Mark slowly approached them. He sighed and spoke. “Hey, guys.”
Max didn’t move. Rico turned and gave him a forced smile. “Hey.”
Mark turned toward Max’s back. “Max, I’m sorry. This shouldn’t have happened. I had no idea…”
“Shut up, Mark,” Max barked.
Mark frowned. “Hey, listen. This isn’t Lexi’s fault. So don’t be taking this out on her and…”
“I said shut up.” Max spun around at him. “This son of a bitch didn’t try to hurt Lexi. He tried to kill her. And he tried to kill Chloe and Avery too. Chloe is my everything. I promise you this won’t happen again. Right?”
“If you’re suggesting I break things off with Lexi…”
Max shook his head. “I would never do that. I had my doubts about her. And yes, I talked to the girls before they talked to you. I encouraged them to speak to you. I’m sorry for that. Now, who the hell is this guy and how do we stop him?”
“His name is Derek Falts. And I think slamming his ass back in jail for arson and attempted murder would do it. But we can’t prove it.”
Rico cracked a grin at them as he lazily pointed a finger across the street. “The Reeds just put surveillance cameras at the gas pumps outside their convenience store. Dan is currently sweet talking Mrs. Reed into checking the security tape to see if it picked anything up. She’s got a bit of a crush on him.”
Mark couldn’t help but chuckle. “My introverted best friend is sweet talking someone? That would involve talking.” He nodded toward the building. “Are we done?”
Max glanced at the structure. “We’re never done. Hard Drive isn’t the building. It’s the family that trains inside. Luckily it’s structurally sound. But we have quite a bit of remodeling ahead of us. I’m going to have to find a temporary place to train for a while. How’s Lexi?”
“Better. She’s resting with Logan back at my place. Kinnick is keeping guard. How are Chloe and Avery?”
“Chloe’s all right. She was sick this morning. I suppose the stress of the fire set off her CVS.”
“Avery is okay too. She cuddled a little closer last night and had a couple nightmares. I have a feeling the fire set off some flashbacks of Afghanistan.”
They all turned as they heard footsteps approach. Dan stopped with a grin. “They’ll turn the tape over to the police.”
“Did you get to see it?” Max questioned.
“Yep.” Dan turned to Mark. “It was definitely Derek. There’s a clear picture of him. Plus he paid for a gallon of gas in a gas can ten minutes before the fire. Mister Reed confirmed it.”
“Mister Reed?” Mark questioned with a smirk.
“Yes, thankfully. I can talk to him.”
“So we have him on tape. It’s open and closed,” Rico added.
Mark shook his head with a sigh. “He got out of jail not that long ago. I doubt he’ll just be hanging around. He’ll disappear.”
“But having him disappear would work, too.”
Mark stared at him. “He won’t let Lexi go. Ever.”
“Then we’ll make him regret his decisions,” Max growled.
Mark watched as Max walked toward the gym. Rico and Dan glanced at Mark before following him. An uneasy feeling filled him. Derek was certainly a special kind of psychotic. Crossing Max Thomas might have been the worst decision he ever made. Mark had never seen Max so angry before. It wasn’t Hard Drive that he was furious about. It was Chloe.
Derek was in a world of hurt. That was if they ever found him. With a sigh, Mark jogged to catch up with the other men.
Chapter Nine
“Roxanne, I’ve told you how I feel about these events.” Lexi curled up in a ball on the couch, her knees pressed tight against her chest. It only lasted a minute. Kinnick nosed her in protest until she dropped her legs back to the couch cushion. The pit bull laid his head on her lap and cuddled contentedly against her.
“Lexi, sweetie. This is great exposure. Plus this is a perfect way to announce your big news,” Roxanne encourage from the other side of the phone line.
“But I hate these things. You know why.”
“Don’t you have some big fighter boyfriend who can protect you from Derek?”
“How? It’s a mall. That’s a lot of space for him to cover.”
“I’ll get him a pass to be backstage with you. Will that work?”
“Pass? Backstage? What are you talking about? You said I’m signing books.”
