“What’s he want from you?”
“He hasn’t said, just that he wants me to meet him for a drink in his suite later tonight. I’ve told him no twice already. I have to give him top marks for being insistent though.”
Dane let me go, then rolled over onto his back and placed his hands behind his head. The movement caused his biceps to bulge even more than normal and I could clearly see how the rehydration was starting to transform his body.
“Tell him we’ll be there about half an hour after the press conference.”
“What?” That shocked me.
“He’s text you how many times in the last few hours? He obviously wants something and he doesn’t strike me as the type to stop until he gets it. I’d rather be with you when you see him. I don’t want you cornered or taken by surprise when I’m busy. I’m done with him and your ex. We take them on—head on. Together.”
“Dane, surely you have more important things to do before tomorrow? You don’t need to be worried about Leo.”
“Exactly! That’s why we’re going. We’ll find out what he wants and then I won’t have to worry about you being with him.”
The whole situation annoyed me. My previous life was spilling over into my new life, once again. When would I be free of it? But, there was something about the timing that just seemed off, as well. He probably thought he could get me to play a few sessions for him. All sorts of thoughts ran through my head.
“Just text him and stop worrying about it.”
“I just don’t want you to be distracted with my problems,” I protested.
“Ari, if they’re your problems, then they’re my problems. It’s not like I’m doing anything except looking at the four walls and trying to get my head straight. We have this sensational suite, which would just be perfect for seducing you, but apparently that’s off my allowable list at the moment. So, to be honest I could use a distraction—something to save me from my own thoughts. Text the man, then get over here and give me a kiss. I think I’m still allowed those as long as they’re not too strenuous! Fuck Reed and his no sex rules. It’s scientifically proven to be bullshit anyway.” I was getting the distinct impression Dane’s libido was returning just as quickly as his strength. “We have to get up in a few minutes anyway to get to this bloody press conference.”
“I can do that.” I typed out the message and hit send.
Save me from my own thoughts—that was an interesting concept.
I didn’t get to think about it for much more than a second, before Dane’s mouth came crashing down on mine—hot and demanding.
Oh yeah, he was feeling a lot better now!
Dane
The camera flashes and microphones were starting to really get on my nerves, as I sat at the table on the stage. I was sitting on one side of Parker Cook, and Warren Cummins on the other. I could only imagine how Xander felt in Vegas when his relationship had been attacked, as well as everything to do with his fighting ability. The press was relentless.
“Dane, what makes you think you can walk in here to the pro-ranks and go straight for a title? Are you serious?” The reporter was belligerent in his tone. He got a few laughs from his fellow brethren.
I took a deep breath and checked my temper. Surely, they’d got enough from us; we’d been here for close to an hour already. “Like I said before, I’d been thinking of making my pro debut for a while. Reed and I were just waiting for the right card to come up. We decided this was it.”
“Yeah, but you went from being one of the under bouts to the main event,” the reporter interrupted. “That’s ballsy.”
“If you’d let me finish…Parker saw me training with Xander Todd in Vegas and approached Reed when Pettigrew withdrew. We talked it over and I agreed to give it a shot.” I shrugged nonchalantly. Show no fear was the number one mantra of any fighter.
The press gallery erupted in more noise. “What do you think about this, ‘Wildman’?” a guy towards the front called to my opponent.
He smirked. “I’ve got no problem with an easy win. A title’s a title.”
This time it was a wily looking host from a late night sport program. I should know his name, but it escaped me at that precise moment. “There’s not much footage available on Roberts, Warren. What’s your strategy going to be?”
“Simple Don, I’m going to make it short and sweet. I’ve seen plenty of footage of the Pretty Boy; I’ve got a fair idea of what sort of fighter comes out of Reed’s camp,” Darren replied confidently.
“Final question.” The guy marshalling the reporters yelled. “Carrie it’s yours.”
An impeccably groomed blonde woman in a royal blue suit stood. “Parker, on paper this fight looks like it’s going to be all one-way traffic. Roberts is so far the underdog. What are you going to do when the fans are in an uproar if the fight’s all over in a few seconds?”
Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, bitch!
I thought to myself. I made the mistake of glancing sideways and saw my camp off to the side. Ari looked horrified, Reed looked pissed, Xander and Seth were grinning like Cheshire cats.
Parker let the ruckus from the press gallery die down a fraction. “Carrie, is it? I don’t think I’ve got anything to worry about. I know the quality of fighters Reed Stapleton puts out. I’ve watched Roberts train a lot with Todd. Regardless of what you might think this fight looks like at face value, I think it will be a lot closer.” Then like the true showman he was, he finished with a big smile for the cameras and “I’m excited.”
I was hurried from the stage by security, and joined my crew and Ari. She immediately fell in beside me. “That arsehole isn’t going to know what hit him tomorrow night, man.” Seth fist bumped me. “Getting hit by you feels like being smashed with a sledge hammer. That shithead is going to be in a world of pain.”
“Thanks, man.”
Ari was quiet. I couldn’t tell if she was more worried about the meeting with Leo or what had been said by dickhead reporters at the press conference when we stood outside the door to Leo’s suite a little later. He was in the other hotel tower of the casino complex.
