Power Player_Anti-Hero Game

by Ryan Michele

  It was all so surreal. Of course I’d heard of safe rooms before, even saw them on television, but his was nothing like I’d ever seen before. I knew Paxton had a place downtown as well, so how much money did he have? He was an accountant so I was certain he was good with money, but this cabin and the upgrades plus this underground hideaway had to set him back hundreds of thousands of dollars. Did accountants really make that much money? Where the hell was he?

  The questions kept building inside my head. Frustration filled me, wanting to know where Pax was and get some idea of why Ellen Sue and I were in such danger we had to come down here. After the adrenaline rush of getting down here and talking to Ellen Sue, I felt the crash of it, but fought it away. There were too many unanswered questions. Worry, anger, sadness, and fear all ran through me. It made me feel a little bit better that Ellen Sue was in the dark as well.

  It made me feel not so alone.

  Loneliness never bothered me before. I was perfectly fine in my tiny apartment, living alone. I had friends, of course, and we went out on a regular basis, but it wasn’t like I had a slew of boyfriends. I had Riley, but he had his own life to live too. I guess I had gotten to this place in life where I wasn’t so wrapped up in a future with a man that I found satisfaction in where I was. Except now, Paxton had virtually secluded me from my already mundane life, and it really showed me what it was like to be alone.

  At least this time, Ellen Sue knew how I was feeling. I could read the worry in her face, but she was able to relax which I couldn’t seem to do.

  Even with the television in the background, nothing was soothing. I wanted to see Paxton. Yes, I really did. It was probably stupid and I’d kick myself later, but there it was in bold letters flashing bright. Seeing him would mean he was okay, then I could set my plan in motion to throttle him. Because, you know, when I did it, it would be justified.

  Ellen lay asleep in the chair next to me without a care in the world. She must’ve lived this life with them over and over again, never worrying. It made me want to dig deeper into her experiences with Paxton. I knew his life growing up wasn’t easy, but she seemed to have an inside scoop. Not that she would tell me anything, but it was always worth a shot. The worst thing she could do or say was no.

  Alarms started blaring through the room, and Ellen Sue popped up fully awake. “What’s going on?” I asked, watching her move swiftly to the corner of the room. Once again with her bat moves, she slid open the wall, pushed a button, and a screen appeared. She touched it several times as I raced to get over to her to peer over her shoulder.

  The screen filled with several pictures of the house upstairs. The backs of male bodies appeared, then the feed cut out. “What’s happening?”

  The loud buzzers stopped, but then softer ones came the same as when Ellen Sue opened the door to the place. A beast of a man stood there. He had dark hair with a trimmed beard that only made his face look more rigid.

  Garrett Monroe.

  “Come,” was all he said, and Ellen Sue went right to him and gave the big man a hug. They both waited for me to go first. I studied Garrett’s face for a clue and got nothing but a stone-cold stare.

  I started walking but asked, “Where’s Paxton?”

  Garrett said nothing to me, and I really wanted to smack him upside his head. I hated being ignored, it brought back so many memories of my childhood. Brushing it off, the quietness of the tunnels started to get louder the closer we got to the house.

  Stepping through the door, there was a commotion of people, but the one person who suck out to me was Riley.

  I raced to him, noting the blood on his shirt. “What happened to you?”

  “Bullet.” Fear and panic melded together, stopping me from wrapping my arms around him. I had a million questions but couldn’t seem to form words. Instead, I gauged his shoulder. It looked as though it was just a trickle of blood and not a gush.

  “Riley, now,” Onyx said from the kitchen, making me jump. He was a scary man. Oh who was I kidding, he was terrifying. He had on a black t-shirt with dark wash jeans. His arms were covered to his wrists in tattoos and even his neck had some. He wore a backward baseball hat that only made him look more intimidating instead of relaxed.

  “I’m good. Need to get this looked at, and I’ll be right back,” Riley explained before turning from me.

  He took off, but veered to the side to kiss a very pregnant woman on the top of the head. Was that his girlfriend? His kid? My niece or nephew? What the hell? Riley and I didn’t have secrets. Why did I not know her?

