ACE
Sweat trickled down my neck to my spine, the thriving heat in my body accelerated my speed, and the buzz of zeal coursing through my veins encouraged me to force myself more. Even the wounds on my knuckles didn’t stop me from hitting the hard punching bag once more.
The more pain I was in, the more I could keep myself in check. The more my head focused on my physical agony rather than my heart’s desires and… fears.
As I worked on my agony and salvation, his brown eyes never left me from the corner of the gym.
“Achilles, stop it. Your knuckles are bleeding! What’s wrong with you tonight?” Caleb’s voice reached my ears. But the anxiousness of his tone couldn’t halt my movements.
Intense working out every night to help me sleep and keep myself sane was a routine of my life, but the pain and exhaustion became a necessity for me since I had her in the same city as me.
Not being able to see her and have her into my arms even after her being so close to me drove me crazy. But not to scare the light of my life away from me by revealing the intensity of the craving I had for her, I had to bind myself back with everything I had.
Red stains smudged on the gray punching bag as I continued.
“You’ll have to meet her tomorrow evening. You remember that, right? What explanations will you have after she asks about the cuts?”
My hand halted in midair, going for another shot. My gaze fell onto my wounded knuckles. He was right. She already asked me once.
Though those wounds were from showing those bastards their places who tried to hurt my Rosebud.
My jaw tightened at the recollection of that night when some vile drunkards followed her. The night she went to rescue her friend, not thinking of her own safety.
Only I knew how I stopped myself from destroying them to bits for even thinking of harming her.
Running my hands through my wet locks, I let out a curse. Frustration and anger raged through me.
I was away for just one day from her, and she got herself into trouble. And it wasn’t the first time she pulled that kind of stunt. She tended to be careless, even back in New York.
If I hadn’t put guards after her for her security, I didn’t know what nightmare she would bring me to.
I wished I could keep her with me for twenty-four hours, so I could just hide her in my arms and never let anyone even touch her, let alone hurt her.
My fists clenched. Glimpses of that accident that day flashed into my mind. A volcano swirled inside me to be released.
No one will touch even a strand of your hair. I promise you that.
“Let me bring the first aid kit. Your hands need some bandaging.”
“No need. I’m fine.”
“But you could get an infection if you don’t get them treated,” he argued, a frown etched between his brows.
While I was just in my workout shorts, he stood there fully dressed in a formal black shirt and gray trousers.
“They won’t. I’m used to them.” Last time I let someone treat my wounds was my Rosebud. She was the only person who could heal me. Her mere presence was enough for my pain to fade away.
“But—”
He was cut off with a sharp look of mine.
Letting out a sigh, he ran his hands over his face, shoulders slumping in defeat. Concerning about me became his habit for years now. Be it cousin or adopted brother, it seemed he was the older one among us, not me.
Whilst I respected his concern, I didn’t prefer anyone’s meddling in my life.
Unless it was my Rosebud.
I wiped myself with my towel and took some swigs from the water bottle.
After a moment of watching my movements, he opened his mouth again. “Do you… do you think this date is a good idea? I mean, once the truth of that night seven years ago comes out, a lot of the past will be at risk.”
I tensed at the mention of the past. The past I buried in the furthest corner of my memories.
“I know what I’m doing. She has the right to know everything,” I said, gazing out of the window at the night that matched the color of my past.
His response was hesitant. “You can lose her forever if she finds out the truth, you know that, right?”
Something snapped inside me as my whole form turned rigid. But I kept my calm.
“If I don’t tell her anything, I won’t get her either.”
“But once she knows about your—”
A knock on the door interrupted him.
“Come in!”
Carter walked inside with a file in his hand. “Hello, boss. I, uh, got some reports on project CA.”
Car Accident.
Not losing my cool, I nodded at Caleb. Getting my dismissal, he let out a breath and walked out of the gym, closing the door behind him.
I turned to Carter. “Did you get your hands on that driver yet?”
Averting his gaze, he fidgeted in his place. “No, boss.”
My jaw clenched.
“I tried to locate him everywhere I could, but it feels like he just disappeared from the face of the earth. Antonio did well to cover his tracks,” he added.
I took some deep breaths, trying not to lose it. The volcano roared to be released inside me. My hands itched to kill. Kill that bastard who hired that driver to harm me the day I was returning from my new house with Emerald.
Antonio Raymond.
If I was alone in that car, I’d have considered giving him back what he gifted me, but unfortunately for him, my Rosebud was with me.
My fingers dug into the bottle in my hand. Anything could’ve happened to my precious rose.
He did many of his little tricks in the past, but this time, he crossed all his limits. He even framed Caleb with… drugs. The same day I found out that the accident wasn’t an actual accident, it was planned. And that was the line he shouldn’t have crossed.
Now he is going to pay.
I still remembered the way she shook with fear and shock in my arms after that crash. The way she clutched onto me.
Antonio was going to pay for every tear that left my Rosebud’s eyes. He was going to regret the day he took birth in this world.
“Did you get the names of his recent involvements?” My question came out more like a hiss. I wouldn’t get any peace until I crushed him like an insect.