“You okay?” I asked before knocking on the door.
“I have no idea what he wants.” Her face looked haunted and I wanted to take that away. I hated seeing Ari with any expression on her face that was less than a smile or passion.
“Only one way to find out.” I rose my fist and knocked a couple of times.
The door opened and a man dressed in a suit that screamed ‘paid muscle’ to me, greeted us.
“Hi Arnie, how have you been?” Ari asked politely.
‘Well, thank you, Arianne. Leo is expecting you. Come through and take a seat. I’ll let him know you’re here.” He showed us through into the lounge area of the suite. It was much larger and plusher than the one we were using. I took Ari’s hand and threaded my fingers through hers.
We took a seat on the sofa that was far more aesthetically pleasing, than actually comfortable. I leaned over to her and whispered, “Who was that?”
She turned her face into mine. “He’s Leo’s chauffer and personal assistant, I guess you could say. He does a bit of everything. Arnie used to accompany me when I was working. Mostly he just dropped me off and picked me up.”
I didn’t miss the way she referred to her association with Arnie as used to. It was probably ridiculous how much those two words pleased me. The soft skin of Ari’s neck was teasing my lips and I couldn’t resist. I ran my tongue around the area just under her ear and she shivered and moved closer into me, before flashing me a playful glare with her eyes.
“Ah Arianne, thank you so much for coming, my dear, and bringing your young man.” Leo moved into the room and I felt Ari tense. Leo looked to be in his sixties, I was guessing and had that dark swarthy look of people from European countries closer to the Mediterranean.
Time had not been kind to him. He looked old and tired and it showed in the way he stood.
As he moved
towards me, we rose from the sofa. Ari was the first to speak. “Leo, are you not well?” There was concern in her voice, regardless of how much she had despised the gambling.
What a strange upbringing and existence she’d had.
Then he turned to me and extended his hand. I took it and the skin felt paper thin and pasty. I tried to make the handshake authentic, whilst feeling as if I was about to crush his fragile bones at any time.
“Oh, my apologies, where are my manners? Leo Goldstone, this is my boyfriend, Dane Roberts.”
“A pleasure to meet you Dane.”
I managed a nod and a “Leo.” I wouldn’t have said it was a pleasure, more like a puzzle as to why he wanted to meet Ari.
He took a seat on the sofa opposite us. “Arnie, would you pour us some drinks.”
Arnie move closer. “Of course. What can I get you?” he asked Ari.
“A glass of white wine for me, please Arnie.”
He turned to me. “And for you, Mr Roberts.”
“I’m fine thank you.” I motioned to the ever-present bottle I had with me.
“I can’t tempt you for one drink?” Leo looked at me almost as if he was fascinated by me.
“No thank you. I’m limited to what I can consume until after the fight.”
“Ah, a man of conviction!” More like I didn’t trust this guy not to spike my drink or worse. This close to the fight though, I wouldn’t touch anything that Reed or I hadn’t personally prepared for me. The risk was too high. I would be drug tested tomorrow.
“Just a very strict regime,” I returned.
Leo nodded and gave me an appraising smile. What was his angle? What the hell, did he want from us?
“Are you a fight fan, Leo? Is that what you’re in town for?” I threw out there.
“Oh, I love a good fight. And yes, I’m specifically down here to take in your fight and to perhaps deal with a little unfinished business.” That comment had me on edge.
No sooner had I given him the lead in with the fight, than Leo dropped it and turned his attention to Ari. “How have you been, my dear? I recall specifically reminding you last time we met not to be a stranger. I haven’t seen you in weeks.” It was four weeks as far as I knew, but who was counting, I thought to myself.
“I’ve been very busy, Leo. We’ve had a lot on with Dane’s preparation and life in general.” He nodded as if accepting her answer, although I was far from convinced. This guy was unpredictable and a schemer of the highest order, if I was any judge of character.
“Understandable…understandable.” He nodded his eyes moving between the two of us.
Ari wriggled and straightened her spine more. She’d moved into her prim and proper persona the moment Arnie opened the door.
It was a persona I was seeing less and less as she had relaxed since spending more time around me and my family.
“Without being rude Leo, what was so pressing that you had to see me? As you’re no doubt aware we don’t have a lot of time at the moment. Dane is on a very tight schedule.”
“Of course, of course. I don’t wish to keep you or Dane from your commitments, Arianne, rather I wanted to take the opportunity to spend a little time with you outside our prior business.”
Arianne plastered a smile on her face. “That’s very cordial of you, Leo.”
“It’s one of my biggest regrets to date Arianne.”
She looked confused. “What Leo?”
“That we’ve never had the opportunity to get to know one another better. We are after all family in loose terms.” Yeah, this whole meeting thing was just weird and this guy had a fucking warped idea of family.
“Very loose I’d say, Leo,” Ari clarified for him. “You see, I’ve been spending quite a bit of time with Dane’s family recently and, I must say, I’ve realised a lot about families. I’ve learned how real families work. I’ve enjoyed their company and warmth immensely. They make Isaac and myself feel incredibly welcome and relaxed. I also know they always have our best interests at heart. In fact, they go out of their way to make sure we’re fine and happy. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed out on.”
