Jackson made plans to be at the gym with Andy tonight. Originally we hadn’t planned on telling Andy exactly who Jackson is, but nothing seems to be working out according to our original thoughts. So if I can help get him on board, maybe this thing might work out after all. The only part I’ve felt bad about since we came up with the idea is feeding Andy to the mob. True, he’s an asshole, but no one deserves to be treated the way they have treated me. He’s a lot like me and might not follow orders exactly as given. Like me. But I have to take the chance. He’s hungry, and that’s what I’m counting on to make this work.
As I walk in, the air seems somber. Although it might just be me, because technically these people—normal nine-to-five working people—don’t know all the crap I do. But even so, someone is missing, and the charge of energy I usually feel when I come to work out is gone.
“Hey, Grey, you okay?” Frank comes up as soon as I near the hall where the offices are. He has on black pants, a red button-down shirt and black tie—all making him look like a skater dude trying to dress up, but failing miserably. I’ve never seen him in anything other than sport shorts and tank tops.
“As okay as I’m gonna get. You?”
He nods. “Tough break for Chris. He put me in a precarious position, though.” I frown, not sure I’m following the guy’s thoughts.
He clarifies before I can ask. “I seem to have gained a new partner. I didn’t advertise, but then I’m not sure I really have a choice.”
I shake my head as this shit gets worse with each day that passes. “Luciano?”
“Yeah, he’s all about dipping into the underground rings. This might be the only thing he didn’t have a hand in. I can’t refuse, though. You know how that works.”
My shoulders slouch further. Maybe we won’t ever be rid of him or any of this. It’s shitty and depressing. I pull my phone out and check to see if Christina called. She promised that, if there was even a hint of danger at all, she’d call right away. I also asked her to text me once she had told Trinity. My nerves are screaming at me. Too many things have to work out just right, and nothing is happening the way we had planned.
“Why are you here, anyway? I thought you two didn’t want Andy to know about your connection with Jax.”
As Frank’s news settles, it may be a good thing for us that I’m here to talk to him. Convincing Andy might not be such a huge feat now. But Luciano would have gotten to him eventually, squashing any upper hand we might get.
Distracted by the movement across the room, I tell Frank as I begin crossing the distance, “Take care, Frank.”
“Yeah, dude, you too.”
Jackson is sparring with Andy. His back is toward me, so I can’t let him know I’m here and the plan is on, but I don’t have to. Andy glares as I get closer. I stop at the edge of the mat, pocketing my hands to mask any anger the kid is sure to bring on.
I lean against the nearest wall. He looks to Jackson and back to me, huffing through his mouthpiece. He stops punching and yanks the thing from his mouth. “Jax, don’t know if I can continue. The room just got crowded.”
Something about this kid always gets to me. My hands clench in my pockets as he adds, “The loser is here; I’m out.”
He pulls off his gloves and turns to walk toward the other side of the mat, as Jackson looks over at me. He smirks. “Nice entrance. I can tell this is gonna be easy.”
I shrug my shoulders. What is there to say? We pretty much despise each other. I’m not feeling too bad right now about giving him up to Luciano. Maybe it’ll be a good marriage—Luciano and Andy.
Jackson walks up to him and squeezes his shoulder. He leans in to tell him something. Before I know it, Andy has crossed the mat to where I’m standing. He glares at me, looking like he’s about to whale on me. I remain calm, though. As hard as it is, I can’t stoop down to his level. I have to stay level-headed.
“What the fuck, dude? You been trying to trick me or something?” My eyes avert to Jackson. He shrugs his shoulders in response. Damn, I guess I deserved this.
“One might think that, with what I’m sure Jackson just told you.”
I look across his shoulder, calling to Jax. “Traitor.”
He smiles, his gold teeth shining against the overhead lights. “Just keepin’ it real, Champ.”
Andy snorts angrily. I guess it would be considered a snort, possibly.
