Ace POV:
What do you mean by that," I asked, curiously.
Everyone's details are clear, not a single sketchy information," Liam said.
I grumbled and replied, "It's not conceivable; there must be one mole in the house.
Everyone nodded their heads except Susan.
Susan, you have something to say," I said, coldly.
We should stick together now, if not we all will be killed," Susan said, folding her hands over her chest.
We all nod, understandingly.
A knock on the door interrupts over meeting.
Come in," I said aloud.
My eyes were stuck to the computer screen.
Ahhh! Thank you, love," Leo said, happily.
I noticed Iris holding a large tray of tea.
"Leo," I said firmly.
Forget you were here, what I mean is my dear little sister," Leo murmured as he sipped his tea.
Everyone's head is hurting. Shouldn't drink that much last night.
Ace," Iris said, grabbing my attention.
She was wearing a shirt and floral knee-length frock.
I placed the tea on the table and softly drew her into my lap.
She appeared embarrassed.
"Ace," she said, wide-eyed.
Sh…," I murmured and wrapped my hand around her waist.
You look beautiful, Mini," I said, candidly.
Thank you," she mumbled.
I could see the guys were gazing at us.
I sipped my tea and we all worked silently.
Iris sat on my lap, obediently all the time.
Who is it?
That day we killed all the people in the building.
But Isaac was not present there that day. So there is another person who is behind this all.
Isaac is simply a piece of bait.
"Laurie," Iris called out, her gaze drawn to the images on the table.
Everyone froze and stared at Iris, perplexed.
You know him," I said, coldly.
No, but I saw his photo," Iris said, playing with my pendant.
Where did you see," I asked.
Ivan's room," she said, frowning.
IVAN," Aiden said, surprised.
Iris nodded and looked at everyone confused.
Ivan didn't come to work for 2 days," Hudson said.
"Is Ivan a mole?" Liam said, indecisively.
No, he can't be. He worked all these years for me," I said, stroking Iris's hair.
Ace, I want to tell you something," Iris said, standing up from my lap.
What," I said, furiously.
She sucked in a breath and fiddled with her hand.
You know how one morning Ivan was in your room and you were yelling at him "What are you doing in my room?" she said, pausing nervously to glance at me.
"Ivan was taking photos from your closet and shuffling drawers, but he pretended to be looking for you," Iris explained.
"I was sleeping, but I clearly heard everything, and I am positive it was Ivan," Iris remarked.
I stood up and gripped her hair tightly.
You think it's a joke, Iris. Ivan worked for me all these fucking years," I yelled and tightened my grip on her hair.
She winced.
Ace," Hudson said, alertly.
I pushed her away and left the room, angrily.
I went inside my room and checked the closet.
Everything was organized in its place, nothing was out of place.
I shut the closet, angrily.
I was walking back and forth. It can't be real.
Ivan can't possibly be a traitor. I know I shouldn't trust someone like this in the mafia, but Ivan...
He worked tirelessly for me throughout the years, even protecting me during fights.
So why did he want to murder me now?
I stopped in my tracks, startled.
Did Ivan take the…
I opened the closet and removed the clothes revealing a small safe.
I opened the safe, nervously.
It was… Empty.
Everything was gone: The tapes, the photos, my mother's last memory, everything was gone…
Ace," Iris called me.
I closed the closet door. Everything seemed to go slowly.
My heart rate was rapid, and the sweat beads appeared on my brow.
No. No, Ivan is going to show it to them.
I felt Iris rubbing my hands.
Ace!!," Iris screamed at me, snapping me out of my thoughts.
It's okay," she said, hugging me.
It's okay, Ace," she whispered, her hands resting on my chest.
It will be fine," she said.
I nodded my head unconsciously and started to walk away in a daze.
Why did Ivan do that?
I went outside the mansion and marched to Ivan's room.
But everyone was there, especially Hudson, who should not be there.
Everyone was staring at the soundless video that was playing. Shocked, enraged, and deceived.
The video finished with a beep and then continued.
Silence. Silence engulfed the space.
"Please tell me the video is fake," Hudson said, peering into my eyes.
I exhaled and took a hesitant breath.
"ACE!" said Hudson.
"No," I murmured, my hands sweating.
