Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Fury
“ W e need to go to the hospital and pick someone up,” says Chevy the following day.
I check my watch. It’s almost nine in the evening, and I’ve spent the entire day cleaning up the shit caused by him and Donnie. I’ve still got to get to the gym and do my two-hour workout. Chevy notices and grins. “Don’t stress, I’ll drop you back to the club after.”
He pulls out into traffic. “Maybe I should’ve set an hourly rate,” I tell him. “I have a feeling the debt would be paid much sooner.”
He laughs. “That’s what you think. Donnie will keep you working until he decides otherwise.”
Ten minutes later, we pull to a stop around the back of the hospital. “Open the back door for her,” says Chevy. I glance at my blood-soaked jeans. “She won’t even notice,” he mutters.
“Who are we picking up, anyway?” I hiss, climbing out the car.
“Some bitch Donnie is trying to impress,” he replies.
I round the car and pull open the back door right as the hospital’s fire exit doors open and Xanthe walks out. She doesn’t look up from rummaging in her bag as she slides into the car, and I slam the door with my heart racing in my chest. What the fuck is she involved in?
I get back into the passenger front seat and stare straight ahead. “Good shift?” asks Chevy politely.
“Yeah. Long but busy. You really don’t need to keep picking me up. I keep telling Donnie it’s not necessary.”
Chevy gives a light chuckle, and it’s so far from the guy I know, I almost break my cover to call him out on it. “He doesn’t like to think of you walking in the dark.”
She laughs. “I’ve been doing it a long time.”
Chevy’s phone lights up, and he hands it to me. “It’s the boss,” he mutters.
I have no choice but to answer, and the second I say, “Hello,” I feel her eyes burn into mine through the rearview mirror.
“Bring Xanthe to the club,” snaps Donnie. “It’s urgent.” He disconnects, and I place the mobile back in the holder.
“He wants you to take her straight to the club.”
“Reese?” she murmurs, and I glare at her in the mirror, giving my head a slight shake. If they know we know one another, Donnie might try and use that. And when I get her the hell away from him, which I plan to do as soon as possible, he’ll definitely put a bullet in me.
“Who’s Reese?” asks Chevy.
I glance back at Xanthe and grin. “Oh shit, sorry, I didn’t recognise you.” Then I turn to Chevy, who looks confused. “She was the nurse who dealt with me the other night after my fight.”
Xanthe gathers herself and forces a smile. “I’m glad to see the glue held that cut.”
“Yep. All good now, thanks.”
“Why does Donnie want me to go to him?” she asks. “He doesn’t usually.”
“No idea,” I say casually. “He just said it was urgent.”
We arrive at the boxing club, and I round the car to open her door. Chevy joins us, and we walk in together, pushing people out the way to make room for her. We see Lester waving from the office doorway, so I guide Xanthe that way. My heart is slamming so hard in my chest, I can hardly hear the crowd as they cheer on the current fighters. Xanthe looks around frantically, and I gently slip my hand into hers and give it a reassuring squeeze before releasing it again.
Lester opens the office door, and Donnie is pacing back and forth. He stops as we step into the office, rushing to Xanthe and pulling her into his arms. “I’m so sorry to bring you here like this.”
“What’s going on?” she asks, and I notice a slight waver in her voice.
“You know I wouldn’t normally involve you, but this kid, he’s . . . important to me.” He steps back, keeping his arm around Xanthe. There’s a beat-up teenager slouched in the corner, and Xanthe inhales sharply. “He got involved in something, and I can’t send him home like that.” He leads her closer, and the teen stirs. “Can you patch him up?”
“He should really go to the hospital, Donnie,” she says, shaking her head.
“And I promise I’ll have his mum take him, but before that, can you check him over so I can tell her he’s okay?”
I see the internal battle she’s having with herself before eventually nodding. “Okay.”
I inwardly groan as Donnie pulls out a bag of first aid stuff. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” Donnie pats Chevy on the shoulder. “Can we go for a chat?” Then, he turns to me. “Wait with her and come find me when she’s done.” I give a slight nod, opening the door for them to leave.
