Breaking the Violence (Hard Drive Series Book 3)

by Tricia Andersen

  “Mark! You just stopped in the middle of the street!”

  “See that? That was stupid. Not what you did. What I did. Which of us is stupid?”

  Lexi laughed. “Come on. My car is over here.”

  They shuffled a few more steps. Mark heard a car door open and felt a hand gently pat its way to his head. All it could reach was his shoulder. Finally it tugged him down low enough to fit into a small car. Obediently he scrunched into the passenger seat, where his knees hugged into his chest. “Small car,” he commented.

  Mark felt Lexi bump into him as she slid into the driver’s seat. “A Fiat 500. I bet you’re not a Fiat kind of guy.”

  “Nope. Drive a truck. Now I fully understand why.”

  The car purred as Lexi raced through the streets. Mark blinked his eyes rapidly trying to regain his vision. Lexi’s voice startled him. “I bet you’re thinking you wish you hadn’t come to my signing.”

  Mark laughed. “Believe it or not, I am very glad I came to your signing. I get to spend time getting to know you better. I wish it was other circumstances but I’ll take what I can get.”

  He could have sworn he heard her giggle a little. The sound made his heart jump. It was simply beautiful.

  The car came to a stop. The sound of a car door opening and closing was quickly followed by Mark’s door opening. He breathed a sigh of relief. Freedom. He ducked his head as he stepped out and let Lexi lead him inside.

  His heart jumped as he heard the check-in nurse’s voice. “Mark! What happened?”

  Mark turned his head in the direction he guessed Lexi was standing. “You brought me to my hospital?”

  “I thought you’d get the best care if they knew you,” Lexi defended.

  Mark shook his head. He would never hear the end of this one. “I was pepper sprayed, Nicole.”

  Nicole didn’t respond. She busted out laughing instead. After gasping for air for several moments, she finally found her voice. “Follow me. We’re pretty dead unlike your shifts, big guy.”

  The three of them shuffled down the halls of the emergency department. Mark could hear the whispers around him. He definitely wasn’t going to live this one down. Lexi steered him into a room and helped him on the gurney.

  “I’ll be back, Mark. I’ll get some baby shampoo and something to rinse your eyes out with,” Nicole told him before closing the door.

  Then there was silence. Had Lexi just left him there? Mark blew out a breath as he flopped back against the pillow. Guess I’m going to have to call one of the guys to come get me.

  “You know you shouldn’t have snuck up on me like that.” Lexi’s voice cut through the fog, scolding him. “If you would have told me you were there I wouldn’t have pepper sprayed you.”

  “You’re right. It had to be pretty terrifying for me to suddenly show up like that. I’m sorry,” Mark apologized.

  “I’m sorry for pepper spraying you. You must think I’m horrible.”

  “Actually what I’ve been thinking about most of this time is how much I appreciate my friend, Avery. Having one of my senses taken away is pretty scary.”

  “Your friend Avery lost one of her senses?”

  “Yep, in an I.E.D. blast in Afghanistan. She’s a Marine. And she’s deaf.”

  Lexi’s voice was a squeak. “Oh.”

  The room fell silent again. After several long moments Mark spoke again. “Not my idea of the perfect first date but I’ll take it.”

  He could hear hesitation in Lexi’s voice. “Mark, I think you’re a great guy. In any other circumstance I would jump at the chance to date you. But really I can’t.”

  “Is it your ex-husband?”

  Lexi paused. “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  There was another long moment of silence. “He threatened to kill any man I was with. He nearly killed that guy I was with on the Fourth of July. I know his car and it crashed into my date’s car. He drank too much so I was driving his car. I looked him dead in the eye. I don’t remember much else until I woke up in the hospital.”

  “Lexi, don’t worry about it. All right? I’m not scared of what he can do.”

  “Mark, I know you’re big and strong. But you don’t understand what he’s capable of.”

  Mark fumbled his cell from his pocket and handed it to her. “Take a look at the newest picture on my phone. The security code is one-two-three-four. Yeah, I know. It’s really strategic.”

