by Alora Kate
“Yes, and with us taking out his immediate crew, no one should come looking for them or the drugs.”
“Will this put Donovan at the top then? What about him and the DEA?”
“It will, and they don’t know who he is here. He’s only got legit businesses in town. Buying restaurants and properties—everything is legal. He wants Ki to be proud of him. He doesn’t want his past, like it did already, to bite him in the ass or put Ki in any more danger.”
“He seems like a nice man.”
He grinned. “At times.”
Not wanting to know what that was all about, I wheeled into the kitchen for a bottle of water.
“I like your setup and the equipment.”
“Thanks.”
“Wish I could have seen a fight of yours.”
“Vegas, baby! Wooo!” Keith, my manager, yelled as I got myself prepped for the fight.
The biggest fight of my life, but I was ready. I did my research before I even formally agreed to the match, watching every fight of my opponent. I studied him, not only his fighting style but his mannerisms. His tells—when he was nervous, afraid, confident. All of that went into the fight. I had to know if he went in scared, because fuck, he should be.
If he went in cocky and confident, he’d showboat for the first round or two, but then he’d tire out and I’d crush him. It really depended on him if the fight was going to be fast or slow.
I walked with my crew down the dimly lit hallway that led to the arena. The roar of the crowd was deafening, the music was electric, and my crew was rowdy as fuck. Somehow, I stayed in my bubble of eerie calm. The calm before the storm, Keith would call it. My heart beat was slow, the blood coursing through my veins in a relaxed way. I couldn’t jack up my heart rate with nerves now or I could risk fucking up.
A lot was riding on this match—my career, money (so much fuckin’ money), people—and I had zero room for stupid mistakes.
The music started, my opponent already waiting for me. I locked eyes with him and started walking down the ramp. Fans were yelling, touching my arms, screaming. People were wearing shirts with my name on it, my motto. It was amazing. And as I neared the ring, the empty seat in the front reminded me that dollface wasn’t going to be here watching me. I shook that thought away and cleared my head. And as I set foot into the ring, I saw it. A grin tugged at my lips.
He's fuckin’ terrified.
I bounced on my toes, warming up my feet a bit more, getting that blood flow to quicken. This would be over fast. I had no time for pussies in the ring. My opponent wasn’t visibly shaken, but it was the look in his eyes. The look of he took on more than he could chew. I wouldn’t play with him, I wouldn’t make him suffer. But I would make this a clear indication that I was not one to be messed with, not one to talk shit about to the press if you didn’t have the balls to back it up.
We met in the middle, waiting to start, and he wouldn’t meet my eye. I leaned forward and murmured, “Don’t worry, babycakes, I’m not gonna kill ya in the ring.” I grinned at him, his eyes wide. I leaned in closer to him. “I’m just gonna embarrass the fuck outta you. Make you wish you never took this match. Hell, you’re gonna wish you never heard the name Tapper Low, but you’ll remember me. I’ll be sure of it.” I winked at him before I went back to my side.
In the twenty seconds that passed after the bell, I was an animal. He didn’t have a chance, didn’t even get one hit in on me. He was down, snoring, and I knew it was over. I sauntered to my area and waited for them to call it. The fans cheered and booed while they tried to wake him.
He’d remember me, for sure, and so would the rest of the fighters in waiting.
Don’t fuck with Tapper Low.
“They’re online,” I told him, shaking my last fight from my mind.
After my accident, unable to leave my hospital bed, I became obsessed with watching them. Finding mistakes although I had won the fight. Pissed off that they had told me I’d never walk again, let alone be able to fight. I watched all day, every day. It got to the point that Ma said she was going to call a therapist so I quit. I haven’t watched one in over six months.
“I might have to check them out.” I spun back around and he was standing. “I gotta get ready, get things in place. I’ll be in touch.”
“I want to go.”
“I’m sorry, Tapper, no disrespect but—”
“The chair,” He tried to beat around the bush in an attempt not to hurt my feelings, so I said it for him.
“I’m sure Lex will be here later tonight.”
I nodded and he shut the door behind him when he left.
It was going to be a long afternoon.
Chapter 26 – Alexa
“You’re letting us go home, so why do we have to wear the masks again?”
When they took me, they made me wear a mask so I didn’t know where I was going. I went with them because of Emma. They had her first and it’s the only reason I agreed to their demands.
The man, who I believe is in charge and goes by Sully, just shoved it at me, frustrated, and stepped back out of the van.
“Just put it on, Alexa, so we can get out of here.” Emma put her blindfold on, already buckled up and ready to go.
I buckled and slipped the stupid thing over my eyes.
The drive felt longer this time, probably to confuse us. Or because we really wanted to get home. We were both dropped off at my place. They didn’t say why or who’d be there, but I hoped Lucas knew what was going on so Ki would know I was coming back.
But, surprises were always fun, so I didn’t mind that either.
“You okay, Emma?”
“Yeah, feels like forever.”
“It does.”
Her hand grabbed mine. “This was good for us.”
“It was. I’m sorry I was such an ass.”
“It’s okay, I would have been the same way,” she said softly.
