"Ladies, what can I do for you?" He asks, his deep rustic voice echoing around us.
"I was just leaving." I say automatically as soon as I can breathe again and I begin to head for the door. I feel a hand clamp tightly onto my arm and Minnie pulls me back, quite hard.
"Junior, this delicate little flower here, is Anna. She's a friend of mine, but you'll have to excuse her rude behaviour as she's a little nervous around new people. Isn't that right Anna?" She says while giving my shoulder a quick shove.
"I'm not nervous." I snap and I suddenly feel like a toddler stamping my feet as I say this. "I just don't like being forced to do something that I don't want to do. I'm not comfortable with this shit, so just let me go, goddamnit."
"Good. This isn't a place for nerves Anna. Here you need to feel complete control around you to get the very best out of this experience."
"Really?" I ask sarcastically. "What if I don't want to get the best out of this experience?"
"Then my advice to you would be turn right around and head straight out of that door. I ain't got a lot of time on my hands as it is and I definitely don't have any time for bullshit and time wasters."
It's like music to my fucking ears. I'd love nothing more than to turn around and walk out of that door, but this prick calling me a time waster has well and truly hit a nerve. I may be many things; scared, lost, a runner... But I don't do bullshit and I sure as hell don't waste time unless I have to. "So where do I start?"
Minnie playfully jabs me in the arm and a monstrous grin spreads across her face. "That's my girl."
"Baby steps with you Anna." He replies, while still looking every inch the psycho that you don't want to cross in the middle of the night. For the first time since Jensen left, I smile. I actually smile a huge fucking genuine smile and it feels bloody great.
"Spread yourself out. No... Your feet shouldn't be touching. For god sake, sort your fucking posture out." Junior howls back at me. "If you take a swipe at me like that, I'd have you out fucking cold in seconds."
"I'm trying goddamnit." I shout back at him. I'm doing as he asks and every time I do it, he's howling at me for doing it wrong. Right now I don't see how this is helping with my stress levels. If anything, it's making them goddamn worse. I'm sure this guys aim is to royally piss me off and push me to my breaking point and if it is then it's fucking working.
"Move, move, move. Don't just stand there like a fucking lemon. Show me what you've got." He shouts and he looks scary as hell. My whole body is pumping with adrenaline, I'm dripping in sweat from head to toe and I feel alive. Angry, but alive. I really feel alive, more than I have in a long time. Without needing to think about it too much, I pull my right arm back and then swing it forwards, making a direct hit when my fist connects with Juniors punch bag. As soon as I've found my comfort zone, I keep going, each strike making me want to do better than the last and I find that with each blow, my pent up anger and frustration begin to slowly ebb away.
"That's more fucking like it." He shouts while watching me closely. I can't be sure, given his intimidating presence, but I think Junior's quite happy with my progress. "I think it's time to call it a day. But make sure you come back here in a day or so and we'll pick up from where we left off."
"What? That's it? I only just started to get the hang of it and now you're saying we're done?" Jeez, what am I supposed to do? Start from scratch every goddamn time? I know as soon as I've left this building that I'll be leaving behind everything that I've just mastered. This is crazy.
"Anna, you've done enough for today. I wouldn't want you overdoing yourself. Plus I ain't having no injury resting over my head. That clear?" He cocks an eyebrow at me to make his point. This guy is definitely someone you don't want to mess with, that's for sure.
I watch him as he unwraps my hands and I can't help the sudden chill that runs through my body. This guy must see some pretty messed up sights. His eyes follow Minnie as she makes her way over to us and I can't help but wonder how they actually know each other. I didn't think she was from around here. She seems to know quite a few people seeing as though she only turned up not long after Jensen did.
"So I heard that J's back in town. My guess is that he won't be staying around for too long though. I still don't know what he'd want in a place like this. He's always struck me as the guy to want something big. Something much more than just settling, you know?"