  He waited for Lexi’s response. Her shocked gasp was what he was waiting for. “You’re on a poster.”

  “Yep. I’m a mixed martial artist. That’s for my first pro fight coming up in a few weeks.”

  “You’ve fought before? In those steel cage things?”

  “Several times. See the blond, skinny guy next to my picture? And the two guys on top of the poster with the names Thomas and Choate beside them? The three of them are my best friends. Rico Choate is my friend Avery’s husband. It was their wedding I was coming from when I found you on the side of the road.” He did his best to wink at her. “See? That’s why I’m not worried.”

  “I still think you should be.”

  “So you still won’t date me.”

  There was another pause. Lexi’s voice came out smooth as silk. “I didn’t say that, did I? I thought we were on our first date right now.”

  Despite the searing pain, Mark couldn’t possibly feel better. “At least let me take you out to dinner after this.”

  “My choice since I’m driving?” Lexi teased.

  “Anywhere you want, baby.”

  “Hmm…I’m thinking lobster.”

  “Wow, not a cheap date, huh?”

  Lexi laughed. It was the first time since Mark met her that he truly heard her laugh. It was incredible. The sound made his pulse pick up a notch. “Seriously, I’m in the mood for burgers. Is that all right?”

  “It sounds great.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the door opening. The footsteps were accompanied by muffled laughter. After the clearing of a throat, a male voice spoke. “Didn’t expect to see you again today, Mark.”

  “Getting a good chuckle, Tom?”

  “Oh yeah.”

  “I don’t see what is so funny,” Lexi protested. “He’s hurt.”

  “Sorry, Miss. Mark here is the biggest, kindest, most gentle guy in this ER. He’s known as the resident teddy bear. If a couple of us hadn’t actually seen him fight we would have thought he made the whole MMA thing up,” Tom explained. He paused. “You did tell her you fight, didn’t you?”

  “Thankfully yes,” Mark answered. He was hoping Tom saying he was gentle scored points with Lexi. By her soft sigh Mark guessed it did.

  “Come on, Bud. Let’s clear up your eyes.”

  Mark laid back on the gurney. Fingers pried one of his eyelids open and cool liquid drenched his eyeball. He exhaled as the burning sensation subsided. His vision returned, even though everything was still blurry. He smiled as he felt a small hand hold his. His other lid was pulled up and doused with solution also. A cool, soapy rag gently scrubbed his raw skin. He sighed with relief as everything came into focus, and a huge grin spread across his face when he looked up at Lexi. “Hey, beautiful.”

  “Hey, teddy bear.”

  After a few quick instructions, Mark was given his discharge papers. He chuckled as he took Lexi’s hand in his and they strode through the emergency department. She looked at him puzzled. “What is it?”

  “I rattled those same discharge instructions off to two different people last night.”

  She laughed with him as she led him to the parking lot. He didn’t have to ask which one was hers. The tiny, cherry red car had to be it. He cringed a little at the thought of having to crawl back inside of it but squeezed inside without a complaint.

  Mark directed Lexi to the diner where the team usually ate. After they ordered, Lexi took a sip of her water. “I bet you see a lot of crazy things at the ER.”

  “You have no idea. Stabbings, guns
hot wounds. Sometimes it’s crazy, sometimes just heartbreaking.”

  “What made you decide emergency medicine?”

  “I wanted to help people. My first specialty was sports medicine. After a few rotations in the ER, I switched.” He cocked a grin at her. “How’d you become an author?”

  Lexi’s cheeks turned a rosy pink. “I started my book in college. It took years to write. A friend dared me to submit it. The big publishers turned it down. Every agent I talked to laughed at me. My final try was an e-book publisher. They scooped it up immediately. It took a while. I didn’t think it would sell. But before I knew it the book was on the best sellers list. Now I’m writing three more books in the series and they’re talking a movie deal.”

  Mark beamed at her. He couldn’t believe how proud he was of her. “Wow! That’s amazing.”

  Lexi shrugged casually. She straightened as the waitress set their meals in from of them.

  They ate and talked. Once Mark paid the bill, Lexi slipped her fingers between his and led him to her car.

