“If she’s the person I’m thinking of, it would’ve been when we were around fifteen years old.”
He examines me. “That was over a decade ago.”
“I know.”
“Were you close? Does she look like the girl?” Cade leans closer on his elbows, completely invested.
“I think she does, but… I only knew her for about an hour,” I admit.
“An hour?”
“Yeah. But I could never forget her.” Or that moment.
“Does she have the same name?” He tries to help put the pieces together with me.
“She never told me her name.”
He thinks on that. “What makes you think she’s the same girl? After all this time?”
Now I laugh at myself, because this is the most farfetched part of it all. “There’s this necklace she wears.”
“A necklace?” He looks like he thinks he heard me wrong.
“Yeah. It’s very… unique.” I find my hand lingering against my own chest, remembering. “I’ve never seen another once since then. Until now.”
“Maybe it’s not so farfetched,” Cade offers. “Sounds like you have a mystery to figure out.”
I suit up and meet Reese in the ring. He starts off the match with one fuck of a right across my jaw. Chase and Talon laugh outside the ring as they hang on the ropes.
“Christ!” I take a step back, rubbing my sparring glove across my now-tender jaw.
“You’re distracted.” Reese wags his eyebrows while flashing a cocky grin. He’s one to talk about being distracted, the way he flaunts himself in front of every pretty girl that comes past. He’s as tall as I am with messy blond hair, blue eyes, lean frame and athletic abilities that earned him a football scholarship. If you were comparing the brothers to The Outsiders, Reese would be Sodapop—always smiling and joking, with movie star looks.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I grumble.
“And what the hell happened the other day?” He asks as he step-shuffles about the ring, now wanting more to talk than work out. “We cancelled poker night to celebrate your big partnership and then you went all radio silent.”
“Yeah, where did you go?” Talon leans against the ropes, in toward us. “You didn’t even call.” His black hair is styled in a wide, low, blue-tipped mohawk, shorn short on the sides. He wears two medium silver gauges in his ears and his eyes are so dark brown you can’t tell where the iris stops and the pupil starts.
“I only sort of care what your boring lawyer-ass did.” Reese smiles like a cat with the canary. “Because we cancelled the game, Chase and I went to the club where I hooked up with a hot blonde for the night.” He winks. “Then two more nights after that.”
I roll my eyes. “Sorry about ditching. Just trying to wrap my head around this new case.”
I bring a few quick jabs to Reese’s midsection. It takes him a second to recover. “Now who’s not paying attention?”
“Hit me again!” he crows and rubs circles around his midsection. “It helps tone my six pack.”
“We all have one, douchebag.” I laugh and lunge at him, and the two of us exchange a good series of jabs.
When we separate, he trash talks. “You won’t for long, Mr. Partnership. You’re going to be a desk jockey.”
Thinking of his Mr. Partnership remark, I mutter, “Maybe.”
“What do you mean, maybe?” Leave it to Talon’s supersonic bat hearing.
Ever since I came in for the tattoo, even though he hasn’t told the others about the new ink—he’s respectful and spiritual like that—he’s been crazy with curiosity.
“I just have shit to deal with. There are a lot of… nuances to the case.”
Reese comes in at me, and I let him pound out some frustration against my abs as I hold them tight. He’s right, nothing tones the abs better.
“I think we should make the partnership party like a full-on man’s party—strippers, exotic dancers, women laying on tables with shots across their bellies.” Leave it to Reese. He really took up Ryder’s mantle after Ryder married Rachel.
“I’m not getting married, asshole.” We throw some more jabs.
“Yeah, but once you become a partner, you’ll be all respectable and even more of a pillar of the community than you are now,” Reese jeers with mock sophistication. “But you’ll always be Mr. Prick to me.”
“We could get reserved seating at The Gentleman’s Club,” Chase offers. Chase is tall— taller than the rest of us at six foot five—with long black hair. He’s lanky too. He’s quiet, laid back, and doesn’t like the boxing stuff so much, but he loves martial arts. He developed his own form of mixed martial arts and now competes in tournaments across the country while attending college on his family’s reservation, White Earth. His mother was Spanish, his father Chippewa.
