“It’s me.”
“Dekker. Oh sorry,” the man was quick to apologize. Was there anyone in a fifty-mile radius who didn’t fear Dekker? He was the kickboxer whom parents warned their kids about to get them to behave.
Two quick clicks of a deadbolt and a loud creak indicated that the door was opening.
“Go on through,” Dekker instructed.
Alexis reached her hand up to the blindfold, but Dekker’s hand stilled hers again.
“Patience, Grasshopper,” Dekker whispered.
Easy for him to say. He wasn’t the one blindfolded, possibly walking into an ambush. Alexis let her hand fall. She tried to hide the fact that her heart slammed against her breastbone with each beat, but Alexis thought for sure that Dekker could hear it. Was she wrong to feel both scared and excited at the same time?
Still, she didn’t cross the threshold. What lay beyond the door? And once it was closed, did she have any hope of escape?
Dekker’s lips hovered near her ear. “Remember when I told you that I would never let anyone hurt you?”
Alexis nodded slowly. The memory of his words turned into a blazing fire.
“I meant it.” Dekker placed a soft kiss on her neck. “Trust me.”
With Nick, Beck, and hell, even her father’s voice in her head telling her not to do it, Alexis allowed Dekker to escort her into the building. Then the door slammed shut behind them. Their footsteps echoed as they walked across the concrete floor. Another door creaked open and a gruff male voice greeted them.
“Name?”
“Travis Dekker.”
Fingers tapped on a keyboard. “Oh, sorry, Mr. Dekker. What’s her name, then?”
“She’s with me,” Dekker replied as he loosened the scarf over her eyes and slowly pulled it off.
It didn’t take long for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior. A man sat behind a desk, his frown deepening. “Sorry, but the boss requires us to get a name from everyone, and ID.”
Dekker’s muscles bunched along his arms. Palms down on the desk, he was nearly nose-to-nose with the guy.
“If I say she’s with me, she’s with me.
Alexis couldn’t help but smile as the guy swallowed before murmuring, “All right. Go on in. We should be starting in a few minutes.”
They passed down a narrow hallway to find a room crammed with people. No, not people—men. Buff men, looking ready for battle. Some taped their hands while others put on shin guards.
“What in the hell will we be starting?” Alexis hissed in Dekker’s ear.
“You know laser tag?”
“Yeah.”
“This ain’t it.”
Alexis frowned. Dekker’s “jokes” were wearing on her as one of the men threw fake punches in her direction.
“Basically the same concept as that or paintball, only we don’t use toy guns.”
“What do you mean?” Alexis gulped. Please don’t say real guns. Not real guns.
“From here we run a gauntlet of opponents and try to come out the other side alive.”
“Um,” Alexis said edging closer to Dekker as the other men began warming up. “What happened to your whole promise of ‘I would die before I let anything happen to you?’ ”
Dekker rubbed his hand up and down her back. “There’s hurting, and then there’s competition.”
On a scale of one to ten, this was definitely a twenty compared to the street fight. Yeah. The street fight wasn’t looking so bad right now. One of the men flexed his bicep. She’d seen tree trunks less bulky. Um, yeah. The street fight was still looking more attractive. She’d rather lose a couple of fingernails instead of setting herself up for a monthlong stay in the hospital.
“And are we competing against them?”
“Not really. They run the course with us. Our real opponents are scattered through the arena. Trust me. They’re a hell of a lot tougher than these sissies.”
Most of the sissies made Dekker look like a Boy Scout.
Yep, the street match was tame by comparison.
* * *
Dekker watched Lexie waver between abject fear and excitement. Every other woman he had ever known would have beaten a path to the exit by now. At least in this, he’d called it right about her. While there was a frown on her face as she surveyed their competitors, her eyes were also ablaze with curiosity. You could see her wondering if she had what it took to take on these hardened fighters.
But to do that, she would need to put her sweet side away. She would need to embrace her dark side. The side he thirsted to see.
Lexie bit her lip. “So what happens if we get through the course?”
“We split the pot.”
“And if we don’t?” she asked, as she fidgeted with her zipper again. Her hand trembled slightly.
“Then I lose both our stakes.”
“And how much would that be?”
Dekker shrugged. “A couple hundred thousand.”
“Dekker!” Lexie’s arm fell from her jacket. “That’s a shitload of money.”
“First of all,” Dekker replied, “I’ve always made it. So that leaves you, and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that you’ll do just fine.”
Lexie shook her head. Dekker could see doubt rearing its ugly head. “But a hundred thousand dollars …”
Dekker took Lexie’s hands in his. Her palms were cold and clammy. He needed her to overcome her fear and face the match that would be starting any moment.
“The money’s not what I’m worried about.” Dekker squeezed her hands until she met his gaze. “If you don’t make it, I’ve got a worse problem.”
“What could be worse than that?” she moaned.
“Having to kill every son of a bitch in this place.”
A grin flickered on Lexie’s face. Dekker stepped in, stroking her cheek. The fear dissolved from her features. Her mouth opened to speak, but she was cut off by a loud buzzer overhead.
All of the men jumped to their feet. A guy with spikes in his hair cracked his knuckles, ready to rumble.