“You think you can just waltz in here and trick me into working with your trainer? He’s probably working with me so you know all my moves. Some backhanded shit that is.”
I nod agreeing, with him. “Yeah, it would be pretty crappy of me if that was my intention. But it’s not.” Here’s the part where I have to act like I care. I’m waiting for Jax to add his own expertise, but he’s standing on the other side with his arms crossed and a shit-eating grin across his face. Fuck. I’ll get him back.
“Andy, just hear me out. Since I’ve been around, I’ve seen a lot of potential in you. I think you can make it as a pro, if that’s what you really want. And I think you do.” There, not so hard.
He frowns, pacing around the mat with his hands on his hips. He looks to Jackson, who nods. Shit, that’s all the fuckin support I get? I run my hand through my hair in frustration. This was supposed to be a team effort.
Finally, after a good five minutes, Andy stops in front of me. “Why the hell would I listen to you? It’s not like you have good stats. I’m not going to the cage to be at the bottom. What’s the point?” Okay, so he’s got the same attitude I did back then, and I’m starting to feel bad. If he starts with Luciano, all his fight will be squashed away. I can’t dwell on that, though. I have to remind myself of Christina and Trinity. They’re what’s most important.
“Well, it’s not exactly public knowledge yet, but my next fight is with Parker Harris.”
He looks back to Jackson to verify. Again Jackson nods his head. I glare at him this time. Obviously the kid still trusts him. He should be the one over here, doing all the talking. Asshole.
“I’ll have to think about it. How can you get me in?” Yes. He took the bait. I glance at Jackson one last time before explaining, “I have my ways. If you really are interested, though, you have to fight and my contact has to see it.”
His expression turns as serious as I’ve ever seen it. He turns around and crosses the mat to Jackson. They exchange a few words, too quietly for me to get the whole conversation. I know what’s happening; he’s getting Jackson’s advice, exactly what I would have done in his position.
When he comes back to my side, I admit before he can give me an answer, “Just so you know, that guy over there.” I gesture toward Jackson. “He’s good people. Someone once told me that about him. I couldn’t agree more. Never would he steer you wrong if he believes in you.”
“Well, I, I think I want to take some time. But I’m interested, I think. Can your contact come to our fight?” I didn’t think that would get past him, our upcoming fight. I nod. Little does he know, I wouldn’t have it any other way. If Luciano is coming to watch an underground fight, he’ll need the best show we can give him.
Andy is distracted by someone at the entrance, so I move toward Jackson and punch him in the arm. “What the hell was that? He obviously trusts you. It would have been a lot easier coming from you.”
Jackson pulls on the toothpick in the corner of his mouth. He shakes his head. “Na, dude. I told you I’ve been trying. I mentioned it a few times and he shut me down each time. Said he wanted nothing to do with the cage. Said his place was here where the real fighting happens.”
I shake my head, not really understanding why the kid even took the time to listen to me.
“You don’t see it, do you, Grey? That kid looks up to you. Yeah, he’s got a shitty way of showing it, but he does. Where you are, he wants it bad. It probably just needed to come from the right person.”
Before we can exchange any more words, Andy walks up with a blonde. Cassidy. I smile, realizing his hand is on her
back and the look on his face is very apprehensive, glancing everywhere but forward. She greets me. “Hi, Greylan. How are you?” I want to laugh at this whole thing. The last time I saw her was the night we ran out, with Andy trailing behind. He was so pissed.
“I’m good. And you?” I smile widely, glad she’s doing well. She means a lot to me because, had I not gone out to get a drink that night, I might not have realized how I felt about Christina. I know it was shitty getting beat up that night, but it was all worth the end result.
Andy’s arm moves around her shoulders, pulling her into his side. He kisses the top of her head as she blushes. It’s sweet, and I’m happy she got what she wanted. I just hope he realizes what he has.
“I’m fine. Things have um, changed, since we last spoke.” Her voice is shy and soft.
I chuckle. “I can see that. This is a good thing, right?”
