Extreme Devotion

by Kay Manis

  I squeezed her shoulder, the only sign of affection I could show in such a public place. “Go,” I said. “I’ll wait for you.”

  Her eyes lit with relief as tears welled inside.

  “Always, Hindley.” I released her shoulder and walked toward the hotel, never looking back. My chest ached with the realization that she may never come to me. I may have actually lost her.

  The glass doors to the hotel spread open and the cool air hit me in the face. It was a welcome relief to the fear coursing through my body. I wove through the maze of people. I just wanted to get to my room and take a cold shower.

  A hand reached out from behind one of the large flowery pots near the elevators. I followed the arm, shocked to find Geneva standing there with a shit eating grin on her face.

  “Hey,” she said with a sexy rasp. “Want a drink?” She held out a fruity cocktail with an umbrella.

  “Uh, no thanks. I don’t drink.”

  Her head lurched back. “You don’t?”

  “Nope.” I yanked my arm from her death grip. “Where’s your husband?”

  Her face wrinkled like she’d sucked a lemon. “He’s working.”

  “That’s too bad.” I turned to walk away.

  “I was going down to the pool to catch some sun. Want to come?”

  I turned to say no and watched as she unlatched her floral wrap, revealing a hot pink, barely-there bikini.

  This bitch was bold, I’d give her that.

  My eyes traveled up and down her body. She was definitely hot. And I was a man who could appreciate that fact.

  A huge smile spread across her face when she realized she’d affected me.

  “Look, Geneva, you don’t need me to tell you you’re gorgeous.”

  Her grin broadened.

  It’s your personality that makes you ass-ugly, I wanted to add.

  “So join me,” she said, all breathy.

  “I can’t. I have some work to do.”

  She raised one eyebrow and wrapped her lips around her straw, sucking hard before speaking. “Maybe I could help you.”

  “Maybe you should call your husband.”

  Her smile fell, replaced by that resting bitch face.

  I turned and stepped inside the elevator, praying she would take the hint and leave me alone. I was still reeling from my conversation with Hindley and needed to decompress.

  She stood in the doorway, hand on her hip. “Maybe later?”

  “Maybe not.”

  The doors began to close but she leaned forward, stopping them. “All I heard was maybe.” She winked and stepped back, letting the doors close.

  Well, shit. The bitch obviously didn’t know how to take no for an answer. She’d become yet another problem to add to the growing list of complications in my life.

  I punched the button to my floor and raked my hands through my hair. Hindley was pulling away, and she was hiding something. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.

  Today I’d realized something horrible—I may be a source of her pain and anguish. I had to protect her from myself, and the only way I could do that was to leave her alone.

  Losing Hindley wasn’t an option. But it was out of my control, and that realization scared me the most.

  Chapter 27

  -HINDLEY-

  I fell onto my bed, my body feeling as heavy as my heart. I needed privacy for this call, and the crowded streets of Miami hadn’t afforded me that option.

  I pulled my phone from my pocket and pushed the ‘Call Back’ button, listening as the phone rang.

  “Hey, Hindley. Better signal now?”

  “I’m sorry about earlier, Matt. It was a bad reception.”

  Bad reception? God, I was scaring myself with how easily the lies rolled off my tongue.

  “So, what’s the word on Axel?” I held my breath.

  “Not good, I’m afraid.”

  Shit.

  “Sonora is into family values and wholesome images,” he said. “Axel isn’t the epitome of either of those two things, not with the allegations of sexual abuse in his past.”

  “I don’t mean to be rude, but Rory’s past isn’t that stellar either.”

  “Well, that’s true. But everyone loves a comeback story,” he said. “Rory is the underdog. Everyone roots for the long shot, and the PR guys here at Sonora are counting on that. Plus, Rory’s an amazing athlete.”

  What the hell was I going to do now? Tears burned my eyes and I struggled to keep my voice steady.

