by Hadley Quinn
“So how many guys do you know that are capable of breaking someone’s hand like that?”
With a shrug Van said, “Tons.”
“All fighters?”
“Mostly. A couple that aren’t, but just bad asses I grew up with.”
Jack nodded. “So I told you what injuries Brian had sustained before he was shot in the head. Would just anybody be able to do that to a guy without some sort of advantage?”
Van studied him for a few seconds. “You mean without incapacitating him some other way first?”
“Yeah, other than drugs.”
Van knew that Brian had not been drugged before he got his ass kicked. Whoever did it was more than capable of handling himself against a big guy like Brian. “All it takes is to hit ‘em in the head just right. You jostle someone’s brain, you pretty much have the upper hand.”
“You have never answered me straight when I’ve asked you the question, Van.”
“Yes I have. I honestly don’t know who would have done this.”
“Your closest friends are Paul and Cody.”
“They wouldn’t do something like this.”
“How can you be positive?”
“Because,” he replied firmly. “If either of them knew where Brian lived, they would have told me.”
“There is no reason why either of them would want to save you the hassle?”
Van was going to reply no right away, but even he had to think about it. It just didn’t make sense, though. There’s no way either of them would have done something like that without him knowing. “The one thing I’m damn sure of is that neither of them would let me take the fall for something I didn’t do. I won’t dispute their ability to do that to someone, but I know for sure my friends didn’t set me up to go to prison. Now it’s time for you to answer my question, Jack. Have you figured out who made that call?”
Jack looked at Van for a long time but he wasn’t ready to give him an answer. This whole case was confusing. Too many things added up when they shouldn’t, and the things that needed to add up just didn’t.
“Damn it, Jack, I wanna know who says they saw me that night!”
“Van, there are too many things to sort out right now. That is not something I can just bring up lightly.”
“Then don’t bring it up lightly. Just tell me what the fuck is going on. Who was it, Jack?”
With a sigh he replied, “It’s on record as an anonymous caller. The person did not want to be involved.”
“Well no shit because he’s lying his ass off. So are you saying you still don’t know who it is?”
“I’m saying I’m worried it was someone from your apartment building.”
Van could only stare at him. “There’s someone in my building that’s framing me for murder? Or already killed someone? Dani is still living there! I don’t want her around people like that!”
“Van, calm down.” Jack took a deep breath because he was torn, but he wanted Van to see the big picture. Maybe it would help. “In the courtroom this won’t mean anything. I’m not really worried about an ‘anonymous caller’ in a case where it’s obvious you’re being set up. We’ll prove that, so don’t worry. But there’s something else you seriously need to think about when you’re released.”
Van studied him closely. “I don’t like the look on your face, Jack. Do you know who the caller was or not?”
Jack shook his head. “No, but Van, I honestly believe that whoever is framing you for this crime… It’s someone from The Block.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Quiet had never seemed so quiet to Dani. Before, she never minded some time to herself, but now… She hated being home without Van. When he’d been at the firehouse it was tolerable. She knew how he was doing because she could talk to him and see him.
And, he wasn’t being accused of killing someone.
But Dani couldn’t rid herself of the ache in her stomach—the stress, the pit of despair that had taken up residence. She felt like it was never going to go away, and the more she tried to relax, the more stress she felt.
She glanced at her watch for the fifth time in twenty minutes. It was after eight and Van’s bail hearing was in two hours. Jack had called earlier to confirm, and even though she’d hoped and prayed all night that good news would come, Jack certainly didn’t have any.
She slipped on a pair of shoes and grabbed her keys. A short walk was necessary at the moment and she thought even just a trip to the coffee shop might help. Her plan was to see if Marnie was awake to go with her, but as soon as she stepped out of her door, an unfamiliar face came around the corner. It startled her for a moment because she wasn’t used to seeing people she didn’t know on the fourth floor. She waited for a few seconds for him to pass, ready to take the elevator if he took the stairs, or the stairs if he took the elevator. But he slowed when he saw her and smiled. Not a flirty smile like she was used to getting from good-looking guys, but kind of a passive one, like he was unsure of himself.
