He begins walking toward me, his hands deep in his pockets. A shadow across his face masks his eyes. I’m not sure if it’s a mark from a beating or just his hair hanging too long now.
When he’s about ten feet away, he stops. He glances up, revealing a purpling bruise across one eye and cheek. His eyes tell me that he hasn’t had a pleasant time lately. Suddenly I’m pissed at him. Why doesn’t he fight? I’ve always accepted that Meyer isn’t a fighter like me. He used to claim as we were growing up that I was the fighter. He was the lover. It was stupid, ‘cause I was always the one with a girl.
“Hi, Grey. How’s it going?”
I’m flustered. What an idiot he is. Speaking as if this is a normal day and we’re both just out strolling down the road, enjoying the day. I step forward, clenching my hands. He’s lucky he already got beat up. I want to knock some sense into him.
“How the hell do you think it’s going? We fuckin’ watched your boss, the guy you treat like a god, kill someone the other day. Do you not get how NOT okay, that is?”
Meyer looks down toward the road, his hands still buried in his jeans. When he looks up, I see the first sign of remorse I think I’ve ever seen. It surprises me to the point that I’m pretty speechless.
“Greylan, I won’t lie to you anymore. I can’t. This whole thing is my fault, I know that, and for a long time I thought I could make it better. Except every time I tried, I made it worse, and got both of us in deeper.”
“I’m gonna make it right, though. No more tricks or deals. I’m done with that.”
“Meyer, what the fuck does all that mean? Are you running again? How’d you get away from Luciano, anyway?” My heart is starting to beat faster; worry that this is a set-up or worse has me on edge; my eyes dart around, waiting for someone to jump out at us.
“It means just as I said. I’m facing what I did and I’m getting you out. This I promise you. The only thing I want to ask is did you get my note?” His voice is rushing like he wants to get it all out.
I look around again before answering. The street is still quiet. Dawn is just beginning, with the light rising in the sky and chasing away the shadows from the sparse crop of trees. There are still plenty of dark places, though, forcing me to keep my guard up.
“Yes, I got your note. It was cryptic, as usual.”
He shakes his head. “I meant what I said on it. When you get in that ring with Parker, I want you to do one thing for me. Win. Beat his ass and show everyone what Greylan Pace is all about.”
I can’t stand still any longer. I move around, not wanting to hear the words he said. It will not be good for him if I do what he’s asking, and I think he knows it.
“Meyer, there will be too many people in danger if I do that. This isn’t about me anymore. It’s not about fighting. I don’t need it anymore. But I need my family.”
He shakes his head and runs his hand through his hair. When he looks up at me, my best friend--the kid from my childhood—is before me. This guy was always there, through all the growing pains we experienced and the death of my parents. He always had my back when we were young. I want to scream at him and tell him that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. But nothing finds its way to my lips.
“Grey, you won’t be able to help yourself. This is the fight you’ve been waiting for. Do it. For all of us.”
Before I can tell him what an asshole he is, he turns and walks away toward his truck down the road. I don’t follow. Instead, I settle on the curb, wondering where my fucking backbone went. Never have I had a hard time telling Meyer exactly what I think. Somehow I know every word he said is true. I won’t be able to stop it from happening in that cage, especially now that Parker has made a threat on my sister. And knowing that means I might never see my friend again.
My black truck pulls up a few minutes later with a frantic Christina behind the wheel. She looks haunted when I climb in. “Hey, baby; you okay? Did you get my note?”
She shakes her head and puts the truck into drive, turning in the opposite direction. As we round the corner, I notice the red truck in the same spot. Before I can say anything, Christina speaks.
“They took Meyer. I was driving to find you, and I saw them put him into a big black SUV. He was…he was all bloody, Grey.”
I move my hands over my face, rubbing away the hurt, but it won’t go away.
“Grey, Grey; what does that mean? Did you see him? Did you know he was there?”
“Yes, we spoke.” My voice is barely a whisper. He knew what was coming. What the fuck did you do, Meyer?
