Chapter 13

Ace

“ I know I fucked up Viper. You don’t think I don’t know that. I had given up on kids. I thought the only way I would ever get close was through you and Merigold. Then my child walks into my life and I screw it up at every turn. I should have said something the other night. I know I should have. I should have done so much more. I didn’t even think to warn her about what she might see. She should not have to see bunnies being fucked up against a fence or sucking a brother off. I knew she had never been subjected to anything like that. But I did nothing because it is our normal. Bunnies mouthing off is our normal. And Ailee was right. She shouldn’t have to put up with that.”
I fell into the chair “ Ailee was right about more than I want to admit. A real father would not have stood by and let her be talked to like that.” “ Ace, you still have a chance. Make this right. For Ailee and for yourself.” Viper said. “ Son, I don’t even know where to begin.” Viper laughs “ My advice for starters forget about the money and just do the transplant. If you don’t make sure she lives long enough to fix things, what's the point. Next grovel, beg. Play dirty if you have to.” I tilt my head at that. Play dirty? What is he talking about? Viper smirks “ The old ladies and the kids. They could probably get in to see Ailee before you could and maybe put in a good word or two. Hell, I’ll even try to help. I hear flowers go a long way. No one is asking you to be perfect. Just be there. Just try to be the father she needs now. Besides you were always good with me and Merigold. You will figure it out.”
“ You are right. And I’ll get on that. Before I leave something Ailee said is stuck.Our prospects and bunnies. We need to do something. The prospect didn’t even get her name, just took one look at her and assumed she didn’t belong. What if that had been someone
we were doing business with? Ailee was right about the level of disrespect and lack of loyalty. And the bunnies. I don’t even know where to start with them. Before we got the old ladies they pretty much got what they wanted. We have been letting Anne and the old ladies deal with them. But we should have never let it get this far. They need to be reminded of their place or they are out on their asses ``I say.
Viper nods” I agree. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t notice a problem until this situation with Ailee. I want you and a few of the other brothers to help me come up with something to deal with the prospects. Lug Nut should help. He hasn’t been patched that long. And he put his blood literally into getting patched.Goof too. As for the bunnies. Yea we are doing something about that shit. I’m getting Merigold to help me with them. She has no problem putting them in their place. Half of them fear her with good reason.” Viper sits back and laughs “ If I could get Merigold and Ailee together on this, the bunnies would be too afraid to screw up. As sick as Ailee is, that girl of yours is a badass.” “ That she is.” I smile thinking back to how Ailee very quickly put Ellie in her place. Ailee
I hate chemo. I’m hanging over the toilet again dry heaving. There is nothing left but my stomach hasn’t gotten the message. I lean back on the cabinet behind me and try to catch my breath. Callen hands me a cup of mouthwash to rinse my mouth. I take a swig and swirl it around my mouth before I spit it into the toilet and flush. Callen helps me wipe my face before picking me up. Aye that is how weak I am. I have to be carried back to bed. Did I mention I hate chemo? The only blessing so far is I haven’t lost my hair this time.
Callen gets me sitting up in bed and covered so I don’t get cold when Finn comes in “ Princess you have visitors.” “ Uhh Finn, I’m in no shape to see anyone.” I rasp. Damn, even my voice is weak. A figure moves around Finn and I manage a small smile “ Granda.” He moves to sit at the edge of the bed. After kissing me on the forehead he asks “ How are ye lass?” “ It’s not bad so far aside from the vomiting and no desire to eat.” Granda looks me over. I know he doesn’t like what he sees when his lips thin in a grimace. “ You are losing too much weight. What is being done about this?” The question is directed to Finn. “ The doctor gave her some pills yesterday to combat the nausea but she can’t hold them down. I’m looking into alternatives to the pills. Caleen has been making Ailee smoothies with protein and vitamins. As well as sports drinks with electrolytes. It is the best we can do for now.” Finn says then walks out to give us some privacy.


Granda sighs “ I hate seeing you like this my princess.” I reach for his hand “ I know. I won’t be like this forever. Before you know it I’ll be full strength again and kicking this cancer’s arse.” He kisses my hand “ My sweet lass, even when you are sick you are trying to reassure me.” “ It’s my job.” I smile. We are interrupted by Finn knocking on the door. “ Princess you have a few more visitors.” I’m not expecting anyone. Granda says “ Send them away. Can’t you see Ailee isn’t up for visitors.” “ I tried sir. She is rather insistant.” She? I’m curious as to who it could be.” Granda wait.” I look at Finn “ Send her in for a minute. I’m curious.”
Finn opens the door and two boys come sprinting in yelling “ Princess we came to see you.” and I can’t help but giggle. They race to my side of the bed not even paying attention to Granda. Merigold comes walking behind them but stays at the foot of the bed. Jax says “ We came to see you. Momma says you sick. So we are going to cheer you up.” Jace says “ Yea, we even helped make you chicken soup.” “ Ace told Viper about you being sick and Viper told me. We wanted to come see you. Don’t worry I did some reading and you can eat everything in the soup. I hope this is ok?” Merigold says. I nod “ Come here.” I motion. The boys climb on the bed “Careful boys. Don’t hurt Ailee.” Merigold warns. “ We won’t momma.” Jace gets on my right and Jax left. “ You are the sweetest lads. Thank you for visiting me. You are definitely cheering me up.” My granda looks confused “ Granda meet Mr. Ripley’s niece and my cousin Merigold. And these strapping young lads are her boys Jace and Jax.” Granda shakes Merigold’s hand then looks at the boys. “ Nice to meet you lads.” “ Wow you talk like Ailee. That’s so cool.” Jace says. Granda laughs “ Thank ye boys. Ailee I will leave you to your guests. Just don’t wear yourself out.” “ I won’t. I’ll rest soon.” Granda kisses my forehead “ Love you my lass.” “ Love you granda.”
“ You don’t need to leave because of us Mr. O’ Sullivan. We won’t stay long. I just wanted to bring some soup and check on Ailee.” Merigold said. “ Call me Cormac lass. And no. Stay and visit” Granda looks at me listening to the boys tell me about their week. “ She needs this. More family caring for her is a good thing.” he whispers to Merigold then leaves. I lean back on my pillows already feeling sleepy. But I fight it because I really want to talk to Merigold. I didn’t realize how nice it is to talk to friends outside my family. Especially female friends. I’m surrounded by alpha males all the time this is a nice change. When I got to meet all the old ladies I felt like I was missing out. I miss having girl friends to talk to. So I'm not going to pass this up.
“ It is nice of you to come see me. Thank ye. But you didn’t have to bring anything. Just talking to me for a while is enough. And let me cuddle these lads. You didn’t have to come.” I say, pulling Jace and Jax as close as I can. “ We wanted to come. I know you don’t want to be near the club but I’m not here as a club. We are here as one cousin checking on another. I said I wanted to get to know you and I am.” This is why I like Merigold. When she decides she is going to do something she doesn’t let anything stop her. Even if it means pushing my guards around to see me.
I gave my guards instructions that I didn’t want to see anyone from the club thinking Ace would try to see me. Which he hasn’t so much as texted not that it should matter. But a firecracker like Merigold, my guys won’t stop her. When she leaves I’ll make sure I tell Finn to let in anytime she wants. Merigold moves to sit beside me and says “ But I will admit I have another reason for my visit. I want your advice on something.” What could she possibly need my advice on? I know nothing about the club or its politics. I don’t have a clue about relationships as I have never been in one. What could she need me for?