Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) (28 page)

“Then what?” I asked, unmoving.

The gun disappeared at his waist, covered by his leather jacket. He pressed his lips together and nodded his head to the door. “We’re goin’ on a ride.”

“Where?” I forced the question past my constricted throat. I didn’t really need an answer. It didn’t matter. It was nowhere good, I knew. I just needed to keep him talking so I could stay sane and think.

“Somewhere ya can’t start more trouble.” He pulled me away from the wall by my elbow and pushed me to the door.

“Why?” I tried to talk over the panic rising in me.

I was jerked back by my book bag. He was yanking it down, off of me.

“Enough talking. You’re a shady little shit and I’m not fallin’ for it.”

But within a minute of riding in his car, he was back to talking.

“Anatoli and Demetri treated ya like a fuckin’ toy, something they could play with, and look what that shit got them. You screwed them both over. I’ve got to put up with ya till Friday, but I’m not them, I’m not fuckin’ trusting ya.” He put a cigarette pack up to his mouth and slid the smoke out with his lips. “You’re gonna stay put till your fight. Then this shit will be over one way or another.” He mumbled as he lit the cigarette.

He seemed to calm down as he smoked. His movements slowed and he took deep breaths, smoke curling from his lips. He turned to me with a dark smile, pointing his light at me. “That’s the one good thing about ya. There are people that are expecting ya to fight, but after that…” he took a deep drag of the cigarette, smirk growing. “After that, you’ve got no one that will fill a missing persons report on ya.”

I wish he would shut up. His words weighed on me, the truth in them pulling me down. But I had made it that way. I didn’t spare any thought to giving him a response. My mind was already jumping to Friday. I had to win, but if I didn’t, I had to have a plan. I had to escape.

I was back in the small room above Rusnak’s garage, the one Demetri had first brought me to. It was one room with a couch, a small circle table, two dining chairs, and a bathroom. That was it. No windows anywhere and I easily lost track of time. There was only the one door, a solid thing that was locked from the outside. I’d been here long enough to determine that it was only a small fraction of the garage, I don’t think the room even went to the main walls of the outside.

I lay on the small couch, too small to even fully stretch out on. My legs dangled over the ledge as I looked at the brown water stains on the ceiling, I could swear they were getting darker, but realized it wasn’t likely. That’s the sort of things I was thinking of, nonsense, since I had already decided the best plan for me was to wait and see what was going to happen.

I hated that plan. I hated not being able to do something. Anything. I had already worked out some, but quickly realized that as a mistake since I had no water or food. Nick had said he needed me till Friday, but I hope he realized I couldn’t make it without water till then.

My stomach was grumbling, ready to eat. It’s strange how quickly things had changed. A couple of months ago I could have easily gone a day without food and barely noticed, I had been use to it. But after meeting Gage and following his meal plans, my body had become use to eating regularly, it depended on it.

Still watching the water stains on the ceiling I did the only thing I could do to pass the time, I fell asleep.

I woke up at the turn of the door handle and sat up as Boris walked through, arms full with groceries. He kicked the door shut with his foot and dropped a case of water on the ground with a loud thump. Then he set the three bags down beside it.

He nodded towards the groceries. “This should last you till Anatoli gets back on Thursday.” He turned back towards the door.

“Wait.” I stood up, but he ignored me and left. I ran to the door, knowing he wouldn’t be so careless as to leave it unlocked, but I had to check.

Kneeling by the groceries, I peeled open the case of water bottles and took one out. After a few needed sips, I inspected the rest. There was Total cereal, plain potato chips, crackers, Nutrigrain bars, and a bag of apples and oranges. At least I wouldn’t starve.

But Boris’s one remark confused me. Rusnak was gone, but coming back on Thursday. And he was going to come for me? After what Kiera told him and given my present situation, I was fairly certain his intentions wouldn’t be to help.

I wasn’t feeling well. The change in diet made my stomach hurt and the limited amount of food didn’t provide energy. And stress ate away at what energy I did have, stress and depression.

It was hard to keep track of the time passing with no natural light to gage whether it was night or day. So when the door opened and Rusnak stepped through, I could only assume it meant it was Thursday.

