Maze (The Ballerina Series #2) (4 page)

I
swung back to face him. “You and I both know if not now then later, but that’s
what it means. They will have a replacement ready to go.”

“But
what if you come back good as new?” Maze asked. “Doesn’t that make a
difference?”

“Yes,
it does,” I replied. “It means I’d keep my position as the featured female lead
for maybe another few seasons, but sooner or later I will be replaced.”

“Fucking
hell,” Maze grunted. “Well they’re not replacing you yet. I already promised
you I would help. We’ll get that ankle so strong you’ll be even better on it
than you were before.”

“You
know,” Dante said, “I’m kinda liking this guy. Fucking A.” He got up and came
over to fist bump Maze’s hand. “Okay, kiddies, I gotta go take a shower, order
a little take out, then go to bed. I have to be at the theatre at six tomorrow
to go over the routine with Christy. We’re doing a special performance in a
couple of days. We’re filling in for a duo that had to cancel at the last
minute.”

“Where’s
Christy?” I asked. Oops, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I knew Dante
hadn’t been hanging with her lately, but Christy was very into him. I was sure
she just loved the fact they were dancing together. “Sorry, forget I said
anything.”

“No.
It’s cool. I told you we’re taking a break. She got too clingy and you know me.
I like variety. Anyway enjoy the rest of your evening and I’ll see you both
later.”

“Night,
man,” Maze said.

“Night,”
I repeated. We were silent as we watched Dante go into his room then shut his
door. “I guess we better go to the restaurant,” I stated.

“No
matter what you’ll be okay,” Maze replied, trailing his hand down the side of
my face.

My
lips trembled but I fought the fog threatened to drag me under. I twisted
around to look at him. “Promise?”

“I
swear.” He raised my hand and kissed it. “I better call the car around or we’ll
be late.”

Chapter Four

Maze

We
walked into the restaurant lobby just as the hostess seated Ivy’s mom and
friends. I would have known Ivy’s mother anywhere. Her daughter looked a lot
like her. They had the same warm brown coloring and were both about the same
height. Her mom probably only weighed a little more than Ivy did. Where Ivy’s
hair was past her shoulders and wavy, Allison wore her hair cut in a short,
capped curly style that worked great with her high cheekbones. The same ones
she gave her daughter. Ivy introduced me to all of them. Ivy’s mom, who told me
to call her Allison, and Shel’s parents remembered me, or claimed they did.
Both women hugged me, which surprised the hell outta me. Shel’s dad, Ben, shook
my hand. Since my mother died, I could count the number of times on one hand I
was hugged that had nothing to do with a prelude to sex.

It
was nice being hugged by the two moms. I didn’t want Ivy to know but I was
nervous. I wanted to make a good impression on them. I wanted them to know how
much I cared about Ivy. She was everything to me and I’d be good to her. I
didn’t deserve her. I knew that, but damn, if I wasn’t going to try and live up
to her and her family’s expectations. It was clear Ivy and her mother were
close. They sat next to each other and chatted, teasing each other the way a
mother and daughter could. Ivy’s chair sat close to mine and we held hands
under the table the entire time. I think her mom knew, though. I caught her
looking at our arms one time and then she looked at me and winked. So I guess I
didn’t come off as a total loser.

The
awkward moment came when Ben asked about what I did. I didn’t want to lie to
these folks. I took a sip of the wine in front of me and manned up.

“I’m
a retired mixed martial arts fighter, sir.”

“Wow,”
Ben said. “I’ve been to one of those fights. Very intense.”

“You
have?” Bev, his wife, asked.

Ben
took a sip of water. “Yes, with Phil.”

I
remembered, Phil was Ivy’s dad. Both moms laughed. “So what was your record?”
Ben asked.

Ivy
answered before I could. “Undefeated,” she said proudly beaming.

I
wanted to lean over and kiss her right then and there in front of her parent
and their friends, but I wasn’t sure that would be a good idea. It wouldn’t
have been a quick kiss either. At that moment a rush of love filled me, at the
way she took pride in me. I was so busy staring at her I almost missed her
mother’s next question.

“So
what are your plans now?” Allison asked.