“That would be our cue,” Dekker announced.
Lexie’s face paled, as she backed up a step. “Dekker … I’m not so sure about this …” She glanced at the guys filing out the exit door to the gauntlet. “I don’t want to cost you …”
Dekker pulled her to him, resting his forehead against hers. “We’ll get through this.”
“But …”
Dekker squeezed her hand. “You say the word at any point, and I’ll whisk you out of here.”
Lexie still looked doubtful. She craned her neck to the side, trying to get a better view of the course through the door.
“Where’s the woman who wanted to see all my moves? Who wanted to be able to not only survive a street attack, but kick some ass herself?”
Dekker released Lexie’s hands and backed away toward the door.
“Guess she’s not quite as brave as I thought.”
Dekker spun on his heel. At the doorway, he turned toward her. “Last chance.”
CHAPTER 13
The armed guard started to pull the door closed after Dekker walked through. He lifted a questioning brow as Alexis approached. She swore under her breath. She’d already made her choice when she allowed Dekker to put the blindfold on. Hell, her choice was made back when she took the case. There really was no turning back.
Alexis motioned for the guard to open the door. He quirked his lips in an awkward attempt at a smile as he pushed the door open. She would need to draw on all of her police training—as well as the skills Dekker taught her—if she was going to come through this alive. That’s all she’d need. Nick and Grace standing over her corpse, saying “I told you so.”
Her stomach pitched and rolled as she stepped through the door. The resounding slam was like the proverbial nail in her coffin. Where was everybody? Where was Dekker? He couldn’t have gotten that far ahead of her.
Alexis stood at the far end of what appeared to be a massive junkyard. Abandoned c
ars, rusted appliances, and giant tractor tires were scattered around her in a haphazard maze. She could hear muffled groans and grunts coming from deeper within. Alexis felt a prickling at the back of her neck. Instinctively, she reached for her gun. Then, she realized she was unarmed. Yes, Nick would definitely tell her “I told you so.”
“Dekker,” Alexis hissed into the void.
She took a step toward the beginning of the maze. A loud bang, and breaking glass came from her right. Alexis spun toward the sound. No ogre jumped out at her. Not yet, at least. Alexis let out a long, slow breath. It was now or never. Straightening her shoulders, she walked toward the entrance to the maze.
“Boo!”
Alexis squealed much like Callie might, as Dekker popped out in front of her. She stumbled back, catching her balance on a chunk of concrete. He chuckled as only he could. If she could have lifted the concrete block, she would have used it to wipe the smirk off his face.
“Sorry,” he said, reaching out to her. “I couldn’t help it.”
Dekker gave her a playful hug. Alexis shoved him away, trying not to smile.
“Next time, you’ll get a knee to the groin.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
She couldn’t help but feel relieved that he had waited for her. But had she really doubted it? Her conscience might feel better if she had. Then she could have continued believing that she was still being objective.
Dekker linked his fingers with hers. “Ready?”
A loud scream cut through the maze. Then silence. Great. Was it wrong to hope that it was one of her opponents? One less person to challenge her?
With as much enthusiasm as she could muster, she replied, “Ready.”
They walked several feet in. A high tower of scrap metal and rocks made it difficult to go anywhere but forward or back. Alexis squeezed Dekker’s hand until her fingers went numb. He shot her an encouraging smile. Not a trace of fear showed on his face. His body was tense—and ready for a fight.
“It feels like we are walking into a trap.”
“Probably because we are.”
“That doesn’t help when …”
Alexis’ words were cut off as Dekker released her hand and shoved her to the side. She heard the whistle of nunchucks as they swung at Dekker. He blocked them with his forearm, and then slammed his palm into the assailant’s nose. Without hesitation, Dekker pivoted, kicking a guy who crept up on Alexis, a chain held tight in his grip.
Another man stalked up the alley. Dekker was too busy fighting the guy behind her to notice their next problem. Without thinking, Alexis launched herself at their new assailant. The man blocked her right hook, then pushed her to the ground. He dismissed Alexis and headed straight for Dekker, who currently had his opponent in a choke hold.
Alexis’ temper flared. What? He didn’t think she was worthy enough as an opponent? Alexis crawled to the abandoned nunchucks, gripping the cool steel in her hand. She wasn’t accustomed to the weight. She had only used the rubber ones in training. Another reminder that this was a real “no rules” match. Alexis stifled a groan as she pushed herself to her feet. Not even one play into the game, and her sides already seared with pain.
Before the man could take Dekker by surprise, Alexis swooped in, swinging the nunchucks and hitting the assailant in the neck. He spun around, a surprised look on his face. What? He thought she was just going to sit there? He tried to block her blows, but she kept the nunchucks in constant motion, varying the angle and side she struck. He tried to back away, but Alexis pressed forward. What had Dekker taught her? Always take the offensive—each blow hammered out faster than the last. Two more hits caught him in the temple and jaw. The third cut his eyelid open.
The man turned and ran. Alexis watched him disappear around a beat-up blue Chevy pickup. She wished that he hadn’t run. She was just getting started. Alexis shifted from foot to foot. Her breath came in gasps. Now she knew why Dekker got that feral look in his eyes when he fought. How easy it was to lose control. To let the rush totally consume you.