“I said it’s an announcement. Everyone will be there for it. The mall is securing a space to keep everyone safe from your adoring fans. This is a big deal, Lexi. You’ve hit the big time officially now.”
She huffed as she idly stroked Kinnick’s head. “I haven’t told Mark yet.”
“You’d better, girl,” Roxanne replied. “If you don’t, he’ll know in a week.”
“I will.”
“Good. Get those contracts back to me as soon as you can. I’ll see you Friday night.”
“See you Friday.” Lexi ended the call and set her cell on the arm of the couch. She kept petting Kinnick as she watched Logan nap on the love seat. The boy and dog had worn each other out playing in the backyard. She was surprised that Kinnick wasn’t cuddling with her son instead of her. But then she was showing him far more attention than the sleeping boy.
She glanced as her cell phone vibrated again announcing an incoming call. She stared at the screen as her heart pounded in her chest. She could ignore it. But she knew better. Ignoring it would just set him off. After last night, who knew what he’d do?
She hit the answer button. “What do you want, Derek?”
“Just seeing if you were alive and breathing after last night. That was a pretty nasty fire.”
“When the cops find you…”
“They better not be looking for me. I’d hate to see something happen to you or your friends.”
“Leave Chloe and Avery out of this.”
“Chloe and Avery, huh? Two very beautiful girls. I’d hate for something to happen to them. So be a good girl, Lexi. Break things off with the doctor. Come back to me. Don’t make me hurt them.”
“Derek…”
Lexi startled as the front door was thrown open. She squeaked before her eyes could focus on Mark. He waved his hands quietly. “Shh. It’s just me.”
Lexi couldn’t answer. She just whimpered.
Mark frowned. “Who are you talking to?”
Before she could answer, he took the phone from her. He glanced at the screen then put it to his ear. “Listen, you son of a bitch. If you call her one more time, I will come find you. I promise you.”
Lexi watched as she waited for a response. Her stomach churned. This was the first time Derek and Mark faced off with each other. What would be said? She could only imagine World War Three. Instead Mark huffed as he set the cell on the arm of the sofa next to her.
“Coward hung up,” he mumbled. He plopped down on the couch and tugged her onto his lap. “Lexi, please don’t answer his calls.”
“But then he’ll show up,” she protested. “He’ll find me.”
“Not without me. Not anymore.”
“You can’t quit your job to be with me all the time.”
“Watch me.”
Lexi looked up into his blue eyes. There was no doubt by his intense stare that he was telling the truth. She sighed. “It probably won’t matter much longer anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged. “It’s nothing. It’s just that…I have a book signing at the mall Friday night. A really big one.”
“And you’re afraid he’ll show up.”
“I know he will.”
“Well, I’ll be there. He’ll have to go through me. And I’ll have Max, Rico and Dan there, too.”
“Just not Chloe and Avery. Please.”
Mark frowned at her. “Why not? I thought you were friends with them.”
Lexi took a deep breath and blew it out. Her belly flopped in re
sponse. “Derek threatened them too. He’ll hurt them unless I end things with you and go back to him.”
Mark’s face hardened. “You’re kidding me?”
“No.”
He nudged her from his lap. “We’ve got to go. Can you wake Logan up? Has he napped long enough?”
“Yes. Why? What’s wrong?”
“Derek has gone too far. I need to warn Max and Rico. And we need to plan. This needs to end.”
Lexi nodded silently. Before she could cross the living room to wake up her son, Mark scooped him up in his arms. The sleepy boy snuggled close to Mark.
Lexi picked up her purse and turned to the door, but she was quickly tugged back into a strong embrace. She laid her head against Mark’s shoulder as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“I’m scared,” Mark admitted. “This guy is dangerous. And unpredictable.”
She offered him a gentle smile. “But you’re right. If we increase the numbers, we can beat him.”
He let go a laugh. “Glad you agree. Let’s head over to Chloe and Max’s. I’ll text the others to meet us there.”
Lexi shooed Kinnick to his kennel as Mark walked to the truck still cradling Logan in his arms. She locked the door and ran to the vehicle. Logan was already secured in his car seat, peering at his mom with sleepy eyes. Mark’s fingers were flying over the screen of his phone.
