Wicked Bad Boys (72 page)

A
t the sound
of the bathroom door closing behind me, all the air in my lungs rushed out. I leaned on the door. I had gone too far with Johnny last night. And this morning.

I turned on the shower and stepped under the water. “What am I doing?” I asked myself. The question was out there. I just wished there was a reasonable answer for it. As the powerful spray hit my hair, I put in my favorite two-in-one shampoo and conditioner, and tried to convince myself last night was harmless, and that Johnny could handle it. Deep down, I was certain we were getting too close. I rinsed my hair and poured body wash into my bath sponge. The thought of letting Johnny in had me undone.

Long before meeting him, I had decided relationships were not for me. It was best to keep men around on a short-term basis only. It was a policy that had been effortless to follow—until now. I squeezed my eyes shut and scrubbed up with the sponge, telling myself I was over-reacting. When I finished my shower and turned off the faucet, I grabbed a towel and went back to the bedroom to get dressed. My phone rang while I was searching through one suitcase. Thinking it might be Kevin or Fred, I hurried across the room to answer it. An unknown number flashed across the screen, so I threw it back into my purse.

I had begun to brace for what felt like the inevitable—that Kevin would eventually terminate my contract. It would be for the best, I fooled myself into thinking. There would still be the release pay, and even after I returned the money Johnny have given me, there would still be enough to go out on my own. I would find a way to make it work. That was what the gig had been for—one month, big paycheck, and done. It was supposed to have been simple. Except simple was not what this assignment turned out to be.

Johnny came in when I had finished getting dressed, and let me know breakfast was ready. Something made me stare up at him, and he moved in closer. I instinctively closed my eyes and tilted my head back, waiting for him to close the gap between us. It started as a soft, sweet kiss as his lips molded to mine, holding perfectly still for a moment, as if he was intent on stretching out the moment. His lips parted and gently tugged on my top lip. He slowly parted them and ran his tongue along the curve of my bottom lip. I heard myself whimper, and his tongue reacted, plunging into my mouth and possessing me deeply. His hands moved to my lower back and pressed me into his body. I was already so lost in the moment, I barely noticed the clicking sound as the door swung open.

“This has got to stop, Johnny,” Kevin snarled.

I pulled away from Johnny, embarrassed. He was furious.

“Get out of my suite, Kevin. We’re not having this discussion.”

Kevin took no notice of Johnny’s rage. “It’s like you two are teenagers. I’m sure you know where this conversation is going, Amanda.”

“I said get out!” he barked.

“The decision is made! I warned you, Amanda. We no longer require your services,” Kevin continued, shouting as loudly as Johnny. “Fred and his team will handle all aspects of the investigation, any my private security team will take on the rest. I’ll have your check waiting for you at the front desk when you check out later. There’ll be a plane ticket too for this evening, to get you back to Miami. The front desk already has another room set up for you. I’ll have your luggage sent over immediately.”

Kevin walked out.

“She’s not going anywhere,” Johnny said, charging out into the living room after him.

I stood there. This was what I had been expecting all night. Still, even with Johnny coming to my defense, it stung. I looked back toward the door connecting the two rooms, and began to pack.

I
t was over
. The assignment had been a wild ride, if nothing else. That’s what I told myself once I was moved to another hotel room. I didn’t wait for Johnny to return from wherever he and Kevin had disappeared to continue their argument. It was better this way. My body was exhausted from the wild night Johnny and I had together. The time change and lack of sleep had left me feeling haggard since we arrived in Greece. To top it off, the shot of adrenaline back at the concert had crashed and left me feeling even more drained.

As much as I felt I needed to protect him, the overwhelming urge was to let the FBI handle it, and to extract myself from the situation entirely. Kevin had made it unbearable, and almost impossible for me to succeed. I took some of the responsibility as well. I should not have crossed the line with Johnny.

I sagged against the door of the new hotel room. What little energy I had rallied was seeping out of me. I slid down and sat on the floor, suddenly overcome with disappointment in myself. This foray into entrepreneurship was a resounding failure. My eyes stung, and it was only a matter of moments before I would be lying on the floor in a ball, sobbing about how horribly things had turned out. I told myself it didn’t matter, that it was just a job. None of it helped, and any strength I had left over dissolved as the tears started to fall.