“I don’t see any gentlemen here,” Talon quips. Talon is only an inch shorter than Chase, and his skin is nearly as dark, but he has no idea what his heritage is. Talon is the wise, spiritual one of us. He loves spouting off shit about the workings of the universe. He translates that passion into his artwork and tattoo design. People from all over the world seek him out for their body ink.
I look at the three of them—and my thoughts include the brothers who aren’t present: Josh, Liam, and Ryder. I remember how we used to hella fight. We beat the shit out of each other for an entire summer at North House. None of us would’ve ever guessed we’d be thicker than blood. Thick as ink and steel.
“Speaking of bachelor parties, are Adrienne and Gwen having a bachelorette party? And who’s setting it up?” I’m really trying to distract them from the partnership-case interrogation.
“Yeah, but it’s all hens.” Reese scoffs. “And Adrienne is requiring all of us to bring dates to the wedding. It’s fucking stupid.”
“Bring dates? Why?” I stop moving as Reese and I turn to Talon; she works for him.
He says, “This is not my wedding.”
“No, it’s two lesbians who don’t want us fooling around with their friends and having any heterosexual fun,” Reese explains, annoyed.
“No, asshole,” Talon retorts. “The girls just don’t want any of their heterosexual girlfriends to get tampered with by assholes like you.”
I laugh.
Adrienne is the longtime receptionist at The House of Ink and Steel. She’s been there since Liam built it years ago.
Reese snorts with mock insult.
Chase adds, “Remember a few years back at the House picnic, Adrienne invited a few friends and Ryder took all three of them home with him that night? Then left them without so much as a thank you, ma’am in the morning?”
“Not to mention the incident busted up the girls’ friendship—they blamed each other for him leaving.” Talon chuckles.
“Well, it sucks!” Reese protests. “When I called Adrienne on it, she said if I showed up without a date, she wouldn’t let me in! I told her I don’t have anyone to bring; I have no choice but to go stag. She told me—and I quote—‘I don’t care if you have to bring your sister! No date, no wedding!’” Reese pretends to cry. “That hurt, she knows I don’t have a sister.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “You know, though, I really don’t have anyone that I can bring.” I ask Talon and Chase, “What about you guys?”
“I asked a friend from class,” Chase says. “Not really a romantic prospect.”
“Why not?” Reese asks, fully recovered.
“Ha! She’s the Chippewa Chief’s daughter. Just friends. The hands-off kind.”
Talon peers over at him a bit suspiciously then says, “I’m lucky. Tove Lo came into the shop last week. I gave her a fresh tattoo and asked if she’d like to go between concert dates.”
I’m like… “WHAT?!”
“BULLSHIT!!” Reese spouts.
Chase laughs. “You’re fucking kidding me?!!”
I already know from the expression on Talon’s face he’s telling the truth. The House of Ink and St
eel is world famous; Liam and Talon are their own brand of celebrity, and they get high profile stars in all the time.
“The perks of being a world-renowned tattoo artist.” Talon throws it in our face.
“You better dish if you get any,” Reese whines.
Talon reaches over the ropes and slugs him hard in the shoulder. “Not a chance.”
“So, you don’t have a date?” I turn to Reese seriously. The wedding is a few weeks away. I don’t even know any girls I’d ask. My acquaintances are limited. I sort of know a couple court stenographers and a few single lawyers I could ask, but I don’t want to mix my professional and personal lives. Plus, it’s my family, I just want to be myself at the wedding.
“Dude, I’m being groomed by the Minnesota Vikings for quarterback. I will get a date.” He swishes his blond hair back before he tells me, “Maybe Adrienne will let you bring Debra. I don’t think she has rules against bringing your mother.” He laughs at his own joke.
“Are Josh and Ryder coming in?” Chase asks.