Silence spreads, but only for a few seconds. For me it feels like hours. “What did he say? Why did they take him?”
I glance over at her, my eyes wide. “He said to win the fight with Parker, and that is exactly what I intend to do.”
Chapter 31
The day passes too fast for my liking. It’s the eve before D Day, as far as I’m concerned. Trinity gets married tomorrow. Somehow I have to pull myself together enough to attend the rehearsal dinner and not flip out on her. I’ve dialed her number half a dozen times throughout the day, but I can’t make myself push the call button. I don’t want to know why she didn’t leave Parker, because I know she’ll have a reason and I’ll be pissed. More than I already am.
Last night was so rough with all the things passing through my head, but the visit from Meyer put things into perspective for me. He’s the one they’re holding over my head right now. Not Trinity or Christina, thank God. I hate that he’s willing to give in like this, but I can’t do anything about it. I can win like he asked and pray nothing else happens…
As seven nears, I get a text from Frank. It’s short and sweet. The fight with Andy has been changed to tonight at ten. Immediately, I message Jackson to let him know, but he has been in contact with Andy and already knows. The mention of Andy puts me more on edge. I’m not sure I can go through with this. Knowing they have Meyer and what they did to Chris, I don’t want the kid to be a part of that world. My attitude has done a one-eighty toward him, but I know he’d be no match for Luciano. It’d be a total repeat of me all over again. He’d never lie down and let them tell him what to do.
Christina strolls in with a yogurt. She sits next to me on the couch, her legs splayed over mine. I stare at the T.V. but I tell her quietly. “I don’t think I can do this to Andy.” Voicing my thoughts to her feels right. Maybe she’ll try to talk me into it. If she does, I’ll probably go through with the plan.
I look over to gauge her reaction. She nods. “It’s not fair.”
I guess I need to reason out loud and give her another chance to disagree, so I continue. “I’m no better than Meyer and Mollie if I sucker him into something without his knowledge. If he wants to get into the cage, he needs to do it away from this place, on his own.”
She nods again. Neither of us needs any other words. The decision is made and I’m relieved, surprisingly. It’s scary because we’re already in so far, but I can’t let anyone else take my place. The plan is dead in the water and I’m okay with it. Maybe Meyer inspired me this morning. Maybe we all need to face the decisions we’ve made and own up to them.
At seven we leave for the rehearsal dinner. I can’t quit the shitty thoughts going through my head. But above all is my sister and what I’ll say to her. I’m not sure I can let her go through with this. There won’t be an opportunity for me to speak with her about it, because Parker and Luciano will be there. I keep that thought in the forefront so I don’t lose it when I see the douchebag.
I take a few deep breaths before leaving the truck when we get to Mario’s. My chest can’t seem to get enough air. Christina, who is dressed in a short lavender gown covered in glitter and two-inch silver heels with her hair piled messily on her head, grabs my arm and supports me all the way into the restaurant. I reach up to straighten my blue tie and run my hands through my hair nervously. This is going to be a tough night.
The whole place is closed to the public, but it’
s filled with people when we arrive. I don’t recognize anyone as we skirt through the crowd, lingering with drinks and hors d’ouevres. The place is decorated in pinks and blacks. Tall vases of flowers spill out onto each table. Luciano spared no expense for my sister. It reminds me that we’re all in bed with Luciano for one reason or another. He’s got a hold on every facet of my life, and I hate him for it.
Christina grabs a glass of wine and asks a server for a water. I have too much nervous energy. It’s been a while since I’ve had a whiskey and the temptation is strong, but I wouldn’t be able to fight later. I can’t stand Andy up. I know his hopes are up for this fight. After Christina and I came to our decision earlier, I made Jackson and Frank promise not to tell Luciano about the fight. With any luck he won’t show up, and no attention will be drawn to Andy. I’ll think of a way to get out of this new deal I made with him.
