Paxton's Promise Page 16

  “What about the other guy?” I asked. “Who was he?”

  “Now this next instance is a different story. Josh was actually dating this victim, but when he walked in on her and another man, he flipped out. And I’m not talking just a bullet to the brain. I’m talking straight up bloody and psychotic as fuck. He dismembered them completely.”

  “I’m assuming you don’t want Gabby knowing all of this?” I asked.

  Mason sighed. “Not exactly the details, but after the whole engagement fiasco and with the way this guy is, I think it might be good if she doesn’t flaunt the idea in front of him. If she does, he might snap and take it out on her. That’s the last thing we want.”

  “So what exactly are you saying?”

  “You’re not going to like this, but I’m saying that if this guy comes for her, she can’t fight him. I know it’s going to be against all her instincts, but we can’t take any chances.”

  “What if he tries to touch her? Am I supposed to just let him?” I hissed.

  “Paxton, I’ve been in this same situation before. I had to watch someone else kiss Claire right in front of me. Did I want to kill him? Yes. But I had to concentrate on the objective, and that was getting her out of there and keeping her safe. This isn’t just about you and Rage, it’s about Gabriella. Don’t forget that.”

  “I won’t.” There was no way in hell I could forget it.

  “If you can, text me before everything goes down. If you can’t, I’ll keep watch of the trackers to see where it leads us.”

  “Will do.”

  “Is Gabriella asleep?”

  I looked up the stairs to the open door of my gym. Her still form was lying on the floor, unmoving. “She passed out a while ago.”

  “Tell her I’ll call her later. I want to go over everything with her before it all goes down.”

  “I will.”

  “And be careful, both of you. Try to get some rest. You’re going to need it.”

  “Don’t I know it,” I grumbled. After we hung up the phone, I trudged up the stairs and laid on the floor with Gabriella. Her eyes fluttered open and she snuggled into my side before closing them again.

  “I can’t believe I fell asleep. Do you forgive me?” she asked, yawning.

  Putting my arm around her, I closed my eyes and held her tight. “Don’t worry, sunshine. You’re going to make it up to me once all of this is over.”

  Her breathing slowed and she smiled. “I look forward to it.”

  PAXTON’S DEEP BREATHING was all I focused on until the sun came up, shining through the small window. I didn’t want to move and wake him up, so I stayed there while he slept. His arms were covered in tattoos from his shoulders down to his wrists and intermingled around the celtic symbols was the skull tattoo that gave him access to the Dark Side. I never noticed it before, but Reaper was printed just inside of it. I traced it lightly.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I was just looking at your tattoos. Does everyone have to get the skull if they want to be a part of the underground shit?”

  He looked down at his arm. “Yes. And trust me, I’d take it back if I could.”

  Stretching my arms, I sat up and looked for my phone. It wasn’t beside me. “Do you know where my phone is?”

  Paxton slipped it out of his back pocket and handed it to me. “Mason called while you were sleeping, so I answered it.”

  I took it from him. “What did he say?”

  “I tell you what,” he said, getting to his feet. He held out a hand and I took it so he could lift me up. “How about we spend this day not talking about tonight? I think we need to concentrate on the good in our lives.”

  “What do you suggest?” I asked.

  Instead of answering, he gazed down at me with those sea green eyes of his, the intensity making me tremble. Sliding his fingers underneath my cami straps, he pulled them down my shoulders and over my breasts, exposing my bare flesh. His kisses started on my lips and trailed down my neck, only to stop at my sensitive peaks. He was on his knees now, staring up at me as he sucked my nipple into his mouth. My legs grew weak, but he held me tight, licking his way down my stomach as he lowered my shirt and shorts past my hips to the floor.

  I dropped to my knees and let him guide me down on the mat. He covered me with his body, keeping his gaze on mine as he thrust deliciously hard. No words were said, it was just our bodies moving together. The perfect sound. Holding my body tight, he picked up the pace, his grunts deep and hot as his breath hit my ear. His grip was almost painful, but yet I held him with just as much need. I was close to losing control. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I squeezed them hard and rocked my hips.

