Dark Heart

by Eve L Mitchell

  I made my way over to Eddie, who now had Frank sitting beside him. I stared at Frank until he got up and moved away.

  “What’s he want?” I asked, leaning to Eddie’s ear. The DJ had the music turned up again.

  “Frank’s an old friend, been on the circuit for longer than even I have, I think.” Eddie snorted. He continued to take bets as I waited. When the couple left he handed me his notebook. I glanced at the figure from the first fight. I nodded and handed it back to him.

  I went back to moving through the crowd to make sure everyone had a bet. I checked the ring to make sure it was cleaned and nodded in approval as they dried the floor with towels. I headed back to the other two fighters, passing fighter number one as he limped out.

  “You ok?” I asked him.

  His left eye was already closed, his lip was split, but he looked ok, considering. “Yeah, knew he’d take me, didn’t think I would make it to three rounds.” His friend was beside him nodding in support.

  “Come back when you’re ready, I’ll get a better match for you,” I offered. Even beat down and injured his one good eye lit up.

  “Really? That would be awesome!” his friend said. I told them to come back when he was fit again and we’d talk more.

  I headed back to the others. It was all routine now – check the fighters in, remind them of the rules, tell them the odds. I wasn’t against them betting against themselves if they thought they would go down – this wasn’t a legit fight. I had no problem if they were taking a dive but I liked to know in advance if they were, it made good business to let Eddie know. Once I had people on the floor, drinks flowing at the bar and the DJ keeping the music flowing, everything else just clicked into place.

  Fights two, three and four were quick. At the rate they were going we’d be finished by half past one.

  I went to check the two guys for the last fight; they were both big and bulky. From behind they could have been twins – same height, roughly the same weight. They kept glancing at each other from their respective areas. I watched for a moment and then got them moving to the ring.

  I left them with Shadow and made my way over to Eddie. I took the cash box from him and checked how much money had been put down for this fight.

  “Good night tonight,” Eddie muttered.

  “Seems to be. Everyone paid so far?” I asked as I kept myself alert to the surroundings. Eddie nodded.

  “You know, I’ve been watching these two – think this is going to go to twelve rounds.”

  “Well they can just keep going until one of them can’t get back up.” I grinned at Eddie and he laughed.

  “How many on Saturday?”

  “Four, one big one.” I took the names from my back pocket and handed them to him. He looked at me in disbelief at fight four.

  “Jesus, is he who I think he is?” He pointed at the name. I nodded. Eddie looked at me with excitement.

  “That’s gonna be some fight.” He folded the paper up and slipped it into his wallet.

  Just then the first round started and I made my way back to the safe to deposit more of tonight’s takings.

  Both guys were straining when I made my way back. The wannabe pro boxer had blood pouring from a cut above his eye. Those were the worst, a tiny tap and your head burst open like a watermelon. They slogged it out evenly for another few rounds. Problem was, this wasn’t a point scoring match. This was a fight until you’re beaten or win match. Both were good, but both relied heavily on their fists – they needed to use their legs and feet too to get this match finished.

  At round ten, the slightly smaller one finally figured it out and brought his knee crashing into the other one’s side. The smaller guy must have got him in the kidney because almost pro guy went down and as he went down, the other one raised his knee into his face. Wannabe pro was knocked out. The cheers were loud and rowdy.

  I headed back to the bar area and caught Trey’s attention. “Cut ‘em off at two if they’re still here.” He nodded that he heard me and I went to Eddie. By this time he had the four security guys beside him and despite the slight upset with who had won there were few complaints. As we surmised, you were betting big in this fight to get a win. Unfortunately, the underdog had it. Just. I’d made some good money tonight.

  The crowd started to trickle away as Shadow told the DJ to cut the music. I watched them disperse as the rest of the crew started cleaning up. I took all the money to the back as Shadow locked the doors. Both of us then counted the money from tonight, deducting overheads like the rent I had to pay Skinner, the staff wages, the cost of replenishing the booze. Trey had handed me an inventory slip as I had walked past him.