He didn’t come in with his typical smile. I always knew the smile was fake, but I still wished he was smiling. His blank face as he looked around the apartment, at everything except me on the couch, filled me with dread.

I stood up as he continued his slow perusal of the place, unsure of what to do in the silence and his odd entrance.

His eyes landed on me and he gave me the same leisurely once over. I only had the gym clothes I came here in, and by now they were well worn and sweaty from my mini workouts.

“Do you have anything to tell me?” He asked levelly, meeting my eyes.

I shook my head, choking on the words. “She was lying.”

He nodded his head, lips pursing together.

“I didn’t write any letters. I don’t even—”

“I know.” He put his hand up to silence me. “I know she was lying.”

“Then why am I here?” My heart raced. Did he really believe she lied about it all? I hope so. I certainly wasn’t going to admit to my night with Gage.

“Kiera tried to make the letter look like it came from you, but I have surveillance at my house and saw it was her. It was too late though, my wife saw it, and it said enough to get her angry and demanding things. I had to get rid of the apartment and take time to sort out that mess.”

It didn’t make sense. “So, you sent Nick?”

Now his smile was back, it slithered across his face as he stepped closer to me. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?” It wasn’t really a question. “I told you, I’d treat you well as long as you didn’t give me a reason not to.” He stopped just in front of me, eyes hooded as they dropped over me. “Have you given me a reason not to?”

“No. I haven’t done anything.” I didn’t hesitate to respond.

The seconds were painfully slow as he stared at me, unmoving. “Good.” His smile this time was more relaxed and less sinister. “You have your pre-fight physical and interviews soon. I have a change of clothes for you in the main house, in your room from before.” His smile dropped some as he picked up a lock of my hair. “You can shower there, too. Let’s go.”

Boris was standing at the door to the garage, waiting for me to walk out. Rusnak nodded to him. “Take her to the room in the house.” He stepped past me, but then turned before walking away altogether. “I’ll speak to you more later, after.” He spoke the words casually enough, but my skin still crawled as if it was a threat. And I had to admit, it probably was.

Rusnak had left me dark denim jeans and a thin Henley t-shirt. I was a little surprised that he had gotten me such casual clothes, very similar to my own style.

I was even more surprised to exit the bathroom suite and see Silas and Nick waiting with Boris. Nick stood by the window, watching the setting sun streak deep oranges and purples across the sky.

“Regan, are you ready?” Silas questioned with a smile.

I couldn’t help the frown. “Yeah, let’s go.”

“What about for your fight tomorrow?” Nick pulled his eyes away from the window, meeting mine with a slight curl to his lips. “You ready for that?”

My chest burned with anger. He was trying to sabotage the fight. If the room and lack of food wasn’t proof enough, his smug expression was.

“Yeah.” I dismissed him by walking to the door. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of getting to me.

“Good. Glad to hear it.” His deep voice held a laugh as he walked just behind me, arm reaching over me to open the door first. “Remember, second round. You win and you’re done.” He waited for me to walk through the door he held open. “And little one, behave at the interviews tonight.”

I kept walking without acknowledging him. My head began to pound, a crazy mix of relief and fear crashing in me. The agreement still stood then. Nick had just said, when I win tomorrow, I’m out. But everything around me seemed to say otherwise.

Once we walked outside, Nick broke away from the group and walked towards the garage.

Silas opened the passenger door to the silver car in the driveway and explained, “He’s not coming with us.”

That news let me breath slightly easier as I climbed into the back seat.

My fight tomorrow would take place at a large hotel in Baltimore. The physical and weigh-in today, was in one of the rooms there. The interviews were in one of the smaller conference rooms. My interview was second since I was one of the opening fights. But it was an opening fight for a title match, The East Coast Featherweight Title. In typical circumstances, this was a big deal. But I didn’t feel it.

As I waited with Silas for our turn, one of the main boxers walked by and nodded in my direction. I tried to smile back, but fell short. Then Dexter was at my side and I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I grabbed his arm, heart stuttering. “Hey.” I swallowed my words, I wanted to ask if Gage was okay, but Silas was watching and I didn’t trust him. “What are you doing here?”