I stay by the door as she tends to the kid. After a few minutes, she turns back to look at me. “What’s going on?” she hisses.
“I have no idea,” I say blankly, staring at the wall opposite me.
“Reese,” she snaps.
“Fury,” I correct her.
She marches over until I have no choice but to look at her. “Do you work for Donnie?”
“Are you fucking him?” I growl, surprised how bitter the words sound out loud.
“Stop answering my questions with a question,” she demands.
“Do what he’s asked you to do,” I mutter, looking back to the opposite wall. “He can’t know we know each other.”
“Why?”
“He just can’t,” I snap, and she jumps at my words before slowly backing up and tending to the kid.
Once she’s done, she stands fully. “He’s got concussion,” she tells me.
“I’ll get Donnie,” I mutter, opening the office door to find him just a few feet away. He looks my way, and I wave for him to come over. “She’s all done,” I tell him.
He comes into the office and runs his eyes over the kid. “Is he okay?”
“Concussed,” Xanthe replies. “He needs rest and regular painkillers.”
“Perfect. No lasting damage then?”
“I don’t know about that. He needs to see a doctor ASAP.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll arrange that.” He slides his hand over Xanthe’s cheek, and I drop my eyes to the ground as he places a gentle kiss on her lips. “Thank you for sorting this, babe. I’ll make it up to you. Fury will take you home.” He throws me the car keys.
“I can walk,” she mutters.
“Xanthe,” he says firmly until she meets his eye, “go with Fury. He’s a pussy cat.”
She gives a stiff nod and follows me from the room. Outside, I open the car door, and she slides into the back seat. I get into the driver’s seat and start the engine. It’s only as I pull into traffic that I hear her softly crying to herself. My heart twists painfully, just like it used to whenever she was upset. Fuck. It’s like we’ve never been apart.
I slow outside her house, and before I can open her door, she jumps out and rushes up the path. I groan, getting out and following her. She slams the door in my face, and I rest my forehead against it. “Xanth, come on,” I plead.
“Go away.”
“Please.”
The door swings open, and I stare at her red, puffy eyes. “Why are you covered in blood?”
I glance down at my clothes. “Long story.”
She growls in frustration and tries to slam the door again, only this time, I wedge my foot there and it bounces back. “We should talk inside,” I insist, stepping in and forcing her back a few steps. I slam the door. “How the fuck did you get involved with Donnie?” I demand.
“No,” she yells, stomping into the kitchen with me hot on her heels. “I’m not answering any more of your questions until you start talking.”
“He’s bad news,” I snap.
“As are you?” She says it more like a question.
“I’m serious, Xanth.”
“So am I. Do you work for him?”
I briefly close my eyes and release a sigh. “No. I owe him money, and I’m paying off my debt.”
“How?”
“By doing whatever he wants.”
“Like?”
“Like picking his piece of ass up from work,” I yell.
She looks offended. “I hardly know him,” she shouts angrily. “And I am no one’s piece of ass.”
I give a nod, relief flooding me. “Great, so you can walk away?”
She narrows her eyes. “Hold on a minute, who said anything about walking away?”
“Me,” I snap. “I’m telling you to walk away before you get too involved. That show tonight, that’ll happen again and again. Now he knows you’ll do it, he’ll call on you.”
“I’ll make it clear I’m not doing it again.”
I scoff. “And you think he’ll take any notice?”
“He can’t force me,” she shouts.
I grab her upper arms and shake her. “He’s a fucking psycho. You need to listen to me.”
“You’re the only one acting crazy,” she snaps, pulling her arms free. “Why are you covered in blood?” she asks again.
“Walk away from him, Xanth, or one day, it might be your blood I’m covered in.”
She stares at me for a long, silent minute before giving a stiff nod. I exhale, relief flooding me.
“I’ll send him a text.” She pulls out her mobile. “What should I say?”
“Just be honest,” I tell her.
