Paxton's Promise (26 page)

I had two hours before I needed to be at my apartment and still no one had gotten in touch with Paxton to tell him he was going to fight. We had no clue who was going to come for him. When Ryley had to fight, it was Scar who showed up at the arena.

My phone vibrated. “Hey, Mason,” I answered, keeping my focus on Paxton.

“Did Paxton tell you I called?”

“Yes, but he didn’t tell me what you talked about.”

He sighed. “Look, Gabby, tonight is gonna be no joke. I’ve dealt with these kinds of people before and they’re hardcore. Most likely, someone’s going to get hurt. I mean seriously hurt. I just want you to be prepared.”

“I’m ready, Mason. You know I’m strong.”

“And here’s where I need you to be stronger,” he began. “Rage isn’t just going to settle for this fight with Paxton. He wants you, win or lose. What I want from you is your full cooperation.”

“What do I need to do?” I asked.

“If something happens and Rage gets his hands on you, I want you to play along. If you fight and tell him to fuck off, it’s going to piss him off. Not to mention, right now he thinks you’re engaged. Don’t provoke him. I’ve seen his record and he doesn’t take very kindly to rejection.”

Dread settled into the pit of my stomach. “What if he tries to rape me?”

“That’s when you fight, Gabby. Whatever happens, I’m going to be close. Are you ready for this?”

No, but I had to be.

I HAD TEN minutes left before I needed to leave. Paxton thundered up the steps and when he got to the room, his deep breaths were all I could hear.

“What are you doing?” he asked, coming up behind me. I took the ring off my finger and gently set it on his dresser. “I talked to Mason. The last thing Rage needs to see is the ring on my finger. Besides, I don’t want anything to happen to it.” It was strange, but I didn’t want to take it off. I’d only worn it for one day, but it felt like it was a part of me. “Has Camden or anyone called you yet?” I asked, turning around.

He was on edge, his fists clenched tight and his jaw firm. “No. And they probably won’t until you’re gone.”

This was it. This was what we dreaded . . . having to say goodbye. Stepping around him, I grabbed my bag, making sure I had my phone and plenty of money in case I needed it.

“You know, I thought I could handle you leaving, but not knowing what’s going to happen is totally fucking with my head. My instinct is to keep you here and fight every motherfucker who tries to come after you.”

“And I know you would,” I murmured wholeheartedly, glancing at the clock. “It’s time, Pax. I have to go.” Taking me in his arms, he held me tight, crushing me. I squeezed my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay; I had to be strong. “It’ll all work out. Mason’s ready and so is his team. Just be careful.”

“You too, sunshine. I’ll see you when this is all over.” His lips pressed into mine and I opened for him, tasting him desperately. I breathed him in and put it all to memory.

Before he decided to keep me hostage, I broke away from the kiss. “I love you.”

Sighing, he rested his forehead to mine. “And I love you.”

Clutching my bag, I bolted out of his room and down the stairs. I was going to be late. The Hummer was in the driveway, ready for me. I tossed my bag inside and hopped in. When I pulled out of the driveway, I made the mistake of looking back in the mirror. Paxton was by his front door with his hands in his hair. The tormented look on his face made my heart break. Hopefully it would all be over soon.

The whole way to my apartment, I sped like a bat out of hell. When I pulled into the parking lot, I half expected to see Camden’s sports car there, but unfortunately, it was Red. Groaning, I pulled up beside him and rolled my window down. “Where’s Camden?” I asked.

Red grinned and opened my door. “Sorry to disappoint, sugar tits, you got me tonight.”

Before getting out of the car, I rolled up the window and turned it off. I had hoped Cliff would be out there somewhere, but I didn’t see him. “What happened to my friend?” I asked.

Red took my bag and opened my door. “That’s none of your business. Get in.” Once I got inside, he slammed the door and went around to his side. He didn’t even bother looking in my bag this time; he just threw it in the back.
Damn, I should’ve brought a gun.
“You know the drill,” he said, passing me a blindfold.