As I curl up on the floor. I realized that the last time I had cried like this was back in the hospital when the doctor came and told me, very matter-of-fact, that I would never be cleared to fight again, I would never have kids again, and that my career as a professional MMA fighter was over.

Just like that.

At the memory, the tears led to full-bodied sobbing. I had crossed the point of being able to get it together. I gave myself over to the sadness and released all the pent-up frustration, disappointment, and heartbreak that had built up in the past year and a half. All my tightly-contained emotions rose to the surface. I couldn’t catch my breath, not even for a moment. Eventually, my tears slowed. I felt some release, and soon was able to calm my breathing again.

I wasn’t sure how long I had been down on the carpet, but I jolted upright at a knock on my door. I pushed up off the floor and grabbed the handle. My heart was racing. I silently prayed Kevin and Johnny had somehow worked out their differences, and that fantasy, Kevin would be standing there, a changed man. He would have an apology, and beg me to continue the assignment, with a commitment to treat me with some professional respect.

“Shit,” I exclaimed as my hands fumbled with the locks. My eyes were slightly blurry with the remainder of my tears, and I couldn’t see what I was doing. I wiped my eyes and then flung the door open. My hopes crashed at the sight of the uniformed bellman. He was standing in between my two large suitcases.

“Good evening, ma’am,” he said.

My face fell and I wanted to cry all over again. I forced myself to keep my composure while he set down the heavy bags. When he was finished, I went to my purse and fished out some cash to give as a tip.

“Thank you, ma’am. There is one more bag downstairs for you. All our baggage carts were in use,” he explained, his face apologetic. He turned and started to leave. “I’ll be right back.”

After he left, I had the urge to phone Johnny, to apologize at least, and to make arrangements to return all that money he had given me. I walked over to grab my phone, and then it hit me—Johnny and I had never exchange phone numbers. In the age of technology, it was strange to feel so disconnected from someone, particularly when that someone had basically been glued to me for the past week.

I remembered that Johnny had phoned me twice in Miami, so I checked through my call history to see if his number was still there. It was! I dialed it, but no one answered. For a moment, I considered sending a private message to him on one of his social media accounts. That was a bad idea, given the FBI was monitoring them. I thought of going back to his room, but knew it would put me right back in the middle of their conflict. A few minutes later, the bellman knocked again with the last of my luggage.

After he brought it in and left, I locked the door behind him and changed into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I got into bed and closed my eyes to try and forget.

A soft buzzing stirred me from my state of post-emotional-breakdown numbness, and I blindly reached out to silence my phone on the bedside table. I checked the caller ID with one eye. It was my agent, Gary.

“Hello?” I answered, pressing the phone to my ear, not bothering to sit up.

“Hello, Amanda! Sorry for calling so early.”

“Gary, it’s the middle of the day.”

“What? Where are you?”

Right. It was seven hours ahead with the time difference. I hadn’t told anyone where I was or what I was doing. For all he knew, I was still in Miami.

“Sorry, um, I’m in Greece. I forgot to tell you.”

“Greece?” He replied. “What are you doing in Greece?”

“I wish I knew,” I mumbled. “What’s up?”

“Well, I’m sorry to wake you, but I have exciting news!”

I listened, waiting for him to share it.

“I have interest from some MMA cable TV producers
to have you on the show,” he shouted into the phone ecstatically.

“What?”

“Did you forget the kind of results I get for my favorite people? You wanted me to ask around, remember? To see if you could get a TV deal.”

“Oh, right.” I rubbed my eyes. I was too exhausted from my outburst to feel much of anything. “They want me as a guest?”

“No! That’s the best part. They’re looking for a regular female commentator, and they were out of their minds with excitement when I pitched you. You would go to all the fights, have backstage access, and cover TV and radio elements of their programming. And they’re willing to pay! Let me tell you, Amanda. It’s a damned good deal!”

My eyes widened and I sat up. “Really? That’s amazing! Why haven’t they approached me before?”

