Chapter Three
Anna was halfway up the stairs when Derrick’s voice startled her.
“I heard that you called in sick this morning.”
She grimaced up at him from behind her dark glasses. He stood in the doorway to the Dojo looking more handsome than she could stand in her condition. She swallowed another wave of nausea and wished the stairs would devour her whole. “Yes, I think it might have been food poisoning.”
“Sorry to hear that,” he told her as he stepped into the hall. “You certainly don’t look very well.” As he walked towards her, he suggested, “You might want to step back.”
A chorus of voices yelled OOS and her head throbbed in response. As the students bowed at the door and left the Dojo, she looked up at him over the rim of her glasses and realized that despite his martial arts attire, he looked and smelled fantastic.
“I guess you’re one of those teachers who bark orders but do little work, you’re not even flushed.”
He shrugged and smiled, offering no explanation. She leaned back against the wall to allow the stream of students to pass her on the stairs and mentally prepared herself for the avalanche of emotions that inevitably hit her when confronted with a crowd.
“Thanks for a great class, Sensei.” One of the male students interrupted. “Maybe one day you can explain to me how you are able to outlast all of us without any noticeable signs of fatigue. Is there a secret to your strength?”
“Ah, yes grasshopper. But then if I told you, I would have to kill you,” he said with a wink and a curl of his lips.
“He’s such a crack up.” One of the female students elbowed Anna in the ribs. “I don’t know how he does it but I keep coming back hoping that I can get to his fitness level.”
“And you will, Lizzie. If you put in the hard work.” His forehead creased slightly and his lips tightened but just as quickly they curled into a smile. “Go home and practice what I told you.”
“Oos. Sensei.” The woman bowed and waved as she limped down the stairs behind a trail of other students, all smiling and congratulating each other on a hard training session. Anna counted at least thirty students of various ages and colored belts leaving the dojo.
“Business is good?” She asked after the last of the students hobbled down the stairs.
“That surprises you?”
“Honestly, yes. The last time I was here there were only a handful of gym junkies working out and a staff of two. Your class appeared to have around thirty students.”
Derrick nodded. “Actually this is a slow night. There was a tournament on the weekend so some of the students stayed out to celebrate and weren’t feeling too well this evening. Judging by your appearance, I’m sure you can relate.”
“I wasn’t celebrating,” Anna protested. “I know that my being here at night isn’t part of our agreement but I needed some fresh air and somehow ended up here.” She continued up the stairs and stood by the door of the Dojo to peek in. “Impressive.”
The room was well equipped with weapons and protective equipment. She slipped off her shoes and bowed before entering. The ground beneath her feet gave a little. “Sprung floor?”
“Yes, I prefer the feel of wood under my feet and the tradition of having the lower grades sweep the floor before class builds character.”
“And cuts down on the cleaning bill,” she teased.
“Yes, there is that,” he agreed with a big grin.
Anna wandered around the large Dojo, taking note of all the equipment. She noticed something amiss. “I’m surprised there are no mirrors in here. I thought that, like in the gym, mirrors make it easier to check if the stance is correct. Any reason why you don’t use them?”
“Vanity. I found that some of the students became distracted by their appearance. Besides, it’s the job of the higher belts to correct the stances.”
“Fair enough. I don’t know anything about Martial Arts but that makes sense.”
After collecting her shoes, she walked gingerly down the stairs, holding onto the railing for support. Her head pounded from the blinding headache and she headed straight to the office to search for aspirin. As her hand touched the doorknob, she realized her mistake. She turned back towards Derrick. “Sorry, force of habit. It’s your office now isn’t it?”
“I thought we had worked this out. Just because you are here in the evening doesn’t mean we can’t share the room.” He opened the door and ushered her in.
Anna allowed Derrick to offer her a chair. Arguing was useless. How could she explain to him why she preferred to work alone? Being an empath was hard enough in an ordinary environment but here, where her father worked, surrounded by people who loved him … the sorrow was unbearable. Somehow she had managed to avoid most of the staff tonight, sparing her from the avalanche of emotions that would bombard her senses and make her both physically and emotionally ill. Sharing an office with Derrick would be uncomfortable, possibly unbearable, especially knowing that he was part of the reason for her recent headaches. Since the day of the funeral, every meeting with Derrick had been clouded with pain. Every time she even thought about him she could feel her senses go into overdrive but something or someone, always blocked her.
“Look, I’m sorry if I sounded ungrateful. This was a wonderful and gracious gesture, it’s just that…”
“It’s just that you would rather not have anything to do with me.”
“No. That’s not it.” She sighed and closed her eyes as her left hand shot to her chest. The gripping sensation that had caused her to faint after her father’s funeral was back … with a vengeance. It was time to go home.
“All right, I’m listening.” Derrick’s voice startled her. She opened her eyes in time to see him fold his thread-bare black belt and begin to untie his Gi jacket. “Will you excuse me while I change?”
Despite the pain and overwhelming desire to escape, her interest kept her bottom planted firmly on the seat. What does Mr. Armani look like under the suit?
