Isaac looked up at Gary. “Mmm, it wasn’t too bad. I think Cathy’s are better, even better than mum’s. So yes, I’d rank this hotdog number three.”
We all burst out laughing.
“Way to put your mother in her place!” I teased him and he looked uncertain, until he realised we were all laughing, so he joined us. The close exposure he was having to other people was really helping him in social situations.
“Don’t worry, Ari. Kids always appreciate everyone else more than their own parents, at least, at this age.”
“Yes, I’ve learned that. I know Dane certainly appreciates you both a great deal. As do I. Thanks so much for helping out over the last few weeks and this weekend. You’ve been marvellous.”
“Oh nonsense. We’ve enjoyed having Isaac around and getting to go do all the fun things again, rather than the more mature people things.”
“Can we go to the zoo tomorrow? I saw the brochure in the room. I want to see the elephants and I want to see the reptile house.” Isaac looked up at me and I was kind of on the spot. I had no idea what tonight would bring let alone what that meant for tomorrow.
“How about we wait and see what happens tonight?”
Isaac looked disappointed.
“I’m thinking I’d like to see the lions and tigers. Yeah, I think we can manage the zoo tomorrow if you’re up for it,” Gary said to him.
“Yes!” Isaac called and jumped in his chair.
“Isaac, we’re out. Best behaviour!” I reminded him.
“How about you, Cookie? You going to come along to the zoo with us men?” Gary asked, including Isaac.
Cathy gave them both a smile. “Well, with an offer like that from two handsome men, I’d reckon a lady would be foolish to say no. I think it’s a great idea.”
Gary gave her a smirk and Isaac beamed at her.
“But I do have one caveat. I want to see the giraffes. They’re my favourites.”
“What do you think, Isaac? Will we take Cathy to see the giraffes?”
Isaac’s brow moved into a furrow as he thought about it.
“Dane says it’s our job as men to keep the women happy, so I think we should,” my son said to Gary.
He was so serious. I bit my cheek to stop the giggles that wanted to escape.
“Dane makes a good point. I guess we’ll add the giraffe enclosure to the agenda.”
“I think that would be best, Gary.”
Cathy leaned over to me and whispered. “He cracks me up. He’s as cute as a button.”
I giggled. “When he’s asleep.”
“All mothers say that.”
The waitress brought our coffees and Isaac’s milkshake. Mark and the group of men that had been at the weigh-in yesterday stopped by our table.
“How’s the burgers here, Gary? Sign says they’re supposed to be the best around.”
“Not bad at all, Mark. We were just commenting on them before,” Gary answered him.
Mark looked over at me. “How’s our boy today?”
“Oh, he’s feeling very well and looks incredible. I think he’s put on something like ten or twelve kilos since weigh-in.”
“Far out. He’s going to dwarf the ‘Wildman’.” the guy with the tattooed sleeves said.
“I’m sorry I don’t think we’ve met. I’m, Arianne. Dane’s girlfriend,” I said to him and offered my hand.
“Sorry Ari, I didn’t realise you hadn’t met these guys. This is Jarryd, Rohan and Owen. They all train with Dane and Xander, as well,” Mark explained as I shook their hands.
“This is my son, Isaac.” I introduced my son.
“Mum’s Dane’s woman and I’m his sort of son. Dane told me that the other day,” Isaac corrected emphatically.
It was one of those awkward moments, where no one quite knew what to say or where to look.
Gary came to the rescue. “Well, I reckon Isaac’s right then. If that’s the case, you’d better start calling me Grandad Gary, then Isaac.”
“I can do that?” I could see the wonder in my son’s eyes.
“Sure.” Gary and Isaac started up their own little conversation.
Mark broke in to me. “I’m not sure if we’ll see him before the fight; please give him our best if we don’t.”
“I’ll be sure to do that,” I assured him as they moved away to take a vacant table on the other side of the restaurant.