“Are we all good?” Lexi questioned.
Mark tapped the screen emphatically with his thumb. “Yep. Max and Chloe are home. Avery, Rico and Dan are on their way. Let’s head over there.”
He shifted the truck into drive and took her hand. The rest of the ride was silent. Lexi watched her boyfriend instead of the scenery that flew past them. He seemed tense, and she couldn’t blame him if he was. Max wasn’t too favorable about the stress Derek put on their relationship. He didn’t want to see Mark hurt. Heaven knows how he was reacting that his own wife was in danger now too.
She studied the two story house as Mark pulled up to the curb. It wasn’t unusual. It looked just like the others along the street. Still, it made Lexi nervous. In the drive, Max’s vintage sports car and Chloe’s Beetle sat quietly. In front of Mark’s truck was a Jeep and another truck. Mark hopped out of the driver’s seat and crossed around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he helped Lexi out. Then he reached in for Logan.
“Mark, I awake,” Logan protested.
“I see that, big guy. Let me help you down. It’s a big jump.”
He gave his hand to the child to help him down and Logan gave a dramatic leap, making Lexi smile. Once Logan hit the ground, he kept his hand wrapped tightly around Mark’s. Together the three of them walked to the door.
Rico held it open as their feet hit the top step. “Hope you have a good reason to disrupt my day,” he joked. “I’m an important man, you know. I have important things.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Mark answered solemnly.
Lexi heard Rico mutter “Oh” as they passed. The usual smart-aleck grin he wore suddenly disappeared. Lexi sighed as she took the empty spot next to Avery on the couch.
“What’s up, Mark?” Max questioned.
Mark glanced down at Logan on the other end of his arm. Before he could speak, Chloe stood. “Hey, Logan. I just bought some ice cream. Uncle Max can’t have it right now. Want to help me eat it?”
“Sure!” Logan excitedly let go of Mark and followed her into the kitchen.
Mark turned to the rest of them. “I got home to find Derek harassing Lexi again. But that’s not the only problem. He threatened to hurt Chloe and Avery too.”
“He what?” Max demanded.
“He said he’d hurt them unless she breaks up with me and goes back to him.”
“That’s not happening. We’ll circle the wagons. The girls don’t go anywhere without us guys. That shouldn’t be hard since you girls are with us guys all the time anyway.”
Lexi noticed Avery shoot a dirty look at Rico. He chuckled weakly. “Avery hates it when I tag along to the grocery store. She thinks I slow her down.”
“Well, for the near future, I’m sorry, Avery, but he needs to go to keep you safe,” Max reminded.
Avery replied with a quiet huff. Lexi took a deep breath. “I have a major book signing on Friday night at the mall,” she said weakly. “It’s a big deal. There’ll be a huge crowd.”
“That puts a wrench in things,” Dan remarked. “A huge crowd plus watching these three girls? We’ll be spread thin.”
“You’ve taught us to fight. Let us help,” Chloe protested from the doorway of the kitchen, her arms crossed over her chest.
“Where’s Logan?” Max asked.
“Inhaling a bowl of ice cream at the table. Why can’t we help?”
Max stood and wove his way through the bodies sprawled all over the living room. He pulled her into his arms. “Because what happens if he overpowers you or Avery? We don’t want you hurt. I think the best idea is for you and me and Rico and Avery to drive down to New Ulm on Friday morning. You two can visit my family. You know they would love to see you. Rico and I will come back after the weigh-ins and book signing. Then we can spend the night and come back in plenty of time before the fights.”
“I second that,” Rico piped up.
“I don’t,” Chloe chimed in. “I don’t want to miss my friend’s signing.”
“Me too,” Avery added.
“If we take it to vote, you’ll lose,” Max reminded. “Even if Lexi sides with you, it’s four to three.”
“Dan, you need to get a girlfriend,” Chloe grumbled.