There was so much I wanted to add, but somehow I kept my tongue in check. Arianne was politely letting Leo know what she thought of his idea of family and doing it with pinpoint accuracy. My girl knew how to land a targeted blow, even if it was only with words.
I saw regret flash through the older man’s eyes before they softened a little and he almost looked as if he was remembering another time, before he returned his attention to me. “That’s very pleasing to hear. I’m glad you’ve found a family that fits your needs. You have no idea how happy that makes me.”
Fits her needs?
This conversation was just plain weird.
We made small talk for another few minutes before Ari rose and said, “Leo, thank you for the drink. Unfortunately, we need to get going; we have another commitment to attend to.” I followed her lead only, too glad to be heading out.
“Of course. I totally understand and thank you once again for stopping by and introducing me to your young man.”
Young man…okay that was weird as well and kind of made my skin crawl.
Ari nodded and we made our way to the door. Leo trailed a couple of paces back and I didn’t like the feel of him being behind me, at all.
“Before you go, Arianne, tell me, how are things with Marcel? Is he giving you any further trouble?”
A frown crossed her face as she turned to address him. “Since his arrest for assault and breaking the AVO, he’s seemingly behaved himself. However, Marcel I fear, is like a bad penny—always turning up when you least want or need one. Hopefully now that he knows I’ve moved on and that I’m out of the game, he’ll get the message.”
“That would be the ideal situation, wouldn’t it,” Leo agreed.
“To be honest, I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to make contact with me down here.”
The words were out before I could stop myself. “He’d better think again if he’s got that idea in his bone head. I’ll have no qualms about removing it from his shoulders if he comes near Ari again. I will not have her or Isaac threatened or assaulted.”
“Quite,” agreed Leo.
“Good night, Leo,” Ari said. I nodded to him and managed an “Evening, Leo.”
“Best of luck tomorrow night, Dane. I look forward to a win.”
It wasn’t until we were in the lift that either of us spoke. “He’s up to something and I have no idea what,” she said, taking my hand.
“Maybe he’s just a lonely old man,” I offered diplomatically.
“You seriously don’t think that? He didn’t even ask me to play a few hands…”
“No. I don’t, but I’m not going to let it worry me. There’s enough crap floating around in my head right now, without trying to figure out his. I’m going to get this fight done tomorrow night and then we’re getting the hell home. I’m ready for a little normal, I think.”
Ari gave me a smile that warmed me right down to my toes, then leaned into me, which I knew was a signal she wanted me to put my arms around her.
“You have no idea how good that sounds, Dane.”
Chapter 31
Arianne
Cold—that was why I had woken and I knew immediately Dane wasn’t in the bed with me. I was used to his body heat and the air-conditioning in the hotel was chilly. Despite the shadows in the room, I knew he wasn’t in the bedroom or the bathroom. I swung my legs from the bed and padded across the plush carpet to the bedroom door.
When I opened it, I had my answer. Dane was standing at the window in nothing but a pair of boxer shorts peering out over the sleeping city. He glanced my way and I moved over in front of him and pressed my chilled back to his front. His arms locked around me exactly as I knew they would.
“I didn’t mean to wake you?”
“You didn’t. Not directly anyway. I missed your body heat and I got cold.” He let out a low chuckle.
<
br /> “Can’t have that.”
“I agree…see anything interesting?” I motioned with my head to the outside world we were both now staring at. It was blackness and lights for miles.
“Nope…no answers, either.”
I left that comment sit for a moment. “Maybe it was the question?”
“Probably.”
I remembered Xander’s words about getting him to talk and being there for him. “What was the question?”
His arms tightened around me. “Same one I’ve been asking myself for what seems like forever—why am I doing it? Am I good enough?”
“Mmm, that’s a big question and one that could be looked at in so many contexts.” When it came to Dane, I was certain I knew the answer to this question in every context, except the one for which he specifically wanted clarification.
“What if I’m not good enough, Ari? What if I get my arse handed to me in the first round?”
I thought on that for a moment. “Your pride will hurt. The haters will say, ‘I told you’ so. The media will rabbit on about it for a couple of days, while you rest your physical hurts and I’ll still love you more than any other man on this planet.”
“You’d really be okay being with a loser?” he asked me cautiously.
“I’m not with a loser, Dane. In fact, in my mind you’re the polar opposite. You’re so much a winner in every aspect of your life. This fight is nothing more than a sporting event. To me the outcome is irrelevant. Sure, I’d like you to win for your own satisfaction and benefit…also maybe to wipe that smug arse look off your opponent’s face. But if you don’t, I’m not going to love you less.” There was a lot he needed to know. “I admire and respect the effort and commitment you’ve put into getting to the fight in the shape you are. The sacrifices you’ve made, not just for the training, but what that regime means to your life. I know there’s big pieces of that you’ve kept from me to protect me. I’m sorry I didn’t realise it earlier. I should have been more supportive. You’ve always been there for me. However, I’m not surprised at any of it.”
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