He bobbed his head, handing me the file. “Here are their names and backgrounds. But boss, I don’t understand. What will you do with his one-night stands? Most of them just stayed with him for money. They don’t share any more relation with him to know about his plans or deeds you can use against him.” Confusion crossed over his features.
Flipping the pages, I ran my eyes through the lists until one name caught my attention. She was one of those few who had more than just one night with him. They even went on a few dates last month.
Perfect.
I pointed at the specific name. “Call her. Tell her to meet me at my penthouse back at Valencian Corp. And make sure no one knows about it. Not even Caleb.” Giving him a look, I asked, “Am I clear?”
Perplexed, he slowly uttered a yes and took the file from me.
“You may go now,” I said as my phone buzzed beside my towel.
Nodding, he turned around and strode away.
Grabbing the phone, I read the message.
I felt the corner of my lip stretching up.
It’s time.
Sitting inside my car in the darkness on the side of the street, I waited for her signal.
The black cars parked not far away from their house had me reassured once again. Though due to the murk I couldn’t see them, I knew they were in there. Watching.
Just as I instructed.
The screen of my phone lit up in the darkness.
Time to go.
The front door opened, revealing a pair of blue eyes. Ushering me inside with her head, she slowly closed the door behind me once I stepped in. Following her, I climbed up the stairs silently. My heart sped up when we stopped before a pair of doors. Twisting the handle, she opened the barrier between me and my salvation.
My Rosebud.
I took a sharp intake of breath at the view. My beautiful rose curled into a ball with her chestnut locks spread across the pillow. Even in the dimmed light, I didn’t miss those luscious lips formed into a slight pout.
“After lots of twists and turns on the bed, she finally fell asleep. I almost thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep in anxiety and nervousness,” Tess whispered, not wanting to make any noise. “She tried her best to hide the date with you tomorrow from me, you know?” She giggled.
With difficulties, I tore my gaze away from my rose and turned to her. “Thank you, Tess. For helping me tonight, like you did every time I needed you.”
Just so I could see my rose, she decided to stay with her family tonight. Even convinced her sister to share a bed so they could relive the memories of their childhood.
A smile grazed her face. “No need to thank me. What are best friends for, after all?” And then she glanced back at her sister, who was sleeping peacefully. “She is still your Rosebud. Years passed, but her heart still belongs to you.”
She pointed with her chin to the giant bear I’d gifted Emerald the day after she returned from New York. Warmth surged through my chest as I watched how tightly her small arms were wrapped around the vast doll. And then the T-shirt she wore caught my attention. It was the same one she borrowed from my penthouse.
“Even if she is resisting, she can’t keep herself away from the things connected to you.” Her blue orbs met my gaze. “Promise me you’ll always take care of her heart, Achilles.”
Putting a hand on her shoulder, I gave it a firm squeeze. “Forever.” This was a promise I made to myself years ago. I would die before I hurt my Rosebud ever again.
Sniffling softly, she nodded and then left us alone. “Don’t take long. I’ll wait outside, watching over.” She closed the door behind her.
Striding closer to her bed, I sat beside her. My eyes bathed in her enticing beauty. Those turquoise eyes that had stolen my heart were firmly closed. Long eyelashes shadowed over her rosy cheeks as her eyelids fluttered occasionally.
Raising my hand, I tucked some strands away from her angelic face. As if in a trance, my fingers glided over her soft skin. From her cheeks to her pouty lips, and then down her slender neck. She slept soundly as I watched her. I could do it for the rest of my life without getting tired.
Leaning down, I buried my nose into her hair and inhaled deep. As if like a touch of ice, her presence distinguished the fire of my soul. My heart finally found its serenity.
My beautiful Rosebud.
Now turned into a tempting rose.
A groan left me. Her sweet scent, like honey and citrus, her silky porcelain skin, and her soft breaths fanning my skin, were tempering with my senses.
My lips touched the place where the vein of her neck pulsed. My eyes followed the curves she hid beneath that oversizedT-shirt of mine. Not being able to control myself, my hands roamed over her tiny waist, to her hips, down her legs. My little vixen didn’t wear any pants under that T-shirt. It ended just below her mid thighs, showing her long killer legs.
Clenching my fist, I moved my hand away from her inviting legs before I lost total control of myself. But I couldn’t help but feel her soft lips against mine.
A sigh left through her lips as soon as mine met them.
Pulling away, my thumb brushed over her cheek.
Mine.
If I hadn’t seen her tonight, I wouldn’t be able to equip myself to reveal everything before her tomorrow. I needed her touch to keep myself sane from my fears. Fears of losing her.
Resting my forehead against hers, I shook my head as a steely determination cut through me.
I won’t lose you. I can’t. Not again. Not if I wish to live.
I let out a shaky breath. “Without you, my life is incomplete, my rose,” I whispered, kissing her forehead.
I won’t let anything come between us ever again. Everything will be destroyed that will try to become a hindrance to my way of getting you. I won’t allow anything to take you away from me, not even my past. I need you like I need my next breath, and I’ll make you mine at any cost. Because Achilles Valencian is obsessed with his Rosebud.