  Taking my face in his hands, he pulled my bottom lip between his teeth—the pleasure and pain of it sending me over the edge. My body tightened around him at the same time he released inside me. We laid there connected and in each other’s arms for what felt like only seconds, but it ended up being hours. No words, just us.

  Once Paxton and I decided to separate from each other, I chose to take a shower and relax while he continued with his brutal training. There actually wasn’t any relaxing going on, but I had to at least pretend everything was right in the world. If only for a couple of hours. Sitting by the window, I could see Paxton in his garage staring off into space. I could only imagine what was going through his mind.

  I had two hours before I needed to be at my apartment and still no one had gotten in touch with Paxton to tell him he was going to fight. We had no clue who was going to come for him. When Ryley had to fight, it was Scar who showed up at the arena.

  My phone vibrated. “Hey, Mason,” I answered, keeping my focus on Paxton.

  “Did Paxton tell you I called?”

  “Yes, but he didn’t tell me what you talked about.”

  He sighed. “Look, Gabby, tonight is gonna be no joke. I’ve dealt with these kinds of people before and they’re hardcore. Most likely, someone’s going to get hurt. I mean seriously hurt. I just want you to be prepared.”

  “I’m ready, Mason. You know I’m strong.”

  “And here’s where I need you to be stronger,” he began. “Rage isn’t just going to settle for this fight with Paxton. He wants you, win or lose. What I want from you is your full cooperation.”

  “What do I need to do?” I asked.

  “If something happens and Rage gets his hands on you, I want you to play along. If you fight and tell him to fuck off, it’s going to piss him off. Not to mention, right now he thinks you’re engaged. Don’t provoke him. I’ve seen his record and he doesn’t take very kindly to rejection.”

  Dread settled into the pit of my stomach. “What if he tries to rape me?”

  “That’s when you fight, Gabby. Whatever happens, I’m going to be close. Are you ready for this?”

  No, but I had to be.

  I HAD TEN minutes left before I needed to leave. Paxton thundered up the steps and when he got to the room, his deep breaths were all I could hear.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, coming up behind me. I took the ring off my finger and gently set it on his dresser. “I talked to Mason. The last thing Rage needs to see is the ring on my finger. Besides, I don’t want anything to happen to it.” It was strange, but I didn’t want to take it off. I’d only worn it for one day, but it felt like it was a part of me. “Has Camden or anyone called you yet?” I asked, turning around.

  He was on edge, his fists clenched tight and his jaw firm. “No. And they probably won’t until you’re gone.”

  This was it. This was what we dreaded . . . having to say goodbye. Stepping around him, I grabbed my bag, making sure I had my phone and plenty of money in case I needed it.

  “You know, I thought I could handle you leaving, but not knowing what’s going to happen is totally fucking with my head. My instinct is to keep you here and fight every motherfucker who tries to come after you.”

  “And I know you would,” I murmured wholeheartedly, glancing at
the clock. “It’s time, Pax. I have to go.” Taking me in his arms, he held me tight, crushing me. I squeezed my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay; I had to be strong. “It’ll all work out. Mason’s ready and so is his team. Just be careful.”

  “You too, sunshine. I’ll see you when this is all over.” His lips pressed into mine and I opened for him, tasting him desperately. I breathed him in and put it all to memory.

  Before he decided to keep me hostage, I broke away from the kiss. “I love you.”

  Sighing, he rested his forehead to mine. “And I love you.”

  Clutching my bag, I bolted out of his room and down the stairs. I was going to be late. The Hummer was in the driveway, ready for me. I tossed my bag inside and hopped in. When I pulled out of the driveway, I made the mistake of looking back in the mirror. Paxton was by his front door with his hands in his hair. The tormented look on his face made my heart break. Hopefully it would all be over soon.

