Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Liz
Kayne leads Poison and me into the building Ace took me to a while ago called The Cage with Stone bringing up the rear. I’m not sure why we had to leave before Ace and Blayde got back from their ride. I really wanted to see Ace before he stepped into The Cage and wish him luck, but Kayne said it wasn’t safe. If it’s not safe, then why are we here? I don’t ask these questions, even though I want to. Ace has expressed numerous times that I don’t question Kayne. His word is law and if I am disrespectful, it's not me that gets the punishment but Ace. He has enough to worry about tonight rather than me being an asshole. So, I keep my mouth shut and follow along like a good little sheep, even though I don’t want to. There isn’t anyone in here yet, except for the Emcee, Seth. He nods his dark head in our direction and gestures for Kayne to meet him. They step up to each other and shake hands.
“I heard we have a couple of special guests tonight,” Seth says to Kayne.
Kayne nods his head, his eyes cut to me, warning me not to question his remark. “Aye, we do. But let’s keep that on the down low.”
Seth doesn’t say a word and gestures for us to follow. I look at both Kayne and Seth in confusion and my forehead wrinkles trying to figure out what Kayne is talking about. Before I can ask what Kayne means, Seth leads us up a set of stairs hidden from view and opens a door.
“You’ll be in here tonight. Consider this VIP Access for you beautiful ladies.” Seth motions with his hand for Poison and me to enter and we do. “The door can only be opened from the inside unless you have this special key, which no one but myself has. I will hand it over to Kayne so he has access to get in here if you need something. You ladies will be safe here, and still be able to see everything that is going on. The windows are one-way, double-paned, bulletproof glass. You can see out, but no one can see you unless you flip the switch on the wall.”
I look around the vast room and take in my surroundings. There are huge picture windows overlooking The Cage below. There are soft leather seats placed strategically around the room for anyone to sit anywhere and still see all of the action. There is a fully stocked bar at the back of the room and a couple of bathrooms off to the right. Under my feet is a dark plush carpet that my feet sink into. Tables are set up next to each seat, some are tall to stand at and others are level with the furniture. Paintings and photos of previous MMA fighters line the walls around us. This room is comfortable and made for someone with high security.
“Thanks, Seth. We owe you one.” Kayne reaches out to shake Seth’s hand while I wander further into the room.
“Only thing I ask is when Ace takes over with that beautiful woman, he keeps me on. I’m as loyal to him as they come and his safety is my number one priority.” Seth responds grabbing Kayne’s hand. They shake on it.
“Can I ask why?” Kayne questions.
“Of course. If you’re going to be my new bosses, boss, you should know. Back when I was a teenager, Ace and his little brother Spencer took me under their wings. They kept me out of the bad shit and showed me I can still be me, even if others don’t approve. I might not be a strong fighter like the two of them, but no matter what, they’ve always had my back, just as I will always have theirs. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to leave you to it and get shit around for tonight.” Seth backs out of the room after he hands Kayne the key.
I pour Poison and me a couple of drinks then take them to the loveseat Poison is sitting on, next to Kayne. She takes a sip and hums her approval. “Girl, this is fantastic, what is it?”
“It’s Casa Amigo Blanco Tequilla with lemon-lime soda. It’s my favorite mixed drink.” I answer, taking a drink of my own.
“Don’t get too drunk on me, Poison,” Kayne says while nuzzling Poison’s neck. “I’ll need you to be able to hang on, later.” He raises a blonde eyebrow and Poison giggles.
“Don’t worry, Kayne. I’m sure I’ll be able to hang on, later.” She wiggles her eyebrows at him. Kayne leans in and plants a steamy kiss on Poison’s lips and I have to look away. I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment whenever I’m around these two. Kayne reluctantly pulls away, whispering I love you to Poison and stands up, adjusting himself. He cants his head to the door and Stone and him leave. I hear the lock in place and take a calming breath.
Looking through the double-pane windows, the floor below us is filling up with spectators waiting for the fights. None of them know what’s about to go down, but the tension radiating from them is seeping everywhere, putting me on edge. Who are the special guests tonight? Me and Poison or someone else? Is there something going on I am not aware of?
“Liz, will you chill? You’re making me nervous.” Poison settles her hand on my bouncing leg. I didn’t even realize it was moving it.
“Sorry. I don’t know why I’m on edge. Do you know what’s going on? Why we’re up here instead of down there with Ace?”