Cathy must have recognised my unease and patted me on the arm.
“Stop worrying, darling. Everything will be fine.”
“It just all seems to be going so quickly.”
She shrugged. “It feels right though, doesn’t it?”
I didn’t even need to think on that.
“Yes.”
“There you go then. You have your answer. Don’t fret on things that aren’t worth your worry.”
It was sound advice.
We talked about our plans for the rest of the day for a few minutes.
“I thought we could go and check out the aquarium for a few hours before we have to head to the arena. What do you think, Isaac?” Cathy suggested.
“Yay!” he cheered with excitement. His arms went up and so did the best part of half his milkshake—all over me. Nothing like chocolate milk over a white blouse and light blue shorts.
Cathy immediately sprang into action and started soaking up the milk with napkins.
Isaac looked devastated. “I’m sorry, Mum.”
“It’s okay, Isaac. I know it was an accident. You just got a bit too excited.”
“Can I still go to the aquarium or am I in trouble?” he asked sheepishly.
“It was an accident. Of course, we’ll still go,” Cathy assured him. “You’ve been such a good boy for the last few days and accidents happen.”
After we’d mopped up the worst of it, Gary took care of the bill.
“Why don’t you head up and get changed. That’s going to smell in a little while and check on Dane. Isaac will be fine with us. We’ll head straight on over to the aquarium. It’s not too far from here.”
“That’d be great Cathy,” I said appreciatively.
We passed Mark and the guys on the way out and we stopped briefly to say goodbye.
“Heading out?” he asked.
Gary answered. “Cathy and I are about to take Isaac to the aquarium. Arianne’s going to go up and check on Dane.”
Mark looked up at me. “You want me to walk you back to the room?”
It was obvious their meals had just arrived. “No, I’ll be fine. It’s just around the corner and Gary will be able to see me right to the lifts. They’re secure all the way to our floor as you know. Eat your lunch while it’s still hot.”
Mark nodded. “Well if you’re sure.”
I hated to be a burden on people. “I’m positive. Enjoy your meal and we’ll catch up with you later this afternoon.”
We headed out of the restaurant and made our way to the foyer of the hotel. I said bye to Cathy, Gary and Isaac then made my way across to the lifts.
I gave them a wave as the doors shut and closed me in.
I pressed the button for our floor and scanned the panel with my card to activate it. The lift sprang into action and so did my nerves.
The tingle was back. What the hell was wrong with me?
Marcel was nowhere around. I was going insane.
The lift stopped at our floor and the doors opened.
The security guard was missing from his post beside the lifts and my heart leapt into my mouth. Where was he? Maybe he’d gone to the bathroom? Surely, security guards need to do that as well, I told myself logically.
To my knowledge, all the rooms on this floor were allocated to our crew. There were no other people. Something that the promoters did as a security precaution.
Maybe I was over reacting. Marcel was enough to make anyone crazy.
I pulled out my phone and dialled Dane’s number.
Something didn’t feel right.
Pick up,
Pick up...I mentally coaxed as I made my way along the corridor to our suite.
I had to be overacting. Everything looked as it should. The corridor was deserted; I even glanced behind me to make sure.
No one there.
I was going insane as I had the phone to my ear.
“Hey gorgeous, sorry I was just on the massage table and my phone was over in my training bag. What are you doing?”
“Where are you now?”
“Down in the hotel gym with the boys and the physio. Why what’s up?”
I was fumbling in my bag for the room card. “It’s probably nothing, but the security guard isn’t on the floor. I’m just about to go into our room.”
“Don’t. Head straight back to the lifts. Go down to reception and stay by the desk. I’ll meet you there. I’ll stay on the line.” His voice was full of alarm and my heart started to pound even more.
I turned and immediately headed back down the corridor to the lift.
“You’re scaring me, Da…”
The door from housekeeping supplies opened and Marcel moved out blocking my way.
Terror flooded my body.