“Oh, sure. Go ahead.”
Although etiquette ruled that she should turn away while Derrick removed the heavy canvas jacket, Anna found that she could not take her eyes off him, especially after getting her initial glimpse of his perfectly toned physique. Beneath his clothes, he concealed taut, pale skin and if there was an ounce of fat, she couldn’t see it and she was looking … hard. Her fingers twitched in her lap. She imagined tracing the outline of his body from his solid pectorals, down his six pack abdominals to his narrow waist and beyond. As he turned around to grab a fresh shirt, she admired the solid muscle of his shoulders and back. No wonder he felt so cold, he appeared to be carved from marble.
“Well? What do you think?”
“Huh?”
Derrick stood facing her, his hands resting on his waist and his pants hung low around his hips. The white t-shirt he now wore only served to make him appear larger. His biceps strained against the cuffs on his sleeves.
“Do you think that we can make this arrangement work?”
Anna shakily rose to her feet and extended her hand. It would be a real hardship being forced to endure working alongside this perfectly chiseled specimen of a man, but someone had to do it. “Fine. I’ll try, but no promises.”
She noticed that Derrick was hesitant to accept her offer of a handshake. When he did consent, she shivered. Despite what was obviously a very vigorous work out, his hand was still like ice. Derrick watched her reaction and a concerned expression crinkled his forehead.
“You know what they say, ‘cold hands, warm heart’.”
“I thought it was cold feet?” she flopped back in her chair.
Derrick shrugged and took a seat opposite her at the desk. “Whatever.”
“You should really see someone about that. It could be a circulation problem.”
“Thanks for your concern; I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Okay then,” Anna slapped her hands on her knees. “Well, I guess we should discuss my place in this p
artnership. What position in the gym should I take?”
Derrick scratched the back of his head and grimaced. “At the risk of having my head chewed off. There’s not really a lot for you to do.”
“Let’s get one thing clear—” Anna stood her ground, literally. She rose from her seat and stared down into Derrick’s eyes. For a moment, she was sure she saw the color of his eyes flash from royal blue to violet. She tried to concentrate, to block out the searing pain but there was something in his eyes that suddenly terrified her. Everything about him oozed charm, sophistication, and composure except there was more to Derrick than meets the eye. Something blocked her empathetic push into his psyche. She felt danger, remorse, and aggression but there was something more. Something she couldn’t read. Startled, and dizzy with pain, she lost her train of thought, giving him the opportunity to interrupt.
“I know what you’re thinking, Anna, and let me assure you, I’m not keeping you out of the loop. We have an excellent staff including an experienced manager and an accountant. You are welcome to go over the books but there’s nothing for you to do besides enjoy the fruits your father’s labor.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Derrick’s hand shot to his temple. “That’s not what I—”
“I think that is exactly what you meant.” Her hands balled into fists and she scowled as she accused him, “You think I’m here for money.”
“Not at all.” Derrick sighed. “I’m merely pointing out that there is no rush for you to begin work. You should take some time to deal with your father’s sudden passing.”
“And how much time are you suggesting? A week, a month, maybe a year?”
“Whatever you need.”
“Why don’t you just say what you are thinking? You don’t want me here. I can feel it.” There was an element of truth in her words. She could sense a shield around his emotions, keeping her from getting a good read on his true feelings. He was an enigma and one way or another, she planned on working him out.
“Look, Anna. I don’t know why you would think so little of me. I’ve gone out of my way to make you feel comfortable but my presence seems to irritate you. You’re grieving and you’re obviously feeling under the weather tonight, so perhaps we could discuss this some other time.”
“So…” He was dismissing her? Her head pulsed with pain but she pushed through it as her anger rose. “It doesn’t suit you to talk with me so I should leave? What about the other day when I asked you to give me some space? Just because I have a knack of making people feel uncomfortable doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings and opinions you know. I can’t help the things that happen to me.”
Derrick’s eyebrows furrowed. “Who said you make me feel uncomfortable? What sort of things happen around you?”
She took a deep breath. How would he react if she answered his questions? Would he run a mile if he knew about her ability to predict the future or quake in his boots at the thought of being in a room with someone who could sense his darkest secrets? Well, usually. Somehow her ability was useless with him. “It doesn’t matter.” Anna waved her hands in the air and shook her head. “Sooner or later you will see for yourself.”
“You’re making too much out of this, Anna. Calm down…” Derrick’s expression remained relaxed. “You look as though you might burst a blood vessel.”
“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down.” How could he possibly know what she was going through? Look at him, standing there with his air of confidence, presuming he had the right to tell me what to do. He was the one hiding something, not her. “You can’t fool me, Derrick Corel. I know you harbor secrets.” She held her head between her palms, trying to shut out the pain. “What are you hiding from me?”
“Nothing.” He let out an audible sigh. “I’ve been completely up front with you.”
