32. Max
CHAPTER 32
MAX
D rew showed up at the bar and hasn’t left the entirety of my shift. Luckily, I’m able to function, my cramps having subsided slightly, probably thanks to the orgasms. Or the medication I took, but I’d like to give credit to the orgasms.
“Time to go,” I tell him sternly, a little surprised Caine and Adam didn’t join him. Or maybe they’re taking shifts being on “Max duty.”
He stands up, towering over me, and apparently the orgasms earlier weren’t enough because his large looming body makes my thighs clench as he smirks, leaning down to graze his lips against mine. “I’ll be outside.”
I try to chase his lips with mine, but he evades me and I scowl at his back. He walks out the door, but runs into someone walking in.
“Place is closed,” he tells whoever it is. I join him and see that it’s Officer Doogie and roll my eyes.
“Can I help you with anything, Officer?” I ask, trying to be friendly.
“Just wanted to come by to see if any of you have heard anything else about that murder. I got Feds starting to sniff around asking questions.”
“Can’t say we have,” Drew answers for us, folding his arms across his chest. “And I don’t know why you think we would.”
The officer looks past him to me. “Your girlfriend here would.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t and I need you to leave so I can close up.”
“I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again soon, then.” He looks directly at me as Drew guides him out the door, using a little more force than he probably should.
“I’ll be outside,” he tells me quietly.
Nodding, I lock the door behind him and quickly clean up the bar so I can go home. The warning of the Officer’s parting words replaying in my mind. Seeing you again soon. I want to believe everything will be okay, that whatever Danner did was enough that no one would suspect me. Though, with the FBI supposedly asking questions I feel like I may be working with borrowed time.
“We’re taking a trip next weekend,” Adam says shortly after he gets to my house. Drew took me home, and Caine was already there waiting for me of course.
“What do you mean a trip?” I shake my head. “I have a job and I can’t just leave whenever I want. I need money.”
“Don’t worry about it, George is cool with you having a weekend off,” Drew says easily, draping an arm across my shoulder.
I narrow my eyes up at him. “You guys need to stop talking to my boss on my behalf. Wait.” I look back at Adam. “Where are we even going and why?”
“I have another fight in LA and you’re coming with,” Caine explains.
The thought of going to another fight is exciting, so I choose not to argue about this and actually start to get a little excited. Though, I’m aware how I need to shower, and my exhaustion is hitting me along with the pain in my lower back starting to creep up again.
So I shake off all the offers to join me. I just want to have an effective shower and crawl into bed. As the hot water hits my skin, I feel myself get more and more exhausted. My eyelids feel heavy even before I turn the water off, and hardly keep them open as I throw on a T-shirt that I’m pretty sure is Caine’s before I crawl into bed.
The next week we get to California the day before Caine’s fight and check into the hotel which is another large suite. I shake my head turning toward Adam. “You don’t need to get such a nice room, you know?”
He shrugs. “I know, but there’s a lot of us, it’s easier.”
I just turn away, taking in the room that he probably paid way too much for and I hope it’s not because he thinks I need stuff like this considering who my family is. I really don’t.
“Caine, we have to get you registered,” Adam announces and Caine grunts in response.
“Want to go with?” Drew asks me.
“Sure.” I shrug. I’m curious about the process; I’ve seen the fights and I’m excited to see more. I’m glad they wanted me to come with, even if it is because they refuse to leave me alone.
We get to the venue and Drew hangs back with me while Adam and Caine do whatever they need to in order to get him registered. I’m looking around and seeing all the fighters, coaches and people with them.
It’s not like the last time I went to a fight with them where I was looking over my shoulder worried about being seen. Right now, my uneasiness feels different. Especially when my eyes catch on someone across the room staring at me. He’s big, probably around the same size as Caine. He has light hair that hangs over his forehead. I can’t tell what color his eyes are from here, but they’re intense as they bore into me.
When his lips spread into a smile, a chill runs down my spine and I feel Drew wrap his arm around my stomach, pulling me back into his chest. I don’t look away from the man across the room, but his smile fades as he sees the way Drew is touching me.
“You’re drawing attention from other fighters, little one. You’re going to give Caine more motivation for his fight tomorrow.”
I smirk, turning my head slightly. “A little jealousy is good for him.”
“The only people you’re allowed to make him jealous with are coach and me.” He nips my chin and I giggle, pushing him away before looking back at the other man who’s still staring at me.
He winks in my direction and when I turn away I notice Caine has been watching the entire interaction and looks ready to kill the man. I don’t know what it says about me, but the thought gets me even more excited to see what’s going to happen tomorrow.
“Let’s get you out of here before you cause an unsanctioned fight,” Drew jokes, guiding me out. I chuckle, but then realize I don’t actually think he’s kidding.