He pulled me into a hug. “I’m your corner man, I wouldn’t bail on you. If you’d shown up to the gym this week you would know. Where have you been?”

I glanced at Silas, but he was his typical calm self.

“I was out of town,” I lied easily, but I meant my next words. “I’m glad you’re here.” I knew I should be pushing him away, telling him to leave, but I couldn’t. He gave me some comfort and some confidence and I selfishly was taking what I could get.

They called me up to the table and Silas and Dexter sat beside me. On the other end of the table sat my opponent, Misha Ballagio, and three people on her team. Her short-cropped hair was spiked with platinum highlights, but her makeup softened the look. I let her do most of the talking, she was cocky and funny in her boasts about winning, but I didn’t pay any attention.

When asked directly what I thought about her saying it would be a quick fight, I responded, “I’m gonna try my best to keep it short. We’ll see tomorrow.” Tomorrow, I was going to end it in the second round. I had to.

As we walked out, Silas was stalled by some guy from another gym, and I jumped at the opportunity to talk to Dexter.

“Is your brother okay? Have you seen him?” I quickly asked in a low voice.

He frowned down at my hand clutching his arm. “Yeah. I just saw him this morning he’s fine. Why? What’s going on?”

Relief surged in me making me lightheaded. I took a deep breath. “Nothing. I just hadn’t seen him. I wanted to make sure.” He was okay. Concern for him had been eating away at me. I could let it go for now and focus on my fight.

“Rea, are you okay? Seriously, tell me. I can try and help you.” Concern was etched in Dexter’s face, lines forming between his brows.

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m fine. Really. Once I win this fight tomorrow, everything will be okay.” I was trying to convince myself as I reassured him.

Silas stepped up to us and clapped Dexter on the shoulder. “You go get home to that pretty girl of yours, take her some ice cream or something. I heard pregnant women love that. We’ll see you tomorrow.” He nodded to the exit and I followed him out, not wanting to look back at Dexter and see his worried face.

Nick met me at the car the moment Silas pulled up. He killed the hope of me sleeping in the comfortable bed in the main house when he pulled my arm, leading me to the garage. Silas and Boris didn’t even get out of the car, and before I stepped into the garage, their headlights moved across the property as they pulled away.

I yanked my arm from his grasp. “I can walk,” I demanded, tired of being pulled around.

He shoved me into the open door of the garage, making me stumble in. I straightened myself up and walked with much more caution towards the steps.

He closed the door behind him, shutting out the pale moonlight, as he followed me into the open space of the Garage.

I paused, trying to let my eyes adjust to the new level of darkness. The soft thump of his boots on the concrete grew closer, and I immediately started walking again.

“Wait. You’re not going up to that apartment yet.”

I froze, senses heightened and muscles pulsing, ready to react.

“I’m trying to figure something out.” He was close, I could sense him just to my left. “What are ya doing talking to the law? What do ya think you know?”

I jumped back, avoiding his grasp as he reached for me. But then he lunged, capturing me in his arms. One arm hooked around my neck and he pulled my back to him.

“Remember ya came to us little one. Ya started this shit. I should have told ya to fuck off then. But now, here we are. So tell me, what have ya told.”

He loosened his hold on me, letting me breath in air. “I haven’t said anything.”

“Bullshit.” His arm squeezed my neck. “Then why the hell do I have an officer locked up in the other room that knows ya?”

Anthony. My heart tore thinking of him. “He was only a friend, before I got involved with all of this. I promise. He doesn’t know anything. I didn’t tell him anything.” I was pleading, but trying to keep it together, trying to remove emotion from my voice.

“Do you fuck all of your friends?” Nick’s deep voice held a hint of laughter. “Doesn’t matter. I know you’re a fuckin’ liar. He saw you the other night.” He dragged me to the edge of the garage.

“No. I didn’t.” My feet struggled to touch the ground, and my lungs struggled for air as his grip tightened on my neck.

He shoved me into the next room and I cracked my knees and palms, sliding over the hard concrete.