"He was back." Minnie's tone is flat, as if she doesn't want to give anything away. Her face hasn't got one iota of emotion on it and her eyes are like empty black holes. So Minnie knows this guy and he also knows Jensen? Either Minnie is keeping Jensen close to her chest or she doesn't want Junior knowing anything more than he should. Or, maybe it could be because I'm here. I'm putting my money on the latter for sure.
As if sensing Minnie's discomfort around the subject of Jensen, Junior turns his attention back to me and says, "Well I'll see you in a few days Anna. Make sure you come back, you've got quite the talent for someone who doesn't like violence."
"I guess." I smile back. "Who knew that I'd actually enjoy punching ten bells of shit out of something."
As soon as I'm showered and changed, I make my way outside with Minnie. I feel completely invigorated and energised. All my anger seems to have escaped me and my whole body feels light. Right now, there's not a single bit of worry and pressure weighing my shoulders down and it feels great. I should have done this a lifetime ago.
"Look at you." Minnie laughs, while elbowing me lightly in the side. I know she's dying to say "I told you so."
"Okay, okay. Maybe you were right." I say giving into her pressured stare.
"Oh honey, please. I know I'm right. Living with those boys is enough to send you under, or down serving time with them."
"So what you're saying is, instead of kicking the crap out of them, you kick the crap out of the bag?"
"Hell yes. That's exactly what I'm saying."
Maybe Minnie and I aren't so different after all. I guess she's had to put up with her fair share of drama over the years with Jensen and now she's trying to make it easier for me. "Hey. Listen, I'm sorry for being a bitch. I kind of get a little defensive around people that I don't really know." Now that my guard has dropped around her a little, I can see that I've been a bit hard on her. I guess if Jensen trusts her, maybe I should too.
"Don't sweat it, honestly. We'll find out what's going down with Jensen, okay? Just promise you'll leave it to me and Boyd. You need to make sure you're well out of it, especially if the cops come sniffing around. I know I've not known you long, but no offence, you strike me as the type that couldn't lie to save a life."
What the actual fuck? Cops? No one mentioned anything about cops. My chest tightens at the thought. Of course if he's missing for long enough then the cops will need to know.
Fuck.
There's no way that I can have them sniffing around and asking questions. What if they want to know more about me? As soon as they check my name out, it will all come flooding back and they won't just walk away. Oh no. They'll want me to relive that night again and I don't think I could survive it again if I had to relive it.
I keep my head forward and emotions in check as best as I can as I walk next to Minnie. I thought all that crap was behind me, but once again I've found myself caught up in it all. One way or another, it seems that it just wants to keep coming back for me.
"You wanna grab something to eat before we head back?" She asks, bringing me out of my unwanted thoughts.
"Hell yes." I reply instantly. At the mention of food, my stomach growls, reminding me just how hungry I am. Considering the work out I've just endured on my body, it obviously needs some refuelling. Plus I'm more than happy to get away from the topic of the cops. The last thing I need right now is to have a mental breakdown in front of Minnie.
Recently, just getting up in the morning has been a challenge for me. I can feel that big, thick black cloud of doom coming for me and I can't see any way of escap
ing it. I guess it's always the goddamn way though. I mean, just when it started to feel like my life had a reason again, just when everything felt like it could actually work out, it goes tits up once again. When will I get a break? Who am I kidding? Dom always said that I'd never amount to anything and I'd never be happy with anyone else. He swore blind that he'd never let me be happy with anyone else. Well if that's true, I'd rather be on my fucking own. I don't think I could live with having deaths on my conscience. Maybe it's best that Jensen left when he did, because if Dom ever found out about him, he'd torture him until he couldn't take it anymore. My body shudders at the thought of anything bad happening to Jensen and a strong, deep ache pierces my chest.
Anna
"How about here?"
I look up and stare straight ahead. The building looking right back at me is the diner that Jensen brought me to. It feels like a lifetime ago, when really it was only a couple of weeks back. That day was the first time that we actually sat down together and had some kind of normal conversation, instead of tearing chunks out of each other.
