Fighting Chance (Rock Hard Gym Book 5)

by Ember-Raine Winters

  The door is jerked open and I tumble out into my father’s office. I didn’t hear him over my hiccupping cries and banging fists.

  “Really, Ceara? Look at you. All this over a boy.”

  “I hate you. He’s not just a boy. I love him!” I hurl the words at my father—no, at Big Tom.

  “So much like your mother.”

  He’s said the same thing to me many times, always in reverence to the love of his life. But this time there is a layer of disgust and thinly veiled hatred, and I wonder if I only heard what I wanted before. I’m beginning to suspect I created a father that doesn’t exist, twisting his words and actions to fit what I desperately needed from him.

  “I should have disposed of you when I did her. I foolishly thought I could groom you to be a worthy bargaining chip.”

  “Disposed? A bargaining chip?”

  He ignores my questions, continuing his rant over his disappointment with me. “And then you met that damn O’Malley boy and threw all my well-laid plans off track. You’ll see Ceara, you’ll see it’s better that he’s gone, and it’ll be in your best interest to fall in line. Finish your schooling, then return home to marry the man I’ve chosen as my successor.”

  “You can’t force me to marry!”

  He laughs and it’s one of those evil, maniacal laughs that sends chills racing up my spine.

  “I can, and I will. You’ve been promised to Theo for some time now. He wasn’t very happy when you shacked up with O’Malley, I had to talk him down from hurting the boy. That’s why I gave him the opportunity to take the kid out. Of course, Theo knew how much it would hurt you and he questioned my decision. Good thing he’s loyal to me and not my daughter.”

  He smiles at me, and it makes my skin crawl. Picking myself up from the ground where I had remained after falling into the room, I face off with Big Tom Kennedy. This man is no longer my father and I refuse to acknowledge our blood connection.

  “What did you mean when you said you should have disposed of me with my mother? What did you do?”

  I decide I want answers to my questions before I leave this man and this life behind. I might not have Connor anymore, but I will not give Big Tom the satisfaction of being his pawn.

  He waves his hand in a dismissive manner. “She got too curious, too rebellious when she learned of the extent of my business dealings. Kind of like you right now.”

  The threat is obvious; I’m not scared though. What will he do kill me? It’ll be a mercy compared to living a life without Connor.

  “You’re right. You should have disposed of me then. I’m not your pawn. I won’t live my life to please you and I won’t marry Theo. You made a mistake killing Connor. He was the only leverage you had with me.”

  I go to step around him, eager to get the hell out of this house. He doesn’t let me take more than one step before gripping my bicep in a bruising grip and yanking me back to face him.

  “Oh, you’ll be my pawn alright. You just need to be broken in. I’ll let Theo do the honors when he gets back. For now,” he shoves me hard and I fall into the closet. “Sit tight.” He slams the door, locking me in again.

  My ass hurts from where I fell, so I lay on my side and stare at the sliver of light that seeps from the bottom of the door. My eyes burn and I want to cry, but my tears are all dried up now. I have no hope of escaping this hell, I won’t willingly follow Big Tom’s orders. My life is in ruins, but somehow, I’ll find a way to escape.

  I don’t know how long I lay there, and I really don’t care, but eventually I retreat into my mind. I find my memories of Connor, surround myself with his dimpled smile and eyes the color of emeralds. I never want to leave this cocoon of warmth, and I won’t.

  Chapter 29

  Connor

  I notice the car following just a couple cars back, but I can’t make out who the driver is. I have no idea if it’s a legit tail, or if I’m just being paranoid. I know in my gut Big Tom isn’t letting my involvement with Ceara go. It’s a feeling I have.

  “Call Max,” I speak into my Bluetooth and wait for the call to connect.

  “Connor? How is everything?” His worried voice comes through the phone.

  “I think I need help. Either there is a car following me, or I have become exceedingly more paranoid after finding out who my family is.” I keep both hands on the steering wheel as I glance back in my rearview mirror a couple times.