  The whole way to my apartment, I sped like a bat out of hell. When I pulled into the parking lot, I half expected to see Camden’s sports car there, but unfortunately, it was Red. Groaning, I pulled up beside him and rolled my window down. “Where’s Camden?” I asked.

  Red grinned and opened my door. “Sorry to disappoint, sugar tits, you got me tonight.”

  Before getting out of the car, I rolled up the window and turned it off. I had hoped Cliff would be out there somewhere, but I didn’t see him. “What happened to my friend?” I asked.

  Red took my bag and opened my door. “That’s none of your business. Get in.” Once I got inside, he slammed the door and went around to his side. He didn’t even bother looking in my bag this time; he just threw it in the back. Damn, I should’ve brought a gun. “You know the drill,” he said, passing me a blindfold.

  I had never noticed it before, but on his forearm was the skull tattoo. And right below it had his name . . . Malice.

  GABRIELLA HAD ONLY been gone twenty minutes when Camden showed up at my doorstep. My stomach clenched. I had hoped he would be the one with Gabriella. “Who’s with Gabby?” I snapped as soon as I opened the door.

  He shrugged. “I’m not sure. Scar told me to come get you and if I had to use force then I was more than welcome. But they knew I wouldn’t have to once I told you they had Gabriella.”

  “Is that it? You don’t know anything else?”

  Camden shook his head. “They’ve kept pretty quiet about this whole thing. I think they’re up to something. I just don’t know what.”

  That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. “All right, let me get my bag. I’m ready to get this shit over with.”

  As soon as I had my things, I met Camden out at his car and got in. In my seat was a blindfold. I was an outsider now. Once I put it on, Camden started on the way. “Why are you helping us?” I asked curiously. “You never help anyone but yourself.”

  He chuckled. “And you’re right. I’m only doing this for Gabby. She may be a pain in the ass with a big mouth, but she doesn’t deserve to be put at the hands of someone like Rage. No one does. As soon as all of this is all over, it’s right back to my usual self.”

  “Great,” I mumbled. “You know, I used to be just like you. It gets kind of lonely after a while, does it not?”

  “Nope, I like my life.”

  He said it, but I didn’t believe a word. One of these days, he’d come around. Even Kyle seemed to be different when I talked to him. For the rest of the ride, it took about thirty minutes. I didn’t exactly trust Camden, so I was glad we never told him about Mason and the plan.

  “We’re here.” He came around to my side of the car and opened the door. “Once we’re inside, I’m going to take you to Scar.”

  “Will Gabby be there?”

  “I don’t know. It looks like Malice’s truck is missing. He must be the one who had to get her.”

  “Shouldn’t they be here by now?” Camden’s silence was answer enough and I didn’t like it.

  “Come on, let’s go. I’ll find her.”

  We started moving and once inside the doors, it was silent. Camden removed the blindfold and I followed him down a long hallway until we got to a door. Inside was Scar with two of his goons. I recognized them from before when I used to fight. Their names were Sniper and Slade. They disposed of the people who broke the rules.

  “Reaper, good to see you again. I guess Striker didn’t need to twist your arm to come.”

  Snarling, I stepped inside his office and went straight to his desk. “Where’s Gabby?” I wanted to beat the smirk off his face and snap his fucking neck. Scar never fought in the ring and I’d give anything to take him out. I wouldn’t think twice about killing him or Rage.

  “Oh, don’t worry, she’s safe. If you win the fight, you’ll get to see her again. If not, then it looks like you won’t be seeing anyone ever again.”

  “So what are you saying? We’re fighting to the death?”

  His smile grew wider. “That’s what Rage wants and since you turned your back on us, I think it’s only fitting. Besides, he wants your girl and he’s made it abundantly clear that he’s not going to stop until he gets her.”

  Darting for his neck, I didn’t get far before Camden’s arm draped around my body and Sniper’s gun pointed straight at my head. Breathing hard, I held out my arms, signaling my surrender. The gun lowered and Camden let me go.

