Chapter 39

Ace

When I saw Ailee last night it had been the first time since she walked out of the clubhouse the day of the barbeque months ago. I know she has been back a few times since but that always made sure I’m not around when she is here. Most around here think I fucked up when I let Ailee walk out. And they are right. They also think I don’t want to fix what happened or even make amends with Ailee. That is where they are wrong. I want to fix my relationship with my little girl. I want her in my life. Desperately. I just don’t know how. I have picked up the phone so many times I have lost track. I have written and deleted so many texts. But what I need to say shouldn’t be done through text. So I pull up her contact but I just can’t get myself to push the green button. What if she doesn’t answer? What if she tells me to go to hell? Then I thought I should talk to her in person. But what do I say? I don’t think saying “ I’m sorry and I love you.” is going to be enough. I have gone over thousands of things I could say but none of it seemed enough. I have never been good at expressing my feelings. I never had a reason to. So trying to tell my baby girl how I feel and how sorry I am is hard. And the more time went by the harder it became. I know I could be running out of time but I just don’t know what to do.

I have even tried to find out where she lives so I could go over there and hope she will talk to me. Lug flat out told me Finn and Callen have been instructed to turn me away at the door so he wasn’t going to bother telling me where she lived. Merigold wouldn’t even answer me. I have listened as the others have talked just to find out how she is doing. They won’t tell me otherwise. I know all of the brothers and ol’e ladies have visited Ailee and hung out for the past few months. The ol’e ladies adore her which makes me happy. I know Lug has been at Ailee’s place damn near every night. And I don’t like it one bit. Don’t get me wrong Lug is a good guy and brother. I trust him to have my back if it comes down to it. I still don’t think he is good enough for my daughter. I have watched him around the club. The first time I see him with a skank I’m going to kick his ass. I may not have a relationship with Ailee yet. But I will still protect her from anyone including one of my brothers. But I haven’t seen him with a single one. And if they do try to come to him he sends them on their way.

When I saw Ailee I could see the look in Lug’s eyes. He was head over heels in love with her. That’s why he hasn’t been with any skanks. He is truly devoted to Ailee. When he saw her walk in he was speechless. So was I. She was stunning in her evening gown. I couldn’t believe I had a part in making her. The red hair, pale skin, and mouth were all her mother’s. But her eyes, nose and cheeks were all me. Ailee was the perfect combination of both of us. I heard the guys joking about Lug not talking. Ailee walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He looked at her like she was the rarest gem in the world. And Ailee was looking at him with so much love in her eyes. I hate to admit it but they looked good together. I could see how much they cared for each other. I would still make sure he didn’t hurt her. But seeing them together made my heart feel better. I wasn’t as worried about Lug like I was before.

I was still thinking about Ailee the next morning. I was sitting at the bar having a cup of coffee when Anna came over to me. She laid a newspaper down on the bar next to me but kept her hand on it. “ I’m going to show you something against my better judgment.” she says as she lifts her hand. Anna points and I see it is the front page of the style section. There is a picture of Ailee and Lug on the red carpet. They look so much in love. I read the article as it says Ailee was with her boyfriend, Travis. The article listed all the accomplishments the O’ Sullivan foundation and more importantly Ailee had done for victims of sex trafficking. The more I read the more my chest swelled with pride for Ailee. I know some of what she is doing was influenced by her mother’s influence. Mara talked often about helping the underprivileged. As I finished reading it said how Ailee was honored by several people she had helped in the past. And there was a photo of Ailee, Lug and a group of ten young men and women. Lug was looking at Ailee with awe and Ailee was smiling brightly. I have only seen that smile once in person and that was when she looked at Lug last night. “ She looks so happy.” I said.

“ She does. And if you could get your head out of your ass you could be part of it.” Anna said. I didn’t realize she heard me I had said it so low. I never took my eyes off my daughter when I said “ After all this time I still haven’t figured out how to fix this, Anna. Everything I have come up with doesn’t seem to be enough. And it has been so long I don’t think anything will fix the damage I have done.” Anna lays a hand on my shoulder. “ Ace, we have known each other a long time. I can’t give you any advice on this. But I do know that Ailee is a wonderful young woman with a good heart. I’m sure if you try and talk to her. Honestly talk to her. You might be surprised. I know somewhere in her is a little girl yearning for her daddy. Comrac is a good man. But you are her father. Nobody could make up for that. Just tell her what is in your heart.”

“ And do it soon.” I hear a gruff Irish accent call out. I look up and see Cormac O’ Sullivan and three of his men. Viper is standing next to them. “ Ace, Cormac would like another word with you. I hope you are smarter this time.” Viper growls out. My nephew can hardly tolerate me lately. Not that I blame him. I haven’t been a good man. “ Is this about Ailee?” I ask even though I know in my gut it is. “ Aye.” Cormac says. “ Do you want to do it here or in the office?” Viper asks. The club is deserted right now so it makes no difference to me. “ Here is fine, Viper.” Cormac said. He turns to me “ I’ll make this brief, Mr. Ripley. Time is running out. I am offering two million. Cash. For your marrow.”