Ace of Spades (Underground Affair Series Book 1) (42 page)

Shane was barely half way through his pasta. He couldn’t believe how many people had approached him for autographs and asked to take pictures. He picked up his fork to attempt to finish eating.

Chace looked up and saw Robert walking in the door and heading straight for Shane. Before he could stop himself he blurted out, “What the fuck!”

Everyone looked up at Chace. Before Chace got to reply, Robert was at Shane’s back.

“Hey, Baby.”

Shane was barely able to swallow the food in his mouth after hearing Robert’s voice. Declan stood up.

“He’s not your baby and you’re not welcome here.”

“I see you haven’t changed Declan.”

Luke turned to Shane, “What’s going on?”

“Give me a minute, ok?”

Luke nodded. Shane pushed his chair back and stood up.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you fight. I thought maybe after, we could celebrate. After fight sex was always the best.”

Luke bolted up from his chair. He extended his hand to Robert, “I’m Luke, Shane’s boyfriend.”

Robert looked him over and then shook his hand. “I’m Robert, Shane’s ex.”

By now Declan and Chace were at Robert’s side in the event that he even raised a hand to Shane or Luke for that matter.

“Robert, I don’t have anything to say to you so we are all going to get back to eating.”

“You’re not going to ask me to join you?”

“I’ll be right back.”

Shane motioned for Robert to follow him away from the table.

“Look, I don’t know what you’re trying to do but it’s not going to work.”

“Baby, I miss you.”

“I miss you too sometimes but not enough to let you back into my life.”

“Is it because of the new guy or Declan?”

“It’s because I deserve better than you. You never cared about me, you only wanted my money and to toss around my name. You were going to stand there and watch me die after my last fight.”

“I know, I hate myself for that. I did some lines and I was drinking and I still have nightmares about you lying there bleeding. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”

“Yeah well, I won’t forgive you either.”

“Baby, wait.”

“Robert, I am not your baby. Back off and leave me alone.”

Shane walked back to the table and sat down.

“I’m sorry everyone.”

Luke placed his hand over Shane’s.

“Are you alright?”

Shane smiled at Luke, “I am as long as you are?”

“I’m ok.” Luke smiled back.

Lucy couldn’t believe how the conversation went that she just had with her parents. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. She was a mess. Her brothers walked into her room.

“So?”

“So, I’m packing.”

“Need help?”

“No. I’m ok, Jake.”

“Sis, we love you.”

“I love you both so much. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I’ll never forget it. I wish you two could come with me.”

“Us too.”

“Jon, can you carry my suitcase to the car for me?”

“Yup.”

Jon walked over to grab the suitcase but instead he hugged his sister.

“Promise to come back home for Sunday dinner?”

“Promise.”

Jon grabbed the suitcase and walked out.

“So this is it?”

“Guess so.”

“Stop crying already. Next time I see you there better be a smile on that face.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Sis.”

Lucy grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

L
UKE SAT THERE WATCHING
Shane as he paced while praying the rosary. Finally he was finished. Luke walked up behind him, kissed his neck and wrapped his arms around him.

“Thank you for being here with me, Luke.”

Shane turned around.

“I know you have to go in a minute but I want to say something first.”

“Oh, ok.”

“I told you yesterday that I thought I was falling in love with you.”

Shane nodded.

“Well that wasn’t really the truth.”

“Oh.” Shane looked disappointed.

“Truth is, I’m in love with you. I love you, Shane. I wanted you to know that before your fight. I want you to win but I will love you no matter what. I’m in love with Shane, not Hartless.”

“I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting that.”

Now it was Luke that looked disappointed.

“I see.”

“No, you don’t. I have very strong feelings for you. I do, believe me. It’s just…well once I say those words everything changes and then I end up hurt. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t. I understand. Maybe one day you’ll be able to believe in us enough to…”

“Shane, let’s go.” Declan was banging on Shane’s door.

“Good luck.”

“I’ll see you after the fight.”

Shane leaned over and kissed Luke.

Buddy was waiting for Shane and Declan to arrive. He wanted so badly to ask Shane what the hell happened that made Andy quit but he didn’t want to do or say anything to upset Shane with his fight coming up. He would definitely ask him tomorrow though.

“Ready, Kid?”

“It’s do or die time.”

“Let’s skip the die part, shall we.”

“Fine by me.”

“So, what did you think of Akai?”

“He’s good, real good but you’re better, Kid.”

“He weighed in at 224, I’m 208.”

“What’d I tell you about weight, doesn’t matter if you can’t fight?”

“Buddy, I want it so bad.”

“Then go out there Kid and get it.”

Buddy gave Shane a slap on his ass on their way into tape up and to see the judges.

Ace, Chace, Declan and Luke were all sitting waiting for the fight to start.

“I don’t know about you guys but I’m a nervous wreck.”

Declan laughed.

“Then you’re in good company because that’s how it is until Shane starts swinging and you hold your breath and get caught up in it until it’s over.”

“Declan’s right, your adrenalin starts pumping and everyone is yelling, it gets loud in here.”

“Thanks for the warning, Chace.”

Declan looked over at Ace who was staring into space.

“Ace, you alright?”

“I have this strange feeling and I can’t stop thinking it has to do with Lucy.”

“Ace, it always has to do with Lucy. Try to focus on Shane kicking ass and stop thinking about her for a few minutes.”

“Yeah, I’ll try.”

Shane was ready to go, gloves on, mouth guard in, he closed his eyes for a minute to focus. When he opened them it was time, he wanted this win and he was going to get it.

The crowd was chanting for both “Hartless Hart” and “Killer Akai”.

Luke just kept his eyes glued on Shane. He was in awe, as it was his first live fight and not watching it on a big screen.

The bell rang and Shane and Akai headed towards one another. They knocked fists and then the fight was underway.

Shane managed several blows to Akai’s lower body with his knees before Akai gave Shane a blow to the head causing Shane to stagger back a few steps.

Luke couldn’t handle watching Shane get hit. The longer the round went the sicker he felt.

Declan, Ace and Chace were yelling. They were all pumped up as usual.

Buddy watched as Shane dropped Akai to the floor, climbed on top of him and started to ground and pound. Akai managed to get his leg free and slam his knee into Shane enough times to give Shane reason to jump up, allowing Akai to stand back up as well.

“This is it. I’ve seen Shane practice this before.”

“What, Dec?”

“He’s going for a knockout this time, Ace. Watch.”

Ace tapped Luke and pointed for him to look up and watch. Chace smiled as the crowd roared.

Shane glanced over at Buddy who gave him a nod and Shane landed a spinning back kick to Akai’s head. Akai dropped to the floor. Shane knocked him out.

Shane was so excited he started jumping up and down. He ran over to Buddy and hugged him and then he jumped up on the fence.

The referee came over and grabbed Shane’s wrist and raised his arm declaring him as the Heavyweight Champ, yet again.

Shane stood there with a mix of literal blood, sweat and tears running down his body. He dropped to his knees and thanked God by making the sign of the cross. Then he stood back up and waved to the crowd who were all cheering his name, “Hartless”.