Breaking Beauty (Twisted Tales, #1)

by Teresa Mummert

“Gross. It’s all I could afford,” I admitted. I’d only been in town for a few weeks, but I’d nearly depleted my savings, and if I didn’t get a job soon, I’d end up back in Bloomington.

  “You can’t stay here. Get your shit.” He got off the bike, waiting for me to point him to my room.

  “I don’t have a choice, Mason. This place is in my budget.”

  He shrugged, ignoring my sob story. “I was looking for a roommate anyway. You can take my spare room.”

  “I don’t have any money,” I admitted, kicking at the gravel with the tip of my shoe. “I haven’t found a job yet.”

  “I don’t want your money, Beauty.” He spat out the words with disgust.

  “Then what is it you want?”

  He shrugged, running his fingers through his hair, which caused the bottom of his shirt to raise, revealing a sliver of his muscular stomach. His eyes followed mine, and he smirked knowingly.

  “I get lonely,” he teased.

  “Well, I know a waitress who would be more than happy to keep you company,” I quipped, walking off toward room 227.

  “I’m not asking her. I’m asking you.”

  I shook my head as I slid my key into the old doorknob. It stuck, and I bumped my hip against it several times but was unable to free it. “Does this normally work for you?”

  “What?”

  “This whole – I’m a big, scary tough guy, and when I tell people what to do, they listen – routine, you have going on.”

  “Are you calling me rude?”

  “Never. Not to your face, at least,” I teased, and his eyes narrowed before he shook his head.

  “What are you running from?”

  “Who says I’m running?”

  “No one would come to this little hell hole unless they were running from something, Beauty.” Mason tapped my shoulder, and I slid out of the way as he gripped the handle and shoved hard, causing the wooden frame to unstick. I was surprised that the entire wall didn’t collapse from his force.

  “Thanks.” Stepping inside the small room, I flicked on the light. Mason’s eyes danced over the nearly barren space in disapproval.

  “So?”

  “So what?” I asked as I tossed the key on the dresser.

  “Do you want to stay with me?”

  “I’m not into that whole friend with benefits thing, so you don’t need to waste your time.”

  He laughed, and I felt my cheeks grow hot. “Beauty, I’m not asking you to fuck me. There is no shortage of women who would be willing.” His head cocked to the side, his eyes traveling down my body. When they reached my face again, I was scowling. “I’m trying to help you.”

  “I’m not a charity.”

  “And I’m not fucking Santa Claus.”

  “You want me to live with you, rent-free, and you don’t expect anything in return?” I questioned as I folded my arms over my chest.

  “I’m a sucker for a damsel in distress,” he quipped. “Take it or leave it.” He folded his arms, mimicking my stance. “I’ve got things to do tonight, Beauty.” I looked over the small single bed with the old warn comforter. The room smelled like mildew and vaguely like death. I’d never needed a hand up more than I did at this moment.

  “Cadence would kill me,” I mumbled, thinking out loud.

  “It’s none of Cadence’s fucking business,” he replied. My eyes locked on his, not certain if this was some kind of trap. “Why didn’t she offer you a place to stay?”

  “She’s getting married soon, and she doesn’t need me sleeping on her couch. It’s... complicated.” Cadence and I had discussed it several times, but I could tell the idea made her uncomfortable, and she was busy planning the rest of her life. “She’s probably freaking out right now because I haven’t messaged her.”

  I pulled out my phone, turning it back on to see if Cadence had tried to get ahold of me. She must be worried about whether or not I made it back safe. But none of my new messages were from her.

  UNKNOWN CALLER: Answer me.

  UNKNOWN CALLER: Please.

  UNKNOWN CALLER: I need to hear from you.

  I quickly typed back a reply.

  ANNABELLE: You have the wrong number.

  UNKNOWN CALLER: No, I don’t, Annabelle.

  I gasped before exiting the message and sending a quick text to Cadence, letting her know I was safe in my room, even though she hadn’t bothered to ask.

  “Well?” He asked.

