ACE If there was one place I hated more than my very own home, it was the fucking hospital. From the white vinyl floors to the pungent odor of disinfectant that had my nostrils burning, I hated it all. But what I hated the most—what instantly became my pet peeve—was their stupid fucking rules. I was good and ready to threaten whoever I needed to but Jericho held me back. He didn't even have to do it physically or use words. It was a simple glare, one that reminded me of how our mother used to use the very same glare to chastise me during my childhood. It gave me pause. I now sat in the God-awful waiting room along with my brothers, Quinn and her brother, and Odette—she arrived as soon as her shift ended. The only people allowed in to see Miranda was her family which included her motherfucking father who barely ever saw her. He was more pissed that his apartment had become a crime scene instead of caring whether or not his daughter was alive. I could unalive him. That was now an opt

  ACE   "Hey," I caught Miranda by her wrists, the pads of my thumbs tracing over her thrumming pulse points, "you need to breathe, baby. Take in a deep breath for me."   Her sky blue eyes held my hazel ones as she inhaled deeply through her nose, chest inflating with air and round tits pressing against the bodice of her dress.   My gaze flickered down before I could stop myself but I instantly regretted it. I locked my jaw and forced myself to plant my feet in place so I wouldn't attack her with my insatiable need for her, "Now," my voice sounded strained to my ears but I continued through clenched teeth, "release that breath for me, baby."   She exhaled sharply through her mouth, sweet-scented breath flooding my senses, "I'm fine."   "You're running around like a fucking headless chicken.