Chapter 12

Ace
It has been a full week since Ailee walked out of the party. I tried going after her but Viper and Axel blocked me. I yelled her name but I don’t think she heard me. My daughter walked out of my life for good. The things she said.They hurt me more than anything I have ever experienced before and I have been shot and had broken bones. She would rather die than accept the bone marrow from me if it meant being part of my club. And what she said about fathers. She was upset. I knew that but what she said was the truth. I just stood there and let that slut talk to her like she was nothing. Ailee shouldn't have had to handle it herself especially with her being sick but she did. And still I just stood there. I made no move to help.
Some of the men I call brothers won’t even look at me. Even Merigold, Speed, Gretchen and Lilly won’t come near me. When they do look at me all I see is disappointment. They feel like I let them down. And why shouldn’t they. If a club bunny talked to them like I heard them talk to Ailee I would have jumped in in a heartbeat. But my own child, I did nothing. Why did I just stand there? Because I was jaded to the way the bunnies act. They old ladies have put the bunnies in their place multiple times. Usually the old ladies have it under control and we don't get involved unless we have to. But should they have to keep putting the bunnies in their place? Ailee is right. The bunnies should know their place. They should have never spoken to a guest like that. And damn sure should have never spoken to a club princess, my daughter like that.
But they didn’t know Ailee is my daughter. I only told a few she was my daughter. Why didn’t I tell everyone who would listen. Fuck why hadn’t I shouted it from the roof. I have a daughter. Or at least I did. I never thought I would have kids after all these years and what do I do. Fuck it up royally. And I don’t know what to do to fix it. And that is why I’m sitting at the bar at two in the afternoon drinking whiskey. I don’t normally drink the hard stuff but today I need it.
I don’t know how to fix shit with my brothers, my nieces or my daughter. So I’m drinking.
Goof comes running through the front door like his ass is on fire straight to Viper’s office. I should care about what’s going on. Right now I don’t have it in me. Goof exits the office and back out the door. Viper comes out of his office, looks at me and shakes his head in disgust. Viper steps to the middle of the club and waits. The door opens and a man dressed in all black except for an emerald green band around his right arm comes in. Armed with a tactical gun hanging off his shoulder he looks around and nods to Viper.
The door opens again and an older man comes in followed by five armed men. All wearing the emerald green band on their right arm. I leave my whiskey on the bar and stand on alert but Viper makes no move as the older man approaches. “ Mr. Viper'' the older man says in a thick Irish accent that reminds me of Ailee. He has his hand out to Viper. Viper shakes it as the man says '' Thank ye for agreeing to meet with me.” “ It is just Viper. When my man told me what it was concerning I could not deny your request.” Viper turns to me,” Mr. O’ Sullivan, this is the man you are looking for. I understand this is a private matter. But as president of this club I have to insist that I be present.” Fuck this is Ailee’s grandfather. Mr. O’ Sullivan agrees and Viper says we can take this to his office.
As I make my way there I feel like a dead man walking. Four of Mr. Sullivan’s men stay outside, two come in with us and close the door. Viper sits behind his desk while Mr. Sullivan and I sit in the two chairs in front. Viper looks at me “ Mr O’ Sullivan is here to discuss something very important with you. It is in your best interest if you keep your mouth shut and listen.” Viper may be Prez but he has never spoken to me with such disrespect before. I don’t like it but I know my actions or lack of is what did this so I keep my mouth shut.
Mr O’ Sullivan speaks next “ I believe you know who I am so I will save introductions Mr. Ripley and get down to business. Ailee, like her mother, is my pride and joy. And not just because she is my only hier but in spite of it. Even more so since we lost her mother.” “ My condolences on your daughter's passing,” Viper says.
Here I go again just sitting there like an idiot not saying anything. Mr. O’ Sullivan thanks him and continues to address me. “ Ailee doesn’t know I am here and I would like to keep it that way. She asked me not to get involved after she told me about recent events. If her life wasn’t at risk I would honor her wishes. She insists she doesn’t need you. And she will just keep looking for another match. I am not willing to wait.The odds are not in her favor. We have known this from the first time she had cancer. You are a guaranteed match. And I don’t think it should be wasted despite how Ailee feels. Ailee is my world. So I’m prepared to offer a million dollars. Cash. As well as medical expenses for you to do the transplant anonymously.” One of the guys steps forward with a duffle bag. He lays it on Viper’s desk and opens it. My eyes bulge out of my head.
A million dollars! Cash is in the bag.He wants to buy my help.” You want to pay me to save her life.” I ask. “ Ace” Viper growls out. “ I would have prefered if you do what most fathers would do for their child but after what Ailee told me I didn’t hold out much hope for that. So yes I’m buying help for her. I want to be clear I’m not here as a member of the mafia as you call it. I’m here as a grandfather just trying to do the best he can for his granddaughter.” Mr. O’Sullivan stands, “ I will give you some time to think about it. But keep in mind the longer you wait the sicker she gets.” The man zips up the bag and removes it.
Mr. O’ Sullivan gets to the door and turns around “ Ailee didn’t give me all the details of what happened between you two. But I will say you are a fool to have lost a remarkable treasure such as Ailee. Any father would be proud to call her his. I know I am.” His two guards nod in agreement with him. Without another word they leave. Me I just sat there absorbing what I had just been told. A million dollars just to save a life.
I don’t really need the money. I invested my share of the club profits well and have myself a good nest egg. But a million dollars and medical expenses paid. It isn’t a bad deal. “ You want to explain to me what he is talking about?” Viper asks. I explained to him about Ailee having cancer. That is why she came to me. I was a match. Viper slams his fist on his desk “ Are you fucking kidding me? Your daughter is sick and you have been sitting on your ass hanging around the club instead of being with her. You are considering taking the money to save your daughter. Your flesh and blood.” I jump up “ You may be Prez boy but I’m still your elder. You will talk to me with respect.” Viper stands and slams his fists on his desk. “ I would if you showed me a man that deserves my respect. First, that bullshit at the barbeque. And now this. The man in front of me is not a man I can respect. Do you even know what a chance you are wasting? What you are throwing away? A chance my father never got and would kick your ass for screwing up. The man in front of me is not someone I want to know.”