  “Rage isn’t going to touch her,” I hissed, pinning a lethal glare his way. “If he does, you both die.” The Reaper was back. And this time, I’d finish the job myself.

  Scar chuckled and dismissed me with a wave of his hand. “Striker, take him away. The fight starts in fifteen minutes.”

  Camden opened the office door and I stalked out, my pulse thundering out of control. I knew where I was about to go. “Dude, calm down,” he hissed.

  I followed him down the hall to another door. Inside, was a chair and nothing else but a small window on the door the bidders could look through. Clenching my teeth, I marched inside. “I’d like to see you stay calm if it was your girl you were fighting to keep safe. But then again, you’ll probably never know what that’s like.”

  Camden stood by the door and started to close it, his expression unreadable. “Probably not, but you need to focus. Make sure you put this fucker down. I’m going to try and find Gabby.”

  SOMETHING WASN’T RIGHT. The smell of the air, everything was off. Red firmly held my arm and pulled me along, but instead of cement beneath my feet, it was grass. There wasn’t supposed to be grass. “Where are we?” I asked. My body screamed for me to run, that danger was ahead.

  Digging my feet into the ground, I tried to jerk out of his hold and lift the blindfold over my head, but his grip tightened even more. “Relax. We just took a little detour.”

  “A detour? What the fuck are you talking about? I’m supposed to be fighting.”

  I walked up a couple of steps and then a door creaked. “Not tonight you’re not, but we do get to watch it.”

  He helped me inside and the place smelled musty, like no one had been there in a while. “Watch it? I don’t understand.”

  The ominous chuckle that escaped his lips made the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up. “You’ll see, sweetheart. It’s going to be fucking epic.”

  He pushed me down in a chair and before I could relax my arms, he pulled them behind me and bound my wrists together. “What the fuck are you doing?” I tried to jerk free, but it was no use. I couldn’t move and I couldn’t see. However, it didn’t stop there. When he started on one of my ankles, I panicked. Instinctively, I jerked up with my knee and clocked him in the nose.

  “Stupid bitch,” he growled, slapping me across the cheek. My head snapped to the side and my eyes watered. It hurt like hell, and unfortunately, it caught me off guard. He used my hesitation to his advantage and finished tying me down. Now, I was completely at his mercy, or anyone else who decided to come along.

  “You’re going to pay for that,” I hissed lo
w. “I think it’s pretty pathetic you have to tie me up. Are you afraid I’m going to escape?”

  “Hardly,” he scoffed. “Now shut the fuck up.” Before I could come up with a reply, he left the room. My bag was still in his truck, so hopefully, the trackers would lead Mason and his team here. There had to be someone close by. Red came back in, and it sounded like he was setting something up in front of me.

  It wasn’t until he lifted my blindfold that I saw what he was doing. It took a few seconds to adjust to the light and it didn’t help that my face stung. The room we were in was a living room with ratty navy furniture and smoke stained walls. I could even smell the stale stench of cigarettes in the musty, moldy air. There were no windows, but over Red’s shoulder I could see the kitchen . . . and a door. One way or another, I was going to escape out of that door. Red fiddled around with a laptop and once the video came into focus he set it down on the table.

  “Are you ready for the show?”

  Swallowing hard, I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from speaking. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach and the bile rose to the back of my throat, gagging me. The screen showed the fighting ring I recognized all too well. Two people were battling it out and blood was everywhere. There was no sound to the video and I was almost thankful I couldn’t hear the screams.

  Averting my gaze, I turned to Red who watched on in fascination. Disgusting maggot. Why couldn’t he be in the ring getting the shit beat out of him? It didn’t take a genius to figure out what we were about to look at next. After this fight, it was going to be Paxton and Rage. They didn’t want me there so they could mess with Paxton’s head. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes.

  “You’re not falling asleep are you? The most exciting part of the evening is coming up,” Red mentioned.

  My eyes snapped open and I glared at him. “I don’t get off on watching people hurt and kill each other. Now, if it was you in the ring, I might have a different opinion.”