I
turned my attention away from Ivy to answer it. “I’m the new owner of a martial
arts gym over in Chinatown. I’m going to start training the next crop of
fighters.”

“Nice,”
Ben said. “So no more cage fighting for you?”

“Oh
how exciting,” Bev said at the same time.

I
shook my head at Ben’s statement. “No more fighting. Just training. That will
be enough excitement.”

“Well,
I think this calls for a toast. Congratulations,” Allison said.

They
all raised their glasses and toasted me. I breathed a sigh of relief that I’d
passed that hurdle and been accepted by Ivy’s mom and people who meant
something to her. The talk then moved to Ivy and her injuries. They were
interested in the fact I was willing to help her come back from it.

“Yes,”
I agreed. “As soon as the cast comes off I’m going to have her down at the gym
working on strengthening her ankle.”

“I
think that’s a fantastic idea, Maze,” Bev responded.

Dinner
turned out much better than I’d thought it would have. When we parted company
in front of the restaurant, the hug I got from Allison was a little tighter
than when we first got there.

She
whispered in my ear, “Thank you.”

I
just smiled at her and nodded. Then she got into the cab with Shel’s parents
and I closed the door.

“That
went well,” I said.

Ivy
tilted her head and stared at me. “Were you worried?”

I
shrugged. “Scared shitless.”

She
laughed. “My mom liked you. They all did. You impressed them.”

I
wrapped my arm around her and drew her against my side just as Terry pulled up
to the curb with the limo. “As long as I impress you,” I replied, and gave her
a quick kiss. I opened the car door for her before Terry could come around the
side. “I got it man,” I said to our driver and climbed in behind her.

“I’m
glad you came with me,” she stated.

I
clutched her hand. “Yeah, me too.”

It
wasn’t too late and I needed to check on Joe. I wanted to tell him about
meeting Ivy’s mom. I hoped one day soon he’d be able to meet her parents. I
even talked to Allison a little about Joe and she said she’d love to meet him
sometime. I’d like him to meet her too, but they were headed back home
tomorrow, so it would be a while.

Ivy
lay snuggled within the crook of my arm, her hand on my thigh and mine over her
hand. I threaded our fingers together. I liked touching her. “I found it
interesting as much as we talked at dinner, no one mentioned the reason they
were all here. Was it because I was there?”

“No.
I think they’re just trying not to dwell on it. You being there gave them
something else to focus on. Bev will go back home and schedule the surgery.”

“Well
she looks good. If I didn’t know she was ill I wouldn’t suspect a thing. Has
she any idea of when that will be?

Ivy
nodded. “It will be sometime late next week and I think I’ll go for a visit
then.”

This
was the first I
heard
she might be leaving me. Not for awhile, yes, but still. I didn’t want to spend
even a minute without her being nearby. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

“Just
a few days. I’ll go a couple of days before the surgery and if all goes well
come back the day after. You could come with me.”

“Babe,
I’d love to, but tomorrow I have to meet with Tsang and a few of the managers
who use the gym. We’re going to plan out some renovations for the place. That
might start as early as next week so I’m not sure. But thank you for asking and
wanting me to be there with you. I want to be. Maybe I can fly down and be with
you for the surgery then fly back the next day or something.” But I already
knew come hell or high water I’d be there with Ivy at least for the surgery.
“As soon as you know the date let me know and I’ll make sure whatever is being delivered
or installed will be done around those two days so I can be there with you.
How’s that?”

She
gazed at him with her heart in her eyes. “Have I told you today I love you?”

I
smirked. “I don’t remember so why don’t you remind me?”

“I
love you.”

I
shook my head. “Not even close to how much I love you.” I took her into my arms
and closed my mouth over hers. You know I’d always known I had the capacity for
this kind of love. I’d known it for several years. The thing was it was only
and always for just one person. I held her in my arms and I’d do whatever it
took to keep her there.

****

The
car pulled up to the hospital entrance and I helped Ivy out. Terry drove it
around to a parking area and would wait there for us. I just had to call or
text him when I was ready.