  I stomped after Riley. “Who is she?”

  Riley sat at the kitchen counter, while a man in scrubs examined his bullet wound. “That’s my girl, Melanie.”

  “Is that your baby?” The words tumbled out of my mouth.

  Riley smiled confidently. “Yeah.”

  Onyx slammed his hand down on the counter making me and the woman who appeared next to me jump. “You fucker. That is not your baby, and you damn well know it. You’re the fuckin’ reason for this mess in the first damn place.”

  “Technically, we don’t know for sure,” the pregnant woman piped up, rubbing her belly.

  “Swear to fuck, Melanie, you better pray you didn’t fuck shit up,” Onyx told her, glaring. If looks could kill, that broad was one dead woman.

  “It’s gonna be okay. No matter whose baby it is,” I added, looking at my brother and wishing I could climb inside his head to sort out what the hell was happening. I was confused, hurt, and worried. I looked at Onyx. “Where is Pax?”

  He blinked but didn’t answer me. “Riley, gotta get you cleared then you and Melanie will be going to the guest room. We have a nurse full-time assigned to you, Melanie. When the time comes she’ll call the midwife.”

  It was my turn to blink as Melanie and my brother nodded like this was a regular day in paradise for them. “Someone wanna clue me in here?” I asked to Onyx, Riley, Melanie, and Garrett who had joined us.

  Garrett shook his head, stopping everyone from speaking.

  “I deserve to have answers. Where the hell is Paxton?”

  Garrett gave a half smirk. “That spunk. It’s gotta be the fight she’s got.”

  I put my hand on my hip and gave him the stare. The glare every woman perfects that screams I’m done playing, asshole.

  “Oh yeah, that’s it.”

  “What’s it?” I fired back.

  “You got that spirit that challenges a man. Pax’s got it bad for you I bet,” Garrett muttered as Onyx nodded, encouraging him on.

  “Where is Paxton, and what the hell is going on that my brother was shot, this chick is pregnant, and y’all want to argue over her baby, and they have to stay here?”

  “Paxton will tell you what he wants you to know,” Onyx replied but did so staring at Riley. The looks they exchanged let me know my brother wasn’t allowed to give me any answers.

  “Then let me at him!”

  “What’s your blood type?” Garrett asked me.

  “A positive,” I responded. “Wanna tell me what the hell that has to do with Pax?” Fear was building inside me by the minute. “Was he hurt? Tell me where he is!”

  The doctor looked at Garrett and nodded.

  “Come with me,” Garrett said, holding out a hand. “What are you willing to do for Paxton?” Garrett asked, stopping me just in front of the stairs.

  Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t be hurt, could he? Just thinking of him needing something and not getting it felt like a punch to the gut.

  “What does he need?”

  Garrett studied me. “What comes from your heart.”

  His face was blank. I couldn’t read him. After a short pause, he moved down the hallway and past the stairs to the downstairs bedroom. Opening the door, I gasped as I looked behind Garrett to find Paxton in a bed with a nurse and doctor hooking stuff up to him, including an IV stand with a bag of blood pumping into him.

  “What happened?” I asked as I tried to rush to Pax, bu
t Garrett held me back. “Don’t, Garrett. I need to get to him.”

  “Let them do their jobs,” Garrett said on a huff. “I brought you just so you can see that he’s alive.”

  Anger hit me like a wrecking ball. “You helped him take my life. And now, you want me to stand down while he’s hurt!”

  “No, I want you aware. He may need more blood. We have more on the way, but if there isn’t enough time are you willing to give him your blood?”

  Tears fell down my face freely. “I’ll give him whatever he needs.”

  “He’s gonna need all you have to give,” Garrett told me eerily, and I knew this was much more than Paxton possibly needing my blood.

  “What happened?”

  “Not sure,” Garrett said before he moved to a chair in the corner of the room, and I stood because sitting just wouldn’t work. I needed to pace.

  “Was he shot?”

