16. Ali
sixteen
Ali
G iving them the short version of my fucked-up childhood was just as painful as if I had gone into detail, but they needed to know a bit. Now they might understand why I am the way I am. Maybe not, since I honestly don’t know how I ended up like this. Someone who embraced the violence of the world and let it shape her. Now I don’t even bat an eye at violence; I live for it.
Does that make me crazy? Probably. But the guys don’t seem to mind.
I listen to the conversation around me, going through all the information I can. Arsen’s theory about my family’s business makes sense. Real estate could play a big factor in the criminal underground. People need places to hide their merchandise, whether that be guns, drugs, or even people. Most people also don’t want all the red tape to jump through in order to gain these properties or even their own names on the leases.
So, when the guys start talking about options to move to next, an idea pops into my head. It’s a ridiculous one but also might be our only “safe” choice at the moment. They will be looking for the guys mainly, so in theory they will only focus on them and their connections. Not mine.
Cash cocks a brow in question, so I must be broadcasting my thoughts across my face. Blowing out a breath, I tell him. “So, I might know someone who could help us.” I chew on my bottom lip, blinking up at them innocently when they all look at me with surprise.
“Do you trust this person?” Cash’s next question makes me snort. At this point in life, I’ve learned you can’t trust anyone, even your family. I mean, I sort of trust these guys, but that doesn’t mean they won’t throw me to the curb when they get bored. Though…Riot, the psychopath, did show me a marriage certificate that looked pretty legit. Maybe I should look into that a bit more after all the family-trying-to-kill-family bullshit.
Deciding to go with the truth, I shrug. “Not as far as I can throw him, but he owes me.” Then standing, I begin to collect all the now empty plates. I made a decent breakfast, mainly because it’s kind of hard to mess up eggs and toast. Plus, who doesn’t like bacon?
“Him?” A scowl appears on Riot’s face as he glares at me. Rolling my eyes, I set the plates on the counter and turn back towards them. I open my mouth to reply with something teasing, but a phone flying towards me stops me.
“Make the call,” Cash demands before turning to the other two. Riot is still glaring in my direction, so I throw him a quick wink before dialing the gym. “Let’s pack up and make sure nothing is left behind. I think I might have an idea. One to even the playing field.” Riot crosses his arms over his chest like an unruly child, practically pouting. Arsen, on the other hand, slowly stands, a wince crossing his features before he can stop it. Cash, already in mission mode, heads for the hall, Arsen following as the phone rings.
A second later, the man I need answers. “Hey, Shane, it’s Ali.” There’s a moment of what I’m guessing is stunned silence before he finally snaps out of it.
“Ali? Where the fuck you been?” If I were anyone else, I might have flinched at the rough tone Shane uses but I just roll my eyes. Men. Glancing up, I spot Riot, still at the table and still pouting. This time his glare is directed at the phone against my ear.
“I’ve been…around.” I finally say, not sure how to explain, I was kidnapped, forced into a game of life and death, kidnapped again, and now laying low with three men who seem interested in me. Oh, and I’m apparently married to one now. Yeah, that sounds plausible and sane.
“Around?” he parrots.
“Yeah, look, I can’t explain more than that, but I’ve run into a bit of trouble.” I can hear the snort through the phone.
“Let me guess, you need bail money?” he chuckles, and I wish it was that simple.
“Actually… I need a place to lay low. I was thinking maybe the old gym?” I say, nibbling on my lip in anticipation.
“What kind of trouble?” he asks, and I sag back against the counter.
“Look, it’s better you not know, but to clarify the situation, it’s life or death.” I hear a small intake of breath before Shane curses.
“What did you get yourself into, Ali?” he asks again, and I almost want to tell him, I didn’t get myself into anything. It wasn’t my fault I was kidnapped. I wasn’t even the chick they were after, but I keep my mouth shut on that retort.
“Like I said, it’s better you not know. So, can I borrow the place?” The line is quiet for a long moment before Shane finally clears his throat.
“On one condition,” he starts, and I hold my breath, waiting, hoping it’s not something stupid like I have to go on a date with him. Somehow I don’t think that will go over well with my guys. “I need a fighter tonight. You’ve been gone for a few weeks, and I haven’t made a lot. There are a few new fighters who need to be taken down a notch.” I snort. Of course he needs me to make him money.
“I’ll make you a deal,” I start, but Riot makes a noise that has me snapping my eyes to him. There’s fury in his eyes, probably annoyed he is only hearing a one-sided conversation, but I ignore the man. “You can keep all of the winnings if I can use the place and you pretend you never saw or heard from me.” I keep my eyes on Riot, who is still glaring in my direction but now looking a bit confused at my words.
