The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 73 – His pupils darkened more in rage even if it was possible. “You remembered the accident when we were returning from the house I bought for us?”

My eyes widened. “H-he was behind it?”

He nodded, a muscle of his jaw ticked. “It was him. Even though I was his target, he shouldn’t have involved you in this.”

I let out a breath.

So that was the reason behind his intense hatred against Antonio. That’s why he was so mad at Tess’s wedding when Antonio came to meet me.

“When Arthur brought up the Russians offer to me, his desperation for me to sign it and his being the head of this project had me suspicious. So I had his phone tapped. To know what was brewing in his shrewd head. And I was right. I got to know about his intention behind the project while he discussed it with Ivanov on the phone. But as cunning as he was, he never unfolded his whole plan to him. Until this morning, when everything in his path was clear for him to go ahead.”

But he did tell Ivanov about k*****g him. Ivanov knew it except being aware of how Arthur was going to pull it.

“That means you knew he was going to k**l you after the signing? I thought you told me you weren’t aware of it.”

“I knew, but I didn’t know how he was going to do it. What his exact plan was. But I got to know about his stupid master plan when he was with Ivanov this morning. We were listening to everything he was saying from the conference room.”

“We?” I raised my brow.

“Me, Duncan and Mr. Balakin.”

“Duncan and Mr. Balakin?” I was shocked. So Mr. Balakin and Duncan knew everything? That explained why Duncan was there.

He gave a nod. “It was Duncan whom I asked to tap Arthur’s phone. Besides being a successful businessman, that b*****d is also an expert with computers, hacking and all, he also did something to Arthur’s phone for us to hear every conversation when his phone was with him, even when he wasn’t on a phone call. As he was a partner in my company and we always had each other’s back, when I told him about Arthur, he was more than willing to throw out that leach out of the business.”

Though he showed that he didn’t really like Duncan, I knew they were good friends.

“When Arthur was planning to get rid of me, Ivanov also wanted Balakin out of his way to get their company all to himself. When I made him listen to all Arthur and Ivanov’s conversation about how later Arthur was going to move Balakin away from Ivanov’s way, he agreed to help us. I knew the contract would be beneficial for both of us, so I wanted the contract, but without Arthur’s plan in it. And Mr. Balakin wanted the same. So he agreed to sign the contract as per their plan. But not for their benefit, for our gain. And it would also let Arthur believe that he was winning. So that he would play his next move and face defeat.”

Then suddenly his demeanor changed, those strong shoulders of his tensed. “When I left in my car with Mr. Balakin as per their plan and Duncan stayed back to keep an eye on them until they left the hotel, I got to know that you were in that hotel.” His breathing came out deep as he tightened his hold on me, his eyes watched me as if he feared I’d disappear at any moment. “Duncan sent a recording to Mr. Balakin’s phone of Arthur’s phone call where he was talking to you and then giving orders to his dog to…k**l you.”

I ran my fingers in his hair to calm him down, pressing my forehead against him.

“You don’t know how I felt at that moment, Rosebud,” staring into my eyes, he gulped. The sudden redness in his eyes and the moisture in there had my heart clench. “I felt my heart stop beating the moment I heard him giving orders to k**l you. I…”

I squeezed his hand. “I know. I’m sorry, even I was scared. Terrified actually. I thought I could sneak out quietly before they would even notice me, but unfortunately they did. Thank G*d Duncan reached there at the right time.”

“Where I should have been. I should’ve been there to protect you rather than trying to proceed my worthless plan to defeat him. I should’ve protected the most precious person of my life. But…” His hands balled into fists. “I clearly failed. I failed to protect you.”

“Don’t you dare blame yourself for that! It was my fault I took that risk. You put those guards outside the house to keep me safe. But it was me who didn’t listen to them. So whose fault is it? Me. So stop torturing you for the thing you didn’t do, again.”

He shook his head, eyes pained. “I should’ve known that you were there. I should’ve listened to your voice messages and picked up your calls. But my phone was f*****g d**d! I forgot to charge it last night! It’s all my f*****g fault!” He slammed his fist against the hardboard of the bed, cursing.

I gasped. “Ace! Stop! I said it wasn’t your fault. And nothing happened to me right? I’m fine. It was my stupidity that I followed Arthur without taking anyone with me.”

“But anything could’ve happened! I could have…” His jaw ticked. “I could’ve lost you. If Duncan hadn’t reached there in time…”

I cupped his face, kissing his forehead. “But he did. I’m alright now. You couldn’t have known I wouldn’t listen to the guards and leave. So stop blaming yourself,” I murmured. “Anyways, what happened then? What happened after you heard the recording?”

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath as if calming himself down.

“I got out of the car and went back to the hotel as soon as possible. I wanted to turn back the car forgetting our plan, but Mr. Balakin wanted to continue it, he was eager to see the shell shocked face when his partner would get arrested after he realized how badly their conspiracy failed,” he replied, shoulders still tensed.

“But I saw the car getting trashed by the truck. Was he in the car when…”

He shook his head. “No. He and the driver also got off the car turning the autopilot mode on just some minutes before they reached the spot Arthur’s men were waiting for us. They shot the accident and sent it to Arthur. And he must’ve sent it to you after somehow knowing that you got out of there alive.”