  “Some good fights,” Shadow commented as we counted.

  “Yeah, long night though. I have to stop making these on Thursdays.” I half laughed to myself. I was completely exhausted. Two nights with no sleep and then the few hours I got today were not enough.

  “You love it, you know you do.” Shadow was putting money into envelopes. “Ok, I got the guys covered, I’m going out to pay them, you want anything brought back?”

  I shook my head, then I remembered Sam had phoned. “Shit, hey you good for security tomorrow night at Z Club for Sam?” I asked him.

  “Should be, who else we need?”

  “He needs me and three others. Get Mike and his brother if you’re sure you can cover it.”

  I leaned back in my seat and checked my numbers – a good profit made tonight. I would need another four nights at least as good as tonight if I was going to get Tommy’s money. It meant a lot that Shadow was giving me his cut, eased some of the pressure. I glanced at my phone and noted the time. I turned and locked up the safe. The money didn’t stay here overnight. Not the profit. I sat back and pulled out my cigarettes and lighter. I took a deep breath as I lit one up.

  I was putting my hoody back on when Shadow confirmed that I had four for tomorrow. Trey came back and shifted on his feet.

  “What is it?” I asked as I put my jacket on.

  “Ok to start a bit later tomorrow boss?”

  “Yeah, but you work later,” I countered.

  “No problem! See you later.”

  I looked at Shadow who was shaking his head as he watched Trey’s departing back. “Ok, let’s go home.”

  I parked in the driveway and felt the last few days wearing on me. Those few hours sleep weren’t making much of a dent in the overall fatigue I was feeling. Rubbing a hand over my face, I got out and made my way inside. I was quiet so as not to disturb Lela. I made my way over to the fridge, checking the couch was vacant. It was – she was in bed. Opening the fridge, I saw she had made me another sandwich, along with a note.

  In case you are hungry from work

  I stared at the note and then I stared at the sandwich. Granted I could eat – the egg salad sandwich earlier was a distant memory to my stomach – but I was wary of what her game plan was. Was she genuinely just being nice? I stood looking at it for longer than I would like. Sighing in frustration and hunger, I took it out of the wrapper, opened a bottle of beer and retreated to the couch.

  When I was finished with both, I rested my head against the back of the couch and my eyes drifted closed. I was in danger of passing out here. I needed to get up and go to bed. Cleaning up after myself, I took note of the many empty bottles in my recycling. Someone had a fun night, I thought to myself as I headed to bed. Lela’s door was closed, I noted, as I headed into my room. I bet she was sleeping like the dead after all that beer. I kept the lights off as I made my way straight to the bathroom. Getting ready for bed, I stripped and dumped my clothes in a pile while I half-heartedly brushed my teeth. I was too tired.

  I made my way to my bed, climbed in and instantly froze. There was a warm, soft body in my bed. I closed my eyes briefly, hoping I was hallucinating. She had to be kidding me. There was absolutely no reason why she was in my bed.

  “Lela,” I said firmly, as I flicked the bedside light on. She didn’t move. Frow
ning, I poked her side. Nothing. She didn’t even flinch. She was on her stomach, facing away from me, her arms stretched out and disappearing under the pillows. It didn’t look comfortable. I hung my head in frustration. Did I wake her up and question her, pick her up and take her to her own bed or just close my eyes and deal with it in the morning? I groaned as I recognised tiredly that my energy levels were picking the latter option. Grumbling to myself, I flicked the light off. Lying down, I closed my eyes. I’d deal with it in the morning.

  I woke up on my back with Lela half sprawled across me. One of her legs was tangled with mine, her arm was across my chest, her hand curling round my hip. Her head and breasts pressed into my chest. She was completely comfortable and sleeping soundly. I also noted with self-contempt that my arm was curled around her, holding her to me in her sleep, my dick was hard at the proximity of the soft warm body lying beside it. We’d obviously been sleeping like this for a while and it really pissed me off. I stared up at the ceiling. I wasn’t getting paid enough for this crap. Disentangling myself from my unwelcome bed guest, I got up and headed to the shower.