Andy shakes his head. “Dude, the cryptic talk with my girlfriend is not good. We talked, and we might make a deal. I still don’t like you, especially since you took off with my girl that night.”
“She wasn’t your girl at the time. But I’m glad you finally came to your senses.”
My phone begins singing About a Girl before any more words can be exchanged, which is probably a good thing.
“Excuse me,” I mumble and walk toward the doors.
I put the phone to my ear after hearing Christina’s ringtone. “Hello?”
“Hi, baby. How’s it going?”
“Good. I have news, but I want to hear yours first. It’s more important. Did you tell her yet?” My heart starts beating faster, anticipating my sister’s freakout.
“No, not yet. We’ve been all over town, bar hopping. It’s been interesting to say the least, but I haven’t gotten a chance.” I’m not sure what she means by her interesting comment, and something tells me not to ask.
Instead, I give her my news. “Andy is on board. Well, I’m 90 percent sure he is.”
“That’s great, Rookie. Did you know Mollie would be here tonight?” Her nonchalant question puts me on guard.
Fuck. My hand moves to my hair, my nerves suddenly going crazy.
“Um, no. I didn’t, actually.” This could be a very bad thing. I’m not really worried about them talking about me, not exactly. I was with them at two very different times in my life. Christina is the real deal, and I don’t think anything Mollie would tell her could turn her away. I’m more worried about what might be said about what is going down with her father. She’s still around after getting me more fights, so that has to say something about her relationship with Luciano. Blood is thicker than water.
“It’s all good. I like the woman. She seems genuine.” That’s what I was afraid of. She’s a good actress.
“Hey, Chrissy; don’t tell her anything, alright? I don’t think we can trust her.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t, but I do think she wants to help. We only got to talk briefly and it was really superficial, but she hinted that she would help if she could.”
I don’t really want to talk about Mollie anymore, so I switch subjects.
“Do you want me to come and get you later? I don’t think you should be driving home.”
“You’re so sweet. We’ve been in a limo all night. I think it’s dropping us at Trinity’s. Do you want to get me from there?”
“Yes, just call me when you’re ready.”
I hang up to find Jackson leaning against my truck in the lot. His mouth moves into a grin when I walk out. “What’s that for? Wipe that shit from your face. I’m still angry with the lack of performance you gave in there.”
“Well, I guess you don’t want to know what the kid said when you left.”
“Not particularly.” I climb into the truck.
As Jackson gets in, he relays Andy’s message. “Get your ass ready to be kicked out of the ring, and make sure your contact is there to see it.”
I smile and then frown. I’ve not only given Andy to the sharks but Cassidy too. This is not the way I wanted everything to go down. Why can’t I just be more like Meyer and do shit that only benefits myself, without worrying about others? It would make things so much easier.
Chapter 30
I pull up to the apartment building and sit in the truck to wait for Christina. She called me thirty minutes ago to come and get her. My middle is in knots, knowing that she might be upstairs breaking Trinity’s heart. I can’t go up, though. She was adamant that I not get into it with my sister. I can see it; I’m too involved. I feel like a coward, though—not facing her and letting my girlfriend do the dirty work.
I drum my fingers on the steering wheel to the music softly coming from the speakers, some bluesy tune. I insisted that Christina bring Trinity with her to the house, after she drops the bomb. I want to keep her safe. I think Parker was making empty threats, but maybe not. He’s a dick, but he’s not evil. At least, I don’t think so. I’m not taking any chances. Most likely she’ll want to be far away from him once Christina tells her, and I’ll be able to keep Parker away.
Christina strolls out from the lobby after ten more agonizing minutes. Her face is distraught, worried, and preoccupied. She fidgets, moving her handbag from one hand to the other back and forth three times, before walking out of the lobby. I glance behind her, but Trinity is nowhere to be seen. I guess maybe deep down I knew she wouldn’t come, but I’d hoped she would. She has changed from that innocent girl who stayed at my apartment after having a fight with Parker, not so long ago. She fights now, the Pace way. I hurry around the truck to open the door for Christina. But I pull her into my arms first. She relaxes into my chest.