“Are you looking for someone?” Dani decided to ask him.
He stopped about six feet from her, like he knew it wasn’t cool to get any closer than that to a stranger, especially a female. He kind of shook his head, like he was embarrassed, and Dani tried to study him subtly. He had light brown hair, a dusting of stubble across his face, and eyes that seemed relaxed and easy going. Dani thought he was very attractive, and in a slim t-shirt he seemed just as fit as most of the guys she saw on a regular basis around the building. He was definitely muscular, and she hoped she was subtle when she eyed the tattoos peeking out of his shirt.
“No,” he finally replied with a soft laugh. “I’m… Well, in my old place the stairs were to the left when I came out of the apartment. Here it’s the opposite. I guess I still follow that same routine now and then. I’m new here,” he said, motioning behind him with his head. “I’m in 4G.”
Dani nodded knowingly. “Ah I see,” she smiled. It was Quincy’s old apartment and she’d heard it finally had a new tenant. She also knew that this guy must be the new fighter that Mickey had mentioned the night before, the one that was moving into The Block. “Well I’m Dani,” she said, holding out her hand and taking a step toward him.
He stepped forward too and softly shook her hand. “I’m Cole. It’s nice to meet you. You’re actually the first person I’ve met here that isn’t a fighter. Or…are you?” he eyed her with a teasing smile. He stepped back in a joking manner, pretending to be cautious.
Dani smiled and said, “No, I’m definitely not.”
“But…you must live with one, right?” he inquired.
Dani wasn’t sure if he was just making a statement or trying to find out her relationship status, but she smiled again and replied, “Yes, I’m married to one.”
“Ah, and which one would that be? I met Cody this morning and…a guy named Pete? No, Paul,” he corrected. “And Scott? He helped me move in yesterday. Any of those guys dear to your heart?” he smiled.
Dani didn’t hold it against this guy for not knowing, so she slightly shook her head. “Those are friends of my husband, but I don’t think you’ve met him yet. His name is Van.”
“Van, huh. I think I heard his name around the Divehouse. He’s a pretty good fighter if I’ve heard right. He’s the guy to beat, huh?” he smiled.
Dani nodded modestly. “Yes, he’s pretty good at what he does.”
Cole glanced behind her at her apartment door. “Is he home? I’d like to meet him if you don’t mind. If I remember correctly, he’s in my weight class. I might be sparring with him sometime soon, so I’d rather it be friendly instead of a matchup.”
She knew he was teasing, so she did smile. “You’re a part of the team here, so I’m sure you’d get along just fine. But he’s not here right now. Um…”
Cole waited for her to finish her sentence, to see if she would tell him or not, but she didn’t say anything further. Instead, he slightly nodded his head, like he figured it out, and said, �
�Oh. Van. He must be Donovan Kemp? I heard about that. I’m sorry, that was totally stupid of me to ask that—”
“No, it’s okay, you didn’t know,” she said quickly, feeling just as embarrassed as he seemed. She believed he was actually the first person she’d come across that didn’t already know her or Van. She felt slightly defensive though, ready to stick up for her husband if she had to.
Cole could read her anxiety pretty easily, and he knew not to rush things too quickly. “I’m sorry for what you must be going through. To have someone you love be accused of something like that is probably a nightmare. If there’s anything you need…anything I can do… Just let me know, okay? I’m what—? Four doors down?”
She studied him for a second, unsure of what to think of him. But Mickey had said some very nice things about him so she was willing to take his word for it. “Well thank you, I appreciate it.”
She paused, so Cole took the opportunity to ask, “Before you head out, could you point me the right direction? I was going to get something to eat and I know there are a few little places around here, but I forget which direction they are.”