  Just under five hours sleep. Sometimes, I hated my internal body clock, but I needed to get up and get to work. Coming out of the bathroom, sleeping beauty was still out of it. I dropped my towel and started rummaging for clothes.

  The soft gasp alerted me to Lela being awake. I kept my back to her as I pulled on boxer briefs. I turned, ready for whatever was coming.

  “Well that’s a sight in the morning,” she mumbled playfully. Lela was half sitting up in the bed, her eyes trailing hungrily over me.

  “Why are you in my bed?” I asked as I pulled on jeans.

  “I don’t know. I think I drank too much beer.” Her hand rose to her head as she lay back against the pillows. “Ok, I know I drank too much beer.”

  “Ok, you drank too much beer, but why are you in my bed?” I snapped again. I pulled on a long-sleeved t-shirt and shoved the sleeves up. Hearing my tone, Lela sat up again and pulled the covers back as she got out of bed.

  “Why are you so grouchy?” she snapped back at me.

  “Are you serious?” I glared at her. “I come home after a long night and find you passed out in my bed. I gave you your own bed. What the hell are you trying to pull?”

  “I’m not trying to pull anything!” Her voice rising in defence. “Your bed is better than mine. I must have decided to lay down after too many beers.” Her face was flushed and I knew she was embarrassed, but I wasn’t ready to let go.

  “You went to your room, you changed into those shorts, then you came back to my bed, and hoped for...what?” I pinned her with my glare. Her mouth worked but no words came out.

  “I didn’t hope for anything! I’m not trying to sleep with you!” Temper made her face flush more, her blue eyes bright with anger. Her body was rigid. She looked absolutely breathtaking.

  “You didn’t try, you did sleep with me.” My voice was low and she took a step back.

  “Look I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. I don’t even remember coming in here to be honest. I remember I was lonely and that your bed was comfier. I must have wandered in.” She ran a hand through her blonde hair. I noticed the show of skin as her camisole rose up. Christ, this has to stop.

  “I’m not getting paid to fuck you Lela.”

  Her gasp was sharp. She took a step back in shock. Her eyes filled with tears and I felt like a bastard, but this needed to stop. Whatever this was, had to end.

  “Fuck you!” Lela whispered and then she ran past me out of the room.

  I hung my head, but I needed to shake it off – loosening my shoulders from the tension, I made my way to the kitchen. I started the coffee pot and rinsed my travel mug from last night. Coffee was going to be ‘on the go’ today. I wasn’t waiting for her – the garage could manage without her. I wanted out of here and I didn’t really want to face her again.

  I was halfway to the door when I stopped. Cursing, I turned back and made my way to her room. Opening the door I found her sitting on her bed dejectedly. Her tear stained face rose to look at me and then she looked away.

  “I’m going to work.”

  She nodded. She was biting her lower lip.

  “You don’t need to come in today.” Lela didn’t look at me, she just shrugged. “Alright.” Walk away Aaron. “I suppose I’ll see you later.”

  “I wasn’t trying to sleep with you...that way.” Lela looked at me and, not being able to hold my gaze, she looked away. “I don’t even like you most of the time.” A snort of disbelief escaped her. She shook her head. “I’m sorry. I was lonely and you make me feel safe. The last few nights...” She shrugged again. “I think I just wanted to feel safe.” I watched her closely. I quenched the stab of guilt at seeing her so dejected. “Why didn’t you wake me and tell me to leave?”

  “I tried to wake you – you were completely out of it. I didn’t have the energy to move you,” I admitted, moving further into the room.

  “Next time, I think you should try harder.” Her tone was slightly mocking but I wasn’t sure who was being mocked.

  “There won’t be a next time,” I warned. She shrugged and blushed. “Lela, I find you in my bed again and you won’t like the consequences.” She licked her bottom lip. I watched her, resisting the pull I felt towards her. I took a step back. She was messing with my head. “I have to go to work, try not to drink any beer today.”