Hudson's eyes were filled with anguish, betrayal, pain, and rage.
Suddenly he launched a hard punch into my jaw and I didn't fight back. I deserve it.
"HOW COULD YOU DO IT?" Hudson yelled, violently punching my stomach.
"YOU KILLED HIM," Hudson shouted as I collapsed and he began to strangle me.
I pushed him away and sat up, gasping and breathing furiously.
"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" Hudson roared.
I just sat there, gazing at him, coldly.
"Let's go," Aiden stated flatly.
Liam and Alex took Hudson outside, and everyone else followed, disgusted, betrayed, and hurtfully glaring at me.
"Ace, don't even think about coming back to us for anything," Susan stated coldly as she walked away.
"I would have killed you by now if you weren't my friend," Leo murmured.
The video was still playing.
The room was silent.
I felt a shadow behind me.
Iris walked towards the wall, her eyes never leaving the screen.
Is he Hudson's," Iris whispered.
Dad, I killed his dad," I said, wiping the blood from my lips.
"Why did you murder him?" Iris asked, coldly.
I gave her a harsh stare.
"It's none of your business," I replied as I stood up.
I felt pain in my stomach and I clutched it hard.
Sit here," Iris said, staring at the bed.
I sat on my bed and took off my shirt,
I collapsed in agony. Gosh, Hudson really punched hard.
I felt a cold towel on my stomach.
Iris was sitting there worriedly looking at me.
I will get the guards," she mumbled and stood up hurriedly.
I grabbed her hand and she looked at me, distressed.
Everyone left, why are you still here," I asked, emotionlessly.
You believed me that day, Now why do you want me to leave you," she said, rubbing her thumb over my hand.
You watched the video, and it's true that I murdered my friend's father and kept this hidden from him all these years," I explained.
But why did you kill his father, Ace?" she questioned sitting alongside me.
There must be a reason," she said, leaned down, and joined our forehead.
"I believe you, Ace, and I will believe in you until I stop breathing or till I die," she said quietly.
I closed my eyes and gulped. Except for her, everything was frigid.
My breathing was normal now, and our skin was stroking against one other.
THUD.
Iris moved away when the door slammed shut.
Βασιλιά, είσαι καλά;(King, are you okay?)," Ares asked me.
I sat up and wore my shirt.
Βρε Ιβάν(Find Ivan)," I said and started to walk away.
I looked at Iris one last time and left the room.
I will kill him…
Ivan POV:
Ahhh!," I yelled in frustration.
I set up a webcam in my room to watch how Ace might act if he was left alone without any of his friends.
But Iris god, she's being a bitch right now.
Why is she not going?
Can't she see that he killed his best friend's father for god sake?
Why is she trusting him this much?
Master," Isaac said, worryingly.
What," I said, irritated.
His friends left him then why are you still angry," Isaac asked, frowning.
Because your sister is not leaving him," I spit out, furiously.
Why does it matter, we can kill him now. No one will care about him or save him," Isaac said.
No, I want every single person in his life to leave him just like Ace did to my family, to my brother," I said, aloud.
"You go and manipulate her," I murmured, rising from my seat.
"I don't think she'll come with me," Isaac stated, sighing.
Come on," I yelled, indignantly.
I don't think she has anything to lose now," Isaac said.
"Anything to lose"
I smirked.
Isaac she does have one thing to lose," I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.
Isaac frowned and looked at me.
What is it," Isaac asked, curiously.
First, go and prepare the crew. We are going to attack him soon," I said, patting his shoulder.
Can I get a 1 hour rest," he asked.
Come on, you can rest as much as you can tomorrow," I said, smirking.
If I took a rest that long, who will guide the crew then," Isaac said, chuckling.
Oh, trust me tomorrow you can rest peacefully and no one will wake you up even if you want, you can't wake up," I said, laughing sinisterly.
Isaac nodded and grimaced. He gave me one more glance before leaving the room.
"Ace, your sins are coming back to you"
Ace POV:
Nothing," I repeated, bitterly.
Did you check every single room," I said.
Yes, sir, Ivan is nowhere to be found in the city," the guards said helplessly.
Okay, but keep looking. I want him, and no one will kill him," I stated decisively.
Everyone nodded and left.
