“What?” I narrow my eyes. “How do you know?”
“He told me,” Joslyn says in the same flat voice. “That’s why I left IHOP. Dad called, said he needed to talk to me, and then told me all of this crazy shit. I get the impression he’s been in Giovanetti’s back pocket for years.”
“I don’t understand,” I say slowly as I try in vain to connect the dots. “What is going on, exactly?”
Joslyn bites her lip until it turns white. “Dad wants to retire from the Nevada Gaming Commission – he’s sixty-five this year – but Dante is putting tremendous pressure on him to stay put, even though the other voters on the board want him out. You know, they all want their own chance at his job. He’s been there for so long, I think people are starting to get bitter about it. He’s Chairman, you know.” She lifts a hand to her mouth and nibbles at her nails.
I didn’t know. But now, the kidnapping attempt makes complete sense. Her dad’s the most powerful man in Las Vegas according to casino owners and the mafia. And corrupt assholes live to take advantage of that. Even the most ethical can crumble under the pressure and step over the line into the dark side.
“That’s shitty,” I say. “But what does this have to do with you?”
Joslyn takes a deep breath, shuddering with the force of it. “He’s threatened my father. He keeps saying that if my father doesn’t do what he wants, he’s going to get to him through me. I’m an only child. My mom died of cancer back when I was in high school. We’re really tight, Dad and me.”
Fuck. I remembered looking directly into Dante’s right-hand goon’s eyes. I know for sure it was Charles who tried to nab Joslyn outside the Starbucks. “You mean Dante Giovanetti is threatening to hurt you?”
Joslyn nods. For the first time since meeting her, I realize how tiny she is. How fragile, in spite of her shredded physique. It’s all starting to make sense why she’s so tough. Why she’s dedicated her life to protecting herself by keeping herself and everyone around her in peak physical condition.
“Yeah,” Joslyn concedes. “And I think he’ll do it too. My father can’t protect me anymore, Troy. He’s getting older, and I have to protect myself. I’m an adult, you know. That guy who tried to grab me at Starbuck’s, it’s Dante’s evil reach come to life. I need to be on high alert. I probably shouldn’t even be alone.”
“I know.” It’s all I can say as I consider the possibilities and all the insider information I’m privy to. With only a few words, I could reassure Joslyn. All I’d have to do is tell her about Nixon and Reagan, and their plan to take the Mona Lisa from Dante. Then she wouldn’t have to worry anymore.
Stick a fork in Giovanetti, because that motherfucker’s done.
Crispy.
But as my mind races with thoughts about protecting Joslyn, Nixon’s words from earlier come crashing down on me. I can’t tell Joslyn anything. Not now, not when everything remains in the dark, still hidden. If I tell her, she could ruin everything for Nixon. Even though I’m starting to realize I have actual feelings for Joslyn, I can’t do that. Not to Nixon – not to the man who’s served as my blood brother, who’s always believed in me, even when I was at my lowest point.
Even when I didn’t have a chance to make something of myself.
Like a Phoenix, I rose from the ashes of abuse and poverty. But only with Nixon Caldwell’s hand up.
“Troy?” Joslyn asks in a shaky voice. “Are you listening?”
Looking at her, I feel an emotion flaring in my chest. I’ve never felt it before, so I’m not even sure what it is.
But that doesn’t mean I can tell her I have feelings. Not yet. Just a little while longer – and I’m sure Nixon and Reagan will act before Dante can even think about hurting Joslyn and her father.
“Yeah. I’m listening.”
“What do you think I should do?” Joslyn’s voice shakes under the strength of her fear. I don’t want to look in her eyes for another second, because if I do, I know I’ll have to tell her the complete truth.
“We stick together.” I can’t stop myself one second longer, so I pull Joslyn into my arms and hold her tight. “I’ll protect you. You’re not in this alone.”
It’s the kind of statement that just days ago would have elicited anger – and maybe even violence – from Joslyn. But instead, she melts against my chest and wraps her toned arms around my neck.