  Garrett nodded. “Twice. He took a hit to the shoulder that’s lodged in his collarbone and a bullet to the thigh. At some point, his leg was stomped causing more damage. He lost a lot of blood.”

  “Will he be okay?”

  “Doc says he’s stable now that they got the blood in him. Wanted you to see him before surgery. They gotta remove the bullets. He’s medicated so he’s not hurting. Say what you need to; they are transporting him to our Carsen Lane building where they’ll do surgery.”

  “Can I go with him?”

  Garrett shook his head. “I gave him my word you’d be safe. There’s no safer place for you than here.”

  “Why am I in danger?” I asked, trying to piece the puzzle together.

  “Not my story to tell. When Pax wakes up and returns, he’ll tell you what you need to know. Until then, you’re wasting time we don’t have. Talk to your man so we can get him transported. He refused to go there until he saw you. Coming here was the only way to get him calm.”

  How was it I found my brother, Pax came home, and I had more questions now than answers? My mind was spinning. I walked to the hospital bed where Pax laid shirtless and covered in iodine. His chest was covered in tattoos that went down his arms. While I had seen him naked many times, I never studied his ink until now. He always called me his angel, and I took in the praying hands that were low on his abdomen and the cross covering his pec. Under the cross was a portrait of a girl. Her eye centered on his chest, and it reminded me of the way I once looked at him. A dragon covered his other pec and seemed to be protecting the girl.

  “What are you protecting me from?” I whispered as I took his hand in mine. “Paxton Williams, you stay strong because I have questions.” I fought my emotions as he lay in front of me, taking small breaths with his eyes closed.

  What I wouldn’t give for him to wake up and answer me?

  Did it really matter? The why? No, right now with him laying helpless in front of me nothing mattered but Paxton waking up.

  “I don’t even care that you smoke,” I whispered and felt stupid for saying it, but the words tumbled out. “You have to be okay so I can be the one to choke you and yell at you,” I softened, “and kiss you.” I leaned down and pressed my lips to his.

  He didn’t move.

  For the first time he didn’t kiss me. I missed it. Reality hit me hard. I craved Pax. I wanted him. I loved him. I needed him. It had always been him. Even after all these years, he got me without a single word. He was everything I needed from the past and in my future. He was why I was okay being alone because if I couldn’t have him I didn’t want anyone.

  The realization was a hard pill to swallow, but it was the truth.

  I just needed him to be okay so I could tell him. Why he followed me, why he took my money, why he made this cabin and kept me here—none of the why’s mattered. I just needed Paxton, however I could have him.

  I couldn’t come this far to lose it all now. Garrett said he needed what my heart could give. It wasn’t my blood that would get him through, it was my love.

  And he had it.

  20

  Paxton

  My leg burned and my chest felt like I had an elephant sitting on top of me—weighted, heavy. Inhaling deep, I fought back the pain even though it was blistering. I wouldn’t be taking anymore deep breaths anytime soon. This shit sucked.

  Absently, I rubbed my chest as I listened to the consistent beeping noises beside me. Opening my eyes, I took in the room. It was larger than a regular hospital room. Cream colored walls instead of stark white. Comfortable beds instead of clinical ones. Warmth instead of cold and uninviting.

  It was the Carsen Lane building.

  We sent our high-risk pregnancies here where they would have twenty-four-hour medical supervision. We didn’t have many that fell into this category since we went through such a process before we hired a surrogate, but there were those times a multiple birth happened and those required more observation than the others. Staff was always available on site.

  This particular building was an old apartment complex we converted into our hospital of sorts. It worked, and right now I was more than thankful for it.

  Four homes, technically three plus this place. We had four different locations where we housed our surrogates during their pregnancies. At which time everything they needed was provided along with a hefty salary. Our business was complicated but profitable.

  It was also what got me fucking shot and lying in this bed instead of my angel’s arms.

  “Damn son, you look like hell,” Garrett joked, stepping into my line of sight. He appeared like he always did, tall and imposing. It was his humor that took some of the edge of him off. Not much, but some.

  “Feel like hell.” I shifted in the bed, bringing on more pain as it spiked through my arm and down to my fingers. “Need a fuckin’ cigarette.”