After half an hour and no sign of my sister or Parker, I start to worry. This is unlike her to be late to her own party. I spot Mollie across the room. She walks over, dressed in a short, green satin dress with her bare white shoulders peeking out of it. The dress brings out the color of her eyes. I admire her beauty, but she’s not Christina.
She smiles, greeting us. “Greylan, Christina.”
“Mollie, how are you?” I ask.
She laughs. “That sounds like a loaded question.”
I frown, but she exchanges a knowing smile with Christina. I lower my face to my girl’s ear. “What didn’t you tell me?”
Christina throws her head back in a giggle. “Do you really want to know the Greylan stories that were shared last night?”
“That depends.” She hits my shoulder playfully.
Mollie diverts her eyes to look around the room. When she rests her stare back on us, she looks first at me and then to Christina before lowering her voice. “Meyer said he saw you today.”
I want to ask her a million questions at the mention of Meyer, but I nod my head curtly. Obviously she is trying to be discreet. I look around for her father but, he’s not here yet or not close, if he is.
She says, “Do what he said, Grey. You’ll see things differently.” As she ends her sentence, she kisses Christina on both cheeks and tells her how much fun she had last night. Then she grabs my hand in a squeeze. “Good luck.” Her eyes linger on mine, and regret forms on her face. I know it well.
She releases my hand and leaves us just as I spot Trinity across the room. She walks in with Parker on one side of her and Luciano on the other. Her long dark hair is curled, framing her thin face. As I see her dressed in a cream, floor-length gown, I’m so proud of her for being who she is, but I hate myself for what I’ve done to us. Never have I wanted to climb over people and destroy someone as much as I want to in that moment—to kill Luciano. It sickens me just seeing the garbage on either side of my sister. I look down at my watch and whisper in Christina’s ear, “Are you ready to go? I need to get away.” I know I won’t be able to stay here without causing a scene. For now I have to let it be.
“Lead the way.” Her words are strong, exactly what I need.
I pull her through the partygoers, stopping just before my sister. Her face is flushed when she looks up at me. “Hey, sis. Congratulations.”
She smiles, unsure if I’ll cause any problems. I lean into her ear, grasping her shoulders in a gentle hug. “Love you.”
When we pull away, she seems surprised but I don’t offer any other words. I won’t get into it with her, here and now. Parker seems bothered, and I wonder if he knows that we told her. This piques my curiosity, but I don’t say anything else. I pull Christina toward the exit.
And hope surfaces in my head. If she didn’t let Parker know that we gave him up, maybe she’s still safe…for a while longer.
I take Christina into my arms as we wait for the truck. “I just want you to know that, no matter what happens tonight, I love you more than anything.”
Her mouth spreads in a smooth grin. “Greylan Pace, I’ll never get tired of hearing you say that.” The fact that neither of us knows how much time we have makes me crazy, but I intend to tell her as often as possible in whatever amount of time we have left.
***
When we walk toward the lone building in the middle of the desert, I have to loosen my tie. Suddenly I can’t breathe. Christina removes her shoes, carrying them in her fingers as she wraps her arms around my middle, squeezing. I know it’s the shock of being back here after what happened to Chris that is making me feel like this, but I have to face it.
We walk into a slew of bodies pushed up against one another, as plastic cups with liquid courage and sticky floors from that courage pour freely. I lead Christina to a back room—the one Chris used as an office when he was here. It’s hard to walk in, but I force myself. Jackson is waiting for us. He has a pair of shorts and my gear.
“How was it? Trinity okay?” He shifts the toothpick in his mouth to the side.
I nod, still unable to swallow the lump in my throat.
“Thought it’d be rough for you, coming back here so soon. You sure you want to go through with this?” Jackson’s words give me an out. I could turn around, forfeit the fight, and walk away. But that’s not an option. I need to go out there. I need to show that Andy isn’t who they want, if they happen to show up. Originally, I was going to let Andy kill it, take my spot, and walk away. I can’t do that now. The show we have to put on is meant to turn them away and prove he’s nothing special. It’s going to be tough to do because he’s good.
