Lauren shook her head. More tears fell. “I’m so sorry, Abby. I had no idea.”
“I know, honey. It’s not your fault. Let Zane talk to some people. We’ll figure out what to do.”
She nodded.
Zane stood, squeezing Abby’s hand, and lifted her with him. “Put some more clothes on, baby. We’re gonna have company.”
Abby took one more look at Lauren and then left the room. She couldn’t think. She was glad she’d already had a shower. She opened her underwear drawer first and grabbed panties and a bra. As she shrugged into her panties, she headed to the closet. Jeans. A T-shirt. She was presentable before the doorbell rang. Rider was fast.
As she reentered the living room, Rider stepped inside in uniform. “Hey.” He nodded at Abby and turned to Zane. “I was about to start my shift. Called and told them I would be late. They’re sending someone out.”
Zane motioned Rider farther into the room.
When Rider saw Lauren, he winced. “Shit.”
“Yeah. This would be the work of Anton Yenin,” Zane said.
Rider nodded. His phone beeped, and he snagged it from his waist to read a message. “Jacobson will be here in a few.”
Abby crept up to Lauren and sat on the edge of the couch in front of her to take her hand. Lauren’s face was swollen worse already, and she was white as a sheet. Her lip trembled.
“Seems he was probably also the guy who ran Abby off the road, or one of his men.” Zane headed for the kitchen.
Rider cringed. “Fuck.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Coffee?” Zane asked over his shoulder.
Rider shook his head. “No, thanks.”
Zane came back into the room carrying two mugs. He handed one to Abby, making her stomach dip at the gesture. He’d even added cream and sugar, just how she liked it.
Lauren got nervous. “Another cop is coming?” She pushed to sitting.
Zane stepped in front of her. “Lauren. You said yourself the guy was going to kill you. Why don’t you want to report it?”
“He threatened worse if I talked.”
A knock sounded at the door, making Abby flinch. She took a deep breath as Rider opened the door and let another police officer in.
Rider shut the door and introduced him to the room. “This is Jacobson. He’s been working the case tracking Anton Yenin for over a year.” Rider nodded at Zane. “You’ve probably met Zane Randolf. He’s a medic with the fire department.”
Jacobson shook his hand.
Rider turned to the group. “Abby Burns is with Zane. She’s renting this house.”
Abby sucked in a breath at the way Rider introduced her. With Zane.
“And the woman on the couch is Lauren. What’s your last name Lauren?”
“Schneider,” she mumbled.
“Lauren was with Yenin until this morning. It didn’t end well.”
Jacobson narrowed his gaze. “Honey, if you were with Yenin, it ended fantastically. You’re still alive. How did you get away?”
She glanced down at her lap. “When I told him I was leaving, he was irate. But he was also busy. And he said he was tired of my whiney ass. He had two of his men hold me while a third beat me.” She heaved in a sob. “Then he told them to toss me out. Before they dragged me out the door, he looked me in the eye and warned me to keep quiet or I would be sorry. He said I was lucky he didn’t just kill me. If I wanted to stay alive, I had better go nurse my wounds and forget I ever met him.”
Jacobson crouched in front of her and set a hand on top of one of hers. “You did the right thing.”
Her lip trembled. “Doesn’t seem like it. I’ve put my own life in danger. And Abby’s too.”
Abby squeezed Lauren’s leg through the blanket. Part of her wanted to scream in fear. The other part saw this woman she’d befriended hurting and desperate for a shoulder to lean on.
Jacobson asked Lauren dozens of questions and took notes on a pad he pulled from his pocket. When he finished, he stood. “You need to consider pressing charges. We have ways of keeping people safe.”
Lauren shook her head. “I’m done. I just want it to be over.”
“Honey,” Jacobson began, “with Yenin, it’s not over until he says it’s over, and it usually includes a body bag.” His words were harsh, making Abby cringe, but she was also sure he spoke the truth.
Lauren shook her head. “I can’t do it. I need sleep. And I need to pull my life back together. I don’t need to stir this pot and bring more trouble to myself.”
