Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) (4 page)

He was dressed down from the suits I had seen him in previously, but still formal in grey slacks and black button top. A thick gold watch wrapped the wrist he rested on the table and on his ring finger, a wedding band.

“I hated how things went yesterday. I came here first thing this morning to check on you. What are your plans for the day?” He was relaxed back in his chair.

Demetri sat down across from me and I glanced his way with a shrug. “What can I do?” The minute the question was out I regretted it. It sounded like acceptance.

Rusnak leaned forward and tapped one finger on the table to get my attention. “You can do whatever you want. Like I’ve said, you are a guest.”

I held his stare. “I didn’t feel like a guest when Demetri locked me in my room last night.”

His eyes narrowed and he paused for a beat before a small smile tugged at his lips. “Demetri takes things too far sometimes. It won’t happen again.” He looked to the man and said, “You are her body guard, not prison guard.” Turning back to me he added, “He has to stay with you, but you can do what you want. Tonight there is an event that I would like you to attend. It’s to celebrate Gage’s win, but also an announcement of sorts that I have taken over the Baltimore gym as well as opening the new one in D.C.”

My heart stuttered at the mention of Gage, but I kept my blank expression easily enough.

“Do you have any other plans? Perhaps pick up things for your stay here?”

I nodded, eyes back on the table.

“I know this is a strange situation, but tonight I need you to put on a good face. You will be representing the gym.” His voice was gentle but the demand was clear.

Demetri started up the Lexus. “Where to?”

“The Red Roof Inn, where you picked me up yesterday.”

“I thought Holiday Inn.” He backed the car out of the garage.

I gave up trying to keep where I was a secret, it’s not like I would be hiding out there again. “I lied.”

He snorted. “I figure.”

We drove up the long driveway, pausing as the gate slid open. Demetri waved to the man in the guardhouse controlling the gate, and my stomach sunk as I took in the security of the place.

“Why not stay at your house? Why not tell anyone where you at?” Demetri pulled me from my thoughts.

I shook my head, surprised that he was talking to me. “I didn’t want those girls involved in this.”

“But anyone look for you, they go there.” He shrugged.

I got his point, but him pointing out the flaws in my plan frustrated me. “I was only thinking about Damien, he doesn’t know I lived there.”

“Neither did I, but I found easy. You gave up where you were easy too. It took one hour to find you total yesterday.” His smug tone grated my nerves.

“Good for you,” I snapped, then turned to stare out the window.

“Did you tell anyone else about the hotel?”

“No.”

“What if something were to have happened? What if you died? Nobody would have known where to look for you.”

He was much more talkative today, I wished he would shut up.

“If I was dead, that wouldn’t be my problem.”

He smiled and his dark eyes brightened. “Good point. And you said without flinching. You not scared?”

“No, not of dying.” Dying almost seemed easy; it was everything else that scared me.

Merging with the traffic on the highway, he nodded. “Good.” Then he accelerated and turned up the volume to the radio.

Demetri walked me to the VIP lounge where Rusnak was, already a full crowd surrounding him. I kept my face blank and body soulless, determined that nothing would touch me tonight—not emotionally.

Rusnak approached Demetri, and they spoke low to each other, too low for me to hear over the music beat and noisy atmosphere.

Demetri turned to me and leaned in to be heard. “I have to go now. I pick you up at end of night. Stay in this area.”

I nodded, a mixture of relief and dread running under my skin. The devil you know vs. the Devil you don’t. After spending the day with Demetri, I still thought he was a lunatic, but we had come to some sort of truce or understanding. I didn’t know who was going to be responsible for watching me now.

Rusnak directed his smile to me and ran a hand down my bare arm, stopping at my fingers to bring them to his lips. “You look stunning tonight. I have a few people I need to introduce you to.”

I had spent the day testing Demetri’s orders to do what I wanted and bought a new dress as well as makeup. I figured following Rusnak’s directions to put on a good face could only help my situation. My money was running low now that I wasn’t working anymore though, so the dress was cheap but fit nicely; a blue strapless cocktail dress.