  “I’m on the next flight out. I want you to go to the airport and wait for me.” Max sounds like he is already moving. “I texted Buck and he and his team are going to meet me there. You need to stay in public places okay, kid?”

  “I hear you, Max, but what about Ceara? She’s back at the compound waiting for me.” I’m not worried. I know Ceara will be fine, but I don’t want to worry her by not coming back.

  “Buddy, I asked around about Big Tom Kennedy and going back to his house alone right now is a bad idea. I need you to promise me that you won’t go back to that house until I get there,” Max huffs out a breath.

  “I promise, but can you hurry please?” Turning into the parking lot of a local grocery store, I park and heave out a breath.

  “I’ll be there in a few hours. Stay safe, Connor.” Max says before hanging up the phone. A knock on my window startles me and looking up, I see Marcus standing there.

  I lunge to reach for the glove box when Marcus opens the door. “Calm down, you don’t want to start a scene in the parking lot of a busy grocery store. Ceara sent me to follow you, but there is a problem.”

  “What’s the problem?” Hopping out of the car, I face Marcus. He’s looking at me with trepidation in his eyes.

  “Theo is going to try to kill you. Big Tom’s orders and Ceara has been locked in a closet. I just got a call from Big Tom and I’m supposed to meet up with Theo.”

  “She’s locked in a closet? Where?” Anger is hot as I itch to go after her. “Why aren’t you?” I ask him with a puzzled frown. Marcus has always been the stoic one.

  “I don’t know. I just know Big Tom has become slightly unhinged since Cece started college and the fact that he would be archaic enough to force her to marry Theo and take over the family business is a little insane.”

  “He what?” I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Theo has always railed a little harder against my relationship with her. Marcus has always been the voice of reason. I don’t know why I hadn’t seen it before.

  “We don’t have time for explanations. I have to get back to Theo and see if I can't stop whatever plan he has in mind for you. Do me a favor and don’t go back to the compound.” He starts to walk away.

  “Max is on his way with some back up. He told me to go to the airport and wait. It’s nice and public. I was just trying to figure out who was following me first.” I scrub a hand over my face.

  “Good plan, give me your phone.” Marcus walks back to me and holds his hand out. I give him my phone and he types something, then I hear a ringing from his pocket. “I’ll give you a call when I figure out what he’s up to.”

  Marcus hands me my phone back and jogs to his car without another word. I watch him as he tears out of the parking lot and heads back toward the compound. Shit just got real. I hope that I can make it out of this one.

  *****

  I wait at the arrivals gate of the local airport for what feels like forever, just watching people as they hurry to their planes, or out to the waiting cars. The last months replay in my head and even though I should be glad to have found out what really happened to my mother, I can’t help but wonder what is going to happen next. Will Marcus really help me, or am I as good as dead and that asshole Theo is gonna walk away scot free with my girl?

  “You look deep in thought.” The voice makes me grin and pulls me from my head.

  “Max, thank fuck you’re here.” I blow out a relieved breath.

  “Hey, what are we, chopped liver?” Lennox and Tanner step around Max and I can’t help the grimace that takes over my face.


  “I appreciate you guys coming, but this is really dangerous. What are you doing here?” I heave out a breath. I don’t want any more people in danger because of me.

  “I tried to tell them, but you know what a hothead Lenny is. He refused to stay behind when he heard you were in danger.” Max shrugs.

  “I’m not letting anyone fuck with my little sparring partner.” Lennox grins and I shake my head.

  “Is this a private party, or can anyone join?” I hear a voice behind me and recognize Buck and Bubba from the few times they’d come by the house over the years.

  “Thanks for coming, guys. We have a major situation.” Max sighs out like he’s exhausted.

  “Of course. You know we have your back.” Bubba grins. “Plus, I love tangling with the mafia.”

  I tune out the guys as my phone chimes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I notice it’s from a number I don’t recognize and look at the message.

  It’s the car.

  That’s all it says, and it has me scratching my head. “I have a car in the parking lot, but it’s not going to be big enough for everyone.” I start moving to the exit hoping everyone will follow.