Dan laughed. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Max wrapped Chloe tight in his arm. Lexi didn’t miss the glance that Chloe sent to Avery. She had a feeling this subject wasn’t over. All their heads turned as a voice piped out in the kitchen. “I’m done!”
Lexi rose to her feet. “I better go clean him up.”
Mark followed her. “I’ll help.”
The others made room in the small living space for them to pass by. She felt Mark’s fingers brush her palm just before he took her hand in his. Even though the whole situation terrified her, she smiled. Derek could try his worst, but she had a feeling he had finally met his match.
»»•««
Chloe crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. Her eyes lowered to slits as she watched the tail lights of her husband’s car drive away from his parent’s house in New Ulm and disappear around the corner. She heard Avery scuff the toe of her shoe on the cement.
“Now what?” Avery questioned.
“We’ll figure it out,” Chloe answered.
Several moments passed in silence. Avery slapped Chloe’s arm with the back of her hand. “What did you say?”
Chloe turned to her friend dumbfounded. A second later she smiled as she felt her cheeks warm. “Sorry about that. I said we’ll figure something out.”
“Okay. Got it.”
The two women made their way back to the house and stepped inside. The warm scent of baking apple pies greeted them. Chloe’s stomach grumbled in response. She and Avery wandered through the house to the kitchen to find Max’s mother rolling out dough on a cutting board.
“Wow, that smells amazing,” Avery exclaimed.
Max’s mom turned to them, swiping a floured-covered hand across her damp forehead. “Thank you. I’m glad you girls are here. I have a pie just about to come out of the oven. Have a seat and I’ll get you a slice.”
Chloe and Avery settled in chairs as the timer beeped repeatedly. Once the pie was cut, Max’s mother set large pieces in front of them. They dug their forks in as she slipped another inside the oven and set the timer.
“Where’s Jenny and Tammy?” Chloe questioned.
“Mankato. They’re shopping. Jenny left her car. If you want, you girls could catch up with them. Jenny’s keys are hanging beside the door,” Max’s mom informed them.
Chloe shot a look at Avery and sighed. The blonde was too engrossed in her pie
to have noticed either of them talking. She smiled at the older woman. “Sure. That sounds like fun.”
“Great. Should I call Jenny and let her know you’re coming?”
“I can in the car. We’ll just finish this up and head out. Thanks, Mom. What a great idea.”
“You’re welcome, kiddo.”
Chloe scooped up the empty plates and took them to the dishwasher as Avery slipped her last bite in her mouth. She looked at Chloe, confused. Chloe shot a glance at Max’s mom to find her busy assembling another pie. She signed to Avery. We have to go.
Avery nodded. Both women gave Max’s mom a hug then headed to the front door. Chloe grabbed Jenny’s keys as they walked out.
“How’d you get a car?” Avery asked.
Chloe cocked a grin at her. “Mom suggested that we borrow Jenny’s to meet up with her and Tammy in Mankato to go shopping.”
“But we’re not.”
“We’re going to the mall, sure. But we’re going to the mall in Minneapolis. I’ll still call Jenny. I don’t want her to think I stole her car. I know she’ll let us borrow it. She told Max that this whole thing about leaving us in New Ulm was ridiculous.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Chloe slipped her phone from her pocket. She scrolled through her contacts until she found Jenny then pressed SEND. “I know I’m right…Hey, Jenny. It’s Chloe. I have a favor to ask.”
Chloe silently waved for Avery to get in. It wasn’t long before they were flying down the highway toward Minneapolis.
»»•««
The crowd gathering in the mall was mind blowing. It wasn’t just fans dressed in T-shirts and jeans. At least half of those surrounding the stage were dressed in full costume. Max looked down at his own attire. The jeans weren’t unusual. The character from Lexi’s book emblazoned on his T-shirt was. He just shook his head as he slipped the Bluetooth receiver into his ear, swiped his phone, and dialed.
“Hey Max,” Dan responded.
“Hey Dan. Are you in position?” Max asked.
Max glanced toward the back of the crowd. Dan waved to him and nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “I’m here.”
Breaking the Violence (Hard Drive Series Book 3) Page 11