I stayed by his side for a while and met businessmen of the community, people who had something to do with boxing or were just spectators of the sport. My eyes kept scanning the room, waiting for Gage. I hated that there was still a part of me that wanted him near, but I couldn’t cut it out of me just yet.

“Ah, there’s the woman you really need to meet, my wife.” He guided me through the crowd with his hand on the small of my back. We stopped in front of a beautiful lady standing at a cocktail table with another woman.

Her smile brightened as she saw Rusnak but there was something sharp in her eyes, and I got the vibe that this woman was a force all on her own.

After they embraced and kissed each other’s cheeks, she turned to me.

“This is Regan Sommers, the gyms most promising female boxer. Regan this is my wife, Alessandra Rusnak.”

She shook my hand, chin raised as she appraised me. She was taller than me and her toned body was shown off nicely in a form fitting black dress, her long sleek brown hair hung past her large boobs.

“Where is your most promising male boxer? I haven’t seen Gage all night,” she asked Rusnak the question that had been on my mind.

“He’s in the main club mingling for now. Publicity and public image is important, but he will be joining us in here shortly.”

They continued talking, ignoring me, so I took the opportunity to walk away and was surprised that I could. So far, no one had been hovering over me. Maybe I wasn’t on watch tonight.

I went to the bar to order a drink when Silas slid into the spot next to me.

My body tensed as he leaned to speak into my ear. “I saw the missed call from you. I’ve been trying to call back but you haven’t answered, everything all right?”

I shrugged, not sure what information I could trust him with. “Yup. Everything’s fine but my phone’s gone.” Demetri took it yesterday and still hadn’t returned it. I’d ask him for it tonight.

Lines formed between his brows. “So you’ll be at the gym to start training tomorrow?”

I nodded and turned to get the bartender’s attention. My mouth was dry and I needed something to drink.

Nick appeared to the other side of me, making me step away so our bodies wouldn’t touch. He inclined his head, an amused look crossing his face. “Hello, little one. Ya having fun?”

I inclined my head in greeting and turned back to Silas, abandoning the idea of getting a drink. “I’ll be there in the morning.” I went to step away, but paused. Gage had finally arrived.

His large presence was easy to spot, but I didn’t recognize him. His smiles seemed to come easy as he talked with a group of people. They all laughed at what was being said, including Gage. He finished off the beer in his hand and swiped another one from a passing server. Then his eyes landed on me, for one brief, heart shredding second.

Nick stepped in front of me, blocking my view. “Here.” He handed me a glass with pink liquid. “It’s cranberry and vodka.”

“Thanks, but I don’t drink.” I set the glass down.

He cocked his head. “You might actually loosen up if you did.”

“I’m not even twenty one yet,” I said it like it made a difference.

His eyebrow lifted, surprised. “Damn, you are a baby. So young to be in so deep.” He patted my shoulder as he walked away, joining Gage’s group.

Silas turned to the bartender and ordered me a tea before leaving to go mingle.

I sat alone for a while, fighting against the urge to watch Gage move around the room.

As I exited the bathroom, an arm wrapped around me and pulled me back against a firm chest, a hand over my mouth.

“Shhh,” the man breathed into my ear, slipping us into a small dark room.

I wasn’t going to yell. I knew the moment the arms circled me it was Gage.

He turned me around, releasing my mouth as he held me against the closed door. His warm hands cupped my face, blue eyes glowing in the dark.

“Are you all right? Seeing you at his house yesterday—fuck. Have they hurt you or anything?”

I couldn’t form words, my emotions choked me. This was the concern I wanted from him but I found it hard to swallow now. He had walked away yesterday.

His breathing was raspy and reeked of beer as it fanned over me.

I raised my hands to his chest, wanting to push him away but not able to find the strength. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” He let out a large breath and dropped his forehead to mine. “I’ve missed you.”

I did push him away at that, but he barely budged. “Could have fooled me.”

“It’s not you I’m trying to fool.” His hands gripped my shoulders, holding me in place. “Although it would be best if you believed it too. Everything is so fucked up now. I don’t know what they’re telling you to keep you there, but I guarantee it’s not the truth.”