She types something out then turns the phone for me to see.
I’m really sorry, but I think we should call it a day. This isn’t going to work for me.
I nod, and she presses send. Seconds later, his reply comes, and she groans, showing me the phone again.
Donnie: I’m coming over now to talk.
“Fuck,” I mutter. “Text him back quickly and tell him you’re going to bed or something.”
“I’ll talk to him,” she says with a shrug, “make him see it won’t work. You should go.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I begin, but she’s already shaking her head.
“I’ll be fine. Honestly, he’s been so sweet to me.”
“Be careful,” I mutter, rubbing my thumb over her cheek. I lean closer, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. She closes her eyes, inhaling sharply. “Text me when he’s gone so I know you’re okay.”
It takes everything I have to leave her there. Donnie is a slimy fucker, and I have no doubt he’ll convince her to give them a try.
Xanthe
Donnie has never been to my place, so when I open the door and he steps inside, it feels foreign. We always meet at a restaurant or bar, usually one he owns. He’s always got someone tailing him, and I just assumed it was because he had money, as you can never be too careful these days. Now, I’m wondering if he needs protection because he’s running in bad circles. Just like Fury.
He offers a small smile as I grab a bottle of Jack and pour us each one. “You really didn’t need to come and see me.”
He takes the glass and sips it. “If you’re gonna break things off, at least look me in the eye.”
I’m confused by his choice of words and give a small laugh. “Donnie, we’ve been on a handful of dates. It’s not like I’m breaking off an engagement.”
“I’m gonna lay my cards on the table, Xanthe,” he says firmly, taking a seat at the table and gesturing for me to do the same. “I like you. A lot.”
“You hardly know me.”
“Don’t do that,” he says on a sigh. “Don’t play down our feelings. You’re upset because of tonight. You saw a different side to my world and it scared you. But I am exactly who you’ve been on dates with. That is me. This other side, the darker side, it’s one you won’t see again.”
“But it’s still there,” I point out. “Who was that kid?”
He takes another drink. “My son.”
“What?” I gasp. It doesn’t matter he has a son, but it matters he never mentioned it.
“I didn’t say anything because he doesn’t really have much to do with me. His mum hates me, and occasionally, he pops up out the blue like he did tonight. Usually when he needs help.”
“How old is he?”
“Sixteen.” I arch a surprised brow. “We had him young. I was eighteen, and his mum was sixteen. We weren’t together.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it didn’t come up. I want to be honest now so we can make this work.”
I’m already shaking my head as I stand and begin to pace. “It won’t work.”
“Before tonight, it worked.”
“Before tonight, I just thought you were some rich guy with a good job.”
“I am.”
“What’s your job?” I ask, fixing him with a glare.
He smirks. “I’m an entrepreneur.”
“A criminal,” I snap.
He stands abruptly, and for a second, I think he’s going to grab me, but instead, he takes a deep breath. “No, Xanthe. I’m a businessman with a lot of fingers in a lot of pies.” He takes my hand, and when I don’t pull back, he gently tugs me against him and wraps his strong arms around me. I rest my head against his chest and inhale his spicy aftershave. It’s one of the things that first attracted me to him.
He strokes a hand down my hair and tips my head back until we’re staring at one another. “One chance,” he whispers before kissing me. It’s not our first kiss, but each one makes my toes curl and my insides melt. “I swear, I won’t let you down again.”
I wake to the sound of my mobile ringing. I glance at Donnie, who’s sleeping deeply beside me, and snatch it up, cancelling the call from Fury before sliding out of bed and grabbing his shirt. I pull it on and head out the room, gently closing the door behind me.
I go into the kitchen and press call, and he answers straight away. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I hiss.
“I’ve been texting you, Xanth. I’ve been going out my mind with worry.”
“Well, you can relax. I’m fine.”
“Did he take it well?”
“Yeah,” I lie, wincing.
“Great. Open the door, I’m outside.”
“What?” I gasp, my eyes widening. “Why?”
“Because I was worried.”