Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) (21 page)

I would have nodded if I could have moved.

Gage was stepping away from me, slowly backing up before he turned and shoved his way out of the gym.

I wanted to yell for him to stop but I didn’t. I couldn’t. And I knew it was best to let him go.

“That’s my laptop,” Kiera accused with a slight edge as she stepped through her bedroom door into the living room.

“Is it, really?” I didn’t even look up from the screen. I continued to scan the article about the sports camp Rusnak funded for underprivileged youth, probably the one Gage claimed to volunteer for. “Who pays for it then? You?” I looked up at her with a smirk, and her jaw dropped.

I knew I was being mean, but I didn’t care. I was in a bad mood and her constant reminders that everything in this place was hers pissed me off.

And I was pissed that my Google search into Anatoli had given little information. He wasn’t even present in case search, proving he had a clean record. The only black mark that could be found was an article linking him to his cousin Nikolai Rusnak, who was put in prison for drug trafficking. But Anatoli came out clean as a wealthy businessman trying to improve his community. Stupid Google.

I snapped the laptop closed and set it on the coffee table as Kiera sat next to me on the couch.

“It’s mine. Doesn’t matter how I paid.” She huffed as she adjusted herself to look at me. She didn’t look comfortable in her knee length snug skirt. “Maybe we should have some drinks before this talk.”

“You always want a drink. Don’t use me as your excuse.” I pressed my lips together to quit speaking. I had to stop myself from taking all my frustrations out on her. She was an easy target, the only person I could get away with talking back too, but I needed to stop.

Maybe she could be helpful. Maybe she could give me some insight on Rusnak. But it was difficult to care about what she had to say. My thoughts were crowded and muddled, Gage’s voice from earlier echoing in my head. I didn’t dare call Rusnak and question him about whether my next fight would be the last in the deal I made. I wasn’t willing to risk him knowing that Gage had come to see me. Gage had thought it was okay, but my instincts were buzzing, warning me that it wasn’t.

A high-pitched growl came from Kiera as she stood up. “Whatever. I’m getting a drink.” Her body was tense as she walked to the kitchen. She returned to the living room with a wine glass and a phony smile on her pinched face. “Let’s start this over, try again. I really think I need to explain myself here.”

I curled one leg under me and waited. I was dressed as her exact opposite; sweatpants, big t-shirt, and hair hung lose, un-styled. I planned on going to sleep right after I finished talking to her.

She sipped her wine, awkwardly trying to relax back against the cushion and then repositioning herself to sit up straight. She pulled her large wine glass, nearly half emptied, away from her mouth. “I am sorry for the things I said the other night, for blaming you for my relationship with Anatoli.” That phony smile was back. It looked like it physically hurt her to hold the face, especially since her top lip was puffy and heavy makeup veiled her bruising.

“Okay. I accept.” I sighed as she eyed me, obviously waiting for me to say more. I hope she wasn’t waiting on an apology. “I’m stuck here for now. I don’t want things to be awkward between us. You do your thing and I’ll do mine. No hard feelings.”

She flinched, but covered it with a gulp of her wine. Licking her lips compulsively, she set her empty glass on the coffee table before looking back to me. Her smile was much smaller now, but still there. “I don’t want hard feelings. But I’d like to do more than tolerate each other, possibly help each other. Anatoli and I may have our ups and downs but he means a lot to me, and I mean a lot to him. Please, don’t come between us.” Her attempt to innocently blink at me made me want to laugh, but not from amusement.

“I’m sure his wife would have the same request.” The words stabbed me even though they were meant to hurt her. I didn’t want to be in the middle of any of their relationships, but I had to look out for myself above all else.

Her thin attempt at staying calm and friendly was slipping. She gritted her teeth as she moved to the edge of the couch, leaning forward but angled towards me. “Please. He is my only chance, I’m begging you to stay away from him, to let me have him.” Her eyes shown with emotion, tears about to spill over.

I felt nothing when I looked at her. I had no compassion. I uncurled myself and slipped my leg down to the floor to mirror her position, but I kept at least a foot between us.