“Thank you,” Joslyn whispers. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”
I nod, grateful she can’t see the guilty look on my face. “Of course. Always.”
Chapter Fifteen
Joslyn
I hardly sleep that night. My dad’s words loop on repeat in my mind, playing a melody I don’t want to hear. I wish, more than anything else in the world, that he’d lied or exaggerated. But I know that he’d never do that to me, especially not now. It’s hard news to digest. Dad has always been my hero, tough and strong and invincible.
And that’s been ripped away from me. It’s like the last thread of safety I’ve depended on has been stolen. By a man who doesn’t even deserve to be walking God’s green earth.
And now I start to realize that if I hope to survive Dante Giovanetti, I’ll need to be my own heroine. Write my own ending. Troy promised to protect me, and in the moment, it felt good to hear. But now that he’s asleep beside me, I feel a little uneasy about giving away my power to a man.
After all, what if Dante sends over a barrel of spiders?
In the morning, I feel like shit, but I still have to head to Tribe of Amazons and teach my class. I don’t want to let my girls down – just because I’m going through some rough shit on my own doesn’t mean they have to suffer through those consequences.
“Joslyn, you look terrible,” Taryn says as soon as I enter the studio, Troy walking me to the door before heading to work himself. “I mean, sorry. Not terrible.” She touches my shoulder. “Just tired.”
“Rough night.”
Normally, I enjoy taking the time to chitchat with my girls before starting, but today I’ve got so many things swirling around in my head that I can barely see straight. I can’t stop thinking about my father and Dante and Troy and what danger lurks around every corner. This morning, Troy checked the undercarriage of my car for a bomb before he let me slide behind the driver’s seat.
The sound of fingers snapping brings me right back into the real world. I look up to see Haylee standing in front of me.
“I talked to Ford,” she says, leaning in close. “And we both think a self-defense class for Atlee would be good. Did you hear about what happened at the Mona Lisa?”
The mention of Dante’s casino makes my heart leap into my throat. All I can do is shake my head.
“Some woman was…I don’t know, dragged into a back room and groped,” Haylee whispers with a tiny shudder. “I like Vegas, Joslyn, I really do. But I don’t want my daughter to grow up defenseless.”
It sounds terrible, but I’m relieved that the Mona Lisa incident had nothing to do with my father, but probably everything to do with Dante.
“Of course,” I say, nodding my head. “That makes sense. I’ll see what I can do.”
I walk to the front of the room and lead the girls in a series of stretches before blasting Marilyn Manson’s newest album from the stereo and teaching the girls how to free themselves from a headlock. We move on to throwing right hook punches and roundhouse kicks, and I find myself really throwing my body into the class. By the time it’s time to cool down and relax with dim lights and softer music, I’m drenched in sweat.
Marcella comes up to me after class. “That was great, Joslyn. I really feel like I’m getting somewhere. You know, I was at the grocery store the other day, and some asshole tried to cut in line ahead of me. I actually told the rude bastard to get behind me where he belonged.”
I smile, but it’s fake. Plastic. “That’s not exactly what this class is for.” An image of a girl screaming pops into my head. “But I’m glad you’re getting some go
od use out of it.”
Marcella nods. “I know. I just wanted to say thanks for helping me feel more powerful.” She gives me a small smile, then walks out of Tribe of Amazons, chattering with Taryn and Haylee.
Just as I’m about to grab my bag, I hear my phone ringing. Troy. He must be calling to check on me – or apologize for totally ditching class today. Of course, I knew that he might not be able to leave the casino floor to make it, but I can’t resist an opportunity to bust his balls. Even playfully.
“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Spiderman,” I say sarcastically as I wedge my phone between my cheek and my shoulder, but I know the smile is clear in the words.
Silence.
Troy doesn’t say anything. Frowning, I glance down at the caller ID and groan when I realize it’s an unfamiliar number.
“I’m so sorry, I–”
“I’m calling for a Ms. Joslyn Monroe, is she available?”