  The trip to Mark’s townhouse was over too quickly for his liking. As Lexi pulled up to the curb, she turned to him. “What about your truck?”

  “I’ll call Rico in the morning. He can take me to it.”

  “Are you sure? I could take you.”

  “How can I say no to that?”

  Lexi blushed. She leaned across the car and kissed his cheek. Mark turned his head, pressing his lips against hers. He heard her gasp and then sigh deeply. He laughed, his voice deep. “See? Sneaky.”

  “Uh…huh,” she murmured.

  Mark pecked her on the cheek before twisting out of car. He waved to her as she drove away and his heart raced. Despite the ache in his eyes and on his face, he had never felt better in his life.

  Chapter Four

  Mark brushed the feather duster over the end table, snatching up the MMA magazines as he flicked the feathers across the wood. He got up early to clean. Then he cleaned again. Never in his life did he want to impress a woman so badly. A doorbell broke him from his thoughts. Panicking, Mark tossed the feather duster in his gym bag and zipped it closed. Taking a deep breath he pulled the front door open.

  Lexi stood on the top step, her blonde curls framing her face. Perched on her hip was Logan who had his tiny face buried in her shoulder. She smiled at Mark. “I have a tag-a-long today. This is Logan.”

  “Hello, Logan. I’m happy to have a tag-a-long. Why don’t you both come inside while I grab my shoes?” Mark pushed the door farther open and motioned them in. Lexi stepped inside as she flashed him a brilliant smile. She suddenly froze in her tracks, her eyes opening wide and locked on Kinnick. The dog’s tail whipped excitedly back and forth at the sight of company.

  “Doggie!” Logan squealed.

  “No, Logan,” Lexi said firmly.

  “Lexi, it’s okay.” Mark breezed past her and kneeled next to Kinnick. He rubbed the pit bull’s head affectionately. “You are seriously never going to find a sweeter dog. Go ahead. Set Logan down. I’ll stay right here with both of them.”

  Reluctantly, Lexi set Logan on the floor. The little boy raced to the dog and threw his little arms around Kinnick. Kinnick licked a sloppy, wet kiss across Logan’s face and snuggled the boy for all he was worth.

  Mark winked. “Now, Mama too. Unless you don’t like dogs period. Then I would understand. I myself am not a cat person.”

  “I like dogs,” Lexi defended.

  “Then come here.”

  Lexi cautiously stepped closer to the three and slowly stretched her hand out. Kinnick sniffed it. Then he bathed it with his tongue and nudged it to pet him. A small laugh escaped Lexi’s lips as she petted the dog. She sunk to her knees to join the rest in playing with Kinnick. Mark watched her as she curled her legs and sundress beneath her. Seeing her happy made him happier than he had felt in a long time. His gaze wandered over to Logan and he smiled. The boy looked just like his mother and was so full of joy and life. He suddenly wanted a family. He had always put his career and MMA first. Maybe it was time for a change.

  The rumble in his stomach tore Mark from his thoughts. “I don’t know about the two of you but I am starving. Why don’t we go get my truck then I’ll get you some breakfast.”

  Lexi grinned. “Sounds great.”

  Mark sat on the couch to tug his tennis shoes on and lace them, and then he stood and helped Lexi to her feet. Scooping Logan into his arm, he took Lexi’s hand in his. Kinnick stood and took Mark’s place on the couch and they all walked out, tugging the door closed behind them.

  He stopped on the top step as he caught sight of the black SUV waiting for them. He turned as he heard Lexi laugh. “I borrowed my Dad’s car,” she explained. “I know how uncomfortable you were in my little car.”

  Mark pressed a kiss to her cheek, waiting for her to pull away. Were they even really dating? He grinned as he heard her sigh. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  Lexi beamed. “You’re welcome.”

  Mark set Logan in his car seat and secured him as Lexi slipped behind the wheel. With a happy sigh, he climbed into the spacious passenger seat.