“From talking to this guy who represents the network, Steve Remy, it sounds like everyone in the industry kind of thought you were…look, I won’t soften it. You can take it. They thought you had a breakdown. Everyone felt you didn’t want to have any part of the MMA world anymore. I guess some people thought it would be too much for you after…after that last fight.”

They weren’t far off. After my final fight, I had been bombarded with interview requests, most of which I had blown off, and I hadn’t been to a fight since then, but it wasn’t because I wanted nothing to do with it anymore. It was just a lot to relive. The physical wounds had healed, but emotionally, it was too fresh.

“Wow.” I paused, sinking back into the bed. “I had no idea.”

“Does that mean you’re interested?” Gary asked.

“Uh—yes. Yes! What would we need to do?”

“Let’s get together when you’re back in town. When do you get home?”

My heart sank, wishing the answer was different. “I fly out this evening.”

“Okay, excellent. Can we do Thursday? It’ll give you time to get over your jetlag. Let’s meet at my office. We’ll do lunch down at the pier, and can go over the details.”

I hesitated. Was this what I really wanted? Up to a couple weeks ago, I would have been thrilled about an opportunity like this. Now, my heart and mind felt tied to protecting Johnny. I needed to get over it fast.

“Amanda? How does it sound, honey?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, Gary. I’m just wiped. This is great news.”

“All right,” he said. “See you soon. Have a safe flight!”

“Bye, Gary.” I clicked off the call and nestled back under the covers.

“What a mess,” I said into the darkness before rolling to my side to finally sleep.

“
C
ome on
, Johnny,” Kevin said, standing in the doorway of my hotel room, an hour after we left to duke it out in his suite. He had followed me back here, and now Amanda was not in the room.

“Tell me where Amanda is,” I demanded.

“Johnny, just listen to me. Get your bags packed. We’re checking out in a few hours.”

“Where is she?” I repeated. My teeth gritted together, and it took every ounce of self-control to not launch myself across the room and put my hands on him. Kevin was technically my godfather and adopted father after my parents died. Although we had gone through more than a few rough patches over the course of our relationship, I had never wanted to physically hurt him before this.

Kevin paused, sizing me up. “You want to hit me, son?”

“Just tell me where she is.”

He let out a tired sigh. “It’s over, Johnny. She won’t be continuing on the tour with us. I booked her a flight for tonight. She’s going back to Miami.”

“Christ!” I raked my hands through my hair. “You’re un-fucking-believable, you know that?”

Kevin stepped inside and shut the door behind him so people walking by in the hallway wouldn’t hear. “Johnny, you may not like or agree with my decision, but I don’t really care right now. That girl is bad for you, bad for this job, and right now, especially after everything that happened on that island, we can’t afford any more mistakes.”

“That’s your opinion. And seriously, you’re wrong on all counts. Even Fred told you she saved the day when she found that basket. You have this sick, twisted hatred of her. God knows why. You can’t see that all she’s done so far is help. She’s done her job! She’s gone above and beyond. And I…I happen to like her. So why don’t you admit it? You don’t want to see me happy. That’s what this is about.”

I got up, ready to storm out and look for her around the hotel, but someone knocked. Kevin swore under his breath and opened the door. It was Fred standing in the doorway.

“Sorry to interrupt, but we have some things to go over with you both. And Amanda too. Can you get her out here, Johnny?”

Kevin had not even let Fred in on this plan of his to get rid of Amanda. He looked at me, and I held up my hands. I wanted no part of this conversation.

“We’re not keeping Amanda on the security team,” Kevin said.

Fred’s eyebrows raised. “What?”

“Kevin doesn’t think we need her services anymore,” I said. “It’s bullshit.”

I sat in one of the chairs, frustrated.

Fred turned to face Kevin. “Not a good move. I understand that you hired her, but we agreed on an investigative approach. I’m surprised you didn’t consult me on this.”

Kevin squirmed under Fred’s stern glare. “My apologies Fred, but she was not doing her job in a professional manner. She didn’t stay at her post while Johnny performed last night. If the stalker had found a way on stage, he would have been vulnerable.”

“And you know the stalker used surreptitious means to lure her from her post. To Amanda’s credit, she found that suspicious package in Johnny’s room. Look. I came to discuss a few more options that would enhance the level of on-stage security. And Amanda has an important role to play. Either way, we need her.”