“This is she.” I slap a hand against my forehead. “Can I help you?”
“Ms. Monroe, on behalf of American Ninja Warrior, I want to thank you for submitting your audition video. We’ve had a contestant drop out last minute, and we’d be pleased to offer you that spot in our tryouts this weekend.”
“No way.” I struggle to resist the urge to jump up and down. “You’re kidding.”
The man laughs, and it calms me. “No, Ms. Monroe, I’m serious. We were really impressed by your tape. As well as your home course. Did you build it yourself?”
I lean against the wall and sigh, closing my eyes and grinning. “I did, with a little help from my dad. I still can’t believe it. Thank you so much for calling.”
“You should receive an email in the next hour or two with information for the group audition. It will be taped and televised. You’ll need to fill out all the consent forms and send over two forms of photo identification beforehand.”
“That’s not a problem.” My breath leaves my body, I’m so damn excited. Finally, something good is happening to me. Inside, my heart dances a lively jig – I can’t believe I finally got a spot running the American Ninja Warrior course.
“Well, again, congratulations and good luck,” the man says.
When he hangs up, I can’t even move. I can’t even put my phone back in my bag – I’m frozen with excitement. But the moment only lasts a second, and soon I jump up and down and squeal.
“Yes!” I cheer, tossing my hands in the air in a victory arch. I drop my bag and dance around the gym, shaking my arms and legs and whipping my hair over my head in my best Bret Michaels impression. “I fucking did it!”
When a man clears his throat behind me, I whirl around and gasp. Troy stands in the doorway, smirking, his hands on his hips.
“How can you be dancing?” Troy says as he struggles not to laugh. “There’s no music, crazy girl.”
I tap the side of my temple. “There’s music in here. And it sounds very much like the theme song of American Ninja Warrior.”
“Yeah, I bet.” He saunters forward to capture my flailing hand. “Wanna grab lunch?”
I laugh. “I can’t believe you totally glossed over that. What kind of a lunkhead coasts over the important part?” I step closer and narrow my eyes. It’s hard to ignore how hot Troy looks in his fitted suit, but right now I’ve got bigger things on my mind. “I just told you something hugely exciting. The most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me!”
“Wait,” Troy says, frowning. I ignore the heat rifling through my body as he caresses my inner wrist with the pad of his thumb. How does he throw me off my game with just the whisper of a touch? “You’re actually going to be on American Ninja Warrior?”
“Hell, yes I am. And you’re going to come with me. You know, for moral support.”
Troy’s eyes widen, and he drops my hand. I feel the loss in spite of myself. I’ve already become addicted to our electrically charged physical connection. “Are you gonna bring home the Aggro Crag trophy?”
I roll my eyes. “Very funny. American Ninja Warrior is a lot more intense than that kid’s show, you know that.”
“Hey, I grew up in the nineties. I always watched GUTS.”
“I bet you did.”
“So, when is it? Your ninja experience?”
“This weekend. The guy said they’re going to email me the specifics. I can’t believe it – hell, I almost wish I’d gotten more notice. I don’t feel nearly in shape enough to kick ass.”
“You’ll do great, kid,” Troy says, and I realize he means it. He believes in me. “You’re going to walk in there, kick ass, and take names.”
“I hope so. But have you seen those people? I mean, they’re like superhuman.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Troy replies. “I know you can do it. You’re the biggest bad-ass I know. Male or female.”
“It’s crazy. Five minutes ago, I felt exhausted from class. But right now, I feel like I’m bouncing off the walls.”
“You should go home and take a few runs on your course. Maybe that’ll help. Ramp up your confidence.”
As much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. There are four days until the weekend, and I know I’ll need at least one day of rest and loading up on carbs. But the other three days?
My course better get the hell ready.
“Okay. You’re coming with me, though.” I lean in close. “I can’t exactly watch for Dante when I’m hopping across a water trap. I don’t trust that greaseball not to try something. Even in public.” I think back to Starbucks. “Maybe especially in public.”
