Chapter Two
Ghost
“B efore I forget, Hayes wants a meeting tomorrow,” King says. “He thinks he is onto something about how The Cage is losing money.”
I give a curt nod, mentally scheduling a club meeting for tomorrow. The discrepancies in The Cage’s books have been eating away at me for months. Thousands disappearing without a trace. No purchases slipping through the cracks, no funny business with checks, bills, inventory, or taxes. And yet, the cash keeps slipping away.
Even in the past month, another chunk of change has gone AWOL. It’s enough to boil a man’s blood. Somebody under my roof is skimming, and they’re about to learn the hard way that it’s a mistake. But for now, I’ll keep my cards close to my chest. No need to show my hand until I’ve got all my ducks in a row.
“You’re such a good boy,” Maddy says, sitting on the floor and petting the dog. “Such a pretty boy. We should get a dog.”
“I disagree,” King grumbles. “We’ll get a fish instead.”
“You can’t cuddle with a fish, you big grump,” Maddy says. “I bet you would love a dog.”
King simply grunts, and I know for a fact that if Maddy wants a dog, King will get her a damn dog.
My mind turns to the woman of the night. Snow. Amara. She’s fucking beautiful. Between her almost white hair, pale skin, and bright green eyes, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
And her body is perfection. She’s a bigger girl, like Maddy. There’s nothing small about her, and I find that sexy as hell. I couldn’t take my eyes off her from the second she walked into my club. Which is how I knew something was wrong so quickly. I watched as she nursed her soda, and, as she put it, people watched.
When her golden dog jumped on her, and her eyes narrowed with what could only be described as acceptance, I waltzed over.
Her words started to slur, so I took it upon myself to pick her up and carry her to my office. I’ve spent years toning my body and building muscles when I fought in underground cage matches. Even after I stopped fighting and decided to open a cage myself, I never stopped training.
Lifting Snow into my arms, her heavy weight settling against my chest stirred something inside of me. Something I had long since stopped hoping for.
“I’m ready,” she says, coming out of the staff room. I purposefully placed that room across from my office so that my team is better protected. We can get some pretty shady customers between the club and the Cage. “I’ll have these washed and brought back.”
“Take your time,” Maddy says from the floor. “Can I see your phone? I’ll program my number, and maybe we can meet up for a coffee one day.”
“Sure,” she smiles, handing over her phone.
This woman is too trusting. Not that Maddy would ever do anything to hurt anyone, but one day, Snow is going to trust the wrong person.
My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.
You’re welcome.
Maddy winks at me before handing Snow back her phone.
“I also added Ghost’s contact information,” she tells her. “You know, in case you wanted to come back to The Cage and needed a ride.”
“Oh,” she whispers. “Uhm, thank you.”
“Did you stop to think that maybe she didn’t want to give her number out to a man she doesn’t know, Madeline?” King asks, raising a brow.
“Not really,” Maddy smiles, climbing to her feet. “I have a strong feeling that she’s going to need that number one day. Call it woman’s intuition.”
“It’s fine. Really,” Snow says as she places her dog’s harness on. “I was going to give him my number anyway so he can call and tell me how much he was charged to get his couch cleaned.”
I have no intention of making her pay for a damn thing.
“We’re heading out,” King says. “It was nice to meet you.”
“Bye, Amara. We’ll talk soon.”
“Woman’s intuition, huh?” King says as they head towards the office door.
“You want to know what else my woman’s intuition is telling me?”
“We’re not getting a dog, baby.”
“We’ll see.”
“Are they always like that?” Snow asks.
“Disgustingly in love?” Emily cringes. “Yes. It’s so damn sweet that it gives me cavities. Don’t even get me started on my brother and his man. Anyway, I’m headed back out front. I hope to see you soon, Amara.”
“Bye,” Snow waves.
Then we’re alone.
“I’m really sorry about all of this,” she says quietly. “I’m embarrassed even though I’ve been through situations like this before. And I’m sure I will many times again.”
I frown at the thought of her having another seizure in a place where she isn’t protected.
“It’s alright, Snow,” I say. “You ready to go, or do you need to rest a bit?”
“I just want to go home,” she says, almost defeated.