  “There is one option,” he said. “But you probably won’t like it.”

  “What is it?” I asked a little too desperately.

  “Well, another reason they don’t want to take on Axel is the money. Having two athletes would be pretty pricey.”

  “But we’re meeting to discuss a deal for Humberto tomorrow.”

  “Yeah, but he’s in a different sport. It’s a whole different beast with completely different demographics.”

  “So, what’s the other option then?”

  “Well, maybe I could talk to the execs about taking on Axel instead of Rory.”

  “What?”

  “It’s not for sure, and I couldn’t guarantee it, but it would be a much easier sell if we only sponsored one of them.”

  Could I actually ask them to drop Rory?

  “It’s not something I want to do but you sound desperate,” he said. “That’s the only reason I’m offering up alternatives.”

  Could I do that? Could I throw Rory under the bus like that?

  No way. I loved Rory. If I took this deal away from him, he’d never forgive me. And I would never forgive myself.

  I drew in a heavy breath and sighed. Well, shit. What the hell was I going to do now?

  “Hindley?”

  “Yeah, I’m here.”

  “Like I said, I don’t know if it’s even an option. Sonora really loves Rory and his story. But I can try if you want me to.”

  “No, don’t try. I’d never take anything away from Rory.” Even though it may cost much more in the end.

  “So, what’s going on?” Matt asked. “What’s got you so hell bent on representing this punk anyway?”

  “Who, Rory?”

  “No.” He laughed. “Axel.”

  “Oh, him. Well, my firm kind of pushed him on me. Actually, his team asked for me.”

  “I can see why.”

  “Why?”

  “Hindley, you’re good at what you do. I mean, look at you. You’re trying your hardest to secure a deal for your client, even knowing it’s virtually impossible at this point.”

  “Yeah, at the expense of another client.”

  “There’s more going on here than you’re telling me,” he said. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  I bit back the tears. Holding all this in was killing me. “Maybe tomorrow after our meeting.”

  “Okay. You know I’m here if you need me. Not just professionally. I like you, Hindley. As a friend, I mean. You know I wanted more, but I know you love Rory and I’m okay with that.”

  “Thanks, Matt. I appreciate it. I’ll see you tomorrow for dinner?”

  “Yeah, I’ll see ya then. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  I tossed the phone on the bed and rolled over onto my stomach. I buried my head in my hands as the tears began to flow. What was I going to do now?

  There were only three weeks left before the X Games. Even if, beyond some miracle, I was able to secure a deal for Axel, there would be no time to film a commercial and get it approved through all the channels in time for it to air.

  I hit the mattress with my fist. “Shit!”

  I had to tell Rory. But he’d think I betrayed him. There had to be another option.

  My phone chimed with a text message and I reached for it. Turning the phone over, I saw three simple, yet powerful words.

 

  How could I respond? What could I say?

  Nothing. I couldn’t say anything until I s
aw Axel. Maybe there was another way out of this mess. There had to be.

  As much as it killed me, I ignored Rory’s message. If I responded, he’d call. And if he called, I’d invite him to my room. We’d be lost in one another, no closer to a solution than I was right now. Instead, I picked up the hotel phone and dialed Axel’s number.

  “What’s the word on my commercial, sweet cheeks?”

  “We need to talk.”

  “Unless you’re giving me a time and a location to show up for the shoot, we really have nothing to talk about.”

  “Can you meet me downstairs at the bar at 8:00 p.m.?” I tried to sound seductive, knowing this was the only way to lure him into a meeting. God, had I really sunk this low?

  “For you, gorgeous, anytime.”

  I fought the urge to puke.

  “Don’t worry, Hin.”

  I gritted my teeth, hating the nickname from anyone except Paul.

  “Your secret’s safe with me,” he said. “For now.”

  I was thankful that he’d disconnected. I couldn’t stand to hear his voice anymore.