Anna wrung her hands as she paced the room. What is happening to me? She shook her head. “No, there’s something you’re not telling me. Something about my…” Mother? No. That didn’t make sense.
“Something about your what?” He grabbed her by the shoulders. His eyes widened. “Anna, you’re soaked in sweat and burning up. Why are you so upset?”
Pain shot through her chest and spread across her shoulders. Her jaw ached. She stared up into his eyes and held back a sob as she confided. “I don’t know what’s happening to me.”
He pulled her against his chest and rested his chin on her head. “What can I do to help you?” He said in a voice barely above a whisper.
His gentleness offered comfort. Comfort she desperately needed but she shook her head.
“I have to go.”
****
Anna had stumbled almost the entire distance home before she remembered that she had driven to the gym. She stopped cold and, for a moment considered going back for the car then changed her mind. She didn’t have the strength to face Derrick again tonight. She touched her hand to her forehead. Strange how his cold skin had the opposite effect on hers. Heat radiated through her as she remembered the intimate gesture. Stranger still, despite her accusations, she somehow knew that she was safe with Derrick. But what was the connection with her mother? She was only a child when her mother died and—although she didn’t know much about her partner—surely he wasn’t in the same age bracket as her parents? No. She shook her head and laughed. What was she thinking? There was barely a wrinkle on his perfect face and that was most definitely not the body of a man in his early fifties. She bit her bottom lip and smiled, breathing easier since the pain in her head and chest had dissipated.
She drew in another deep breath, gagged, and covered her nose as a putrid odor assaulted her sense. Eeeww. Rotting garbage spilled from overturned rubbish bins and a few of the street lights had been broken. When did this neighborhood become a dump? The street came to a dead end. Nothing about this place looked familiar. Okay, where the hell am I? She looked back in the direction that she had come. How did I get so turned around? A chill ran down her spine and she rubbed her arms against the cold while she hurried back to the main street.
“Hey, lady. Could you help me out?”
Anna spun to see a young man, around sixteen years old, standing at the entrance to a side alley. He had a battered skateboard tucked under his arm and wore a cap hung low over his eyes. Wisps of greasy blond hair poked out at the sides. Although his face was half concealed in shadow, she could see his skin tone was blotchy and his face acne scarred. His clothes were dirty and his jeans slung around his hips in the fashion of teenage males.
“Help you, how?” Anna remained where she was, reluctant to move closer to the young man. The throbbing in her temples suddenly returned with a vengeance.
“I had a spill on me skateboard.” He pointed to the tear in the knee of his jeans. “And I wanted to call me mum to come get me but I ain’t got a phone. Can I borrow your mobile?”
“Sorry kid. I left it in my car.” Idiot. Now look what you’ve gotten yourself into. She looked back towards the street, hoping to see another adult. Anyone.
The boy held out his hand, palm up. “Well, can ya spare some change for the bus?”
“I guess I could do that.” Stay calm, Anna. Don’t make any sudden movements.
“Thanks lady. My knee really hurts.”
Anna’s hands shook as she took out her wallet and upturned the coins into the palm of her hand. “I think this should be enough.” She wasn’t surprised when he showed no interest in the coins.
“Thanks. Do ya think you could help me over to the bus rank? I can’t put much weight on it.”
Anna looked down the street to where the boy was pointing. The bus stop was only a short distance down the road. A distance the boy could have easily travelled despite his grazed knee. His gaze darted from her handbag to her face while he stepped slowly towards her.
“I’ve got to go.” She told him as she threw the coins in his direction. She turned to run. He charged at her, faster than she had anticipated, grabbing for her handbag.
“Give me y
our bag bitch.”
Anna held him at arm’s length, struggling against his assault. “No. I don’t have any money. Just take the coins and go.” She managed to push him a short distance, enough to attempt a retreat. The pimply skinned punk grabbed her hair from behind, and dragged her, kicking and screaming into the darkest section of the alley. He produced a switch knife from his pocket and held the point against her throat.
“No!” Anna struggled against the teenager’s grip. Her thrashing drove the tip of the blade into her neck. She screamed as the knife pierced her skin.
“Shut up!”
Her attacker threw her to the ground. She landed heavily on her side, where she instinctively curled into the fetal position. When he raised his leg, she held her hands up to protect her face as she braced herself for the impact. Instead, a rush of air chilled her. The boy flew through the air and landed back in the alley, screaming in pain. Her attacker struggled to his feet and ran away from the alley, still clutching her purse.
“Are you all right, Anna?”
She recognized the voice instantly. “Derrick, he got my handbag.”
“Go home. I’ll get your handbag and catch up with you. Go straight home, Anna.” He gently lifted her to her feet but with such speed that she almost toppled.
“But—”
“Don’t argue with me. Just go.”
Tears burned in her eyes as she told him, “I don’t know where I am.”
Derrick shook his head but smiled. “Come on.” He lifted her into his arms, cradling her close to his chest. “Close your eyes, I’ll have you home in a flash.”
Kiss of Death (Blood Brothers Book 1) Page 3