I had never noticed it before, but on his forearm was the skull tattoo. And right below it had his name . . . Malice.

GABRIELLA HAD ONLY been gone twenty minutes when Camden showed up at my doorstep. My stomach clenched. I had hoped he would be the one with Gabriella. “Who’s with Gabby?” I snapped as soon as I opened the door.

He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Scar told me to come get you and if I had to use force then I was more than welcome. But they knew I wouldn’t have to once I told you they had Gabriella.”

“Is that it? You don’t know anything else?”

Camden shook his head. “They’ve kept pretty quiet about this whole thing. I think they’re up to something. I just don’t know what.”

That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “All right, let me get my bag. I’m ready to get this shit over with.”

As soon as I had my things, I met Camden out at his car and got in. In my seat was a blindfold. I was an outsider now. Once I put it on, Camden started on the way. “Why are you helping us?” I asked curiously. “You never help anyone but yourself.”

He chuckled. “And you’re right. I’m only doing this for Gabby. She may be a pain in the ass with a big mouth, but she doesn’t deserve to be put at the hands of someone like Rage. No one does. As soon as all of this is all over, it’s right back to my usual self.”

“Great,” I mumbled. “You know, I used to be just like you. It gets kind of lonely after a while, does it not?”

“Nope, I like my life.”

He said it, but I didn’t believe a word. One of these days, he’d come around. Even Kyle seemed to be different when I talked to him. For the rest of the ride, it took about thirty minutes. I didn’t exactly trust Camden, so I was glad we never told him about Mason and the plan.

“We’re here.” He came around to my side of the car and opened the door. “Once we’re inside, I’m going to take you to Scar.”

“Will Gabby be there?”

“I don’t know. It looks like Malice’s truck is missing. He must be the one who had to get her.”

“Shouldn’t they be here by now?” Camden’s silence was answer enough and I didn’t like it.

“Come on, let’s go. I’ll find her.”

We started moving and once inside the doors, it was silent. Camden removed the blindfold and I followed him down a long hallway until we got to a door. Inside was Scar with two of his goons. I recognized them from before when I used to fight. Their names were Sniper and Slade. They disposed of the people who broke the rules.

“Reaper, good to see you again. I guess Striker didn’t need to twist your arm to come.”

Snarling, I stepped inside his office and went straight to his desk. “Where’s Gabby?” I wanted to beat the smirk off his face and snap his fucking neck. Scar never fought in the ring and I’d give anything to take him out. I wouldn’t think twice about killing him or Rage.

“Oh, don’t worry, she’s safe. If you win the fight, you’ll get to see her again. If not, then it looks like you won’t be seeing anyone ever again.”

“So what are you saying? We’re fighting to the death?”

His smile grew wider. “That’s what Rage wants and since you turned your back on us, I think it’s only fitting. Besides, he wants your girl and he’s made it abundantly clear that he’s not going to stop until he gets her.”

Darting for his neck, I didn’t get far before Camden’s arm draped around my body and Sniper’s gun pointed straight at my head. Breathing hard, I held out my arms, signaling my surrender. The gun lowered and Camden let me go.

“Rage isn’t going to touch her,” I hissed, pinning a lethal glare his way. “If he does, you both die.” The Reaper was back. And this time, I’d finish the job myself.

Scar chuckled and dismissed me with a wave of his hand. “Striker, take him away. The fight starts in fifteen minutes.”

Camden opened the office door and I stalked out, my pulse thundering out of control. I knew where I was about to go. “Dude, calm down,” he hissed.

I followed him down the hall to another door. Inside, was a chair and nothing else but a small window on the door the bidders could look through. Clenching my teeth, I marched inside. “I’d like to see you stay calm if it was
your
girl you were fighting to keep safe. But then again, you’ll probably never know what that’s like.”

Camden stood by the door and started to close it, his expression unreadable. “Probably not, but you need to focus. Make sure you put this fucker down. I’m going to try and find Gabby.”