by Nola Marie
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I nearly yell. “Who the hell are you?”
He moves even closer into my space. He moves his nose down the side of my jaw. “I’m thinking after everything is over tonight you and I should get to know each other a little better.”
Ice travels up my spine and nausea fills my stomach. “I have a boyfriend, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t want anything to do with you. You’re a fucking slimeball. The only reason I’m here is because you’re threatening my sister.”
He leans back with a smirk. It’s one of those that makes your mouth look like you could almost be smiling, but the eyes let you know that it’s not a smile you’re sharing. In his eyes is fury and hate and rage. “I know all about Zane Valen,” he sneers. “I’d wager I know more about him than you do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I say leaning back from him.
Another smirk. “Don’t worry about that. I’m sure you’ll figure it out in time.”
He turns to leave without looking back. I sag in relief that he’s no longer invading my space. My patience is really being tried here. I continuously have to remind myself that I am trying to protect Cara. If I’m being honest, I’ve realized if I don’t go along with what they are asking, more than just Cara could be in danger.
I move back into the bathroom. I need another shower after that encounter. I feel dirty.
As I stand under the spray of the shower, I consider what the man said about Zane. I’m trying to figure out what that could possibly mean, but I keep coming up empty.
There is another knock at the door when I exit the shower for the second time. I don’t even want to open the fucking door. “I have a delivery for Ms. Reese,” the man says from the other side.
I look to the ceiling praying for – I really don’t know what I’m praying for. I just know I need something. I open the door and sign for the package.
I set the unopened objects looking at them like snakes might start crawling out any second. With a groan, I relent and begin unwrapping. A dress and shoes. Actually, not half bad either which pisses me off.
I get dressed quickly without bothering with my reflection. I really could care less how I look for this thing. Not that I look bad. I’m confident enough in myself to know that I look good.
Half an hour and one miserable car ride later, I’m walking into some sort of ballroom. This is not what I was expecting at all. I really don’t know what I was expecting. Just not this.
Beautiful chandeliers hang from the ornate ceiling. Mirrored accents give the room an opulent feel as does the amazing artwork. It feels like stepping into a piece of history.
Tables for groups of four line the out edges of the seating. An orchestra sits on the balcony playing sweet, subdued classical music.
This is the place where people gather before an illegal underground fight? It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. It only takes me a minute to realize that this event is a farce. An event for taking bets disguised as charity.
I follow James to the corner of the room where he introduces me to people I have no interest in meeting. People in expensive clothes wearing expensive jewelry. I wonder how many are really here for the charity event and how many are just here to disguise their sin. I wonder how they know men like James and Romano, even though I’ve figured out the two men are very wealthy and powerful, but I don’t know much more. I just know they both give me the creeps. Why wouldn’t they when they are threatening to sell my sister to some creep? When they are blackmailing me into fighting in illegal, unsanctioned matches. I have a feeling that may just be scratching the surface of who they really are.
Romano comes to stand next to me. It really takes a lot of effort not to cringe or shake under the weight of his glare. He may as well have a forked tongue and crawl on his belly with the feelings he incites in me. And I fucking hate snakes.
He hands me a drink, which I do accept as graciously as I can, but have absolutely no intention of drinking. “Glad to see you take us seriously, Tori,” he says standing extremely close to me, making my stomach churn with nausea.
“I’m just here to do what you ask and then we’re done.”
“Oh, we will be far from done if you make it out of this fight in one piece. That is, of course, unless you’ve changed your mind about protecting your sister.”
I’m not surprised to hear him say this. I knew going in that this would be ongoing until I can find a way to get Cara far, far away from Stephano. I just don’t know how quite yet. She will never believe me if I tell her what’s going on. She is totally enamored with the asshole who is only using her in this sick little game.
“Of course, I haven’t changed my mind,” I tell him pretending to sip the champagne.
“Smart girl,” he chuckles before walking off.
I hope I might get a few minutes to rid myself of this dirty, gross feeling that crawls over my skin every time he or James come near me, but I’m not that lucky. James sidles his way to me next, making certain to get very much in my personal space. He wraps his arm around my waist pulling me close to him. I can’t help when my entire body goes rigid. He drops his mouth to my ear. “It would probably help matters if you smiled like you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Fuck you,” I hiss through tightly clenched teeth.
“Is that an invitation?” This time I can stop the rolling tremble of disgust from coming through.
“I already told you I have a boyfriend, but even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.”
A very smarmy, shark like grin spreads across his face. “I don’t think we need to worry about the boyfriend anymore.”
I start throw another jab when I notice he’s not smiling at me with all those teeth. His eyes are set somewhere else. I turn to follow his gaze and my stomach begins a freefall that I’m not sure will ever end.
Standing there, glaring dagger my way is none other than Zane Valen looking like ten million dollars in a tux with a glass of dark liquid in his hand. The look of disgust and betrayal in his face makes me wish the floor would swallow me whole.
I move to go to him, but James quickly stops me. “Oh no you don’t, darlin’,” he hisses in my ear. “You’re staying right here.”
I turn to him quickly while jerking my arm out of his grip. “You knew he would be here, didn’t you?” I accuse.
