling.
Don't you have houses," I said.
They all shrugged and smirked at me.
Nice dress," Hudson said, smirking.
I looked at him impassively and left for Isaac's location with Liam.
I want to know about her past and she is not in the right condition to ask right now.
I have to sort out everything as fast as I can before it will cause a hurricane.
We arrived at East Elmhurst after 20 minutes.
Isaac lived in an apartment.
It was difficult to locate Isaac, but thankfully I had Liam.
I entered the elevator and selected the third floor.
Ace, what if you shoot him, ACCIDENTALLY," Liam said, frowning.
I laughed.
If I shoot Isaac ACCIDENTALLY, then I want someone to bury his body. So, that's why I took you with me," I said, smirking.
Liam chuckled and we got off the elevator.
Girls, parents, males, and children were all gazing at us, perplexed.
We stand out among the other folks here.
304," I asked Liam, confirming the room number.
I rang the doorbell and calmed myself.
The door opened revealing a young brunette, who looked at us shocked.
She was going to close the door But I stopped it with my hand and went inside.
Get the fuck out of my house, you disgusting bastard," she yelled, furiously.
Liam and I sat on the couch and stared at her, emotionlessly.
Where's he," I said, looking at my watch.
GET. OUT," she said, gritting her teeth.
I started to scroll through my phone and Liam was looking around.
Deliah, his girlfriend," Liam said. I nod.
Where's Isaac," I said, coldly.
Deliah just stared at me clenching her jaw.
I sighed and suddenly I saw a notification from Felix informing me that Iris is making my favorite dishes tonight.
I grinned like a pathetic person. Gosh, she's messing with my head.
The front door opened loudly.
Isaac was glaring at me aggressively.
"I expected you to show up," Isaac stated flatly.
"Hey, baby," Isaac said, kissing Deliah on the cheek.
Hey, baby," Isaac greeted Deliah and kissed her cheeks.
Why are you here," Isaac asked, sitting on the opposite couch.
Iris is not your sister," I said, candidly.
Now, he looks startled.
What," Deliah asked, shocked.
So what," Isaac said, infuriated.
I want to know about Iris's past," I said.
So, you tracked me and you came all the way here to ask about the cretin," he asked, dumbfounded.
I just glared at him, angrily.
Positive thoughts Ace, he has to be alive," Liam said.
Guns, blood, strawberries, a blood-splattered tub, my Mini sleeping peacefully, her eyes. My positive thoughts.
What do you want to know about her," Isaac said, seriously.
Everything from the first to this day," I said, thinking positive thoughts and calming myself.
"Her family wanted a son, but that lady couldn't give birth to a son, so they had a girl," Isaac grumbled.
"Iris' mother couldn't conceive after having one child, so they adopted me from a fucking shelter," Isaac explained.
"After that, everything went smoothly; we were a happy family; I had a mom, a dad, and a little sister who adored me," Isaac explained.
But when I was 15, Iris' father discovered my involvement with certain gang members. My stupid mother, being caring and loving towards me, thought her husband was lying and believed my lie instead," Isaac said, laughing.
Everything was alright her parents were fighting and I was making money at the age of 15 but Iris that dumb fucking girl, ruined my life," Isaac said, infuriated.
Suddenly, she became their family's lovable child and they started to ignore me," Isaac said.
Look, can we skip fast forward to how her parents died," Liam said, groaning in annoyance.
Isaac looked irritated.
They died in an accident or maybe I planned the accident to kill all of them but that stupid girl somehow survived that day," Isaac said.
Because Iris was playing with a street dog and a truck crashed their car," Isaac said.
"You know I'm not killing you despite knowing everything because of her," I stated coldly.
"I know, that's why I'm sitting here," Isaac chuckled.
I clenched my jaw, hard.
Why is she always afraid of people, any past trauma," I asked.
Their parents' fault, they always kept her inside the house, homeschooled her, and didn't even allow her to play outside with anyone, so she was raised this way. I pitied her before but not now," Isaac said, sitting comfortably.
She must have good in bed for you," Isaac said, smirking.
Have some shame, you're still her stepbrother," Liam said, seriously.
I don't care, my friends used to hit on her. They said Iris' innocence can manipulate any man's heart, but Iris is the ugliest girl I have ever seen," Isaac said.
I stood up, furiously. My hands were itching to grab his throat and rip it off from his body.
Let's go," I said and started to walk out of the room.
Isaac, next time I will kill you," I said, truthfully and walked away.
I sat inside the car and Liam sat in the driver seat.
I want you to run a background check on everyone in the mansion. EVERY. SINGLE. PERSON," I said.
Liam hummed.
No one will come and leave the house without checking. I want to know about the royal family too, again," I said, contemplating.
Liam nodded and stared ahead at the road.
You didn't ask him about the royal family," Liam asked.
I hummed.
5 years ago the royal family was one of the richest, powerful business tycoons.
They were one of our profitable partners.
But when I get to know that they are breaking the morals then I have to kill them, brutally.
They sell girls, have thousands of brothels, sell illegal drugs to kids, ransom kidnapping, child pornography, and whatnot.
But that day not only I killed the royal family but someone else too.
Which I am keeping secret to this day.
A secret that can ruin our friendship.
ACE!," Liam yelled, grabbing my attention.
I got out of the car, anxiously.
My heart was thumping fast. I exhaled and inhaled slowly and deeply.
When I walked into the house.
I was expecting shouts or chattering voices, but instead, I heard laughter.
When I got to the dining hall, I noticed...
