Page 29 of Ace's Winning Hand
“Then we understand the magic of movies and telling stories. That makes us friends,” Quincy whispers the words like they’re sharing a secret.
“We’re friends?” Rian looks dazed for a moment before she snaps out of it, and a huge smile takes over her face. “That’s so cool. I’m learning how to tell stories through dance. Brielle,” she pauses, her voice turning reverent, “she’s my new mom, is teaching me. She’s a dancer.”
“Dance is a beautiful way to tell stories. I love watching dancers move and embody the music and the story.” Quincy is completely focused on the little girl in front of her.
She doesn’t see the way she’s capturing the hearts of everyone witnessing the exchange. All because we love Rian and there’s something so sweet and innocent about their conversation that can’t be faked.
“Oh,” Rian exclaims, “I completely forgot. My name is Rian. I’m ten now and just finished fourth grade.”
“I’m Quincy,” my woman offers Rian her hand who shakes it enthusiastically with a big grin on her face. “It’s nice to meet you, Rian.”
“Come on,” Rian crows while pulling my woman away from me. I barely swallow down the growl at the distance.
My woman looks over her shoulder at me and winks. Fucking winks. Of course, she knows what she does to me and how much I don’t want distance between us.
Which means I’m following behind my woman who is being tugged along by Rian. I’m sure we look ridiculous.
When I look up, Cowboy is standing there with his arm wrapped around Brielle’s shoulders to tuck her into his side with a knowing smirk on his face. I shoot him a deadpan look which only makes his smirk turn into a full-blown grin. Rian leads them right over. She stops and I stepup next to Quincy, my hand at the small of her back, because I’m not letting a girl introduce my woman.
“Quincy,” I turn toward her slightly and wink which causes her to smile, “you already met Rian. This is Cowboy, her dad, and Brielle, his Old Lady.”
Quincy smiles at the couple, her brown eyes warm. “It’s nice to meet both of you. Rian is incredibly special.”
“We’re friends,” Rian pipes up. “I have biker uncles, a new mom, and now I’m friends with a movie star. This has been a good year so far.”
Quincy giggles before turning her focus to Brielle. “I heard you’re a dancer. I’ve never had great rhythm, but I love watching dance. I’m completely jealous of dancers.”
“She danced in New York for a long time,” Rian pipes up and I swear Brielle turns bright red.
“It’s nice to meet you, Quincy. Welcome to Elysium and the Steel Sinners,” she welcomes my woman warmly, her words and the bright smile on her face sincere.
“I’m not sure I’m part of the Steel Sinners,” Quincy’s voice is unsure.
Brielle looks at her for a long moment before looking at me and then back at her. The smile that breaks out across her face is downright wicked. “You’re definitely part of us. Welcome to the family.”
Quincy swallows hard and I swear I see tears swim in her eyes for a moment before she blinks them away. Her voice is thick, “Thank you.”
Brille flashes another large smile and then nods toward the bar. “How about a drink? You can tell me what brings you to Vegas and how you met Ace.”
“A drink sounds great,” Quincy’s shoulders relax.
“Ineed to hear this story,” Rian pipes up and joins the women as they head to the bar.
When I glance at Cowboy, he’s pinching the bridge of his nose, and I can’t help but snort out a laugh. “She’s growing up way too fast,” he mutters under his breath.
“She’s been going on thirty for years now,” I remind him. Because it’s true.
His eyes snap to mine and something in his gaze shifts. Mentally, I brace for impact.
“I see you’ve brought a woman to the clubhouse and you’re looking at her like she’s your everything,” his voice is curious.
“You know, I didn’t understand when Brielle showed up here. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around the change I saw in you. It wasn’t like I couldn’t look at Brielle or spend time around her and understand why you would want to be with her, it wasn’t that. I just didn’t understand how you knew, how everything seemed to just change so quickly,” I explain.
“Now you get it?”
“I get it.”
I look over to where the ladies are talking. Both women are focused on Rian. I have no idea what the young girl is saying, but her hands are flapping around and it’s obvious she’s passionate about whatever she’s telling them.