I shake off the need to comfort her and guide her through the club and out the door. We’re stopped several times with someone wanting to tell me something.
“Hey, Ghost,” a woman purrs as we pass her by. “Want to dance?”
“Got shit to do,” I tell her. “Try asking your husband.”
By the time we reach my car I’ve had to sidestep several women and a few men.
“You’re very popular,” Snow tells me as I open the door for her dog. “A lot of people want your attention.”
“All they want is a title, a favor, or a story,” I respond. “They either want to be the one who fucked an Obsidian, or they want something from me and my family. Either way, I’m not interested.”
“Oh,” she mumbles as I shut the back door and open the passenger. “Thanks.”
Rounding the car, I shake my head, trying to dislodge the thought of what having her in my car is doing to my damn brain. I need to drop her off and get as far away as possible.
“Address,” I ask.
“Harborview Heights,” she answers. “East side.”
I grunt my response and head to the run-down apartment complex she’s talking about. During the entire trip, I ignore the hell out of my head. I don’t want to drop her off there. It’s not a safe place.
But she doesn’t belong to me.
“I’m sorry,” she says when her phone rings. “I have to take this. It’s my daughter’s father.”
Her daughter’s father. Does that mean that they’re not together?
“Hey, is everything okay?”
Snow flinches when a male voice yells through the phone so loudly that I can hear every word he’s saying.
“No, everything is not okay, Amara. My wife can’t understand a single thing Zoe is saying.”
“And what is it that you expect me to do about that, Ray?” Snow asks, her frustration clear. “It’s her own fault for not learning…”
“It’s your fault,” the man screams. I tighten my hands on the steering wheel and remind myself that it’s none of my business.
“You’re the reason she’s like this,” he continues. “She would be normal if you didn’t cause her issues.”
It takes everything I have not to look over at her when I hear a small sniff.
“I know it’s my fault,” she tells him. “But it’s not my fault that your wife won’t even try to communicate with Zoe. Hell, you won’t even learn how.”
“Because it’s fucking stupid, Amara,” the man yells. “It makes me look like a damn lunatic. Listen, I’m bringing her back to you early. We need some alone time.”
“You just spent two weeks without seeing your daughter, and you want to bring her back after a single day?” she says hotly.
“I’ll be there in five minutes,” the man says.
Snow huffs out a breath before leaning her head back against the seat.
“Your ex sounds like a dick,” I say.
“Pretty much hit the nail on the head,” she responds. “I’m so sorry. Man, I’m just killing it tonight, huh?”
“Don’t worry about it, Snow. We won’t make it to your apartment in five minutes, though. Might want to let dick face know it will be closer to ten.”
“Yeah,” she sighs, sending the text. “This is going to break Zoe’s heart. She was looking forward to spending some time with her dad. She’s going to be confused and sad. I really need to find a way to hide the fact that I’m so exhausted tonight. I don’t want her thinking both of her parents push her to the side.”
We spend the remaining trip in silence. When we reach the complex, Snow shows me where to park, and we’re greeted by a pissed-off skinny man in a suit.
“Really, Amara?” the man yells as soon as Snow steps out of the car. “You can’t even be responsible enough to be home for your daughter?”
I look around and wonder if I could get away with murder right now. It’s dark, and I’m sure most of the people around here are in bed. I bet Knox could make any proof disappear.
“I’m not even going to justify that with an answer,” Snow says with an even tone.
“Who the fuck is that?” he asks as I move to stand behind Snow and cross my arms over my chest.
I could snap this man like a toothpick in seconds flat. Surely, he can see that.
“He’s a friend, Ray. Where’s Zoe?”
“Really, Amara? You can’t keep your legs closed for the sake of our daughter? You’re going to confuse her by whoring yourself out to men.”
It takes a lot to remain calm when every fiber of my being wants to shoot this asshole between the eyes.
“My life is of no concern to you,” Snow tells him. “And need I remind you that you married the woman you were cheating on me with one month after you left. Then told Zoe to call her mommy. I really think you need to get your priorities straight before you start judging me.”
The man takes a threatening step towards Snow, and I simply shake my head.
Try me, mother fucker.
“She’s on your doorstep,” he says, turning and walking away.