Jacobson hesitated and then nodded. “If you change your mind, call me.” He laid a card on the coffee table.
“That’s it?” Abby asked. She twisted around, wondering what in the hell was going to happen next.
“Afraid so. If Ms. Schneider doesn’t want to press charges, there isn’t much I can do. I will suggest that both you and Lauren find someplace else to stay and lie low for a while. Probably not the same place. And I would do that fast.”
Zane followed Jacobson to the front of the house. “We’ll sort that out. Thanks for your help.” He held the door open for the officer and then waited until the guy was back in his cruiser before he turned around.
Abby stared at him. She thought she would vomit. She totally understood where Lauren was coming from, and she wasn’t at all sure it mattered one bit whether she reported the incident or not. Neither option would alleviate her unease.
Rider turned to Lauren. “I think the best plan would be for me to take Lauren to my house. And you,” he pointed at Zane, “to take Abby to your place. Hopefully Yenin didn’t have her followed here. But in case he did, this isn’t the safest location.”
Lauren sat up straighter. “I can’t put you out like that.”
“Honey, if my fiancée found out I left you high and dry, she would have my balls. You’re coming with me.” He turned on his heels and walked outside. Two minutes later, he came back in. “I don’t see anything that would suggest you were followed. How did you get here?”
“Cab.”
“Okay, then.” Rider helped her to stand and grabbed her purse. When it appeared she wasn’t able to walk easily, he lifted her into his arms and carried her. He turned back at the door. “Zane, you and Abby get gone. I’ll text you later.” And then he left, tugging the door shut behind him with one hand.
Abby’s legs collapsed, and she sank onto the couch, putting her head in her hands.
Zane was at her side in an instant. He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Babe.” He lifted her chin with a finger. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“How exactly?”
He smiled. “Look at the bright side, I get you in my bed.”
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t think I can do that on a daily basis. I didn’t get enough sleep.”
He wiggled his eyebrows. “Good. Then I did my job. Come on. Let’s get some stuff packed and get out of here before the Russian mafia come in and ransack the place.”
“That is so not funny, and if Mrs. Lamphry’s roses get damaged…”
Zane laughed as he hauled Abby to her feet.
Surely he didn’t really think some Russian thugs would come to her house. Right?
Chapter Fourteen
Before heading to Zane’s house, Abby went with him to the gym. He needed to work out, and she readily agreed she didn’t want to be left alone while he did so.
Zane introduced her to Conner, the only member of his group she hadn’t met. As Zane headed for the locker room to get changed, he left her with Conner. The man was tall, like unbelievably tall. Six four, she would guess. And he seemed far mellower than the other guys. He was also significantly older than the rest. She liked him immediately. After acquainting herself with a police officer, a K-9 trainer, and an EMT, it was a relief to find out Conner was a college lit professor.
She also learned from him that Rafe and Mason were attorneys.
“So, how do you put up with this guy?” Conner asked loud e
nough for Zane to hear as he returned dressed to spar.
She smiled. “I haven’t had a choice really. I keep getting injured, and he keeps showing up to rescue me. In fact, both times I was pinned and had to be extricated.”
Conner chuckled as he walked away.
Zane kissed her forehead and nodded toward Joe’s office. “You can hang out in there if you want some peace and quiet. Or you can watch Conner kick my ass if you like that sort of thing.” He winked.
“How do you know he’s going to kick your ass?”
“Baby, he kicks everybody’s ass. He’s undefeated in the ring.”
“Wow. Why doesn’t he go pro?”
Zane shrugged. “Doesn’t want to. Same as the rest of us.”
While Zane headed for the ring, Abby sat in a folding chair along the wall.
Joe took a seat next to her as Zane and Conner stretched in the cage. “How are you holding up?” Joe asked. “I heard about what happened with your car accident and your friend.”
“Yeah, it’s a little crazy, that’s for sure. I’m doing okay, though.” She smiled.
“If you need anything, let me know. I think of all my guys as sons, and their women become my daughters.”