  About five feet away from the Mustang a hot blast knocks me to the ground and pain explodes in the back of my head. My only thought before everything goes black is, they blew up my fucking car.

  Chapter 30

  Ceara

  Shouting snaps me out of my imagined sanctuary. My body is stiff and aches when I stretch.

  “At the fucking airport? What kind of moron are you?”

  Big Tom is pissed about something, but I can’t bring myself to care.

  “At least tell me that the O’Malley boy was in the car when it happened.”

  I sit up, pressing my ear to the door I strain to hear the answer. He must be on his cell because I don’t hear even a murmur of someone else.

  “You better be one hundred percent certain Marcus. Yeah, okay. You and Theo get back here. Tell Theo I’ll make sure Ceara is ready for him.”

  I crawl away from the door and press my back into the opposite wall. I wait for Big Tom to open the door but when he doesn’t, I move back to the door to listen.

  I hear footsteps enter the office and my father greets someone.

  “Are you sure that you want a part in this? Once you’re in there’s no backing out, there’s only a body bag.”

  “Quit with your dramatic threats, Tom. I’m in. The O’Malleys and the Belikovs need to go and Seamus is getting a bit of a reputation. The plan is flawless. You just tell me when.”

  “Good, good. Now get out of here. We can’t be seen together; it will raise suspicions and Marcus and Theo are on their way.”

  The men say goodbye and a sense of urgency takes me over. I need to get out of here. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but first Connor and now Big Tom is targeting Seamus. This is bigger than some rival feud with the O’Malleys like he claimed.

  The door opens before I can back away and Big Tom yanks me up by my hair. The sting causes my eyes to water. He pushes me onto a chair in the middle of the room and quickly restrains my hands behind the chair back with some zip ties. I kick at him while he tries to tie my ankles to the legs of the chair, but it doesn’t deter him, and he has me immobile within minutes.

  “I hate you!”

  “I know. I wish it didn’t have to be this way Ceara, but you’ve left me no choice.”

  I laugh, but there is no humor here. “You’ve had plenty of choices, Daddy. You just made the wrong ones.”

  He slaps me and my head snaps to the side, a sting radiating from my jaw. My mouth fills with a metallic taste and I spit out blood.

  Theo and Marcus enter the office and Big Tom turns his attention to them.

  “I have somewhere I need to be. Watch her. She’s going to resist but she’ll be ready to marry you by the end of the week Theo.”

  “Fuck you!” I spit more blood, this time it lands on his shoe.

  “Feel free to teach her a lesson.” He turns on his heels, wipes the blood off onto the rug and leaves me alone with my former bodyguards.

  “I’ll never marry you, Theo. Either kill me, or let me go.”

  Theo ignores me and takes a seat on the couch Big Tom had placed in the room to make it look more homey.

  Marcus stays by the door shooting me reassuring looks and watching Theo as he types out a text.

  “My mom will be here for our wedding,” Theo announces to me like it’s some kind of privilege for me to be not only marrying him but meeting his mother.

  “We’re not getting married,” I tell him from between clenched teeth.

  “Don’t play coy, Cece.”

  I roll my eyes at his wrongful assumption. “I’m not playing anything, I’m serious. I’d rather die than marry you.”

  Theo opens his mouth, no doubt to tell me what an honor he’s bestowing on me by marrying me, when a loud crash sounds from the hall.

  Theo stands and make his way to the door, standing on the opposite side from Marcus. Not even a second later the door bursts open and two men enter guns raised.

  “Which one of you is Marcus?” The mean, well meaner, looking one asks.

  Marcus nods his head. “I am.”

  “Untie her. We’ll take care of him.” The man shoves his gun under Theo’s chin.

  Marcus pulls a bowie knife from his boot and cuts the zip ties from my wrists and ankles. I stand as soon as I’m free, and rubbing my wrists I walk to where the men stand with Theo.

  “Who are you?” I demand.