"Well?"
"Erm, yeah sure." I say when I realise I've kept Minnie waiting for my answer. I can sense her watching me closely and she knows something's up. I guess she's thought better of mentioning it, at least for now anyway.
Nothing's changed since I was here last, but then again, why would it? It seems that everything around me stays the same and it's just my little world that gets turned upside down.
"So, what was Jensen like growing up?" The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. If anyone's going to let me in on Jensen's past then my best shot is Minnie. She's the only one around who's known him forever, and no matter how hard I try to resist the temptation, I just need to know more about him.
"You really like him don't you?" She asks, while taking a seat at the table farthest away from the entrance. I take a seat directly opposite her, still undecided on my answer. Is this a trick question? Does it even matter if I like him or not? He's not even here goddamit, but he's still my every waking thought and it's driving me crazy.
"I wouldn't go that far." I can taste the lies on my tongue, but no one else needs to know, do they? "I'm just curious, is all."
"Bullshit. I've seen the way you guys were with each other. Pretend to hate each other as much as you like, but I know that he means something to you Anna. You can feel the electricity when you're in the same room together and damn, it's pretty hot."
Ignoring her remark, I decide to probe some more. He's not here and I'm not going to find out from him, am I? "Has he always been so sure of himself?"
"You fucking bet he has. That boy's been sure of a lot of things for an awfully long time. One of the main ones being that he'd never be tied down by a woman and he'd never turn out like his brother." Minnie picks up the menu and starts scanning it closely. Maybe this is her way of ending the subject, but I need to know more. I need to know more about the bad boy that's stomped all over my heart.
"What's wrong with his brother?" I ask, and my mind is more confused than ever. Isn't Minnie with Jensen's brother? I'm sure that's what she said.
"Hell, nothing's wrong with him." She says firmly, while raising a cocked eyebrow at me. Oh shit. I didn't mean to offend her. "His brother's been in a lot of crap over the years and I guess Jensen saw what he, what we went through and decided that it wasn't really the lifestyle for him. Fuck, it's not the lifestyle anyone would choose willingly. Jensen's always been head strong, he's always wanted to do well for himself and he has. He just moves around when things become predictable or too much for him, you know? He gets bored pretty easily and thrives off a new challenge, he always has. It's just the way he's built."
"So you think that's what's happened then?" Hope flutters in my chest that this could all be a possibility. Maybe all he needed was some space and he'll come barging back through my door when he's good and ready. Like Minnie said, she's known Jensen for a hell of a long time. I really hope that I'm just over thinking things and nothing bad has happened to him.
"I'd love to tell you yes, but I honestly don't know, Anna. Not this time. Listen, Jensen's been out of trouble for a while now, plus if anything bad has happened to him, I'd like to think that me or Boyd would have heard about it by now." I guess she has a pretty good point. Why wouldn't they know if something bad had happened to him.
"Jeez Anna. Not everyone is going to suffer because of you." I mentally remind myself.
Our food arrives and for now, I decide to let my interrogation drop. Minnie doesn't look too concerned, so she must be right. I sit and watch her for a moment and wonder what it would be like to be her. The love of her life isn't with her, but she seems happy enough. Maybe I could actually learn a thing or two from her. As soon as Minnie tucks into her food, I decide to give it a go too.
"Oh my god, this is so good." I say, around a mouthful of burger. It's not something that I'd usually go for, but it tastes fucking amazing.
"Uh-huh. Don't let anyone tell you that this chick right here doesn't know which burger to go for." Minnie winks at me and I can feel myself warming to her that little bit more.
Today's turned out to be a pretty good day so far, but I know it's about to turn to shit as soon as we pull up outside Temptation. Part of me expected Minnie to head off, but then another part of me just knew that she wouldn't leave me alone. Why would she? She's been acting like one of my limbs for the last few days now.