Dani nodded and replied, “Sure, I can do that. I was actually headed for a cup of coffee if you want to come with me. There’s a bakery next door to it if that sounds good to you.”
“That sounds great, thank you.”
She motioned for him to walk with her and he didn’t say anything when she took the stairs instead of the elevator. When they were halfway down she said, “So I have to admit that you’re a little older than what I was expecting. But I guess I should’ve known with Mickey. When he says ‘nice kid’ it just means anyone under fifty.”
That made Cole laugh and he nodded his head. “Yeah, I think he called me kid about a dozen times yesterday. But how old do you think I am?” he inquired. “I doubt I’m much older than you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And how old do you think I am?”
He put on a thinking face as he glanced at her. “Well I would guess you to be in your early twenties. Is that close enough?”
She smiled with a slight nod and answered, “Sure, I guess. I’ll be twenty-three tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, huh?” he asked, pretending to be surprised. “Well happy early birthday.”
“Thanks. So what about you?”
“My age? Twenty-six. You don’t honestly think I’m in my thirties, do you?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No, I didn’t think you were. You do look your age, but like I said, just Mickey and his talk. I was expecting some eighteen-year-old to move in down the hall. Mickey has a way of making his fighters sound like they’re his kids. He takes care of his family like that.”
Cole nodded. “Yeah, I feel that too. He’s a great guy. I think I’m gonna like it here.”
“So where are you from?”
“Oh, uh, California, actually.”
“Really? That’s a ways away. What brought you to the east coast?”
“Well, I’m originally from here, I guess. I moved out to California a few years ago—chased a girl all the way there,” he smiled sheepishly. That made Dani smile and Cole opened the door for her as they exited the stairwell onto the ground floor. “Anyways, it didn’t work out, but I ended up staying there, working and stuff and filling my free time with some MMA. My dad passed away a few months ago, so I came back for the funeral. I’ve just been helping my mom out since.”
“So have you been staying with her?”
“I’ve been staying with my sister, but I decided it was time to get out of her hair.”
Dani smiled and then asked, “Do you work?” as they stepped onto the sidewalk outside. “I mean outside of the cage?”
“I always have,” he shrugged. “I grew up in the family business—construction—so that’s what I did in California too. My brother is running my dad’s company now, so we’re working together again.”
“How’s that going for you? Hopefully you guys get along.”
“Yeah, mostly. It’s not so bad, though.”
“What kind of construction? Roads, buildings…?”
“Yeah, residential. Houses.”
“What’s the name of the company? Maybe I’ll hire you guys to build my next mansion.”
Cole would have laughed, but to deter from answering the question he grabbed her arm and yanked her over to his side of the walkway. A bicyclist whizzed by, just barely missing Dani. It scared her because she didn’t even see it coming, but she was grateful that someone was paying attention.
“Thank you,” she said. “I could have lost an arm.”
With a smile Cole said, “Not on my watch.”
She chuckled. “I have a guardian angel.”
He scoffed and said, “No, hardly an angel, but I’ll let you pretend.”
She eyed him for a few seconds, familiar with that same type of self-doubt, but she didn’t quite know this stranger enough to debate it. Instead she pointed to turn at the corner, and once they’d rounded it, she motioned ahead and announced, “Two coffee shops, a bakery, a minute mart, and a Chinese restaurant on this street.” She pointed to her left as they came to a cross street and said, “Grocery store, pizza, and a few taverns the three blocks that way.”
Cole nodded his head, pretending to log it into his memory. “I heard Irv’s Bar and Grill is a good place. Do you agree?”
Dani nodded and replied, “Yeah, that’s Van’s preference. And Irv likes you boys. You know, Mickey’s boys. He and Mickey are good friends.”