  “You’re an asshole,” she muttered but there was a smile playing about her lips.

  “I know babe.” I sighed. “I know.” I closed the door and left for work.

  I went through the motions at the garage. I appeased Jim by going through the system and doing most of the desk work. I noted that Lela had changed back to Daisy’s system but also had kept her alternative system and they both seemed to work together. It was too clever for me to figure out what she had done, how she had created the sync but it worked and I was all for things working.

  Shadow texted me halfway through the morning. Clara was being Clara; he wasn’t sure he would get to the gym. I was sitting on the chair at the reception desk, with a coffee, grinning at his texts as they got more and more ludicrous, when a soft greeting made me look up. Lela was in front of me, her hair in a ponytail; she was fresh faced and looked gorgeous.

  “Hi,” I said in surprise.

  “I thought I better come in and earn my keep.” Her hands were clasped together. Her tell when she was nervous.

  “That’s good of you. I could use the help.” Olive branches and all that shit. I watched her shake off her jacket and my eyes ran over her soft fitted sweater and skinny jeans. She caught me looking and blushed.

  “I’m sorry about earlier,” Lela muttered. I nodded. Olive branches all around then.

  “Me too, I’m still really tired and I have another long day ahead.” So now I am apologising? This is ridiculous. I scowled at my inner voice.

  “You working tonight?” Lela asked as she came to stand beside me at the counter.

  “Yeah, working security for a friend,” I answered as I watched her tidy the small work station under the counter. She had long delicate fingers and I remembered the feeling of them wrapped around my hip this morning as my mind slipped to what else they could be wrapped around.

  “Oh, ok.”

  “I’ll be home late, maybe try to sleep in your own bed?” I teased. A small smile and a roll of her eyes.

  “Maybe I could come?” Lela offered. I looked at her and my eyes ran over her, almost involuntarily.

  I sighed, “I’ll be working.” Her face fell in disappointment. “But if you promise to not go overboard and listen to me, you can come.” What the fuck?

  “Really Aaron?” Lela’s beaming smile made me smile and then she launched herself at me and hugged me.

  “Ok Brat, this isn’t helping your cause,” I said playfully as I untangled her arms. I held her back from me as she smiled up at me. I took a step away from her – she was intoxi
cating; my head was getting foggier and foggier when it came to her.

  “I promise I’ll be so good – you won’t even know I am there.”

  “I doubt that Lela, I’m pretty sure I’ll always know where you are,” I muttered. I glanced at her to find she was watching me. Her hand reached out to me – almost involuntarily – but I took a further step back. A slight frown marred her face.

  “I gotta go, I’ll pick you up later?” I headed to the door. Great, now I was running from her. Again.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  I nodded as I turned to leave.

  She called my name and I turned back. “Try to eat more than just a sandwich today, ok?”

  I grimaced. “Yeah, and um, thanks, for doing that for me last night.” I had to leave – I was turning into a bumbling freaking idiot the longer I stayed here.

  “You’re welcome.” Her soft voice followed me out into the garage and I headed for my jacket.

  “I’ll be back at six for her,” I said to Jim and then I was heading out over the yard. She was messing with my head. I needed to get some distance. Hell, maybe I just needed to get laid – that’s probably what was wrong with me. It had been a while. Yeah, that was what I needed.

  Frank and I were in the office discussing the various guys who were all fighters at the Warehouse and what his training programme for them all would be. I noticed Matt come into the gym with a bag and the other blonde one...Theo, that was it.

  I watched them as they headed to the back rooms. Matt was pointing things out to Theo who was looking around curiously. My eyes narrowed.

  “They look promising,” Frank commented.

  “No. They aren’t to be touched. They cause me issues,” I snapped as I got up and headed to the back room.

  I went in just as they were unzipping their bags. Both looked at me and then Theo walked forward and offered me his hand.

  “Good to see you Aaron,” he greeted.

  “Is it?”

  His grin didn’t falter and his hand didn’t waver. “Yeah, never got to thank you for doing what you did for Ari.”