  “I don’t even know you,” I countered. “You could murder me, and no one would even know where to find my body.”

  “So, you have heard the rumors.” He smirked devilishly. “Cadence knows you left with me tonight, I took you to a public restaurant, and if I wanted to murder you, I’d do it in a seedy motel where even the cops wouldn’t step foot in.” His eyes danced around the room. I glared at him, causing his chest to rumble in laughter. “Last chance, Beauty. My ego can’t handle any more of this rejection.”

  I chewed the inside of my cheek before grabbing the small duffle bag on the dresser. “I’m stronger than I look,” I warned as I pulled open the top drawer and began shoving my contents into the bag.

  “Are you planning to fight me?” he asked, and I shrugged as I dropped my phone back in my bag. “I think I’d enjoy that. Could we do it at the club? I could charge a pretty penny for people to watch us go at it.”

  “Funny.” I hurried into the restroom and grabbed my toiletry items. “This is only temporary.”

  “Are you trying to convince yourself or me?” he yelled as my eyes caught my own reflection in the mirror.

  Have I looked this much of a mess all night? I grabbed my brush and ran it through my hair, wincing as it caught several knots. The wind had made me look like I had a lion mane. I grabbed a hair tie and pulled it back in a messy bun before running my fingers under my eyes to wipe away my smudged mascara.

  “Are you almost ready?” He called out.

  “Mhm,” I mumbled, toothbrush in my mouth as I scrubbed away my bad breath.

  “You look fine, Beauty, let’s go.”

  I popped my head out of the bathroom to glare at him. “My breath is gross.” I turned back around and spat into the sink before looking over myself one last time. This was as good as I was getting.

  Gathering my things, I walked back out into the room and out the door with Mason close behind me.

  “That’s all you have?” he asked.

  “All of my baggage is emotional.” I rolled my eyes. “I came here on a bus. I couldn’t really bring all of my things,” I admitted. The truth was, this was all I had. My mother struggled to pay bills, and whatever she had left went toward helping me pay down my student loans. I’d pawned what I could, and the rest went to the dump.

  We stopped next to his bike, and he put the helmet back on my head, securing it under my chin. Taking the bag from my hands, he looped the long strap over my head and arm, tightening it, so it was snug against my back.

  “Are you sure this is okay?” I asked, more trying to convince myself that this wasn’t a terrible idea.

  He smiled, slipping his leg over the machine. “Get on the fuckin’ bike, Annabelle.”

  I slid behind him, wrapping my body around his and pressing my face against his back.

  “Since you asked nicely...”

  This was easy. Too fucking easy. Within minutes of meeting the most paranoid women I’d ever laid eyes on, she was on my bike, trusting me, and letting me take over her life. She even thought the entire thing was her idea. It would have made me sick to my stomach, but she needed me, and no matter how fucked up my motivation was, this could benefit us both if things go according to plan. We could help each other. She’d never have to know what or who really brought her into my life.

  As I pulled up to a light, my hand went to her thigh, absentmindedly rubbing her bare flesh as I waited for the light to change. I felt her stiffen at the intimate contact, but I didn’t pull away, so I didn’t stop.

  “You don’t
live in Conquest?” she asked.

  I shook my head before running my fingers through my hair and pulling it back with a rubber band. “I actually live on the outskirts of Parish on an old farm.”

  “What?”

  I chuckled at her shock. “What? You think just because I work in Conquest I must be poor?”

  “No... I... It’s just that Cadence lives up there. It’s really expensive.”

  “Yeah, it is. Like I said, it’s the outskirts.” I nodded, pulling off into the night and ending our conversation.

  FOUR

  MY EYES SCANNED UP the whitewashed brick antebellum home, stopping at the railing of the widow’s walk on the roof. “Wow. This is like a castle. It’s a shame they’d turn a place like this into apartments,” I muttered as I pulled off my helmet.

  Mason took my bag from my back and slung it over his shoulder. “It’s not.” He began walking up the steps to the expansive wrap-around porch.