“Fun, isn’t it?”
Dekker hadn’t even broken a sweat, while Alexis could feel it pouring down her back. The leather suddenly made her hot as it clung to her damp body.
“How many more can we expect?”
“Enough to keep ya happy.”
Happy? Alexis never would have thought getting the crap beat out of her would make her happy. Yet, what else could describe this sensation? Her pulse pounded, and she couldn’t keep the damned smile off her face. What would her father think of his little girl if he saw her now?
Alexis didn’t have time to let that sink in as two more goons hopped over a low brick wall.
Dekker took on the bigger guy, leaving Alexis with the smaller one. Which wasn’t saying much, since he towered over Alexis by about four inches and tripled her in weight. He leered at Alexis—eyeing her up and down. A long, jagged scar twitched on his cheek.
Alexis circled him, twirling the nunchucks in front of her, ready to strike or block. He started out jabbing at her. Testing her. Alexis waited patiently. Not rising to the bait. She remembered Dekker’s instructions. Don’t give anything away until the kill shot.
Alexis could hear Dekker’s breath hissing behind her and the slap of fists connecting with flesh. She resisted the urge to look at him.
Instead, she focused on the goon in front of her. While the goon was so busy defending against the nunchucks, Alexis struck out with her right leg, connecting with his knee. It buckled under him, dropping him to the ground. But not for long. He launched up, his fist lashed out, grazing off her cheek. Her teeth scraped against the tender flesh inside. Warmth filled her mouth. She spit out blood mixed with saliva onto the pavement.
She didn’t back down, though. Not only did she hold her ground but she also waved the goon toward her. Taunting him. He threw a right hook, which she easily dodged. She slammed an uppercut into his jaw. Her left fist slashed out, hitting him in the throat. The goon fell to his knees, eyes bulging, clutching his throat and gasping for air.
A loud grunt sounded from behind. Dekker had just blocked a blow from a crowbar. His hand twisted, snapping his assailant’s wrist. Dekker jerked his hand back as he popped the guy’s pinkie out of the socket. The assailant’s scream of pain masked the sound of footsteps coming up behind Alexis. A hand slammed over her mouth and nose. Her new attacker grabbed her around the waist, lifting her off her feet. She clawed at the hand suffocating her, struggling to scream for Dekker’s help. The arm locked her in place, unmoving, and dragging her farther from Dekker.
Legs kicking, Alexis saw Dekker’s enraged expression when he caught sight of her. He ran toward Alexis, his teeth bared in a snarl. Right before she was yanked out of his line of sight, she saw four men descend upon him.
The man let go of her mouth, shoving her forward. But it wasn’t out of kindness. Instead, he slipped a wire around her neck and pulled. Desperate, she got two fingers under the wire before it bit into her flesh. The wire constricted her throat. She flailed as oxygen became scarce. Her eyes bulged, nostrils flared, and her head swam as her vision darkened.
Dekker’s husky voice whispered inside her head. “Fight, dammit … fight.”
Alexis dug deep. She couldn’t die like this. In some filthy lot, wearing this trashy outfit.
With renewed vigor, she lifted her leg, stomping the heel of her boot into her assailant’s foot. She felt the wire loosen. Alexis sucked in a breath as she rammed her head into his nose. He cried out, releasing the wire completely. He stumbled away, with his hand covering his face. Blood spilled out from between his fingers.
Choking for air, Alexis took a step forward, tucked her knee into her chest, and thrust back until her boot slammed into his groin. His nose forgotten, her assailant dropped his hands from his face and doubled over. Each time she dragged air into her lungs, she felt molten lava burning a trail.
Detective Alexis Reed would have left it at that, but in this gaun
tlet? With these men who were far better trained—and with weapons, no less? She couldn’t take any chances. Taking advantage of his hunched over position. Alexis lifted her leg, hitting him in the chin with the instep of her foot. The force threw him back, his head crashing into the pavement.
Satisfied that he wasn’t getting up anytime soon, Alexis leaned against the arm of a torn-up couch, tentatively touching her fingertips to her raw throat. A shudder racked her body. How close had she come to Nick saying to her corpse that he really did “tell her so?”
There was no time to speculate. A shout sounded in the distance. Pushing off the couch, she made for where she last saw Dekker. Alexis made it around the corner, but no Dekker. Tentatively, she made her way farther into the maze. She followed the debris until the passageway opened into an empty lot. Across the cement was a ramshackle house with a small porch. Peering around a boulder, she surveyed the area.
There was no way to cross unseen. And without cover, she would be a sitting duck. Where in the hell was Dekker? Should she stay hidden? Double back? Or try to make it across?
“Lexie.”
The sound of Dekker’s voice was so soft that Alexis almost didn’t hear it. She squinted, searching for him. To the left of the house, she saw Dekker backed up against a metal cargo hold. He held two fingers to his eyes, and then pointed to Alexis’ right. Shifting her gaze, she spotted two men tucked between a broken fence and a piece of Sheetrock. One held a bat by his side. The other grasped the biggest wrench she had ever seen.
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