Cole nodded again and decided it was time to ask Dani a little about herself. He knew everything about her already, but he had to keep it convincing. She easily shared all the basics—her job as a graphic designer, the size of her family, and she especially mentioned her husband a lot. He got the point—she was very much in love with him and would stand by his side no matter what. She didn’t talk about the charges against him, or that his bail hearing was that morning, and she didn’t mention anything about her ex-boyfriend. He would have plenty of time to pick up tidbits here and there if the case went to trial, so he wasn’t too eager to push for more.
They grabbed coffee together, and then Dani gave him a few bakery suggestions. He didn’t exactly plan on eating anything there, but he had to follow through with his story.
“Well I need to get going,” she said before they’d even entered the bakery. “It was nice chatting with you. I hope you have a good morning.”
“Wait, you’re gonna walk home alone? Is that safe for, uh, someone like you?”
She smiled and said, “Someone like me? Weak and defenseless?” she teased. “Well I’ve come to learn that sometimes the people you know are the ones that you can’t trust.”
“Well that doesn’t sound very good. I’m sorry.”
She shrugged and said, “But out here I just don’t look at anyone directly, and walk quickly.”
He chuckled and said, “Everywhere you go? Well let me walk with you at least. I’d rather you not be on the streets by yourself.”
“It’s fine out here. Now if it were nighttime, yeah I would make you walk me home,” she smiled.
She’d taken a few steps away but he came with her and said, “Well I’m not going to wait for an invitation. I saw my sister get beat up in broad daylight, just for ten bucks in her purse. I was fourteen years old and too stupid to do anything about it.”
She gave him a side-glance as they walked. “Well it wasn’t your fault, but okay, I understand. I’ll let you walk me home.”
“Good, because I thought I was going to have to make a big scene.”
She laughed and shook her head. “No, I’m not stubborn about being safe.”
“That’s pepper spray on your keychain?” he asked, eyeing the set of keys in her hand.
“Yes it is.”
“Just a thought, but maybe your husband should teach you some self-defense. I mean it couldn’t hurt to learn how you can protect yourself if you have to.”
&nbs
p; She felt he meant well, but the statement hurt a little bit. She thought back to that night with Brian and she wasn’t able to do a thing about it. What do you do when you have another person’s life at stake in the other room? Even though she wasn’t aware of Quincy’s involvement, it was a major reason why things happened the way they did. She was trying to keep him safe, too. Brian kept hurting her, and with his threats toward Van… She believed she had no choice.
“I’m sorry, did I say something wrong?” Cole asked after a while. She looked deep in thought, but he already knew what she was thinking about.
“Oh, uh…” She sighed and said, “Yeah, my husband made me learn some things just after we met.”
Cole glanced at her with a smile and asked, “And? You don’t look too thrilled. Not your thing?”
“No, it was fine. I liked it. I’m not really too good with it though. I’m kind of a wuss.”
He laughed and looked her over for a second. “Well I bet if you put some meat on your bones you would be tougher than the average chick.”
That made her smile and she shrugged. “I’m not opposed to it, but it’s kind of discouraged for, um…”
He watched her for a few seconds and waited. “For what?”
“For work.”
He pretended to think for a moment. “It’s discouraged for a graphic designer to have a muscular frame?”
When she smiled again and changed the subject, Cole realized for the first time how truly beautiful she was as a person, not as a model. He’d seen all of her work, perused through a list of all the prestigious jobs she’d done, the people she’d worked with, and the places she’d been. But it really didn’t do her justice. She was genuinely a nice person, pure of heart, and the fact that she married a fighter pretty much summed that up. She looked for what was on the inside, and when Cole thought of Van with the same loyalty that Dani did, he knew that he had a personal insight to the kind of person the guy was.
They returned to the apartment complex, and once they were on the fourth floor, Dani thanked him for the company and they went their separate ways. She closed the door behind her and took a deep breath of air. She knew why she’d spent thirty minutes of her morning with Cole and it made her feel guilty. The distraction she’d been searching for had shown up in her hallway and she took advantage of it. Her thoughts had barely left her husband, but now there was nothing else to distract her.