“Your only chance? At what? This lifestyle? Having your bills paid? Do you ever work?” I didn’t give her a chance to answer, I already knew. “What you fail to realize is he’s my only chance too. But my stakes are much higher.”

She was leaning back by the time I finished, putting more space between us.

“Fine. I guess we have nothing to say to each other then.” She grabbed her phone on the side table, stood up, and stomped out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her.

I threw myself into my workout, letting my anger strengthen my punches, but it didn’t relieve any of my frustrations.

Kyle coached me as I batted his padded hands, moving in circles around the ring.

“Whoa, stop for a minute.” He was wearing a goofier grin than usual as he pulled off his gloves and slid between the ropes.

I followed him with my eyes, then scanned past him to where he was headed. Gage was walking towards him, or towards the ring, but Kyle intercepted him. He pumped Gages arm in an excited handshake, face animated as he rambled.

Gage barely paused for him and stepped away, pulling the brim low on his black Orioles baseball cap as he walked towards me.

I climbed down from the ring, picked up my water from the edge, and took a sip to drown out the words that wanted to escape. Each and every time he showed up relief flooded me and I wanted nothing more than to touch him, to prove to myself that he’s okay. But I had to play this a certain way, and jumping into his arms, telling him how much I missed him and feared for him wouldn’t work. I let the cool water slide down my throat, till there was none left.

“You done already?” He was in front of me, glancing between me and the ring.

I looked to his left, where Kyle stood, grinning. “Sure man, she was just finishing up.” He waved dismissively at me. “Did you want to use the ring? Damn, that would be something. I heard you use our sister gym in Baltimore, but this one’s much nicer, all the best—”

Gages cool look silenced him. “No, I’ll stick with my gym. I’m here to talk with Regan.” He crossed his arms, tattoos and biceps on display in his thin white t-shirt.

Kyle looked at me with new interest. “All right, our session’s over. Remember Regan, take the day off tomorrow. You need to give those muscles more of a break this week before your fight. I don’t want to see you here in the morning, terminator.” He laughed at his stupid nickname.

I didn’t even acknowledge him, but kept my cautious gaze on Gage.

“Get back in there. I’ll practice with you.” He picked up the boxing pads on the edge of the canvas.

His request took me by surprise, but I climbed into the ring. I’d be sabotaging myself not to take advantage of his training.

He hit the top of each pad on the other one, securing them onto his hand. “This girl you’re fighting, she’s going to try to keep you at the end of her reach, she’s got a longer one than you. So stay inside it, but don’t let her hug you. She fights dirty and takes those kidney shots whenever she can.”

He moved around the ring, keeping me on my toes, offering bits of advice on how to improve my form and softly praising me when I delivered strong punches. We barely talked, but the heat between us only increased. It wasn’t long before several people, Kyle included, circled around the ring to watch and I ended our lesson.

He followed me, brushing off the spectators who wanted to talk to him.

Before I passed through the locker room doors, he grabbed my elbow, speaking low. “I’ll be here when you get out. We have to talk.” His eyes drilled into mine, still bright in the shadow of his hat.

I acknowledged his words with a nod but was unable to speak as I pulled away, unsure if he was here to talk to me for himself, or for Rusnak. Taking my time in the locker room, I built up my resolve to face him, to deny him if it came to it. When I walked out he was there with a small group of people, his head lifted, meeting my eyes as he excused himself and walked past them all.

He fell into pace beside me but didn’t speak until we were outside the gym. The people traffic on the sidewalk was heavier than usual, the bright and unseasonably warm day brought everyone out.

“Can we go to your place to talk?” He nodded in the direction of the large apartment building, easily seen over the tree line and other buildings around us.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Anxiety pulsed in me.

His fingers curled by his side as he stretched his neck. “Walk in that direction.” His voice was soft, but held authority.

“What do you need to say? Whose message are you delivering?” I started walking towards the apartment, but held my breath as I waited for him to answer. He could be delivering a message for Nick.

He pulled on my arm, making me face him. “God dammit Regan, I’m here for myself. I have things to say to you; we need to talk and get on the same fucking page.” His words were strained with more pain than anger.