The guys were seated on the floor, with a large ground eating table in the center of the room.
The meal had already been placed on the table. Hot and cozy.
Finally, you're here," Aiden said, groaning happily.
Ace, your girl didn't let us touch the food till you both don't arrive because," Aiden said, yelling
"FAMILY DOESN'T EAT ALONE," everyone said, laughing.
Even Liam was laughing.
I saw Iris sitting alone in the corner, smiling awkwardly.
I sat beside Hudson.
Mini, come in," I said, patting my lap.
She crawled towards me and sat beside me, stiffly.
I kissed her forehead and looked at her warmly.
Ok, can we eat now?" Leo said, picking up his plate.
I hummed.
Excuse me, we were asking her," Leo said, sassily.
Now, everyone was looking at my Mini.
She looked like a baby deer that got lost in the middle of the forest.
She nodded her head vigorously.
Then everyone started to serve themself.
No guards, No maids. Just us. Just my family tonight.
It seemed like old times.
I felt a flood of emotions: happiness, sadness, nervousness, and terror.
Suddenly I felt someone's hand on my hand. It was Iris's palm.
She smiled at me.
It's okay, Ace, sometimes you have to stop thinking and go with the flow. Enjoy the movement," Iris said, rubbing her thumb over my hand.
Then she dug into her food, hungrily.
"ENJOY THE MOVEMENT"
I released a sigh and ate my food. Without thinking about anyone, about anything.
++++++++++++++++
It was past 11 in the night. We all ate and just sat on the floor. Tipsy except for Iris.
Mini was sitting in my lap, drinking her Sprite and burping often. Cute.
"I'm telling you, Su, get some cooking lessons from Iris," Hudson joked.
"Shut up, Hudson," Su snarled, giving Hudson the middle finger.
I drank my wine all at once. Heaven.
I sniffed Iris' neck as I tucked my head into her.
Did you like the food," Iris asked, looking at me.
No, I didn't like the food, that's why I ate 3 plates," I said, sarcastically.
She laughed and nodded her head.
Then she burped so loudly that it echoed in the room.
Hehehe," she said, embarrassed.
Don't be embarrassed, Aiden fart like loud fireworks," Leo said.
HEY! Burping and farting are not related," Aiden said, aloud.
I kissed Iris's neck, delicately. She looked at me, frowning.
I kissed her nose, her eyes, her fluffy cheeks, her temple.
Let's sleep," I said. She was sleepy but so awkward to go inside.
She stood up and looked at me expectedly.
Go," I said. She straightened up and frowned.
Then she went to our room.
I smirked.
You motherfucker, if you didn't like her..," Felix stopped and gulped his wine.
I would have proposed to her by now," Felix said, laying his head on Aiden's shoulder.
Well, she's off limits even if I like her or not," I said, standing up.
Why…," Felix whined like a fucking baby.
Because she's a rare treasure I have found in today's world," I said, mocking him.
I started to walk towards my room, smirking.
My little Mini is probably sulking or whining since I'm not sleeping with her.
When I opened the bedroom door. I saw her lying in bed, pouting.
She sat up surprised, her eyes lit up and a small smile stayed on her lips.
I took off my shirt and unbuttoned my pants. Only a boxer remained in my body.
Sleep," she asked happily.
She removed the blanket and made space for me to lie beside her. How sweet.
My gaze never left her face as I lay alongside her.
She covered me with the blanket looking satisfied.
Mini, sit here," I said, patting my abdomen.
She frowned and sat on me but not on my abdomen.
She was sitting above my clothed cock. Dammit.
My breathing was a little ragged.
I dragged her on my abdomen, and she yelped and collapsed over me.
Our faces were close, the room was dark and cold and she was warm.
I told you to sit on my abdomen," I whispered.
I don't want you to die because of suffocation," she said, putting both hands beside my head, balancing her.
You're not that heavy," I said, tracing her soft thighs.
She hummed and looked away.
I kissed her throat and I felt her harsh breaths on my face.
You're so beautiful, Mini," I whispered and flipped us over.
That position was so awkward for her.
Thank you," she said, smiling.
I kissed her earlobe and lay on her chest.
Everything about you is beautiful," I whispered.
How will I tell her about her stepbrother, that he was the one who killed her family.
How did your parents die?" I asked, without thinking about the consequences.
She looked at me emotionlessly.
She rubbed her thumb on my cheek, gently.
Car accident," she murmured.
"We went to a restaurant for dinner before the accident, and outside the restaurant, I fought with Mom and Dad because they didn't get me a dog," she continued, releasing a trembling breath.
Then I went to play with a dog and they sat inside a taxi waiting for me," she smiled sadly.
My father was calling me, "Iris, it's becoming late," but I didn't listen," she replied, looking into my eyes.
Then everything slowed down, a truck hit the car, and people ran here and there, cries," she recounted, tears welling up in her eyes.
I couldn't move, my chest tightened, tears streamed down my cheeks, yet I felt nothing. Everything would have been fine if I hadn't been stubborn that day and left with them in a cab," she explained.
She wasn't sobbing, yet tears streamed down her cheeks and into her hair.
I regret that I fought with my mama and papa. I couldn't get a chance to tell them that I love them one last time," she added, remaining silent.
Seconds became minutes and finally hours. We remained mute.
Her hard breathing became regular, her eyes were staring out the window, and we were both tangled inside the covers.
Our flesh was brushing against one other, her hair was strewn across the pillow, and my head was resting on her shoulder.
It's hard to tell her the truth...
Maybe I'll never be able to...