  “Well, obviously, it’s not a castle.” I hurried to his side, taking two steps to every one of his large strides.

  He slipped his key into the lock and pushed open the front door, waving his hand for me to enter. I stepped inside of the foyer as he flicked on the light behind me.

  “It’s not apartments,” he elaborated.

  “But,” I spun around to face him. “How do you afford a place like this?” I didn’t know much about strip clubs, but there was no way he was pulling in enough money to afford a place like this with that income. “Are you a pimp or something?”

  He laughed, the sound echoing off the walls of the expansive entryway. “You think I’m a pimp? Jesus, Beauty. I’ve been called a lot of things by a lot of women, but that’s a new one.” He shook his head, walking by me and up the broad staircase.

  “I used to fight. I was good.” He glanced over his shoulder; eyebrow cocked and a devious grin. “They pay you a lot when you’re good.”

  I followed after him, my mind racing with a million questions I wanted to ask. He stopped at the second door at the top of the steps.

  “You can stay here.”

  I gripped the handle and pushed it open with a gasp. The four-poster bed was bigger than my entire hotel room, and the blankets and pillows piled on top made it look like a cloud.

  “Are you serious?” I asked as I took a few steps inside and pressed my palms into the fluffy cover.

  “Unless you want to sleep with me?”

  I glanced back over my shoulder to glare at him, but I was so excited I couldn’t hide my smile. “Not gonna happen,” I shot back.

  “I’m glad you like it.” He walked in behind me and pulled open a closet, sitting my bag inside.

  My mom used to complain that this closet wasn’t big enough, but given that you packed.... light... It should work just fine.”

  I stepped behind him to look around the walk-in closet that was lined with dark wood shelving. “Are you kidding me? I could sleep in this closet!” I spun around and threw my arms up around his neck. His body stiffened before his large palms slid against my back, and he held me tightly against him. I felt so small in his muscular arms. The smell of his cologne mixed with sweat was the very definition of sexy. It made my head swim, and my stomach flip.

  “Did you just smell me?”

  “What?” My head snapped up, and I took a step back from him, tugging at my silk shirt nervously. “I didn’t...”

  He laughed, a deep throaty chuckle, and I felt my face grow hot.

  “That’s it...” I grabbed my bag from the floor and slung the strap over my shoulder as I headed for the door. I’d endured enough humiliation for one day.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, following behind me, the humor was gone from his tone.

  “I’m leaving,” I called over my shoulder as I hurried down the staircase, embarrassed.

  “How far do you plan to get with no car, no map, and your miles from anywhere?” He asked as I pulled open the front door.

  My eyes danced over the treeline in the distance, wondering what could be lurking out there. He was right. I had nowhere to go. “I’ll call Cadence.” My chin jutted up defiantly, but he knew he was my only option.

  “At nearly four in the morning? She left you with me, remember?”

  I sighed, my shoulders sagging. Just the mention of the time made my body want to shut down. I was exhausted, and I didn’t have it in me to argue with him.

  “What is it you want from me? Save me some time, Beauty. Should I tell you to go, beg you to stay, or throw you over my shoulder like a caveman and drag you back upstairs?”

  I smirked, folding my arms across my chest. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  His lips twisted up in a wicked grin, and I felt like my insides warm as he sank down, bending his knees slightly like he was ready to launch. “Try me.”

  “What?”

  “Run.” He lurched toward me, his palms out in front of him like he was ready to catch a wild animal. I took a step to the left, laughing as I tried to avoid his grasp. I yelped as I was hoisted up over his shoulders like a ragdoll. “That was too fuckin’ easy. Come on. Let’s get some sleep, Beauty.”

  “I didn’t think you were actually serious.” I didn’t fight, just let him carry me back up the steps to my room like I weighed nothing. He laid me on the bed, less than gracefully, and an oof escaped my lungs.

  “This isn’t a prison. If you want to leave tomorrow, I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

  “Where is your room?” I asked as I looked to the door and back to him.