  Rolling over, I buried my face in my pillow and cried, ignoring the ping of my phone. I knew it was Rory. What could I say to him now?

  Sorry, I fucked you over, but I swear I didn’t mean to.

  I loved this man so much, I’d do anything for him. If he left me or rejected me, especially because of something I’d done, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to survive.

  No, I couldn’t answer. I had to hold him off a little longer until I could meet with Axel. As much as it killed me, I ignored his messages, burrowing my face further into the pillow as I wept.

  Axel was perched on a stool as I approached the bar. His eyes raked over my body.

  I cringed, nausea rolling in my stomach.

  “No offense, Hindley,” he said, “but you look like shit.”

  I felt like it too. “Thanks.”

  “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Ignoring Axel, I spoke directly to the bartender. “Maker’s Mark, neat, please.” I rarely drank, but tonight I needed some liquid courage.

  “Wow. Didn’t picture you as a whiskey girl. You’re really tying one on tonight, huh?”

  “Well, you said you’re buying, right?”

  He laughed and my skin crawled.

  The bartender set the tumbler in front of me.

  I picked up the glass and brought it to my mouth, a little apprehensive about what it would taste like. I’d never actually had whiskey before. Taking a tentative sip, I let the alcohol roll over my tongue, trying not to choke. After my body adjusted to the initial burn, I realized it actually tasted pretty good.

  “So, how’s the commercial coming?” he asked.

  “That’s why I called you.”

  He arched a brow. “I’m here.”

  Axel knew what he’d asked me to do was nearly impossible. He was stringing me along. If he’d wanted to out Rory, he could have done it a long time ago.

  This was a bullfight and he was the matador. Every spear he threw at me would cause a slow, painful death and jeopardize the relationship with the one man who’d become everything to me. Axel knew it and reveled in the power he held over me.

  I picked up the tumbler and took another swig. Even though I wanted to numb my pain, I knew it would be a mistake to get drunk in front of the enemy.

  “So, what’s going on, Hindley?”

  “There’s no way I can get the commercial.”

  “I know,” he said with a wry smile.

  “If you knew then why did you ask me to try?”

  “I knew if anyone could, it would be you. I believe you’ve worked hard on my behalf.”

  Oh, thank God. I sagged in relief. Maybe I could talk him out of this ridiculous idea of going to the media with Rory’s secret.

  “I really have, Axel, you have no idea.”

  He nodded.

  “So, you’ll keep Rory’s secret?”

  He laughed, an evil sound that sent shivers all over my body.

  “Oh, Hindley, that’s hysterical. You never told me you were a comedian.”

  My palms broke out in a cold sweat, and I began to shake when I realized what he was saying.

  An evil, sinister expression washed over his face as his mouth curled into a vindictive grin. “There’s no way I’m sitting on this bit of information for free.”

  I swallowed hard, praying the whiskey wouldn’t make a reappearance. “What do you want, Axel?” I whispered.

  “You. In my bed. Tonight.”

  The burn in my throat had nothing to do with the alcohol. I stood frozen, fighting my natural urge to flee.

  “Axel, I can’t do that.”

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “Does it matter?”

  He let out a spiteful laugh.

  My head was spinning and I gripped the bar to keep from falling over. I swallowed down the tears that burned the back of my eyes. “Why do you want to do this, Axel?”

  “You can’t be serious?”

  “I’m totally serious. Why do you want to destroy Rory?”’

  “You really don’t know?”

  I shook my head. “No. Why?”

  “That little bitch in Seattle.”

  I didn’t have to ask, I assumed who she was, but I asked anyway. “What woman?”

  “She wanted me so bad,” he said, lost in his own sordid memories. “She was screaming for it.”

  Oh, God. I really was going to be sick.

  “Then that fucker busted in and broke us up.” He pounded the bar. “He tried to convince the bitch that I’d attacked her. Shit. That chick wanted it rough and she knew it. But your dumbass boy put ideas in her head.”