“Adrienne said Josh and Sophie already RSVP’d and will be stopping off from the MMA circle, but no one’s heard from Ryder—including Rachel. He’s on assignment somewhere.” Talon says with a whatever shrug. “Life of a Navy SEAL.”
“Come on! Get to fighting,” Chase complains. “Talon and I have the ring in fifteen.”
Reese and I get down and dirty—which consists of ten minutes of sucker punches and jabs, a decent short workout that raises a sweat—while trash talking one another.
Then Reese steps away from me with his attention locked toward the entrance doors. “Holy hell! Who is that?” He continues to shuffle his feet and pump his fists.
My back is to the mystery, and I don’t dare turn. Reese uses fake diversions all the time.
He nearly shouts, “I claim her!”
“You can’t claim people, dickhead,” Talon laughs.
“I saw her first!” he says. “She’s totally mine.”
“Technically, you didn’t see her first,” Talon tells him. “She’s the new yoga instructor and girl’s counselor.”
“She’s a little hippie goddess, that’s what she is.” Reese muses.
Hippie goddess? No. Way. I whip around. There’s Elle, walking through The Core. My Core!
Elle!
“She’s the new WHAT?!” I couldn’t have heard him right.
That’s when Reese’s fist connects to the side of my head.
I fall to the mat and see stars.
“Holy fuck! Dude!” Reese reaches out his gloved hand. “I totally thought you saw that coming.”
Liar! “Did she see?” I ask, unable to disguise the frantic tone of my voice.
Reese laughs while Talon looks at me oddly. “Why?”
Chase steps into the ring and squats down. “You alright?”
“I’m fine. Shut up!” I shove them all away and hop to my feet, albeit a little dizzily. “Where did she go?”
“The mirrored studio,” Talon says like I might be brain damaged. “Where the yoga classes are.”
“Christ, she’s really working here?” I can’t believe it. “Since when?”
“Since two weeks ago. Cade loved her credentials. Handpicked her,” Talon explains.
“She’s opposing council in the partnership case,” I blurt.
“You’re so gonna lose, dude,” Reese jeers then croons, “And I think it’s great! Means I’m about to have a date for the wedding.” He rubs his hands together.
“Don’t even fucking think about it!” I warn him, shoving my gloves into his chest.
“Whoa, man! What’s with you?” Reese looks like he isn’t sure if he should take me seriously. “She’s your opposition, and I already claimed dibs.”
“Don’t even talk to her. Don’t go near her; don’t touch her, unless you want to lose your pass hand,” I threaten sternly. I’m not having the likes of Reese get within two feet of her.
“Alright, man,” he concedes. “I yield for now. But you have some explaining to do as to why the new girl is off limits.”
“I have to talk to Cade!” I start pulling off my gloves as fast as I can as I step between the ropes, and out of the ring.
“You don’t have time,” Reese reminds me, looking over at the wall clock. “We have mentoring with Darren and Kyle in five.”
“Right.” I halt the brakes on my feet, but not the hurricane happening inside me.
I only barely hear Kyle (or anything else) over the next half hour. I keep looking toward the studio, hoping to catch another glimpse of her.
I feel like I’m going nuclear!
How is she here? How did this woman just suddenly drop into my world?
My entire world??
My city, my courtroom, my Core?
Then I’m catapulted back into wondering if it’s her. Wondering if that’s the same pendant. Fascinated by the possibility that she’s been wearing it all this time. That it’s somehow kept her safe. That maybe, just maybe, it actually brought her here, to this place.
To me.
It’s too crazy, like one of Talon’s ‘The Universe is making it happen’ speeches.
“Earth to Connor. You okay?”
“Yeah, Kyle. I’m fine,” I lie.
“I’ve been talking about my crappy English teacher and you haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”
Shit! “Sorry.”
“You keep looking over at the yoga room. Do you wanna go do that instead of weights?” he asks. “Lots of football players do yoga, right? It’s cool?”
“Yeah, it’s very cool.” I give my charge my attention. “That sucks your teacher is giving you such a tough time. English can be a hard subject. We could do some tutoring. Bring your textbook and assignment in next time.”