We’d
just walked through the admittance area when the hairs at the base of my neck
stood up. Someone was watching us and it wasn’t friendly-like. I slowed my
steps and glanced around, quickly spotting the buzz cut of one of Jai’s buddy’s
from the alley that night in Little Italy. When the dude looked at me and
nodded, I knew it was no accident he sat there in the hospital. He’d been
waiting on me.
Shit!
Those fuckers
were too close to Joe, but at least I knew they couldn’t get to him. Only
family was allowed to see him and those on a guest list. Uncle Tsang told me
last night he’d taken care of that. Along with placing a guard outside Joe’s
door. No one could get to my stepfather in the hospital. So he had to be there
for me.

“Ivy,
I see someone I need to speak to for a minute to let them know they can’t see
Joe. Will you go on up, and I’ll met you there?”

She
turned to me. Her forehead crinkled and her lips flatted out into a frown.
“I’ll wait for you.”

“No.
It’s okay, thanks, but you go on up. I’ll be right behind you.”

Even
though I didn’t believe she’d seen whom I’d been staring at, she still looked
around. There were quite a few folks in the waiting area, I hoped that night in
the alley it was too dark and she was too scared to remember what the men
looked like. Thankfully, her gaze went past the guy. Finally, she looked at me
again and appeared thoughtful before replying. “All right.”

I
gave her the room number and squeezed her hand before she walked away from me.
As soon as the elevator door closed I went toward the dude. He stood up and
moved to a less populated area near the windows. We leaned against the ledge of
the low windowsill and kept our voices down.
 

He
didn’t waste time on introductions. “Liu wants to talk to you. He said to tell
you, you still owe us. Owe him. And one way or another he’ll collect.”

Figures.
Jai’s older brother acted like the Grand Dragon of the Triad, calling the
shots. “Nothing to talk about, man. I owe him shit. I think my last message was
pretty clear on that.”

The
messenger straightened up and glanced in the direction of the elevator where
I’d sent Ivy on to Joe’s room. A shiver raced down my spine at the thought he
might have recognized her. Shit! Everyone at that fight would know Ivy was
important to me. His gaze returned to mine and he said, “I’ll be sure to tell
him that. By the way nice piece of ass you got there.”

“You
do that.” My voice went stone cold.
 
“And tell him I don’t want to see any of you anywhere near this hospital
or me or mine again. The conversation won’t be as pleasant as the alley. My
business with the Triad is done. So is Joe’s.” I wanted these fuckers to know I
was not some docile lamb. I wouldn’t cower at their threats.

“I’ll
pass that on. By the way Jai’s fine. You and yours will hear from him soon. And
one last thing, Liu wanted me to tell you to ask Joe why your mother really
died.” Without another word, he stalked past me.

I
stood watching him until he exited the building. The bastard had threatened me,
Joe, and Ivy. I had to let Joe and Tsang know. No one would hurt Ivy. And I
wondered what the hell that last crack was about my mother. She’d died in a
senseless robbery. Some bastard had shot her and Joe, who’d tried to protect
her. I glanced around to see if there were any more faces I recognized.
Satisfied there was no danger, I pulled out my cell and called Tsang to let him
know.

“I
don’t want you to worry about anything,” Tsang said on the phone after I
explained the situation. “The Tong is strong enough financially now. The Triad
is hurting.”

“Which
makes them that much more dangerous.”

“Doesn’t
matter, Maze. It’s time to take them down. Joe and I didn’t get to these
positions by accident. Tell Joe I need him out of that bed sooner rather than
later and I’ll be by in the morning to see him. Now you enjoy the rest of your
evening with your lovely young lady. Will you go back to the condo tonight?”

“No.
I’ll be at Ivy’s.”

“All
right. Just call Terry when you’re ready to return. He will be with you at all
times until this is over.”

“One
last thing, the fucker who delivered the message said I should ask Joe about
why my mother died. Do you know what he meant?”

“Mind
games. She died needlessly in a robbery gone bad.”

“Okay,
thanks. I won’t raise this with Joe. You’re right they’re just trying to screw
with us.”

“I
might put another familiar face in the area around you for the next couple of
days too.”

“Do
you think…”

“Just
a precaution. Now go see Joe.”

Tsang
disconnected the call before I could probe him further. But I already knew, the
bodyguards were necessary. I shut the phone off and walked over to the
elevator.