As we make are way through the bar, with each step I want nothing more than to turn back around and head home. My body is burnt out from earlier and I know that Darcie will have a pop at me, especially while she's here alone.
"You know I'm fine here. You can head off. I'm sure I've taken up enough of your time today and I'm guessing you've got other stuff that you could be doing?" I ask, secretly hoping that she'll give me a little bit of breathing space.
"What? Sat in alone, or being bored shitless listening to Boyd harp on about this and that? I think I'll pass thank you, but grab me a wine and I think I'll be all right here. This place is fast becoming my perfect escape."
"You and I, both." I mentally say to myself.
I'm comforted by her words, and I'd like to think that she was staying with me because she wanted to, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I can't shift the paranoid feeling that she's keeping a close eye on me for some reason. She's even said as much, but she's like an iron vault. There isn't anything getting past her.
"What time do you call this?" Darcie squeals across the bar at me and it takes everything that I have to hold back so I don't launch myself at her. This girl's downright asking for it and one day soon she'll get what's coming to her, but today I'm going to try and be the better person here.
"Time for you to shut your goddamn mouth." I hear Minnie shout from behind me and a smug, satisfied feeling passes through me as her bitchy expression falls from her face, only to be replaced with a wounded pout. Shit. Minnie's like the big momma around here. I'm thankful she stayed after all. I've yet to come across anyone who doesn't listen to her. It's like she's got some creepy hold over them, or better still; maybe she's got some major dirt on Darcie. Actually, I'm prepared to bet my fucking life on it and I'd love to know what it is.
I grab a glass to fix Minnie's drink and Darcie comes up behind me, a little too close for comfort, but I'm a big girl and I've dealt with worse things than a silly little whore before.
"You know if Jensen were here," she whispers down my ear and the close contact grates on my last nerve. "There's no way that he'd put up with your shitty little attitude, so you may as well drop it now. Maybe quit whilst your ahead."
"Well he isn't fucking here is he?" I snap back at her, unable to reign it in. "Plus you'd be surprised to find out exactly what Jensen would put up with for me." As the words leave my lips, I suddenly feel a sense of superior pass over me. Darcie isn't a threat to me any more, I know that, but it doesn't mean that I have to like the bitch.
"Listen to you.
You don't even know him, all you've done is fuck him. That doesn't make you anything, you know. Do you want to know where he really is Anna?" I look back at her as she throws a towel over her shoulder and a smart arse grin tickles her plump red lips, while her hand falls on her hourglass hip.
"If you know something Darcie, spill it. If not, get the fuck on with your job." I know what she's trying to do and I'm not about to be a measly pawn in one of her evil games.
"Oh, I know where he is all right. He's most likely buried root deep inside his latest squeeze, giving her the ride of her life. Jensen gets bored pretty fast and you sweet thing, are a couple of weeks past your fuck by date."
Before I know what's happening, my fist stings as it connects with her face and all I can see is a deep rich crimson glistening on her skin. The fucking jumped up bitch. How dare she come into my bar, walking around like she fucking owns the place and has the balls to start shouting her mouth off. Obviously my class from earlier has had some kind of effect and triggered something within me. Something which should have been triggered a long time ago.
"You little bitch." Darcie screams as she lunges for me. I don't have much time, or room to move away and her hands grip my hair in a vice like grip, which makes it easier for her to pull me down. I need to get her off me, I need her gone, but her hands remain firmly clenched in my hair, preventing me from standing my ground. With each second that passes by, all I want to do is knock her the fuck out. Completely K.O the bitch.
"Darcie, will you quit fucking around and take your hands off her now." I vaguely hear Minnie call from somewhere behind me.
"Are you crazy? This fucking psycho sucker punched me in the goddamn face and drew blood. You gonna stand there and allow that?"
"Too fucking right she did. You gonna goad someone Darce, you need to be aware of the repercussions. Now take your hands off her, otherwise I'll show you what a sucker punch is."
Betrayal (Obsession Book 2) Page 3