Chapter 13 #2
“I need something to clean her up,” Beck demanded tonelessly.
“Cherry, get a rag for the girl’s face.” Gray beard ordered a woman in tight leather pants and a top so low I could see her nipples.
“Yes, sir.” She turned and headed down a hallway.
“Now let’s get a drink and talk.”
Bubba sneered at us before walking off with the other two. His gait was unsteady, and he sat in the closest available seat, laying his head on his arms.
Beck pulled me into his side as we made our way to the bar in the corner.
“You still kicking ass in the ring?” Gray beard pounded on the bar.
The man behind it hurried and poured two shots. “Here you go, Prez.”
Gray Beard didn’t acknowledge him.
Beck shrugged but didn’t speak.
A corner of the man’s mouth twitched. “Good, because you’re gonna fight.” He smirked, “Your friend's health may ‘depend’ on it.” He made finger quotations.
Tension snapped tight in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral.
The Prez downed a shot and smirked when Beck declined one.
Cherry walked up and handed Beck a cold rag, then grazed her nails down his arm, and winked at me as she sauntered away.
I frowned, but Beck paid her no attention and began gently wiping the blood from my face. I took a few seconds to glance around the room and familiarize myself with the layout.
Ben would be so proud.
One man near the jukebox was sweating through his shirt, his hands trembling as he lifted a bottle to his mouth. Another sat too still, his eyes tracking Beck as if he were measuring the distance. I wondered if that was Park.
I had no idea how in the hell we were going to get out of here, but with the number of sick people I spotted, it was imperative that we did. After witnessing the events at the café, I knew it was only a matter of time before things here went south.
Prez rested his forearms on the bar and looked at Beck sideways. “Tomorrow, you give us a show. Most bets will be on you, but ours will be on Parker. You’re going to throw the fight, and we’re going to clean up.”
“And if I don’t?” Beck asked.
The man chuckled softly. “I’ll let you spend the night thinking about it.”
I opened my mouth to speak.
The Prez’s eyes flicked to me, cool and assessing. “Your girl is pretty.” His gaze was lecherous. “I’ve never had a cheerleader.”
Beck narrowed his eyes. “No talking to or about her if you want me to fight.”
The old man straightened. “I’m trying to be generous, but you’re making it difficult.”
“If you guarantee her safety, I’ll do whatever you want me to.” Beck pulled me closer.
The Prez stood, “Follow me.”
He led us into a hallway that opened behind the bar—narrow and lit by a single strip of buzzing fluorescent light. He pushed through a reinforced door at the end.
The room was small and windowless, with a door on the far side. A large cot was pushed up against one wall. A scarred table and two chairs took up the rest of the space.
“I’ll have one of the girls bring you something to eat.
” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t try to leave.
Big George and Red will keep watch, and you know George is dying for you to fuck up so he can get his hands on this beauty.
” He flicked his gaze to me and licked his lips.
“You can clean up in the bathroom.” He motioned to the door I’d seen.
Beck pushed me behind him and growled.
He laughed, “You’ll fight tomorrow,” the prez said to Beck, leaning back against the wall like he had all night. “We’ll talk after…unless you refuse to throw it.”
Beck didn’t take the bait. “And tonight?”
“Tonight,” the man said, “you rest. Fuck that sweet piece of ass.” He coughed roughly. “Relax.”
I noticed his face looked flushed.
He turned and grinned at me. “Keep him calm, girl. You don’t want to see the weapon in George’s pants up close and personal.” He laughed all the way out of the door.
I heard a lock click.
I waited a beat before exhaling. “What the hell are we going to do?”
Beck pulled me into a hug and then kissed the top of my head.
“I’m going to kill them, and you’re going to watch.” He whispered almost lovingly.
My eyes widened, and I jerked out of his arms, “There’s no way you can kill all of those men by yourself.”
He bopped me on the nose and smiled, “Don’t doubt me, Fox.”
Beck was as crazy as the old man.
“I’m assuming you have a real plan?” I wasn’t the type to count on a man to rescue me. My ass was too important to me to rely on anyone else to save it.
He led me to the table and pulled out my chair. “Maybe. Let’s eat and get some rest. Seems I’ve got a fight to lose tomorrow.”
Voices drifted through the door, and I could hear coughing over the loud music that was playing.
“Did you notice how many of them are sick?” I tucked my hair behind my ear.
“I did.” He sat in the other chair and rubbed a hand over his face. “It might work in our favor.”
The light in the room flickered, then steadied.
Outside the door, someone dragged what sounded like a chair across the floor, stopping outside our room. A cough followed—wet, ugly, and wrong.
Beck met my eyes, his expression grim. “I’ll get us out of this, Fox, I swear.”
“I’m sure you will, but I think I have a plan that won’t get us killed.”
He smirked, “I forgot who you were for a moment.”
I stared at him drolly. “They’ve sorely underestimated me. And that works in our favor.” I smoothed my skirt. “Most men do.”
“I think I’m in love,” Beck said, staring at me with heat in his eyes.
The door opened, and a girl walked in with denim shorts cut so high and a shirt cut so low she might as well have been nude.
“Hey, sweet thing. I brought you something to eat.” She headed straight for Beck, her long brown ponytail swaying just above her ass.
I stood and stepped in front of him, “I’ll take that.”
I grabbed the tray loaded with sandwiches, a few bags of chips, and some bottles of water.
I heard Beck laughing low behind me. “Thanks, Biddy. I appreciate the food, but my girl is kind of territorial.”
She pouted, “I don’t mind sharing.”
“I do.” I turned my back to her and set the plate on the table.
“Get your ass out of there, Biddy,” Red growled from outside the room. “He needs to prepare for the ass kicking he’s going to take tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you later, Beck.” She fluttered her lashes and walked out, blowing a kiss at Red.
Red slammed the door, and the lock clicked back into place.
I snatched a sandwich from the plate and took a bite, looking up in question when Beck didn’t move.
He was staring at me with a huge grin on his face.
“What?” I asked, grabbing a chip and stuffing it in my mouth.
I was starving; we hadn’t had anything but the deer jerky in my pack today.
“I like you claiming me like that.” His eyes burned with intensity.
“Don’t let your head get too big. She thinks I’m your girl, so I wasn’t going to put up with her disrespect.” I took a gulp of water. “No one fucks with my pretend boyfriend.”
Beck laughed, “You’re something else, Fox.”
“Sit down and eat.” I stuffed another chip into my mouth.
“So, what’s this plan you’ve come up with?” He sat and took the other sandwich, almost eating it in one bite.
I smirked, “I think you’re going to like it.”
“Impress me, evil queen.”
I was starting to love that title.