He gives a shrug, putting his drink up to his lips. “I knew the odds were in my favor.”
“Why the fuck would you do this?” I seethe, trying hard to keep the threatening tears at bay.
“No distractions, darlin’.”
“Stop fucking calling me that. Do you really think I won’t be distracted now? Now all I will be is distracted.”
“I think you will be just fine. And I got to see the look of heartbreak on poor Zane’s face.”
I jerk back with surprise and confusion. What does Zane have to do with anything? By the attitude and tone, I’d say that James and the rest picked me because of more than just my fighting ability. It’s an attack on Zane as well. “Why? Why are you doing this? Do you even know him? What could you possibly have against him?”
He shakes his head still grinning that disgusting grin. “Nothing you need to worry yourself over. Now come on, we have more people to meet.”
My stomach clenches and turns as I begin to wonder how I am ever going to explain this to Zane. Wondering if all of this just ruined everything. Then realizing that, of course, it’s ruined everything. How could it not?
The thought of losing Zane because of all of this makes my heart seize. A pain shoots through the center of me knowing that he will probably never give me a chance to explain, but even if he did what would I say?
Knowing that I may lose Zane forever, my body begins to shudder as the very thing I’ve tried hard to ignore comes flooding through.
I love him.
I don’t stop the tears that begin to fall.
Zane
“Nine hu
ndred ninety-seven, nine ninety-eight, nine ninety-nine, one thousand,” I growl coming up into my final sit up. I wipe the sweat pouring down my face with a towel as I turn to drop into pushups.
This is what I’ve been doing since I left that fundraiser last night. At least, when I’m not in whatever meeting or appearance that’s scheduled. I tried the gym in the hotel, but there was no way that was going to work. I wanted to bash the face in of every guy that walked in there.
She fucking lied to me about working this weekend. But it’s more than that. She was at a party in fucking Chicago with another guy.
Whoever the guy was knew exactly who I was because he made sure that I saw the two of them together. I wish I'd paid a little better attention to him, but my eyes were on Tori.
He made sure she knew that I saw too. Her face paled so many shades it was almost translucent. She was caught and she knew it.
She’s been calling me and texting me for hours now. I should probably block her since every time I see her name and face pop up on my phone, I want to rip out someone’s throat, but I’m being a bit of a masochist right now.
I can’t help but wonder who the guy is, and how she knows him. Is this something new or is this something that’s been going on for a while? Did she meet him during her stay a few weeks ago with her sister? Is this why she’s been so fucking closed off?
I drop down and begin my pushups. I am pushing my body way too hard considering we have a game on Sunday. If I don’t slow down, I’m not going to be able to move, but it’s all I can do. I have to get this pent-up frustration and anger out. And believe me, there is a lot of it. Had Jax not led me out of the place, I would’ve ripped the douche bag’s balls clean off and fed them to him.
Knocking at my door stops my punishment for the moment. Jax is the only one brave enough to come to my room right now. Everyone else figured out very quickly that I’m not in the mood after I practically got into a fight with the entire team this morning.
I swing the door open a little too hard, making it slam into the wall leaving a dent. Something I will have to pay for I’m sure. “What the fuck do you want?” I bellow.
“Get dressed,” he orders. “We gotta go.”
My eyes turn into narrow slits and my jaw clenches. I’m not in the fucking mood for orders and demands without explanation. I fold my arms across my chest. “Where?” I growl.
“Verity,” he tells me walking into the room.
I almost do a double take. Verity left River City a couple of weeks ago without warning. Sebastian’s been a wreck, and I miss my friend. “Excuse me? Did you just say Verity?”
“It’s fucking bad, Zane. Bastian is about to lose his shit,” he grits out. “Romano DeLuca took Verity.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask needing him to back up about ten steps. “I thought Verity left.”
“Bastian and Rory were at an event tonight announcing the sale of GioDistrubing to Diamond. Verity was there with Romano. Bastian could see something was off. Apparently, she fainted. DeLuca has been holding her prisoner.”
“What the actual fuck?” I stumble back a bit feeling like I’ve been punched in the gut.
“They’re going after her, and we’re going to help them.”
“Goddamned right we are,” I growl. Guilt begins to swim in my stomach. I knew Verity didn’t run. Not after she told me and Zoey she was in love with Bastian. Not after she said she was going home to tell him. But I’ve been so caught up with Tori that I didn’t really get involved. “Fuck!” I yell out. One more goddamned thing gone wrong.
“Don’t, Zee. Not your fault.”
“Maybe not, but this shit could’ve ended weeks ago if I’d just kicked Bastian’s fucking ass.”
At least I was going to have something - someone to take my anger out on.
Maybe it is wrong but giving Romano DeLuca everything he deserved really helped me get out a lot of the anger I was feeling. I didn’t feel an ounce of remorse that he didn’t make it out alive. Felt even less over his father and Verity’s father joining him in hell. It’s exactly where they belonged.
The anger I was feeling didn’t take long to turn into self-pity. I understand Bastian locking himself in is loft for two weeks drowning his sorrows in liquor. I kind of want something a little stronger than alcohol. Only reason I haven’t went after it is because Jax has been watching me like a fucking hawk.