“You left a nine-year-old girl sitting outside in the middle of the night alone?” Snow shrieks before rushing away.
“I’ll be back to get her Friday.”
I follow Sky and Snow as they lead us towards the middle of the complex.
“Zoe,” Snow sighs, picking up a beautiful little girl with hair and skin just like her mom.
Snow turns and smiles sadly at me.
“I’m so sorry,” she says for the fifth time tonight. “You didn’t ask for any of this. But I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Please call me about paying for your couch to be cleaned.”
“Who is this pretty girl?” I ask instead of responding to her comment.
Snow places the little girl down and starts to move her hands in patterns as she speaks.
“This is Zoe,” she says out loud while signing with her hands. “Zoe can’t hear, so we use ASL to talk. American Sign Language. Zoe, this is my friend, Ghost.”
Zoe’s little face looks so surprised that I have to suppress a laugh.
Her hands move, and whatever she says makes Snow laugh.
“She’s asking if you’re a real ghost,” Snow says.
I take a few steps closer and kneel down with a safe distance between me and Zoe.
“I’m not a real ghost,” I explain, waiting for Snow to translate. “My friends call me Ghost because I’m very quiet.”
Zoe’s hands move, and I wait patiently.
“She says that she’s very quiet, too, and wants a cool nickname like yours.”
I look up at Snow and almost fall to my ass at the longing in her eyes as she looks back at me.
I look back at Zoe and smile. “I call your mom, Snow. Can you guess why?”
Zoe reaches for her hair and gestures to it.
“Yep,” I smile. Zoe looks at her mom while I talk. “Her hair and her skin are like fresh fallen snow. Very beautiful.”
“She says her hair and skin are the same as mine,” I hear Snow whisper, and I suppress a smile at how my words affect her.
“They are,” I tell the pretty little girl. “Let me think. A name that represents how beautiful you are and how quiet you are.”
Zoe nods and I sit here for a few to think through some nicknames to give her.
“How about Dove?” I ask moments later. “They represent purity, like freshly fallen snow that no one has ruined with their feet. And they are very quiet. Their wings but a whisper in the night.”
Zoe raises her right hand and taps her pointer finger and thumb together as if she’s saying tweet tweet. Then she forms a circle with all five fingers, followed by a ‘v’ with her pointer and middle fingers, and what I assume is an ‘e’ by curling all of her fingers inward.
“She’s spelling, Dove,” Snow tells me. “Typically, the ‘D’ doesn’t have finger movements like that. She’s using it to describe the bird and not the soap.”
Slowly, I watch as Zoe repeats the movements, and I try my best to mimic them.
“Dove,” I say when I’ve mastered it after a few practices. “Alright, little Dove. It’s late, and your mommy is very tired. How about you ladies go on inside and get some sleep.”
Dove turns to her mom and waits for her to translate. With a nod, she accepts Snow’s keys and unlocks the door. With a final turn, she waves before disappearing inside.
“What a night,” Snow sighs. “I can’t apologize enough for everything I’ve put you through tonight. I meant it about the couch. I’m really embarrassed, and I want to pay for it to be cleaned.”
“Go on inside, Snow,” I demand. “It’s chilly out here, and you’re not wearing a coat.”
“Will you text me the bill?” she asks.
“I’ll text you,” I answer.
With a satisfied nod, she heads inside.
“Come, Sky,” she says. “I need to feed you and get Zoe tucked in before I crash. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to keep my eyes open.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be alright?” I ask just before the door latches.
“I just need to sleep it off,” she repeats. “This happens to me several times a week. Sometimes, several times a day. It wasn’t a bad one. Thank you for everything, Ghost.”
“Goodnight, Snow,” I say.
With her apartment door securely shut, I wait.
“Lock the door, Snow,” I call out. “Then text your friend that you’re inside and safe.”
“Bossy man,” I hear her say as she does as I demand.
I’m surprised at the amount of strength it takes for me to walk away.
Once in my car, I head back to the club. But my mind doesn’t stray far from Snow, Dove, and even that damn dog, Sky.
This is the last thing I need right now. My mind needs to stay focused on my club and whoever the fuck is stealing from me.