ACE (Defenders M.C. Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mother.  Ace missed Janie right then more than he ever had in the last twenty years.
     
    “Hey kid.  What have you been up to, other than whatever happened with Mike?  He is not your biggest fan, so you know.”  He tried to clear the lump from his throat, but his voice was gruff.
     
    “Yeah…about that…sorry.  I’ll try to be nice.  It’s just that I didn’t get all that much sleep and well when he barged into my room I lost my temper.”
     
    Ace just raised his brows.  “You can sleep somewhere else tonight if that helps.”
     
    “Yeah?  Where?”
     
    “I’m not sure yet.  I think maybe you could stay with Law and Nikki, but I’ll need to ask first.  If not you can crash with Preach and Mrs.  She will spoil you like crazy though.”
     
    “I wouldn’t mind that actually, but where ever is fine.  I’ll try to stay out of the way.”
     
    “You aren’t in the way here Marty.”  She gave him a half grin that told him she wasn’t convinced yet and he vowed to convince her.
     
    “So… I hope its ok that I’ve been running.  I like to keep busy and running helps me think.  Where is the best place the guy at the gate said I couldn’t run outside on the road?”
     
    “It isn’t safe.  We have enemies.  You can run anywhere you want inside though.”
     
    “Ace?”
     
    “Hmm?”  He was looking off toward the gates.  Marty would be a target the minute she stepped foot out those gates.
     
    “Am I like a prisoner here or something?”
     
    “Hell no but I have to keep you safe.  I owe that to your mama.”
     
    “Owe her more than that if you ask me, but since you didn’t…”
     
    “You do have a sharp tongue that’s for certain.  Are you enjoying it here?”
     
    Marty shrugged.  “I don’t like being treated like I’m not equal and I’m hungry, but it a pretty place.”
     
    Ace nodded.  “Is that what happened with Mike?  I need to know Marty.  He was hot as fire in there today.  Why did he barge into your room?  I swore I would make it clear that you have to respect the brothers if you don’t it falls on me.  You have to behave yourself.  Don’t dishonor me Marty.”  He said it all straight out without giving her a chance to butt in.
     
    “I would never.”  She looked hurt.
     
    Ace looked at the child he had only just discovered.  She was so like her mother, but she had a sweetness that she only showed glimpses of.  He had no idea how to talk to her of the circumstances that led him to Georgia or anything else.
     
    “I do know that.  Just give it some time for the brothers to get to know you.  You will earn their respect.”  He pinched her chin.  “You already have mine.”
     
    She seemed so small and unsure.  An adult in age, but a child in heart.  Ace had never suffered the hardship of sentimentality, but before he could stop himself he pulled his child against his chest and propped his chin on her head.
     
    “I want you to be happy here Marty.  Find your place here.  I want you to belong here like I do.  Janice said I needed to watch you because you are too smart.  What do you like to do?”
     
    “Computer stuff.  Not really sure what good that can do me here.”  She sniffled.
     
    “Well hell I think I’ve figured out who you need to meet.”  He looked down into her face.  “After you get something to eat.  You should never go hungry here.  There’s always food in the kitchen.”
     
    “Ace, am I expected to wash bikes and clean like the women in there are?”
     
    “No ma’am.  Those are the club whores and the sweetbutts.  They do it because its how they get to stay.  You get to stay because of who you are.  I will introduce you to some of the oldladies later.  That’s where you belong.  You answer to me and to Preach, but nobody else.  Stand your ground and earn their respect.  Make me proud.”
     
    She let out a sigh and seemed to relax a little.  Ace felt his heart swell.  She was his kid