As Troy and I leave my gym, I realize that something has changed between us, and I’m not entirely sure what. I can’t pin him down – I can’t define it. One minute, he grates on my nerves, and the next minute, I can’t tear my eyes away from his sexy, chiseled abs. And it isn’t just me, I know it isn’t. I feel more of a pull between us, more of a connection than ever before.
But he’s been acting differently too. Ever since he stayed over, I feel that he’s trying to keep me at arm’s length while keeping me safe at the same time. Like he’s giving me his body but not even offering his soul. Maybe it’s because he feels responsible for me. I frown as we head into the parking garage. But that doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense, either.
“Hey,” I say as we climb into my truck. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing.” He pauses, as if he’s about to say more. But then he clamps his lips shut and shakes his head. “Just worried about you. I want to make sure you’re not taking this thing with Dante lightly. You have no idea what he’s capable of doing.”
“I’m pretty sure I do.” My foot pulses where my toe should have been, and I yank the gear shift into reverse and back out of the space. “But your tender concern is touching.”
Troy doesn’t elaborate. I slide him a look. I can tell he’s hiding something…but I can’t waste the energy and time on trying to figure out the man’s moodiness. He’s an enigma, and I don’t have the energy to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Not when I only have four days until the moment I’ve been waiting for my entire life.
“Yeah,” I mutter under my breath. “Me too.”
Chapter Sixteen
Troy
The morning of the audition, Joslyn seems lost in her own internal preparations. When she steps from her bedroom, she looks radiant in a fitted tracksuit, her face free of makeup, and her wild curls swept into a high bun.
Part of me jumps for joy over Joslyn’s news, that she has something to focus on other than Dante Giovanetti and her father, but the other just wants her to hunker down and keep herself out of the line of fire. As for the American Ninja Warrior tryouts, I know she’ll kick major ass. But then what? How long am I supposed to keep protecting Nixon and Reagan as they bring their diabolical plan to fruition? It doesn’t feel good concealing the truth from the woman I’m falling for…especially because I know that she’s started to catch on.
“They sent me this.” Joslyn plucks
at the fabric of her suit. A frown stretches across her face. “Think they’re going to make me give it back when I fail?”
Her self-deprecation tugs at my gut. This isn’t the Joslyn I’ve come to know. I want her to grab her opportunities with both hands and kick the shit out of them.
“Come on. You can’t talk like that – it’s self-defeating. You’re going to kill it.”
I expect Joslyn to argue with me, but instead, she nods slowly as she climbs into the passenger seat.
“Yeah,” she says after a long pause. “You’re right. I’m going to grab the course by its scrawny ass and take it down.”
“Besides.” I reach over and squeeze Joslyn’s thigh. “It makes your ass look amazing – you’d better not give it back. I plan on taking it off later. With my teeth.”
Joslyn grins, and my heart gives a little pitter patter. “Thanks.” She tosses her head. “I needed that.”
We’re silent as I drive to the Orleans arena where the competition is being held. The line of cars filled with people waiting to get inside winds around the block, and I know by the way Joslyn keeps drumming her fingers on the door handle that her nerves are taking over. As we finally pull into the parking lot and find a space, I reach over and put my hand on Joslyn’s shoulder.
“Hey,” I say in a low voice. “You got this, okay? You’re going to finish, and finish fast – you’re the best. If Nixon says it, it’s fucking true. He’s never wrong.”
“Thanks.” She gives me that little smile that lights up my fucking world like a rocket blast. She licks her lips, and I can tell her mind is troubled as we get out of the car and approach the arena. I hold her close to me as we walk, saying without words how much I believe in her.
“This is huge,” I say, looking up. “I had no idea American Ninja Warrior had turned into a revolution.”
“The courses are really intense.” We walk past another couple, both clad in American Ninja Warrior tracksuits, and Joslyn puffs out her chest. “But I can do it. I know I can.”
All In (Caldwell Brothers Book 5) Page 11