“Marcel,” I managed to yell as I spun around and ran back towards our room. Maybe I could get there…
I made it no more than half a dozen paces before his body crashed into mine from behind. The thick carpet absorbed most of the impact of my fall, but the skin on my forearms and knees turned to fire as the friction of the carpet fibres burned.
“You stupid bitch. You never learn. You can’t run from me.” Marcel was moving off me and pulled me over to face him.
Where was my phone? Could Dane hear what was going on?
Marcel stood and was pulling me up with him.
“Get up. We’re out of here. Where’s the brat?”
“Not here,” I spat out.
He dragged me along painfully towards the lifts. I saw my phone against the wall and tried to retrieve it.
“Leave it!” he thundered and pulled my arm harder.
We reached the lifts and he pressed the button to go down. I had no idea how he thought he was going to get me out of here without me creating a huge scene. As soon as I saw anyone, I was going to scream for all I was worth. Let him think I’d go quietly for the moment.
He was looking frantically at the numbers above the lifts.
His eyes were wide and he was strung out.
I guessed he was back to sniffing coke or worse. Nothing would surprise me with Marcel. Hopefully, he wasn’t thinking too clearly.
Then I realised where he was dragging me.
He’d decided on the stairs.
We were forty odd floors up! He was mad.
His hand reached for the door and twisted the handle. The door gave way and he lurched forward with me in tow, only to be thrown back, in a tangle of arms and legs.
Marcel lost his grip on my arm and I scrambled to the side out of the flying arms and legs.
Then I heard feet pounding along the corridor.
“Are you okay?”
I spun around and looked. It was Mark. Everything was happening at once around me.
“Yes.”
“You guys got him?” Mark called to the two men who now had Marcel’s arms pulled tight behind his back. I realised they were Rohan and Jarryd.
Marcel had a look of pain on his face through all the confusion.
“Yeah,” Jarryd said.
“Let me go. You can’t detain me.”
Mark strode over and got in his face. “The fuck I can, arsehole.”
Smack!
Mark had ploughed his fist into Marcel’s face.
Marcel’s head rolled to the side.
I heard the lifts chime again and more running.
Dane, Xander, Seth and Reed came to a screaming halt beside us.
“Are you okay?” Dane’s eyes were wide with fear as he scooped me up and hugged me to him. He was brushing the hair back off my face.
“I’m okay. Just a bit shaken up. The guys got here before he could get me off the floor.”
Dane looked past me to Marcel and growled with rage.
“Back off, Dane. I’ve got this,” Mark warned him in a friendly tone.
“Police brutality. I’ll have your badge,” Marcel was screaming
Mark just laughed. “Shut the fuck up, arsehole. Right now Marcel, I’d worry about the depth of shit you’re in. You seriously don’t want to be adding to it.”
“How did you know?” I stammered to Mark.
“Call it cop senses. I don’t know. Something just didn’t feel right. I said I was going to check on you and make sure you got here okay. The guys decided to come along as well. Then we realised security were in a fit downstairs when we came in, because they couldn’t locate their man up here. I knew it was this clown straight away.”
Then a few moments later Owen arrived with a couple of other guys, who were both dressed casually.
“Fuck Mark. I thought we were meeting up to have a drink and watch a fight with some mates. I didn’t want to work today,” The taller one with reddish hair whined.
“Sorry, Steve. Let me introduce you to Marcel Beauchamp. He’s the ex-husband of the lady here.” He motioned first to Marcel then to me. “This is Arianne Le Flegg. Arianne is Dane’s woman. I don’t think I need to introduce you to the rest of these guys. You know who they are.”
I watched Steve as he nodded to Dane, Xander, Seth and Reed.
“Nice to meet you, Arianne. Good to see you again, boys. I really enjoyed training with you all last time I was up that way.”
“Been too long, man.” Xander said, stepping forward to shake his hand.
I watched Marcel’s face visibly pale.