“Did you tell her?” I breathe out.
She nods against me. Her hand grasps my elbow and she pulls away without losing the connection. The look on her face has changed to disbelief. “She’s staying with him. She doesn’t care what we have to tell her.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Suddenly, my hands want to punch something. I know there is shock all over my face, but I can’t mask it. “What? I need to talk to her then.” I step away, as her hand falls to her side, and begin walking toward the building.
She shakes her head, calling out. “No, Grey; you can’t. She doesn’t want to see you.”
I throw my hands up in the air, stopping mid step. “What does that mean? She can’t put the blame on me. I can’t fucking believe this.”
I move toward Christina again and take her face in my hands, gazing into the endless blue. “Christina, did you tell her everything?”
She nods and slowly shakes her head side to side, her golden wisps of hair glistening in the light overhead. “I…I didn’t tell her about our plans. I told her about you and Parker and how you are both fighting for the mob. How they control your fights.” She stops abruptly. My eyes narrow. “What, what else?”
She almost doesn’t get the words out. “She said she doesn’t get how you could live your life this way, that you disgust her if you’re letting them call every fight for you. She’s heartbroken that your dream has come to this.”
Oh, man. I just need to talk to her. I turn again to walk into the building but a man—a valet—walks up, “Sir, do you need me to park the truck for you?” I shake my head, distracted and needing to talk to Trinity.
Christina pleads, “Please, Grey; just give her some time. Let her think about things and talk to her tomorrow.”
I know she’s right, but I’m worried about her well-being right now. Parker warned us not to tell her. Will he follow through with his threat?
The valet’s voice has turned angry. “Then can you move it? We’re getting a line of cars that need our service. I can’t let you block the drive.”
I nod once and skirt around the truck. Christina climbs in, and we ride in silence back to Meyer’s house. I can’t let Trinity think that I just let this happen. She can’t really blame me for all of it.
I turn to Christina and ask, “Did you tell her about that night in the alley?”<
br />
“I did, the parts I know. I explained that it was all a set-up and that you were originally going to be in Parker’s spot.”
I can’t wrap my head around the fact that Trinity accepts all of this. She didn’t freak out or leave Parker like I thought she would.
Christina adds quietly, “The wedding is still going to happen.”
Of course it is. The dickhead not only gets my spot on top but also my sister, somehow. I can’t even fathom why she is taking this the way she is. Never in a hundred years would I have thought she would be okay with all of this. She’s a Pace, a fighter. No matter what, we fight. My mom fought with all she had, and that was the most important part--the fight, how you get there, the journey. Dammit, Trinity.
The next morning I’m up before the sun. I can’t sleep. Thoughts about Trinity keep roaming through my head. Will Parker take her to Luciano? If he does, what does that mean? I’m already on the edge with the mob boss. If he gets wind that I’m pushing it again, he might take it out on my sister.
After an hour of pacing downstairs, I leave a note for Christina telling her I’m going for a run. It’s been awhile since I’ve gone on a long run, but the energy I have pent up needs to go away. I make it about a mile from Meyer’s house when I see a faded red pickup truck on the corner. I’ve passed many cars down the road, but for some reason this one catches my attention. As I run by on the opposite side of the street, I glance over and remember Christina telling me that Meyer had an old red pickup truck when he took her to the warehouse. I don’t see anyone in the truck as I pass it. Maybe I’m just paranoid because of Trinity. Actually, I know I am; but it’s well-deserved.
When I round the next corner, a lone figure stands at the far end of the street. I’d know him anywhere. I have the urge to turn around, not face him. But I’m more relieved than anything else that he’s still alive. I glance around, wondering if any of Luciano’s thugs are near. I slow my feet half a block away, apprehensive to go any further. I walk a few more feet before I stop completely.
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