I left the office and sat inside the car.
Ares was driving the car.
I leaned back in my seat and closed my eyes.
Ivan had been planning all these for years.
The tapes were here but why did he take the photos and my mother's anklet?
My friends left me forever. They will not come back.
I should have told him the truth but Hudson will be more broken.
Maybe some lies are better than the truth.
King," Ares called me, grabbing my attention.
I got out of the car, mournfully.
I looked outside the mansion, coldly.
I went inside and slumped on my couch and closed my eyes.
The only thing I could hear was the ticking of the clock in the frigid room.
"It's okay"
When I heard Mini's voice, my eyes sprung awake.
But she was not here. It was inside my head.
I groaned and lay on the couch.
It was only 7 in the evening but I felt like I hadn't slept in years.
I felt my slumber take over and fell asleep...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Ace"
"Ace"
"Ace"
My eyes cracked open when I heard someone calling me.
I turned around to see but no one was there.
I sat up, grumpily. I felt a cold towel in my stomach.
I took it and put the towel on the couch.
I saw my shirt buttons were open, a blanket was resting on my hips.
I didn't remember getting a blanket.
You're awake, Are you okay," I heard Iris' voice.
She was wearing a loose T-shirt and a knee-length frock.
I nod, involuntarily.
She put her hand on my forehead and murmured something incoherent.
"Why don't you go talk to them?" she said abruptly.
I sighed and averted my gaze.
I felt her gentle fingertips sliding through my hair.
It's all right, Ace. "God is always watching," she reassured me.
She sat calmly beside me.
We just sat there. No talking, no music, or watching movies. Just silence.
My head lay on her shoulder, and our hands were loosely clasped.
We sat peacefully for 30 minutes.
For 30 minutes we sat there, silently.
You know when I came to your house, it felt weird because, In my home bickering, and chattering voices are always heard," Iris said, deadpan.
I chuckled.
"Ace...," Iris whispered, firmly linking our fingers.
"I have something to tell you," she said, nervously biting her lips.
I hummed while kissing her earlobe.
Βασιλιάς (King)," Ares said but stopped when he saw us.
Λυπάμαι, Βασιλιά, αλλά είναι επείγον (I am sorry, King but it's urgent)," Ares said, staring ahead.
Iris awkwardly rose up to welcome Ares.
"I'll put the food on the table," Iris said as she walked away uncomfortably.
I gave Ares a harsh stare.
"We discovered some people near our location who were attempting to invade the mansion and were armed," Ares explained.
I sat up straight.
"Where are they?" I asked, buttoning my shirt.
"We killed them and burned their bodies," Ares explained.
I endorsed and told him to increase the security and be more cautious from now on.
I went to my room and freshened up.
After dinner, I went to my office and resumed my work.
I stretched my hands and stood up.
It was 1 in the morning. But I couldn't find Ivan's whereabouts.
Why did Ivan have Laurie's photo in his room?
Ivan was an orphan when he joined the mafia and became one of the most trusted men here.
Was Laurie his friend or something else?
I heard a knock on the door.
I grabbed my gun and went toward it cautiously.
I opened the door but it was my Mini.
When she saw the revolver in my palm, her eyes widened.
Ahh.. You're awake," she replied, terrified.
Just came to check up on you," she said.
I am not a baby that you have to check up on me every time," I said bitterly.
She chuckled and looked at me, warmly.
Let's sleep, you must be tired," she said.
I have work," I said.
Oh, but you look tired," she said, worryingly.
Look I have work, I can't sleep with you every night. If you can't sleep alone then it's not my fault," I spit out, angrily.
She gave me a mournful expression.
She sighed and muttered something that made my pulse increase.
Every time I wanted to sleep with you because I saw how tired you looked, how late you slept every night or sometimes you didn't sleep. I don't want you to ruin your health," She said, her head hung low.
You think I wanted to sleep with you because I can't sleep alone," she asked, hurtfully.
If you think I am annoying you, you could just say that you didn't like to sleep with me," she said and left.
I was stuck. I want to scream at her, slap her, beat her, and slit her throat.
Why? Because she is tearing down my barriers, the walls I have created over the years.
She is restoring hope in me that I had lost years ago.
A hope that is a curse for me.
Hope in Love…