Just like right now. Sitting in my apartment watching absolutely nothing on tv, drinking another bottle of Jack and listening to nothing at all. He sits across from me sipping on his bottle of beer pretending to watch Inside the NFL when he’s really watching me.
“Jay, go home to your wife,” I tell him with a bit of a slur, the alcohol doing its job somewhat.
“My wife – your sister – wants me here with you.”
“I’m fine, Jay. Abso – fucking – lutely fine.” I stand to my feet with my signature smile and a little sway.
“Yeah, you look as fine as I did for an entire damn year. Drunk off your ass. Have you talked to her?”
“Nope,” I reply making sure to emphasize my ‘p’.
“Why not?”
“You were there, Jax. She was with another guy.”
“And you said she looked ready to kick him in the balls. Talk to her, Zee, or you’re going to regret it.”
I shake my head with a grunt. I’m being fucking stubborn I know, but this is twice she has either withheld or lied to me. I feel like this time it’s actually both. She is keeping something from me. If she can’t be honest and open with me then we have a problem.
I know it’s a bit hypocritical of me. I have secrets of my own. I’m really not actively trying to hide it from her though. I’m not going out of my way or lying to her. If the time ever came when she just asked, I would’ve told her what she wanted to know. I mean there is really no hiding Rory. I’m sure we all give off the same vibe. But she’s never asked or mentioned anything.
I walk – stagger – my way into my kitchen digging for some more Jack from the cabinet. I hear Jax get up and come behind me. He grabs the bottle before I have a chance. “You’re done for tonight, Zee.”
I stand there with my anger reverberating through me and the room. “Back off, Jax. If I want to keep going I will.”
“And if I want to kick your fucking ass, I will,” he snaps. “We have a fucking game tomorrow. You’re not getting plastered.”
“Why the fuck not? It’s not like you never played nursing a hangover.”
“That’s exactly why not. I know how it feels. The way it affects your game and the team.”
I reach for the bottle, but he keeps it just out of my reach. “Give me the goddamn bottle, Jax,” I yell though it sounds anything but threatening with the slur of my speech. Even I can hear it.
“Zane, I am about five seconds from knocking your fucking ass out. Go to bed.”
I don’t know who he thinks he’s talking to. He knows I am not afraid of him. I’m not afraid of anyone or anything. I don’t even give him a chance to swing. I do it first.
But with all of the alcohol in my system, my usually swift movements, are stunted – slowed to pitiful speeds. Jax and I are pretty evenly matched when I’m sober, but right now. He doesn’t even have to try. He deftly dodges the right hook I send his way. He throws me his fucking devil brows.
Then the world goes black.
“Wake up asshole,” roars through my hears like an atomic bomb being set off in my brain. I feel like I ran into a brick wall. A brick wall named Jax fucking McCabe.
Motherfucker actually knocked my ass out.
I touch my jaw with a hiss. He got me good. I can only imagine what it looks like.
Pretty sure I deserved it after swinging on him, but I was drunk. There should be some kind of code that says I get a free pass. Right?
Except I know better because the shoe has actually been on the other foot. I guess he was just returning the favor.
I walk into
my bathroom and take a cold shower that immediately wakes me up and any lingering drunkenness vanishes. I finish getting dressed in the damn suit I have to wear to fucking games. I used to hate it with a fucking passion. Still not crazy about it, but after years of doing it, it’s not that big of a deal anymore.
I get my gear together and start to make my way out of the bedroom. Jax is exiting my guest room at the same time.
“Figured I’d have to drag you out of there,” he says as he straightens his tie.
“I wasn’t that fucking drunk,” I grumble the lie.
“Yeah man. I’m going to pick up Zoey. You riding or taking your truck?”
“Don’t we have that shower thing for you guys and Layla later?” I ask.
“At four.”
“Then I’ll take my truck so I can leave when I get ready.”
“You better not try to flake on Zoey, man. I really will kick your ass.”
“When have I ever flaked on my sister?” I ask with a hand on his shoulder. He gives me a disbelieving look then laughs. I give a small chuckle myself before turning serious again. “Seriously though, I promised Lacy’s dad I’d have dinner with him tonight.” It’s true but even as I say it, I doubt I’ll go. It will be the first time since she died that I miss.
Jax’s head drops as he shakes it slowly. “Fuck, Zee. I forgot what today was. I never would have let them plan all this shit today.”
“It’s all good, Jax. It nearly slipped my mind too until Davis text me yesterday to remind me.”
“You sure you’re good, Zee?” he looks at me closely. Close enough to know that I’m lying when I say yeah. But he doesn’t argue or push right now. He just shakes his head with a sigh and heads out the door.
Five minutes later, I’m following. I throw my stuff into the back then climb in. My phone rings through the car system with Maddox’s name flashing across the touch screen.
“What’s up, Maddox,” I answer.
“You tell me douche bag. Why does Tori look like she’s been crying every time we FaceTime?”
“Douche bag, huh?” I say turning left on the ninety. “What does she say?”