“Thank you, Joe. That’s really sweet. I’m glad Zane has had all of you in his life. He’s a lucky guy.”
“That he is.” Joe winked at her as he stood. “I better go help these guys before they start swinging punches.”
Abby leaned her head against the wall and watched as Zane and Conner went through several types of take downs. She winced when they began to grapple on the floor. It really did look like they would kill each other. No wonder Zane and Conner preferred to remain amateur. She couldn’t imagine what the pros must look like. And she didn’t even want to ponder what the underground fighters did to each other.
Two hours later, Zane emerged from the locker room and grabbed both her hands to haul her to standing. “I’m sure that was boring as hell. Thanks for waiting for me.”
“It was interesting, actually. Now that I’ve sat through a practice, I feel like I understand the sport much better.”
Conner came up behind Zane, shrugging his gym bag onto his shoulder. “Get your woman out of here before she kicks your ass to the curb, Randolf. You’re a lucky bastard she even agreed to enter this building.” Conner chuckled as he left.
Two minutes later, Abby said good-bye to Joe and they headed for the parking lot.
Abby had her arm draped through Zane’s and her face tilted up to look at him when he suddenly came to a stop. She followed his gaze to find a man leaning against Zane’s truck.
Zane took the last few steps toward the man she didn’t recognize. “Dmitry. What brings you to this side of town?”
The man smiled and spoke in a heavy Russian accent. “I was hoping to have a word with you.” He glanced at Abby, making her wince inside. This couldn’t be good.
“Go ahead. What’s on your mind? I don’t have secrets from Abby.”
Dmitry lifted one brow and glanced at her. “Ah, so this is Abby Burns.”
Abby stopped breathing. How did he know her name?
“It is. Why do you know her?”
“I don’t. But I’ve heard the name.”
“Where?”
“Around.” Dmitry shrugged. “We Russians may be a group divided, but word spreads quickly amongst us.”
“What sort of word are we talking about? Is Abby in danger?” Zane stiffened. His voice was deeper, almost threatening.
“Not that I’m aware of.” Dmitry chuckled as though to defuse the tension. “I heard her gal Lauren was in a bit of trouble with Yenin.”
“She was. I hope that’s over now.”
“I hope so too.” Dmitry shifted his gaze to Abby. “Tell your friend to lie low for a while. Anton is pissed.”
Abby didn’t move. She was completely unsure what to make of this crazy confrontation.
Dmitry turned back to Zane. “You change your mind and decide to make some extra bucks under the radar, you call me.”
Zane nodded. “Not gonna happen. But I have your number, Volikov. Was there anything else you needed?”
“Nope. I was just in the neighborhood. Saw your truck. Thought I’d stop and say hi.” Dmitry righted himself from the side of Zane’s truck and sauntered away.
Abby didn’t take her gaze off him as he casually folded himself into a black Camaro and sped away from the gym. “What the hell was that all about?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t like it.” Zane opened the passenger door and helped Abby climb in. He rounded the hood, started the engine, and then turned to face her as the air conditioning kicked on.
“What did he mean about changing your mind?”
“Fighting. He’s the guy who has made numerous offers to introduce me to the underground.”
Abby shivered. “Oh. Yikes. Why do you think he came here? I’m no expert, but even I’m smart enough to realize he had a message hidden in that little chat. Do you think it has to do with Lauren?”
Zane shook his head. “Damned if I know.” He turned toward the front and put the truck in gear. “Guys like Volikov fight for the money and the love of the sport. They’re basically good guys. I’ve sparred with many of them on occasion. Sometimes they come to the gym. I don’t believe Dmitry or any of his close friends are much fonder of Yenin than the rest of us, but they’re stuck. It’s a fine line for the Russians to keep their noses clean while living under the Yenin radar. Yenin is bad news all the way around. Dmitry knows it. If he’s heard some things and my name or yours came up, he probably just wanted to warn me.”
“Do you trust him?”
“I do. Do I want to fight dirty? No, but like I said, I’ve sparred with him. He fights fair when he’s above ground.”