Taking his shaking fists in my hands, I kissed both of his palms.

“How did I get home?”

“When I reached the hotel, you already left with Carter’s car. And after following your phone’s location, we found some people moving you out of the car because you lost consciousness stopping at the middle of the road. Then I got you home.” I leaned into his gentle caressing over my cheek. “Are you okay, Rosebud?” Concern and regret echoed in his voice. I knew how the thought that he couldn’t be there to protect me was torturing him. And knowing him, he’d continue to blame himself for that no matter what I said.

I nodded. “I am.”

His hard eyes fell on my cheek. “You’re hurt.” His jaw ticked. “Who was it?”

“One of the guards. But he’s d**d right now. And I’m fine now, don’t worry.” I assured him.

“I promise, Rosebud. Arthur will beg for d***h but he won’t get it. He will suffer for the rest of his life. I’ll make sure of that,” he swore, gaze still latched onto my cheek.

“Where is he right now?”

“In the j**l.”

My eyes shot up in surprise.

“After the accident, he and Ivanov went to the spot to be sure if I and Mr. Balakin, as he was with me in the car, were d**d. They wanted a confirmation before they cheered over their success. That’s when Balakin reached there with the police and got them caught on the act before providing them the phone recordings.”

“D**n, I missed the look on Arthur’s face. It must have been worth watching,” I muttered.

That got a small chuckle from him. “So did I. I was waiting to see that look in his eyes. But I had much more important things to do than being there, bringing my Rosebud back into my arms.”

“I’m glad he’s finally behind the bars, and out

the start of his punishment, baby. A much

As if a huge burden had lifted off my chest. I no longer felt the s*********n of Arthur’s threat dangling on my neck. He

arm, he asked, “What are you

our life. I just hope

in the j**l for the rest of his

That’s what I want. Make sure he

my queen wants, she

at him. “I

his lips

a strand

like going outside? If not, I’ll just tell them to come to see you

Mom and Dad? When did they

you. Even Tess and

did they

but couldn’t talk to you. And then he heard what happened

I remembered calling him hoping he

already here? So soon? How many hours I

past eleven

gasped. “I slept for that long?

about it. If you need to rest more, I can tell them to come tomorrow

shook my head. “No. I’m fine. Let’s go

***

upteenth time, but her tiny arms wouldn’t leave me as she kept

tell me what to do, young lady! You almost gave us a heart a****k today!” she snapped, sniffling. “You don’t go and put yourself in danger and then

help. But he only watched me with displeasure. After I got an earful from Dad, Tobias, Tess and Casie, I was now in the clutch of my Mom. She wouldn’t leave me

habit of playing

told her not to get herself into

you didn’t care to tell me what was running into her head about Arthur?”

place, scratching the back of his head. “Well, I

me then I’d have talked to her. But you just carelessly let it go! Do you have any idea

I didn’t know it was going to be this serious. I also thought Arthur was a good man like the rest

on him for doing that to my baby girl,” Mom

I will assist you in that!”

Caleb and

can’t breathe!”

other hand, my man shifted from one leg to another, eyes set on me. With a creased forehead, his

finally his patience

her something,” saying, he gently pulled me from Mom’s chest to his,

then I felt him relaxing against

to touch me for even some seconds. He hasn’t left me for a second after I gained

in my ear while our family planned how they were going to

I nodded. “Now that you’re with me,

kiss on my forehead, he took

his stormy grey eyes. They were still dark, swirling with concealed

running inside him. But for my sake, he stayed calm. But I was also aware of the fact that he wouldn’t for long. I saw what he did to Antonio before he left him in an abandoned alley. I just hoped he would at least leave Arthur’s life. No matter how much I hated that man, I

He just nodded.

sighed. “Just don’t k**l

dark orbs just stared at me silently, without

mouth to say something, Mom’s voice cut

everyone. Let’s go and have dinner. It’s late. Then we’ll leave. My baby needs

to feed me the food she made for

And as much as he didn’t like so many people in his home, he didn’t seem to complain. All he did was just keep me within his touch and stare at me.

the dinner once everyone left, promising to visit tomorrow morning,

the still rushing city beneath us. He told me to go to bed but I insisted on getting some fresh air. So here

night. He looked at me in surprise. A perfectly arched brow of his raised. “I thought you hated the idea of me going to

your knuckles. A little bit of blowing the punching bag

always used the punching bag for that. But since knowing how much I disliked it, he wasn’t going for it

practicing his unhealthy exercise anymore, but if a little bit of that could reduce his anger a

head. Hugging me closer, he kissed my forehead. “I’m fine, Rosebud. And I’m saving it for someone

his voice sent a shiver

want him to take any wrong steps out

in my arms now. I didn’t want to ruin

for their honeymoon? I

his lips. “When do you want to

big.

go. I promised you a vacation, right? If you want to go to Greece, then Greece it is. Whatever

getting a Christmas gift. “Tomorrow! I want to go there tomorrow! I had even planned the places I want us

vibrated through his chest as he cupped my face

it is then. Where do you

“We’re

I get with my Rosebud all to

to Istanbul! The city of dreams!” I gushed. “I love their lifestyle and food. I can’t wait to

I love you,” snuggling into my neck, he rasped. His rough stubble raised goosebumps across my

rushed directly to