Christina kisses me hard before I leave the room. I turn back. “Jax, don’t let her out of your sight.”
“I won’t, champ. Don’t disappoint.”
I bump his fist with mine and head for the ring. Frank is already getting the crowd all riled up. Andy dances around the far end of the mat. But my eyes are drawn to the center, where Chris’ lifeless body lay just days ago. All signs of the horrible scene are gone. I clench my stomach, scared I’ll lose some of its contents. I push it away and climb up, fitting my body through the ropes. Andy eyes me, nodding with respect. Fuck, I don’t need an understanding. I need him to hate me again so I can get angry. I turn to meet Frank’s stare. He seems off and, as he scans the crowd, I see why. Luciano is on the other side of the room. Mollie and Meyer stand close, surrounded by his thugs towering over the fans nearby.
It’s showtime. I just pray Christina and Jackson stay in the office, where it’s safe. I look back one last time at my old friend. As if in slow motion, he nods while blinking his eyes and a small tilt of his lips turn up in that typical Meyer fashion. I push myself forward. There’s no turning back now and no fear.
Chapter 32
When I step forward, Andy slams a fist to my gut. He gets another in before I slip away at his third attempt. He hounds me, though, following my retreating body across the mat. I spin around, my fist connecting with his jaw. He glares, spitting the blood that surfaces from a split lip. Yes, that’s what I need. That anger. My hands clench around my gloves in the seconds our eyes meet. We both move at the same time. Hands on each other’s arms, squeezing, moving in a circle; how many times? I lose count. I sweep my foot to take him down, but he avoids it. He pushes forward, forcing my feet back until I’m leaning against the ropes. I hear Jackson’s scream. “Grey, wake up!”
Andy glares again. Through his rapid breathing he mumbles, “Liar.” My heart falters at my betrayal of him. But I know it’s the right thing. I never should have enticed him and held the prize over his head, only to drag it away before he could reach it. His teeth gnash on his mouth guard and his face heats up, turning crimson. I can’t blame him. I have to beat his ass, though.
I push against him in little spurts. Our arms are still locked, neither of us budging. After a minute more of this, I angle sideways, taking both of us down to the mat. He scurries to his knees, but I’m behind him in seconds. My arm slides around his neck. I lean into his ear and my words are barely a whisper. “I owe you. You’ll thank me
later, when you wake up.”
I apply more pressure in just the right spot, and his body is limp in my arms. I release him immediately and set him on the floor beside me. I stand, looking to Frank. He nods, a forced smile on his face. His voice rises, yelling, “And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. The Rookie has officially taken the title.”
Screaming, cat calling, and lights flashing across the room ensue, but my attention is diverted to the other side of the crowd. I catch the back of Luciano walking out a side door. His cronies each have a hand on Meyer and Mollie. I’m surprised she is being treated like that. But I don’t have time to dwell before a blow lands in the center of my back. The pain is so intense I fall forward to my knees. When I look up Andy, is standing behind me with both of his hands clenched and hurt across his face.
“I thought you were on my side. This was all for you. You used me.” I shake my head, pissed.
Dammit. I stand quickly, looking to the door where they disappeared. It’s closed with no sign of anyone. Turning back to Andy, I explain. “I promise I didn’t use you. I’ll explain but I can’t, just yet.”
I climb out of the ring and make my way through the crowd laboriously. It seems to take forever. I’m scared I’ll be too late. I’ll hate myself if anything happens to Meyer.
Finally, I make it into the cool night. The air is biting when I step out, but I know it’s not that chilly. The cold is running through my blood. I feel dread about what I might find in the dusty field behind the building. I walk a few feet and stop, when I spot who I’m looking for and the scene. I can’t let this happen again. Meyer is kneeling next to Mollie on the sandy ground. She is whimpering and Meyer is yelling at Luciano. I’m not close enough to hear every word, but the wind carries some words to me. “Your own daughter…coward…I’m ready…fuckin do it, asshole.”
No Fear Page 19