  Rory had been right. I’d known it all along. Axel had attacked this poor woman and Rory had rescued her.

  I stood stock still, knowing this matador may go in for the kill any second.

  Rory really had been fearful of Axel, not jealous. Afraid of what he might do to me. Knowing about my own sexual assault, he’d been trying to protect me, not control me. I’d been too naive to realize it.

  “Thank God, she didn’t listen to him about going to the police,” Axel continued.

  “Look, Axel, I don’t know what happened back then, but how can revealing Rory’s secret help you at this point?”

  “How can this help?” He threw his head back and laughed like the villain he was.

  A chill ran down my spine and I instinctively scooted back.

  “That fucker has killed my endorsement deals,” he said. “Do you know how many sponsors want to back a guy who has rumors of rape swirling around him?”

  My eyes went wide at this revelation.

  “I can tell you exactly how many. Zilcho, that’s how many. So to answer your question, this can help me. A lot.”

  Revenge. That’s what he wanted.

  “There’s got to be another way, Axel.”

  “Oh, there is.” He licked his lips, his eyes asking the silent question I didn’t want to hear.

  I shook my head, abhorred at the thought of sleeping with him.

  “No?” he asked.

  “No,” I said quietly.

  “All right then. I have one more alternative. Actually, it may work out better.”

  “What is it?” I hated the desperation in my voice.

  “Throw the X Games.”

  “What?”

  “Tell your boy to throw the X Games. Let me win.”

  “How could you enjoy a victory you know wasn’t won on your own merits?”

  “Jesus, get a clue, Hindley.” He laughed. “I couldn’t give a fuck less about winning fair and square. I need endorsements. I need money. I’ve got a shit ton of debt and I need cash, fast. If I win the X Games, everyone and their fuckin’ brother will want me. And guess what? You’ll still be my agent so you’ll get a shit ton of money too.”

  I felt the room spin as my vision dimmed. I couldn’t ask Rory to do that. Or could I? Maybe
if I explained the situation to him, he’d understand.

  “Technically,” I said, “what you want to tell everyone isn’t true, Axel.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Rory can read. He’s been working really hard. We both have been.”

  “What? You think fucking Dr. Seuss books count as reading?”

  “It’s a start.”

  “Yeah, for a ree-tard.”

  I closed my eyes, trying to calm the fury raging inside me at his derogatory comment. I hated that word, especially when it was used as a description of my boyfriend.

  Axel stepped closer. “So, the way I see it, you have two choices, sweetheart. Either meet me in room 810 in thirty minutes, or tell your boy to slip and fall and bust his ass in the finals at the X Games.”

  I stared at his repulsive face. There was no trace of teasing anywhere.

  “Your choice, doll.”

  I swallowed hard, willing my chin not to quiver. I could not show him weakness no matter how fragile I felt.

  A victorious smirk spread across his face. “I have a hard time believing your boy would throw the games for me, so I’ll expect you in my room in thirty minutes.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face and I blinked several times, willing myself to wake from this nightmare.

  “Want me to get you a refill on your drink, lover?” He brushed a strand of hair from my face, and tucked it behind my ear.

  I shivered, my body going numb as tears pooled in my eyes.

  He leaned closer and I could smell his putrid breath. “Save the waterworks for someone who gives a shit, Hindley, because that person sure as hell ain’t me.”

  “Please, Axel,” I whimpered.

  He slipped off the stool and threw a fifty-dollar bill across the bar. “Oh, how I love a woman who begs,” he whispered in my ear. “Thirty minutes, lover. Room 810.” He ran his hand up my leg, cupping one hip. “Fuck, I can’t wait to get inside you.”

  I slammed my eyes shut as the last spear from the matador pierced my skin. Axel waved his scarlet red cape high above his head in victory, his assault now complete. I was down for the count. Again.

  Devasted.

  Obliterated.

  Destroyed.

  Chapter 28