I stepped out of his grip and continued my path to the building. “We can talk in the courtyard, it’s private enough.” Public enough too. “But you can’t be upset with me for asking that question. You haven’t always come around for yourself.” I kept my eyes forward, not wanting to see his reaction to my accusation. It was bad enough hearing his frustrated grumble.

Large trees surrounded the courtyard, making it a cool shaded spot during the summer, but a chilly place to be today. I found a stone bench that was in the sun and sat.

Gage didn’t sit as he started, “Rusnak said you made a different deal with him that cancels out the deal I was making. So this won’t be your last fight for him next week.”

A heavy weight dropped painfully in my stomach, but I breathed through it. I hadn’t really believed it was going to be that easy.

Gripping the edge of the chilled stone bench with my fingers, I looked up at him. The sun glowed behind him, shadowing his face. “Thank you for trying,” I began carefully. “But from now on, just stay out of it. I’m handling this myself and don’t want you involved.”

He jerked back and removed his hat, hand running through his messy hair before he placed it back on. “What the fuck.” He slid next to me on the bench, leaning forward to look at me. “I’m involved in this, whether you want me to be or not. If you would quit making your own deals, shit would be over. You’re destroying everything I’m trying to do.” He was heated, voice rough with anger.

“Stop doing things for me.” I wouldn’t back down, no matter how much fire he put off. “Worry about yourself and quit blaming me.”

“I’m not—” he stood up again, frustration clear in his every movement. “This is—” he put his hands on either side of the bench, surrounding me as he leaned over me. “You don’t know what you’re saying.” His voice was low and slow, his eyes searching my face.

It was like he lit my fuse, my body sizzled, pressure building. “I do”—I swallowed, my throat dry—“know what I’m saying.” I forced myself to maintain eye contact and not back away.

He inched in closer, licking his lips, and my breathing hitched.

“You want me to go away? Leave you alone?”

I nodded, pulling both my lips between my teeth to keep from speaking.

He shook his head and moved one hand to the side of my face, stroking my cheek with his fingers. “Tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you don’t love me.” His voice was soft, his breath a warm caress.

“I don’t love you. And I don’t want you. And if you keep coming around, I’m going to have to tell Rusnak.” And I was thankful for all the scars on my heart, it made it stronger, gave me a thicker skin, so I could pull out the lie without flinching.

Gage snapped back like I’d delivered a physical blow. Several feet now separated us. He pulled his hat low and glared at me. “That’s how it’s going to be? After everything I’ve fucking done for you? You’re going to threaten me with him?” he took steps back, still facing me. “You better hope you get out before he loses interest. He’s only going to take what he can get, and then he’ll throw you away when he’s done. And I wont fucking wait around and watch.” He turned and left.

I stayed on that bench until I couldn’t see him anymore, and then I let the single tear fall. The only tear I would allow. Feelings had no place in all of this.

“HEY, HOW’S IT GOING?”

“Thanks.” I barely glanced at the man holding the door open for me.

He followed behind me as I walked to the elevator, not that strange since he lived in the same building. But then I decided to take the stairs. When the door opened and closed behind me, I picked up my pace, not pausing to turn around.

“You’re Kiera’s roommate, right?”

At that, I slowed my pace and turned slightly towards him. It was the guy she left with the other night. I recognized that mop of curly hair.

“Yeah,” I answered as I stepped onto the platform for my floor. I pulled the door and he reached over me to hold it open.

“After you.” He waved me through. “I live on the second floor, but I wanted to stop by and see if Kiera’s home. She was really upset last night.”

I kept walking during his talk and he kept following. He quickened his pace to fall in line next to me. “My name’s Harrison, by the way.”

I tried to give him a smile, but I’m sure it came across fake. There was something about Harrison I didn’t like, something in those brown eyes that didn’t sit right with me. Maybe it was that I knew the danger he was in by being involved with Kiera, or maybe my paranoia was at full tilt.

Pausing at my door, I turned to him. “Have you talked to Kiera because she’s usually not home this late.” I had stayed at the gun range till closing.