“I’m glad only one of us had to suffer.”
“You’re stronger than me, Alexa; I don’t think I would have survived.”
“You would.”
“Think so?”
“Yes, because you would’ve had me.”
###
I ran up the back stairs, pulling Emma behind me.
“Do you think Ben’s here?”
“He better be.”
I rushed into the first door at the top of the steps and then three feet later into our door.
My home.
My jaw dropped when I saw them all standing a few feet away, waiting for us.
Ki. Prescot. Tapper. Lucas. Donovan. And a few men I didn’t know.
My family.
Ki rushed to me, and I hugged her tightly while smiling at Tapper over her shoulder. Even though he smiled back, I saw the tension in his body, the sadness in his eyes.
“I’m okay,” I said aloud, for them all but mostly for him. “I’m okay.”
I pulled back from Ki and she had tears in her eyes. “It was only a few days, Ki.”
She nodded and then stepped back into Prescot and I went to Tap.
I slammed my lips on his, my hands sliding behind his head. Loving someone, and not knowing it until your feelings surfaced, and your body and mind were all on the same page, was something remarkable. Tears stung my eyes. My hands shook and my legs wobbled.
I kissed him hard, then soft, not giving one care to anyone else in the room.
“Dollface.”
My tears fell.
“You’re okay.”
“I sure am, Tap.” I put my forehead to his. “I sure am.”
After a few more kisses, I forced my lips from his and gave my attention back to the room. Emma was still hugging the man I assumed was Ben, crying, and he was rubbing her back. Ben was only a couple inches taller than Emma, with dark brown hair that was styled back. He was handsome in his own way, and I saw the love in his eyes for my sister.
Lucas and the three other men were chatting with Donovan, and Ki had her eyes on me with Prescot b
ehind her, his arms wrapped around her waist.
“I missed you, Lex.”
I stole her from Prescot and gave her another hug. “I miss you also, Ki, but it really wasn’t that bad. Emma and I are good now.”
“Really?”
“Yes, you’d be proud of me.”
She finally laughed and I knew everything was going to be okay. “My father took care of the problem,” she whispered into my ear. “Paid off your mom’s debt. Brought you home.”
We broke from our hug and I looked at Donovan.
How do you repay someone for such a grand gesture?
He nodded at me and it just wasn’t enough.
Neither was the hug, but that’s what he got.
I wrapped my arms around him, and after a few seconds, he hugged me back. “You gave me a gift that I can’t repay, but know I’ll always be here for Ki.”
“I’m a man of my word, Alexa. You’re family.”
“I never had one before Ki.”
“Now you have one. You deserve it.”
Emma also hugged him, thanked him, and he replied with telling her that he had a baby gift on order for her. It was too much for her, and she said she needed to get home to rest, so they said their goodbyes and left a few minutes later.
Donovan, Lucas, and his gang were the next to leave, leaving the four of us.
“Dinner?” Ki asked and I realized it was just after five.
“Soon,” I told her while walking over to Tap. “I need a moment with Tap.”
I walked into my room, held the door open for him, and shut it when he cleared it.
“On the bed,” I ordered, pulling my shirt up and over my head.
“Lex,” he warned.
“On.” I unclicked the back of my bra. “The.” I pulled it off and let it drop to the floor. “Bed.”
He wheeled backward, locked the chair, and lifted himself onto the bed using the side of my headboard.
God, he was strong.
He rolled over and adjusted his legs while I took my shorts off.
“Head on the pillow,” I said walking to the bed, his eyes wide with lust. He ground his teeth together when I hooked a finger in my panties and slowly pulled them down.
“Dollface,” he grunted, “what are you doing?”
I crawled on top of him, his hands immediately going to my breasts and I whispered in his ear, “I don’t need a doctor to tell me how to sit on your face.”
He pulled me to him, I gave him my lips and one hand slid between my legs.
“God, Lex, I’ve missed you.”
I smiled against his lips and he tugged me up his body, never removing his hand. Tap was always skillful with his hands and mouth, and I needed him. I think he needed it too, to know that we could still be together physically. That he could still give me the pleasure he used to, that he was still enough for me.
He hooked his arms around my thighs, holding me in place, hovering just above his lips. I panted as I held onto the headboard, the anticipation was killing me.
“This will not be soft, dollface. I need you, I need to taste you. It’s been too long since I’ve had you on my tongue.” He blew softly against me and I felt the very tip of his tongue slide against my slit.
I moaned out and his fingers slid up and down my inner thighs, coming dangerously close to where I needed him the most. He pulled me closer, inch by inch, flicking his tongue against me as he did. His fingers opened me further, his tongue working me, licking up, then down slowly. It was an assault on all ends; if his tongue wasn’t inside of me, his fingers were, and I didn’t know how long I could take it.
“Tapper,” I moaned as I tried to grind against his tongue.
He moaned against my lips and the vibration shot right to my core. “Dollface.” He picked up the pace, alternating between his fingers and his tongue, flicking me, fucking me.
“Fuck . . . Tap . . .” I looked down at him, his eyes glued to my body.