“What’s keeping us from that drink and the fight, Mark?”
“So guys, this idiot’s been giving us strife up in Queensland, but he’s out on bail. Now, he’s pulling more shit down here with Arianne and her son. We just nailed him trying to abduct her again. I can’t decide if he’s really persistent or just a damned slow learner.” Mark gave Marcel a withering look.
“I want to report him for police brutality. He just hit me,” Marcel screeched nodding to Mark.
Mark shrugged. “He has an AVO out against him in at least two states, including here. I was just using reasonable force to protect Arianne from him.”
“Seems reasonable to me. He’s standing up and mouthing off just fine,” the blonde guy with Steve said.
“Yeah, I think so Chris,” Mark agreed.
“Let’s get this mess tidied up quick smart. You’ve got a fight to win and I don’t want to be stuck doing paperwork.” Steve nodded to Dane. “Chris why don’t you head over to the lifts and wait for the uniforms to pick him up. I’m going to find a bathroom.” Steve gave Chris, then Mark, a very knowing look.
“We’ll just keep Marcel here detained for you. It’d be terrible if he resisted and we had to restrain him more,” Mark suggested.
“Would be, wouldn’t it! That’d be a big help, Mark. I love having interstate police cooperation.” I watched Steve nod and wink at Mark. “Right Dane, show me to a bathroom. Hey Arianne, sorry I’m not getting to meet you under better circumstances.”
Dane looked reluctant to leave the guys and whatever was about to happen.
“I’ve got money on you tonight, mate. As much as I know you want to I’m not letting you bust up your hands on that dick—it’s your job to tame the ‘Wildman’. Let the boys handle it.”
We’d made it around the corner and I heard the first blow land followed by a bellow that I knew was Marcel.
Dane stiffened beside me and I knew what he was thinking.
I wrapped my arm tighter around his waist. “He deserves everything he gets.”
I meant every single one of those words.
Chapter 33
Dane
I could hear the crowd screaming and cheering as the final round of the third last fight of the card, drew to a close. The dressing r
oom was white and and clean. All around me my crew looked nervous and edgy as I did some final stretches. The day started out well, very well, descended into chaos, then seemed to be back on track. Ari was fine. She’d handled the crap this afternoon like a trouper. It was also reassuring to know Marcel was locked up for a bit.
With any luck that was the end of our trouble with him
I stretched skyward one last time and ambled over to where Ari was standing by the wall. She was trying to stay out of the way. I didn’t want her out of the way; I wanted her in my arms for a couple of minutes before I had to do my final preparation. I wanted her to feel the power that was racing through me. It felt so good.
I pressed my back to the wall, pulled her in front of me, and wrapped her up in my arms tight.
“For Christ sake, get your head in the game, Dane—damn it Arianne you need to get out of here and let him get focused.” Reed was growling and stressing.
“I am focused, Reed. So focused, its almost terrifying. It’s like everything is happening in slow motion. I feel great. Never have I felt better.” He looked at me like I was high and I was, but on the power and the energy that was rippling through my body. I was struggling to contain the power of it. It was the weirdest feeling. It was as if I was sucking all the energy from around me and storing it ready to use.
“Excuse me for a second, baby.” I moved out from behind her and stepped back into the middle of the room. Xander raised an eyebrow as I motioned with my hand for him to come at me. He went to turn away, then threw a blistering straight punch. I watched it come at me as if in slow motion; from where I stood it seemed like I had all the time in the world to push the punch to the side and step in to lock up his arm in a hold.
He tapped at my thigh, indicating I should let him go.
“Fuck man, that was quick and it hurt.” Xander looked stunned. We sparred all the time and knew each other’s moves better than we did our own.
“I told you, I feel great.”
“Are you feeling nervous...?” Reed asked, his face contorted in a frown.
“No, I don’t feel nervous like normal nervous. I feel excited and anxious to get out there. I want to meet him feeling like this.”
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