“All the winnings?” Shane clarifies.
“Yes,” I tell him.
“How long do you need the place for?” is his next question and I know I have him. I think about the question for a moment.
“Not sure, but it could be a while.” Because we don’t have a full plan on how to bring down the rest of the guy’s fathers yet, but I don’t say that.
“Okay. Fight starts at 8. Everything will be ready by then. I’m guessing you will need supplies?” he questions.
“Yes, but I won’t be alone.” I glance over at Riot again, but this time he’s not alone. Cash and Arsen stand behind him, all staring at me expectantly. I roll my eyes again because these men are annoying as hell right now. At this point my eyes might roll to the back of my head with how much I’ve been rolling them. “Look, we can manage if you get the basics to start. I don’t want to involve you any more than handing over the key. We’ll be at the gym by…” I trail off, pulling the phone away and checking the time. It’s only noon. I’m not positive where we are, but I’m guessing the guys can get us where we need to go. “Six. It will give me time to prepare,” I tell him.
“See you then, Ali, and be careful. I’m double down tonight.” I snort at his words. Of course he is when he knows I can make him a pretty penny. There’s a click on the other end as I pull the phone away and set it on the counter.
“We have a place to stay.” I tell the men, but I know Riot heard more than the other two.
“Who was that? And what deal did you make?” he growls as the other two frown in confusion, and I shake my head in annoyance.
“That was Shane,” I hold up a hand as Riot opens his mouth, no doubt to demand more answers. “His father owned the gym I would train at. I’ve been going there for years. A while back, Shane got into underground fighting, and the gym wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. They frowned on beating the shit out of your sparring partner, so I made Shane an offer. If he could set me up with fights, he could get a cut of my winnings. Well, it turns out he needs a fighter for tonight. I made him the deal that he could keep all the winnings if we could borrow the old gym; it has an apartment above it. It’s closed and only used for the weekly fights,” I explain.
“You can’t fight tonight. You’ve barely healed; I can take your spot.” I stare at Riot like he grew a second head because I must’ve heard him wrong.
“Excuse me?” This time I’m the one cocking a brow as I cross my arms over my chest. Cash steps forward, hands raised in the air like I’m a wild animal ready to attack. Which could be true. How dare he tell me what I can or can’t do. As if I’m some weak woman who didn’t kill grown men with her bare hands just days ago.
“He didn’t mean it like that,” Cash glances back at Riot, urging him to agree, but he doesn’t. He continues to stare at me. “He meant you don’t have to fight for us. We can take your place instead if this guy needs a fighter.”
I grin at him, all teeth. “It has to be me.” And then I’m waltzing out of the room to find a better outfit. Hopefully Shane stocks some clothes along with the other supplies, or we can stop somewhere because I need some fight-worthy clothes for tonight.
L uckily, Cash thought ahead because on the way to the gym address I gave them, he made a pit stop. We didn’t even have to leave the vehicle as a woman came running out to the curb, an armful of bags. Placing them all in the back, we had stopped and continued our drive all under five minutes. I’m really curious what else Cash can get done that easily.
Pulling up to the old, run-down vacant gym, I spot a familiar looking bike parked off to the side. Letting the guys do their macho man moves, they get out and survey the area before I step out next. Without much more thought, I move to the front door, Riot cursing behind me.
“Will you wait, woman?! What if this fucker isn’t who you think he is?” I cock a brow over my shoulder before ignoring him and walking in. “God damn it.” The cursing continues, but I’ve already spotted Shane. The familiar scent of the gym fills my senses, and I almost relax, the tension easing just a bit at the familiarity.
The man smiles wide before his eyes catch on my entourage behind me. His smile fades, his lips tipping down in a frown. Shane looks just like he has every other time I’ve seen him. His all-American look that women swoon over in place, in a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt. “Who the fuck are these guys?” he asks, and then the male posturing begins.
My guys all crowd behind me, as if I need to be protected. Shane shifts his stance as if needing to prepare for a fight. I almost snort at that because I know he wouldn’t stand a chance against even a one-on-one fight with the guys.
I step forward, turning my body to keep all four men in view. “Enough,” I tell them before turning to Shane. “Look, we have a deal, right?” giving him a look, he nods once. “Then no questions. You get all the winnings, and we get a place to lay low. You never saw us.”
Shane stares at me for a long moment. Something akin to concern flashing in his eyes before ignoring the guys and taking a step closer to me. All of his focus is aimed at me, which is a big mistake on his part. “Are you sure you’re okay, doll?” He reaches out a hand and places it on my shoulder. I tense my shoulders at the question and then the feel of his heavy hand as a snarl echoes around the empty room.
Cue the possessive psychopath.