“Thanks!”
“Don’t worry about it. Sorry I’ve been so distracted. How about after the workout I make it up to you with a Subway twelve inch and a bag of chips?”
“A whole twelve inch? All to myself?” His eyes grow wide as saucers.
“Yup,” I promise. “I’ll even throw in a few cookies.”
“YEAH!” He jumps up, pumping his fist like he just won the lottery.
His antics break a smile across my face.
“You’re the best, Connor,” he tells me.
I wish Elle Hayes would think so.
Elle
I PARK MY Prius hybrid outside Covenant House—the latest detention center Jackson’s been incarcerated in, in an attempt at keeping him from running away—again! I know we’re going to have the same conversation we always do. He’s going to want me to help break him out.
Christ, this sucks so bad. Just ten years ago I was on the other side of the wall he’s now trapped behind. I know exactly how he feels.
He’s going to be angry—no, furious—an emotion I’m all too familiar with, rooted in desperation.
Stepping through the doorway, I can’t help but feel that creepy sensation clawing at my nervous system, due to the heavy, unsympathetic stone the building is made from. Not to mention the cold, impenetrable steel door designed to keep you locked inside. I nearly shudder as I ring the intercom-bell.
“Covenant House,” a disembodied voice states drearily through the plastic speaker—the only breakable thing in this fortress of a doorway.
“Elle Hayes to see Jenna Raymond,” I answer, forcing myself to remember who I am now. Reminding myself I’m not in trouble, I’m not the runaway I once was. No one’s going to lock me up again.
“Thank you. I’ll inform her you’re here. She should be with you in just a moment.” Then the plastic reverts to its former state: dead, silent.
Ten years ago, I would’ve been one of Jackson’s closest confidants, ready and willing to go to extremes for him. Before I became an adult, forced to do things in the adult way and before rules permeated my life. As a teenager, I would’ve pulled the fire alarm, faked pain so bad our counselors would be forced to call an ambulance or busted out a
window.
Hmmm… that takes me back. Makes me close my eyes, take a deep breath and think back on the boy I’ll never forget. As I always do when I think of him, I graze my fingers over the pendant at my throat.
He was so brave and fearless.
The door suddenly pulls open, making me jump.
“Ms. Hayes?” A heavy-set woman with gentle eyes and a kind smile surprises me from the other side.
“Mrs. Raymond?”
“Jenna. Please call me Jenna. I’m so glad you’re here.”
That’s not a good sign. “You can call me Elle.”
“Thank you, Elle.” She leads me into the foyer. “You’re welcome to leave your coat and boots if you’d like.”
“Thanks.” I shrug off my coat and hang it on a hook and wipe my boots. “How is Jackson?”
“He’s been here for two days and hasn’t had a bite of food.” The concern painted on her face is genuine. It’s akin to fear. “He won’t talk to anyone—none of us—not a word. We’ve tried everything we can think of: we’ve brought in pizza, ice cream, chips, things we don’t allow here at Covenant House, just to get him to eat something. Is this his usual M.O.?”
No. Not at all. I suddenly feel like I’m in a tailspin. I know the kid pretty well. He causes trouble, fights with other kids, argues with therapists, puts his fist through walls… but silent treatments and hunger strikes are all new territory.
“It’s not his usual behavior,” I admit but leave it at that.
As we walk through the halls, I notice the interior of this place is actually warm—at least aesthetically. The carpet is a deep cranberry color; the walls are the color of coffee with cream, decorated with art pieces and inspirational quotes. We pass through a room where kids are playing board games with a couple adults—they’re laughing, and the harmonious, happy sound makes me smile.
Now that I’m here, it doesn’t seem so bad.
We go up a flight of stairs and down a hallway, a few doors open to tidy bedrooms.
Mrs. Raymond stops short and looks at me with a small smile. “Good luck.” She directs me with her open hand to the next room.
Risk: An Enemies to Lovers, Second Chance Romance Standalone (Brothers of Ink and Steel) Page 6