  Mark quizzed Lexi about her life as she wove through the busy Sunday morning Minneapolis traffic, careful to stay away from her ex-husband and their marriage. She told him about growing up in Minneapolis with her parents and brother and sister, how she always loved to write, and how she won a couple of writing awards in college. He didn’t expect her to quiz him back but he was more than happy to share. He told her about how he grew up in the same kind of family but instead of being the youngest like her, he was the oldest with a younger brother and sister. He told her about playing football in high school and then going to medical school. Before he could tell her about college Lexi was pulling into the lot where Mark had parked his truck.

  Mark’s voice caught in his throat when he saw the vehicle. Every window and mirror was shattered. The hood and doors were bashed in. Faintly the words “you’re dead” were etched in the paint with a key. Before Lexi could stop the SUV, Mark hopped out and ran for the truck.

  “What the? This is a good neighborhood. How could this have happened?”

  Mark ran his fingers through his thick, dark hair in disbelief as he slowly inspected the damage. Glancing at Lexi, he saw her standing close to the SUV, her bright blue eyes wide and her skin ghostly pale. Even from a distance he could see her trembling. He stepped around the truck toward her. “Lexi, are you all right?”

  She shook her head. “I have to go.”

  She scurried around the SUV and hopped into the driver’s side. Before Mark could reach her she sped out of the lot and disappeared down the street. Mark stared dumbfounded in the direction she went. Lexi had just taken off and left him with a truck he was sure wasn’t drivable. Calling a tow truck to take his vehicle to the body shop was first on his agenda. But how would he get a rental? Or better yet, get home? She had just abandoned him.

  Mark took a good long look at his truck. One thing was certain, the suspect list for the vandalism had shrunk considerably. Like to one man―Lexi’s ex-husband. Mark hissed under his breath. “You don’t scare me in the least, you bastard,” he muttered.

  He slipped his cell from his pocket and scrolled through his contacts. His thumb stopped when it reached Dan’s, and he sighed heavily. Since they trained early yesterday, Dan had taken the long drive back to Cedar Rapids to see his family. He wouldn’t be home until later. Mark then flipped through the rest of the names until he reached Max. Just before he hit send he stopped and sighed again. Max and Chloe were in New Ulm for Max’s nephew, Tyson’s, birthday. That left only one person. Mark shuffled once more through the contacts and hit send.

  “What?” a sleepy voice on the other end barked.

  “Good morning to you too, Rico.”

  “It’s early.”

  “It’s eleven o’clock in the morning. Are you still in bed?”

  “Where else would I be?”

 
“Up. Enjoying life.”

  “Nope. In bed. Enjoying my wife.”

  Mark face palmed himself. Walked right into that one. “Whatever.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Someone destroyed my truck. Lexi took me to get it and she disappeared. I’m stranded.”

  There was silence on the other end. “Where are you?”

  “Off 494. That high end development next to the lake. Near that ribs place you like so much.”

  “I know exactly where you are. Give me twenty minutes. Avery and I are getting dressed now.”

  “Thanks, man. I owe you.”

  “You don’t owe me anything. Hold tight. We’re on our way. See you in a few.”

  Mark ended the call. Instead of stowing his phone in his pocket he pressed the phone app to take photos of the damage for insurance. He leaned against the bumper and huffed. His relationship with Lexi, if he could even call it that, was way too short. He didn’t even have her number.

  At this point he needed to talk to someone while he waited. Someone who would listen, someone who would always be there for him. He dialed his cell again.

  “Dude, what’s up?” Dan questioned. “Thought you were on a breakfast date with Lexi.”

  “I’m supposed to be. What are you doing?”

  “Having a breakfast date with your parents and mine. We’re having brunch. What do you mean supposed to? What happened?”

  “Someone bashed my truck in. I’m pretty sure it was her ex. And then she took off and left me here.”

  “Is it drivable?”

  “With four slashed tires? No. I’m pretty sure it’s totaled.”

  “Mark, I’m sorry. Now I wish I hadn’t gone home.”

  “No worries. Rico and Avery are on their way. He’ll be able to tell me if the insurance company is going to total it. He has a freakish knowledge of cars.”