  “End of the hall. Are you okay?” He asked, his head cocked to the side in concern.

  “It just takes me a while to get used to a new place. I have trouble sleeping.”

  “Nightmares?”

  “Memories,” I replied, nodding in agreement. I couldn’t really call them nightmares because the horrific things that plagued me at night had actually happened. “Did you... um... did you lock the front door?”

  He smiled broadly, shaking his head. “I promise you, nothing is going to come in this house. You’re safe.”

  He turned to leave, and I spoke again.

  “But... what if someone did?”

  He turned back to face me, and his expression was serious. “They’d leave in a fucking body bag, ‘Belle. I’ll leave my door open. If you need anything, you can wake me. No one will hurt you here. I promise.”

  I nodded, grateful he wasn’t pressing me any further.

  “Here.” He grabbed his shirt and tugged it over his head, holding it out to me. “You can sleep in this. I know you don’t have a lot, and since you like the smell so much.” A dimple settled in his right cheek.

  “Thanks,” I muttered, taking it from him. He waved before disappearing into the hall. I held the shirt to my nose and took a small sniff before shrugging out of my clothing and pulling it over my head.

  I laid in bed watching the sunrise throw streaks of yellow and orange across the walls like the aurora borealis was painted by Jackson Pollock. I was unable to sleep, knowing Annabelle was just down the hall. I wasn’t used to having someone staying in my home. Even when I brought a woman back for a night of fun, she was always gone before morning. That’s the way I preferred it.

  I couldn’t shake the fear in her eyes when she’d asked if I’d locked the door last night. It was more than someone being cautious, and having her request to be locked inside with someone like me was even more jarring.

  My phone rang, and I hit the answer call button with a groan.

  “What?” I snapped.

  “Hear me out,” Trevor said before clearing his throat. “Two million.”

  “Didn’t I fire you?” I asked as I sat up, rubbing my hand against my beard.

  “People are willing to pay for you to come out of retirement. This is the fight of the fuckin’ century.”

  “Retirement? That’s a nice way to put it.”

  “It’s been years. The world loves a good comeback story.”

&n
bsp; “The world loves to watch people get hurt. I think I’ve given them enough entertainment.”

  “Aren’t you even going to ask who it is?”

  I pushed from the bed, pacing the floor, my eyes going to the shadows on the ceiling. “Who?”

  “Hunter.”

  “I’m not surprised.” I thought of Hunter standing outside of The Tavern. I knew by the look in his eye he was here for a reason. Hunter grew up here too but moved out West just as his career began to take off. He’d always talked a lot of shit but never had the balls to back it up. Not until now, when he knew I was done with the octagon.

  “Check your messages.”

  I hit the speaker button and went to my text messages before clicking the link Trevor had sent. It was a video clip from Hunter at an MMA press conference.

  “We’ve had a great year. There’s no doubt now that I’m the best. I want to prove it. I’m calling out The Beast from the East. Mason Locke, I’m coming for you, baby. It’s been a long time coming. I want there to be no doubt that I’m the killer. There can be no other. It’s time to kill the beast.”

  I hit the stop button on the video, rolling my neck from side to side, and I groaned.

  “This is it. This is the moneymaker,” Trevor called out.

  “I have enough money.”

  That’s when I heard a muffled whimper from down the hall.

  “No one has enough money. Just say yes, and I’ll take care of the rest,” he added.

  “No,” Beauty’s small, muffled voice called out.

  “Trev, I gotta go.” I hung up the phone and tossed it on my bed as I made my way to Annabelle’s room. When I opened the door, my heart stopped when I saw her bed was empty.

  “Stop,” she called out again.

  FIVE

  I SAT UP, CLUTCHING my chest as I struggled to catch my breath, my eyes darted around the unfamiliar surroundings. Daylight was peaking around the edges of a doorway, but it blocked out any hint of time.

  “What happened?” The door flew open, and Mason stood on the other side, silhouetted by the light of the room. He was wearing only dark boxer briefs, murder in his eyes as he scanned the tiny enclosure.