Bound by Fire: Burning desire (#2)
Chapter 24

Ace p.o.v.

The ride would have been silent if it weren’t for Aiden talking in the backseat. He went on about his day and his friends. When we reached the Delgado mansion a strange feeling washed over me. I never thought I would be stepping in this property alive and yet here I am with my family. Daleyza walks toward the main entrance with Aiden in her arms. I don’t understand why she continues to do that. He is a big boy and shouldn’t be carried around like that. When Aiden spotted Daleyza’s brother he rushed to him and started talking to him. I frowned slightly at the sight but decided to ignore him. I joined them and heard Francesco saying something about a room. Daleyza nodded and took off to where I assume his girlfriend is.

“I didn’t know you were coming along.” He cleared his throat finally acknowledging me. I extended my hand and we sat down on the couch.

“I didn’t plan it either.”

“Listen I need a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“I need to track someone down.”

“You can do that yourself.”

“I received the information that the bastard is in Russia and that’s not exactly somewhere I want to mess with. Seeing our situation I don’t want to stir up shit.”

“Send me the info I will see what I will do.” He nodded as he took his phone and messaged something. After a moment my phone pinged and it was from him. I forwarded the message to Vik telling him to get someone on it. “And why is it so important for you to replace this person?”

“He messed with my girl so he has to pay.” I nodded understanding his point of view. “So what have you planned now everything is officially in your hands?”

He sighed running his hand through his hair.

“I’ll probably start by selling this piece of shit house and clean some of the messes that old man caused. It looks like the older he got the more he lost his mind.” He shook his head.

“I was thinking it is time to let this alliance known publicly.”

“You prance around with my sister and expect people not to know?” he scoffed playfully.

“We need to show our enemies that they shouldn’t mess with us.” He slowly nodded his head.

“Lately some of the smaller gangs have been trying to stir up trouble.”

“I have a hotel opening in a few weeks in Hawaii we could make a vacation out of it.”

“Who are you targeting?”

“Those fucking Italian bastards. I overheard them planning on making an alliance with you against me. Usually I don’t let these petty idiots bother me. But kidnapping Daleyza took it a step to far.”

“Glad to know I won’t have to rearrange your face for my sister.”

“Who says she wouldn’t have done it herself.” I laughed.

Our conversation halted when we heard movement coming toward us.

“Frankie you moron.” We heard Daleyza exclaim and hitting her brother on his head.

“What?”

“I told you to give her space and you had to go scare her like that.” He rolled his eyes hearing that and just shrugged his shoulders. “It’s going to take a long time. And if you continue being such an asshole you’ll end up pushing her away.”

“Thanks for the life-lesson Dr. Phil.”

“Shut up jerk.” She punched his shoulder lightly.

“WHAT are you doing here?” I winced hearing the shrill voice through the door. Turning slightly on my seat I see Daleyza’s mother… step-mother walking around like she didn’t recently lost her husband.

“The question is what are you doing here? Didn’t you replace anyone else to leech off of?” Daleyza retorted without even looking at her. The old woman looked like she might explode.

“You disrespectful little…”

“Okay that’s enough. Mom we were in the middle of a conversation.” Francesco called out and indicated for her to leave. He turned back to us. “Anyways… the funeral is in two days.”

“So?” Daleyza asked trying to figure out why he said that. He knew she wasn’t interested in going.

“I have to be there.” He sighed. “Do you mind taking Cristy out of the house? I don’t think she’ll want to be around for that.”

“Fine… but you owe me.” she rolled her eyes.

“I actually have something for you.” He walks to one of the rooms.

“Where is Aiden?” I suddenly realize he didn’t come out with her.

“He’s with Cristy… when she talked to him she seemed okay for a moment so I thought it was better not to disturb them.” I nodded trying to understand what that was about. Francesco returned to us with a box in his hand and gave it to Daleyza. She opened it and gasped.

“You really got it for me?” she smiled and he shrugged. A Gold-Plated Walther Model PP Semi-Automatic Pistol. “You even had my name engraved. Awesome.” She smiled widely as her fingers ran across the engraving.

“I got it for you a long time ago but forgot about it when you went away.” He shrugged. She was mesmerized by the gun and I was mesmerized by her.

“I think we should get going.” I cleared my throat and she snapped out of her day dream. She nodded her head and snapped the case shut. Carefully handing it to me she went to get Aiden. I smiled seeing her antics.

On the ride home Daleyza seemed to be bouncing in her seat as Aiden was lost in his. We stopped by a Chinese restaurant and had dinner before arriving at our new place. It really was a breath of fresh air leaving that mansion after so many years.

Aiden was so tired he fell asleep right after his bath. Daleyza on the other hand took her gun to the back yard too test her new toy. She seemed so in her element while doing that. Which made me rethink her position in the gang. I left her for a while when I noticed Vik’s car pulling up.

“What’s wrong with you?” he looked anxious and kept pacing on the front porch.

“Lea is pregnant.”

“What?” I almost chocked on my own saliva.

“Yeah. Exactly my reaction. I didn’t realize everything would happen this fast. I didn’t even get a chance to propose. I don’t even know if I’m ready to be a father.” he was rambling on.

“You have enough time to prepare yourself.” I laugh slapping his back.

“Funny. You took six years. I have fucking 3 months.”

“3 months? How is she that far along and you’re just replaceing out now?”

“No fucking clue.” He sat down with his hands covering his face.

“What’s going on?” Hearing Daleyza’s voice our head snapped to her.

“Vik’s going to be a dad.”

“What?” she actually froze for a moment.

“Why did both of you have the same reaction?” he grumbled. “Can’t one of you give me hope?”

Daleyza burst out in laughter. “Good luck you’re going to need it.”

“Thanks…” he replied dryly.

“Don’t you think you should be spending time with her instead of moping around here?” she asked out of curiosity.

“Yeah she wanted ice-cream…”

“So you came here?” I raised an eyebrow.

“I needed a minute to process it okay.” He rolled his eyes as he stood up.

As he drove away I turned to Daleyza and our eyes locked. It seemed both of us were thinking the same thing.

“This is getting more complicated by the day.” She whispered. I sighed, took her hand in mine and led her inside.