The thing was, I knew that. I knew they were lying, but now I realized I didn’t believe him either. I didn’t trust that anyone was telling me the truth.

“I have to get back out there before we’re noticed.” His hands rubbed my shoulders as his head dipped towards mine, breathing me in, drowning me. “Damn, you make me crazy. I had to talk to you. Please, don’t do anything till I talk to you again. Let me fix this.” Then his lips were on mine with a frenzied need, and I kissed him back, clinging to this electric moment until his words sank in.

I pulled away from his kiss. “It’s too late for that. I need to know what you know, so I can know what to do.”

“Tonight. I’ll be there tonight, just wait till then.” He stepped back and caressed my cheek. “You go out first. I’ll wait here.” His heat and security vanished when he took a large step back, leaving me cold and weak.

Panic gripped my heart and muscles as I thought of leaving this space, going back out there, back to him treating me like nothing and everyone manipulating the situation. Sucking in a shuddering breath, I tried to fight back the swell of fear and burning tears just behind my eyelids. His promise to come tonight didn’t comfort me. It felt like another lie, another ghost of a promise. I fought against every cell that demanded I pull Gage back into me, turning instead to open the door.

“Wait.” His warmth was instant as he stepped close; his hand pressed on the door by my head, keeping me from opening it.

A wave of relief flooded me, and the tears that had been threatening to fall escaped. This was too much. He was too much. I’d lost control of everything and hated myself for allowing that to happen.

He moved his free hand to my hip, turning me to face him again. I fought against it, not wanting to fall apart in his arms, but I had little strength.

Both of his arms circled around me, holding me to him. “Babe, you’ve got to stay strong. Don’t cry.”

Stiffening at his words, I reigned in my emotions and shoved away from him.

“I am strong. You make me weak,” I accused, squeezing my eyes against any more tears as I sucked in several calming breaths.

“Fuck,” he groaned as he swiped a hand over his short hair, looking at the ceiling of the storage room that was our hideout. His voice was even, absent of emotion as he spoke. “I’ll go out first. Wait a minute, and then you can come out. Go to the bathroom again and clean yourself up.”

He lowered his gaze back to me, face unreadable in the dark. He pivoted on his feet, moving slightly towards me at first but then he sidestepped me. He slid out of the door and closed it behind him.

Without him in the room, I was finally able to take a deep breath and steady myself. I meant what I said, he only made me weak. I couldn’t control myself around him; that had always scared me, but now it was dangerous and no good for either of us.

After breathing down my panic, calming the tingly sick feeling in my muscles, I stepped out of the room and ducked back into the bathroom to fix my face. There were others walking in the hall, but no one I recognized and none seemed to notice me.

“Where’s Dexter?” Nick asked Silas.

We were back at the bar, Nick and Silas on either side of me. I pulled out of my haze at the question and looked to Silas for the answer.

He forced a shrug. “Gage said he’s focusing on school now, not boxing anymore.”

Nick’s head bounced from side to side as he thought this over. “Kid was never great at it anyways, not like his brother. But damn, he was fun to have around.” He raised his eyebrow at Silas. “He’s still going to be around, right?”

Silas shrugged again as he brought his glass to his lips and gulped down the contents. “Not a clue. Talking about Dex doesn’t go over well with Gage.”

“He’s old enough to make his own decisions.” Nick set his empty glass on the bar behind me and stood up, glancing at his phone. “All right, little one, it’s past your bed time. Demetri’s out front.”

I stood, eager to leave, even if it was only back to a prison of a room. At least I would be away from here and away from Gage. He was surrounded by people vying for his attention. Every one of his careless smiles pissed me off, and every time his arm slipped around another girl at his side a stick was added to the angry fire burning in me. But that anger was better than the weak feeling of need he caused in the storage room.

“Stop calling me little one,” I demanded, facing Nick.

He laughed, unaffected by my snap. “All righty then. Let’s go, I’ll walk ya out front.” His thumb slid across his phone screen as he texted.

I was twisted in my sheets from tossing and turning with frustration, on the edge of sleep, when the door creeped open.