Poison shakes her head. “Kayne said it was Club business.” I roll my eyes. “Ace wanted you up here tonight.”
“I’m so annoyed with the,” I raise my hands using air quotes, “Club business.” I lower my hands. “If Ace’s life is on the line, I should know what to expect.”
I sound like a whiney little brat. So, I do the next thing that comes to mind. I cross my arms over my chest, flop back in my seat and stew like a sulky teenager. Poison laughs at my antics.
“Listen, Liz.” She leans forward getting my attention. Her normally smiling face is gone. In its place is Kayne’s Ol’ Lady. The one everyone respects and listens to. The one in charge next to Kayne. I uncross my arms and sit up straighter. “Sometimes when the guys say Club Business, it’s to protect us. We might disagree with it, but sometimes the less we know the better. I get you’re new to this world and that’s OK. Just know every member of this MC will do everything they can to protect their family and protect us. If that means some things are kept between them and not shared with us, then we need to learn how to adapt to it. We don’t have to like it, but we do have to accept it and do our part to stay diligent in our surroundings. Does that make sense?”
“It does, but I still don’t like it.”
“Neither do I sometimes, but like I said, I learn to adapt.”
“How do I adapt to this situation? I see what’s going to happen and I want to be down there offering Ace my support, but I’m stuck up here.”
“You adapt by staying up here where Ace knows you are safe from whatever is going on down there. No matter what you see or what happens, if you leave this room, Ace will worry and it will distract him from getting this job done. Which could lead to him being hurt badly or killed.”
Well, shit. When Poison puts it that way, the last thing I want to do is get Ace hurt or killed. “How do you know so much about this?”
“Honey, I grew up in this life. Drex, who I thought was my father, was the President of Deadly Sins MC.”
“What happened to him? If you don’t mind me asking.” I question, intrigued by Poison.
“Siren and I killed him.” Poison says it so flippant and takes a sip of her mixed drink.
“Wait, what? How?”
“Let’s just say this particular Club Business Siren and I were involved in was for our peace of mind, which is why Kayne pulled us in. It’s a story for another day, look, Ace is about to go into the cage.” Poison points out the window.
Ace steps into The Cage in a pair of shorts, his hands are tapped up. He’s barefoot and shirtless, his powerful muscles rippling with tension. He’s focused on the two men entering The Cage together. One is as tall as Ace, built like a bull with all brawn and no brains. The other man is shorter than both Ace and the other guy but evil radiates off his skin. I can feel it from here and it sends a shiver down my spine.
“He’s going against two men!” I leap from my seat and pace in front of the windows, agitated. “Does anyone know what this will do to Ace?” I am worried about his mental state once this match is over.
“Kayne knows, Liz. Now stop pacing, you’re making me nervous.”
I give Poison an incredulous look. “I’m making you nervous? This whole situation is fucked up. I should be down there in The Cage with Ace, not locked up here in some tower like a fucking damsel in distress!” I slam my fist onto the window. “DAMN IT!”
Poison makes her way over to me, “Liz, look around The Cage.” I do as she requests. “There are brothers all over protecting Ace, not to mention Seth and his men won’t let anything happen to Ace. He needs to finish this job, Liz.”
I see Stone next to the door, ready to plow into it at a moment's notice. Kayne, Blayde and Rooster are surrounding the area with Seth’s men, keeping people back and ready to act in a heartbeat. I breathe a little easier, but not much, not until this is over with.
The speakers come to life in the room and the voices make me jump. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a special fight in store for you. Our man, Ace will be battling not one, but two men in The Cage. The first man is from Lansing, Michigan, weighing in close to two hundred and fifty pounds, standing at six foot three inches, Steven.” Most of the crowd boos and some cheer. The cheering side has Kayne and Blayde alert to where they are. “Up next, he comes in a six foot even, weighing one hundred eighty pounds, also from Lansing, Michigan, Anthony.” The crowd gives the same response, except this time the cheers are more widespread, causing Kayne and Blayde to check their surroundings. I focus on the crowd and from my vantage point, I see a handful of men dressed in business casual moving around The Cage, just out of Kayne’s sight. “Tonight's event will be winner takes all. Only one man will walk out of The Cage.”
“Oh fuck.” My blood turns cold, making my stomach drop to my toes. Vomit works its way up my throat and I do what I can to hold it back.
I have to get down there. I have to help Ace.