Abby didn’t say a word on the way to Zane’s house. She knew he was undoubtedly processing what Dmitry had said all the way home.
She pulled out her cell phone and sent a quick text to Lauren to continue to lie low and not take any chances.
But what about herself? Why on earth had Anton Yenin sent someone to bully her at the casino, and why would he have someone run her off the road?
»»•««
Later that evening, Zane poured Abby a glass of wine and put it in her hands. He’d fed her dinner, entertained her with his wit, and settled her on his couch. “Drink. Your nerves are frayed.”
“Yeah, ’cause there’s this Russian guy who ran me off the road and then beat the hell out of my friend and warned her he would kill her if she told anyone, and then she told me.” She didn’t breathe while she spewed that out. And then she turned toward him. “Now I’m putting you in danger too. And on top of all that, some other Russian guy just gave us a loaded message in a parking lot that made no sense.”
Zane sat beside her and set his wine glass on the coffee table. He took her into his arms. “Baby, slow down. Nothing’s going to happen to you in my house. Nor me. We’re good. Rider didn’t notice anyone around your house, either. This is just a precaution. And I for one am not sorry. If it means I have to keep you for a while, tied to my bed, I’m all over it.” He paused and tipped her chin up. “As for Dmitry, we’ve been acquaintances for a few years. I can’t imagine him doing anything to harm me or you. He may fight for the underground, but he’s not one of Yenin’s minions and he isn’t mafia. He probably just heard the gossip and wanted me to be aware that your name and Lauren’s were being tossed around in his community.”
“Yeah, but why? Why me? I don’t have anything to do with this.”
“If Anton even suspects you had anything to do with Lauren rebelling against him, he would hold a grudge.”
“Forever?”
“I don’t know, baby.” He took her hand and held it tight, pulling it up to his face to rub against his cheek. “Let’s put it out of our minds for tonight. I’m still pondering the idea of tying you to my bed.”
Abby glared at him, her eyes twinkling with
laughter. “Anything for a fuck.”
“Mmm hmm.” He kissed her nose, hoping she knew he was teasing. She must. She didn’t seem angry.
Abby took a sip of her wine. “I have to go back to work tomorrow.”
“And you’ll be careful. Nothing can happen to you at work. The Crystal Palace is filled with cops.”
“Sure. The last time I was there, someone apparently listened in on my conversation and then turned me in to the fucking mafia.” She twisted toward him again. “And that asshole, Anton. He sent a man to my table to warn me against Lauren. And since that wasn’t good enough for him, he also ran me off the road. I could have died.”
“But you didn’t.”
She slumped.
Zane tipped her glass toward her face. “Another sip, baby. Let’s change the subject.”
“Let’s.” She humphed and drank her wine. “Let’s talk about us.”
Zane tried not to choke. He grinned at her. “It’s never a good thing when a woman wants to talk about ‘us.’”
She rolled her eyes. “This is happening so fast.” She sat up straighter. “One minute I’m under my porch pinned by a rusty nail, and the next minute I’ve practically moved in with the paramedic who dragged my ass, literally, out from under the porch. I’ve been to an MMA fight, a BDSM club, and I’ve had the best sex of my entire life. And, I got run off the road by a maniac Russian mob guy who wants me dead. My head is spinning.”
Zane set his finger on her lips, silencing her. “Best sex of your entire life?”
She rolled her eyes again. “Don’t get a big head,” she muttered past his finger.
“Oh, baby, my head is big all right. And hard.” He leaned in to her face as her eyes shot wide. When she opened her mouth, he covered it with his own, whispering against her lips. “I think I liked you better this morning when you were silent and obedient. Let’s play that game again. You need to take a chill pill, and I have the perfect pill for you.”
When she opened her mouth again, he raised his brows. “Baby, don’t do it. I’m warning you.” He took her wine glass from her fist and set it on the coffee table. Then he tugged her around so she was lying on his couch. He leaned over her and got in her face again. “Here’s how this is going to go.”
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