“Hear that, Kevin?” I said finally. “The FBI needs her. So why don’t you tell us where she is?”

Kevin rolled his eyes. “She’s gone. Like I told you, Johnny, she’s leaving on a flight to Miami this evening. She’s probably already at the airport.”

“Then call her, get her back here,” I said, heading to the bedroom to get my phone. I had left it on the night table, and forgot to take it with me when I argued with Kevin in his room. For the first time, I noticed that Amanda’s bags were missing.

She was really gone.

I crossed the room and got my phone off the table, flicking through my contacts. Shit. I had phoned her from the land line at home when she had flown back to Miami to pack. Her number was not in my cellphone. I couldn’t call her.

“So much for that,” I said to the empty room.

I pushed the phone into my back pocket and charged back to the living area. Fred had already left the room.

“Did you phone her?” I asked Kevin. He had to have her number.

“Yes. But only on Fred’s recommendation, not so you can get in her pants. She’s not answering,” he said, heading for the door. “I’ll try her again in a bit. I have to pack my things. And I need you to get your bags ready, Johnny. We’re checking out soon.”

H
alf an hour later
, my bags were packed. I took them out and set them down beside the door. Kevin was back in the living area.

“Did you call her?” I asked, interrupting their conversation.

“I did. She didn’t pick up, Johnny.” He didn’t even bother to look at me when he spoke.

“Give me her number.”

“Here,” he said, passing his phone to me. “Try calling her yourself.”

I snatched his phone and keyed her number into mine. I hit the Call button and waited, but it went to voicemail. Crap. Things were starting to look dire. Kevin didn’t want her on this job, and as soon as we got back to the city, Fred could likely find a replacement, even if he didn’t want to. Amanda would be on the other side of the country, and I would have no legitimate reason for her to come back to LA.

I forced my brain to stop thinking about all the possible scenarios. I would find a way to see her again. For now, I needed sleep. After the concert, and the time in bed with Amanda, I was dog-tired. Kevin had told us we had to be back to the airport in a few hours. I decided I would take a short nap, but all I did in the bed was toss around and think of Amanda. After an hour of restlessness, I got up. A walk would help me clear my head. I searched my bag for my baseball cap and a hoodie, grabbed by sunglasses, and opened the door to take off.

“Where the hell are you going?” Kevin asked.

“Out.”

I left my suitcases at the door and walked out. I started off down the hallway, but stopped and did an about-turn. It was a stupid idea to be anywhere in this hotel on my own. I would likely end up swarmed by fans before I could make it off the elevator. I knocked lightly on the door next to mine. By the time Fred answered, Kevin was standing in the hallway. He returned inside when he saw me at Fred’s door.

“I need to get outside or something. Can one of your guys go with me?”

“Sure. I’ll go. The rest of the agents are getting packed.”

He told the others where we were heading, and we made our way to the elevator. Down in the lobby, I found the coffee stand tucked neatly beside the hotel gift shop. I ordered two coffees and handed one to Fred. We were walking down the hallway to access the hotel courtyard out back when I caught a flash of someone leaving the hotel reception desk.

“Amanda!” I said, and strode quickly toward her. I pulled her into my free arm, and didn’t think twice about planting a long kiss on her lips—out in public, right in front of Fred.

“I didn’t realize you were still here,” she said, pulling back slightly after our kiss. She nodded at Fred, fully stepping out of my arms.

“Nice to see you’re still here, Amanda.” Fred had been a couple of paces behind me, and hung back for a moment.

“Thanks Fred. Not for long, though.” She turned back to me. “I tried phoning you a few hours ago.”

“You were probably calling the house line. Why didn’t you wait for me to come back to the room?”

“You heard Kevin. He doesn’t need me working on this tour anymore. I was just about to take a cab to the airport.”

“Kevin’s wrong. We need you to stay. Right Fred?”

He nodded.

“Oh shit,” Amanda said, before Fred could speak. She was transfixed, looking at something behind us.

“What?” I turned to follow her gaze, and saw Kevin charging toward us from across the lobby.