  “Not in this house,” Garrett told me what I already knew. Never would I smoke around one of our pregnant women; I might be an ass, but I was never careless.

  My groans came from somewhere deep. “Get my ass outta here.”

  “When Doc says you can go home, you’ll be home. Until then, get comfortable.” Garrett pulled up a chair in front of the bed and plopped his ass in it.

  “Fill me in. I’m here, so I’m gonna assume shit was handled.” I knew Onyx, Dane, and Garrett would step up and cover my ass as well as take care of business.

  “Riley got out of the house, stole a car, and drove straight to my office. One of Ivan’s men followed him, but luckily Case was on his way to where they were keeping you so he took out that fucker. Case was the first to find you. Melanie was fine through everything. Granted the broad was shaken up, but physically she is fine. Currently, she’s holed up in the cabin with Riley and your woman.”

  My woman, that shit felt good. “Laurel has a million questions, I bet.”

  Garrett smirked. “Fuck yeah. We left that shit for you so she’s waiting.”

  “I’m definitely gonna need a damn cigarette.”

  Garrett laughed at my pain. “Let’s see, you’ve stalked her for years. You robbed her blind without her having a single clue it was coming. You siphoned her damn gas so when she went to fill the tank, her cards got declined. All to make her seek out her money. You made her chase you down when all you had to do was go to her and explain that her brother was a damn dumbass.”

  “It was more fun my way,” I told him, trying to find a way to get comfortable in this tiny ass bed. While the place was upscale compared to a hospital, it wasn’t the California King I was accustomed to. It definitely needed to go on the agenda—bigger beds.

  “For some reason, I don’t think Laurel is going to find your way fun. We could’ve put a man on her and kept her safe,” Garrett explained what we had already argued about before I put my plan in motion.

  Garrett and I had always been close, coming to the orphanage at the same time and the same age. He’s one of the few who tried to put me in my place.

  I shook my head. “Like we kept Melanie safe,” I fired back at him. It was a l
ow blow, but it was how I felt. “Fuck you. She was locked away where Petrov or his enemies could touch her, and we see how well that fuckin’ went with Melanie. I kept her safe no matter how fucked up the way I went about it. She’s breathing and not laying in a bed with a bullet.”

  “Speaking of Petrov. His wife was killed. Ivan got to her and slit her throat in the shower at some seedy hotel after making her choke on a sausage link,” Garrett stated frankly. This was him. A man who commanded a room, a lawyer not afraid to get dirty, and a man who rolled with the punches life threw at us all.

  I blinked. “What the fuck?”

  Garrett raised his hands. “I don’t fucking believe that shit either, but apparently, she was having an affair with her husband’s brother. He met her at the hotel where he shoved a specialty sausage link down her throat as she gagged and took her last breaths then he slit her throat. She bled out in the shower, at least that’s what it appears. Management found her after the room flooded because he left her naked with the water running. Security footage confirmed it was Ivan. The brothers are at war. Andrei hasn’t been heard from in”—Garrett lifted his wrist to look at his watch—“about twenty-six, twenty-seven hours.”

  “Then I guess I’ll have some houseguests for a bit.” Ones I didn’t want a single damn bit. Putting them down in the safe room wasn’t an option because eyes needed to be on Riley and Melanie at all times.

  Garrett nodded. “Best way to keep the merchandise safe until we can sort out Andrei’s next move and eliminate the threat from Ivan. Dane’s on it, so it’s only a matter of time till he’s a non-issue.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Nothin’ for you to worry with. You rest up.”

  “Get my ass home and I’ll be fine.”

  The doctor walked in just as I said the words. “Your wish is my command, Mr. Williams.”

  It took a bit, but within a few hours, I was escorted into the cabin by Garrett since my leg wouldn’t cooperate for me to make the walk unassisted. Wanting to be in my bed and have my arms around Laurel, I skipped a much needed cigarette. Ellen Sue rushed to the door, throwing it open. She reached out to hug me but pulled back at the last moment.