  “We’re your extraction team. Connor sent us. Well, technically Max did, but it was on Connor’s behalf, so.”

  “Connor? Is he? They said,” I choke up trying to get the words out, but he understands what I’m asking.

  “He got knocked out from the blast. He should be awake by the time we get back.”

  I’m overwhelmed with joy at his words and I give him a quick hug, careful of the weapon he has trained on Theo.

  The other man gestures at Marcus and me. “We need to get moving. Bubba take care of him; we’ll get the car ready to go. You got five.”

  I follow the man out of the office, Marcus on my heels.

  “What’s your name?” I ask as we hurry through the house and out the front door.

  “Buck.”

  Outside, Buck heads to the driver seat of a black four-door rental car, while Marcus and I climb into the back. Not even five minutes later Bubba hops in the passenger seat and we speed away from the Kennedy estate.

  “Thank you.” I say to Buck and Bubba.

  “No problem, little lady.” Bubba tells me with a wink. “Let’s get you reunited with your man.”

  Chapter 31

  Connor

  “Ugh…” I groan as my eyes open to the dim room. It takes only a second before the memories assault me and I shoot up on the soft mattress.

  “Hey, easy.” Lennox pats my shoulder in an attempt to push me back down on the bed.

  “No. I have to get to Ceara.” Pushing his hands away, I try again to sit up.

  “Lay your ass back down,” Max growls at me giving me a dirty look. “Don’t you think we’ve already got someone on that? C’mon, Connor.”

  “How’s your head?” Tanner asks as he hands me a glass of water.

  “I’m not worried about my head,” I growl but accept the water gratefully.

  A knock sounds on the door and before I know it, Max is going to answer. I try to warn him because something just doesn’t feel right. He swings open the door and all I see is the gun in Max’s face as he puts his hands up in surrender.

  I don’t recognize the man who has his gun on Max, but I can guess who sent him. The man moves inside with his gun trained on Max and the man himself follows him inside looking around briefly before closing the door behind him.

  “I thought Marcus lied to me.” His face is impassive as he moves toward me with his gun pointed at my head.

  I catch Lennox
moving out of the corner of my eye and hope he’s not going to do something stupid. I know he’s protective of me, but I would rather he not get shot in the process. I shake my head imperceptibly.

  “You know you’re going to start a war doing this, right?” I try to keep his eyes on me. My head is still a little fuzzy and I shake it to clear it.

  “That’s exactly what I want.” He grins an evil malicious smile and it makes my skin crawl. “Once you’re gone and I take out the rest of the O’Malleys there will be nothing in the way for Ceara and Theo’s reign over the underground in this city.”

  “What the fuck?” I shout, but Tom brings back the hammer on the gun. Marcus had already told me that, but for some reason it makes it real coming from Big Tom. My head is spinning and not because I most likely have a concussion. As long as I am alive and even if I die, my Ceara will never marry that piece of shit.

  My hands ball into fists just as I see Max and Lennox nod to each other. Neither man is paying attention as Lennox rushes Tom easily disarming him and putting him in an arm bar. The gun slides away across the carpeted floor as Max grabs the other guy’s wrist and easily breaks it causing the gun to fall on the floor. A loud crack fills the room and I look around at everyone checking for blood. Thank fuck no one got shot.

  Tom is still struggling with Lennox as the door flies open and Buck and Bubba come in guns out and ready. I look behind them, but I don’t see her.

  “Where is Ceara?” I ask which has Big Tom stopping his struggle briefly enough for Lennox to get the upper hand.

  It takes me a second to see her and when I do, I want to lunge for her. She looks like an avenging angel as she holds Tom’s gun to his head with an evil glint in her eyes.

  “Give me a reason, Daddy,” she sneers the last word and I blow out a relieved breath. She’s safe. My girl is safe.

  Chapter 32

  Ceara

  My hands shake, but I keep the gun pressed to my father’s head. My stomach flips repeatedly, and I feel bile inch up my throat at the feel of the cool metal I hold against my palm. A hand covers my own and I startle, almost compressing the trigger.