Bound by Fire: Burning desire (#2)

Ace p.o.v.

The next morning seemed to come too soon. I still had a headache and still no idea how to proceed. Sighing I sit up and see Aiden still deep asleep beside me. Silently I exit the room and head toward my own bathroom. Stripping my clothes off I get into the shower and stand under the stream of cold water till I can’t take it anymore. Putting on my suit I head out and see Vik by the dining table as breakfast was being set up.

“Don’t bother with the breakfast.” I say to the cook. He nodded and left. “Lea stay close to Aiden and don’t leave without protection… actually don’t leave at all. Vik come on we have business to take care of.” Without waiting for an answer I walk toward the elevator. The silence followed us as Vik and I enter the elevator.

“Get a team together to find Daleyza. I want her to be found as fast as possible.” Vik nodded and took out his phone. “Once we have her that piece of shit will see what it means to mess with me.”

“Don’t worry man, we’ll get her.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.

“It’s time to show them what happens when he crosses my path. Get the tech guys and scan all our buildings for trackers and bugs. I want to know where they have them.”

“I’ll tell them to remove it.”

“No… I just want to know where they have had access to.” Vik nodded. We entered the car and drove to my head office. “And Vik… find whoever the rat in our gang is.”

“Why do you think there is a rat?”

“They couldn’t have gotten into my office at the hotel without any connections.”

We parted ways and I started handling the business as he took care of the rest. After finishing my meetings I head to the warehouse only to find Vik screaming orders at the rest of the gang.

“What has your panties in the twist?” I raise an eyebrow as he enters my office.

“They are getting sloppy. Lance got himself caught… again.” Vik rolled his eyes. “Anyway I have the tech guys doing the sweep. This room is clean. I sent the instructions to the team to find her and I still have no clue who could be a rat but I’m working on it.”

“Good.” I nodded my head. “We have two shipments coming tomorrow. The guns are going to dock around 11 p.m. and the drugs is being transported with the new furniture for the refurbishing of Malone hotel and it arrives at 6 p.m.”

“Okay. I’ll send two troops. Do you want to keep all of it at the warehouse?”

“No… put half of it here and half in the storage across town.”

“Hmm.”

“And Vik… give the troops different times. Let’s see if there is a rat.”

“What do you mean?”

“Take a team you trust and scout the docks. Tell some of the people that’ll go to retrieve 1 p.m., some of the 2 p.m. and so on. So if there is an ambush you know who may have leaked the news.”

He nodded and left. After an hour we finish our work and head home. For some reason I was more tired than I imagined. When I got home I noticed Aiden running around the apartment.

“What’s going on champ?” I exclaim as he runs toward me. Picking him up I put him on my shoulders.

“Aunt Lea is not telling me where mama is. I’ve searched everywhere.” Sighing I pull him on my lap as I sat down on the couch.

“Uhm your mama isn’t here.” I breathe out.

“Then where is she? Is she sick again?” his voice cracked probably thinking about the time she was in the coma.

“No she isn’t sick. You know how your mama went to work while you were at school?” he nodded.

“Is she at work?”

“Yeah. But this time she has to stay a bit longer. So will you be a brave boy and behave while she’s away?”

Slowly he nodded.

“Okay come on let’s get some dinner.” I take him to his room and leave him to get freshened as I do the same.

The next few days passed like a snail. The first shipment was transported without a hitch. The second one not so much. They were ambushed by a small group but fortunately we were prepared. The men who knew about it were questioned and we finally had someone to question. My hands were itching to get some action and I personally questioned him. He didn’t tell much yet but he will break soon.

The team who we sent to track Daleyza down did find something and according to Vik they were working on a plan to get her back. And Aiden… well he keeps asking about his mom and I’ve run out of excuses. He wants me to call her or take him to her. I just don’t know what to say anymore.

Just as I entered the apartment he sprinted toward me almost making me fall down.

“Papa. Is mama coming home today?”

“No.”

“Owh.” His voice deflated completely and he stood with his head down. Without saying anything he turned around and went to his room. Sighing I went to mine.

I waited for him to start eating but he refused to come out of his room.

“Aiden. Come out now and have some dinner.” When I didn’t receive a reply I walked in. he was playing games on his tablet.

“Aiden…” not taking his eyes of his game he let out a hmm. “Aiden…”

“Look at me when I’m talking to you…” snatching his tablet away he huffed and crossed his hands.

“You’re coming out of your room now and have dinner.”

“NO.”

“If you don’t come now you won’t get any food for tonight.” I squinted my eyes and he refused to break eye contact. “Are you coming?” he shook his head. “Fine then stay in here and you’re not getting your tablet either.”

I walked out of his room and straight to the bar. Pouring a drink I take the glass and the bottle and head toward the balcony.