I grinned at him, let go of the headboard to rub and pinch my nipples, making his eyes grow wide and it was like he unleashed himself on me.
He licked faster, pushed harder on my clit, and I knew I couldn’t last much longer. He bounced me against his lips, licking and sucking until I came. He slid me down his body, licking and kissing his way up my shaking torso, taking care to rub and pinch my nipples in the process.
“Next time, these are mine,” he growled before I sucked on his bottom lip, tasting myself. I curled into him, his hand running up and down the length of my body.
I fell asleep in his arms, not caring that I missed dinner. I was feeling the safest I have in a long time, and I didn’t care to leave.
Hours later, I woke to an empty bed, Tapper’s side cold but with a note on the pillow.
Dollface,
Can’t spend the night yet, but someday, soon.
XXX
p.s. I can still taste you . . . and I’m hungry for more.
A thrill shot through me as I reread his note.
I bit my lip, reliving last night as I got ready for work.
Chapter 27 – Alexa
“Does it feel good to be back to work, slacker?” Ki joked from her desk, and I threw a pen at her.
“I keep telling you we need an assistant.”
“I did fine without you.”
“You only did it one day while I was gone.”
“I’m sorry my best friend disappeared into thin air and ended up being in protective custody because some high-profile mob boss wanted to kill her.”
“It was weird, right?”
“You went through it, not me.”
“It was but it wasn’t a big deal.”
“If you say so, but you can always talk to me if you need to let it all out.”
“I’m good with my feelings, for now anyway.”
“So, you’ve acknowledged that you’re in love with Tapper Low?”
“I’m falling in love. Or in love?”
“I think it’s the same thing.”
“Well, I’m still processing it all.”
“You’re always processing.”
I dropped my feet off my desk. “Are you ready to get to work?”
“If you are.”
I took a day off to spend with Tapper and then got right back to it. Ki was so upset that she only worked one day while I was away, but she did it, and she did it on her own. We made our way to Josh’s office, who thanked me numerous times in the short time we were there for setting him up with Molly. I guess they’ve been on a few dates now, and it’s going well. He always thanked us by giving us a shit ton of envelopes.
“We gotta bust ass and get these done before dinner.”
We were having dinner with Donovan, and Emma and Ben were joining us. I put them in order and got to it. Checking my phone for the time, and thumbing through the envelopes, I knew it would be tight but not impossible.
Ki and I split up for two hours, hammering out the local ones. Ki tried to protest, but I reminded her that she has served envelopes on her own now on more than one occasion. If we didn’t want to be late for dinner, and if we didn’t want to go to dinner in the same clothes we wore all day, then we needed to split up. I also might have bribed her with a margarita when we got home if she beat me to the sub shop. The competitive side got to her and she made a bet—last one to the sub shop buys lunch. I smirked at her and we shook on it, and then dashed in opposite directions.
After I served the last envelope, I rushed to the sub shop and saw Ki’s grin staring back at me through the window. She did her victory dance as we ordered and ate our lunch. It was so nice to be back to our normal. Serving envelopes, walking the city, people watching at the sub shop. This is what I missed since life had been so chaotic lately.
“Two left, and they’re on the way home,” Ki said after we threw away our lunch and walked back onto the sidewalk.
My feet hurt. “I need new shoes.”
“You used to do it in heels all the time.”
> “They must have been worn in, my feet had adjusted to them?”
“True, you wore them a lot.”
We walked about a mile and stopped at the corner of the street that was lined with brownstone homes that all looked the same. No yard, just some stairs placed in front of the door.
Ki was still snapping pictures; we were going to make it work either way. We had time to figure things out and get the jobs that required her to take pictures.
I grabbed the envelope from her and went to the white door. It opened as if they knew I was coming.
“Mr. Pepper?”
He grinned.
“So, you’re Mr. Phil Pepper?” I held the envelope up, closer to him so he could see the name on the front of it.
He stepped forward to read it and at the same time, I heard a huge bang behind me. I twisted to see what the noise came from—two cars had hit each other at the intersection and I saw Ki take a few pictures.
I turned back around and one of his hands came up to grab the envelope, and the other went to my shoulder, slightly pulling me toward him.
“What are—”
My breath left my lungs as his fist made contact with my stomach. The pressure was tight and heavy, his hand not moving, but his head did, and he whispered in my ear, “No one walks away from Avon.” He rammed his fist into me more, and then chuckled, stepping back from me, the pressure replaced with a burning sensation.
My hands flew to my stomach, my mouth hung open, shocked that someone punched me. Shocked that I couldn’t move or run after the man who took off through the house, disappearing, while I felt something wet and warm coat my fingers.
I looked down and saw blood seep through my fingers, the ones that were held tight against my stomach.
The sight of it had me drop to my knees.
“LEX!” I heard Ki yell and knew she was right behind me. She fell at my side and looked down. “Shit!” She slammed her hand over mine and yelled for Lucas. “They’re coming, Lex; don’t move your hand.”
“I can’t breathe.”
“You’re going to be okay.”
“I need to lay down.”