“Figures.” She continued to grin.
“You have to give me honest feedback. No, this is really good, awesome, fabulous. I want the truth regardless of what that is. I love you Millie, and that won’t change if you hate my book. But you have to be honest because you won’t help me as a writer if you’re not.”
“I hear you.” She jumped up and danced in front of me. “This calls for a celebration.”
I laughed, warm happiness spreading through my body and I realized it was the first time I’d felt it in a long time. “I love you, Millie.”
She stopped her dancing, her smile slipped as she really looked at me. Dropping to her knees, she took my hands into hers and held tight. “You’re scaring me.”
I shook my head. “There’s nothing wrong,” I paused, “well, nothing out of the normal for me. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you.”
“Oh, Evie. You’re my best friend. I’d be lost without you.” Clambering back to her feet, she smiled. “Now, let’s get rid of all the gloom and think about all those huge, sweaty men that we’re going to meet at the gym…maybe your fighter will be there. Oh, we need wine for this.”
She ran off to the kitchen while I thought about the fighters at the gym. I’d done as much research as I could from the internet and would probably recognize some of the fighters if we came across them. They all looked frightening to me with their height and strength, which gave me second thoughts about researching them…at least, until Patrick had arrived in a foul mood. He’d been pissed about something and he’d taken his frustration out on me with his verbal nit picking at everything I should and shouldn’t do. I’d then decided that I’d go for it and no more hiding behind my laptop too scared to put my work out there.
In the past I’d taken more knocks than I should have for my twenty-two years. People could be evil, which was why I’d held off from opening myself up to even more criticism.
This time, however, I was more determined than ever to do something with my life.
Chapter 2 ~ Stryker
“BEAUTY SLEEPS OVER,” THE man whose voice grated on my nerves hollered.
The loud voice didn’t shock me, and when I crashed last night after the fight, my dreams were teased by my red-haired, emerald-eyed woman. I’d imagined her touch on my skin, with my hands tangled in the glorious red locks of hair that I’d caught a glimpse of as she’d left. Just the image left me rock hard and uncomfortable as I lay unsatisfied on my stomach.
I knew that he’d visit me today because I’d disappeared for two hours last night. The men who watched me were lax and gave me a bit of freedom, and usually management wouldn’t find out. But I guess disappearing right after a fight I was supposed to throw wasn’t the wisest thing I’d done.
I never reacted to him. Honestly, I’d only ever spoken to the ass once or twice, but I stayed silent as I watched him from between my narrowed lids. I did this because I knew my silence unnerved him, and the others. They liked to act tough, but I made them nervous and after the shit I’d put up with from the lot of them over the years, I relished the fear they had whenever I met their gaze head on.
It was Sunday, which meant no training, although, I usually ignored the day of rest everyone else seemed to abide by and clocked hours at the gym. Except today, I’d probably shock the lot of them when I refused to budge. I was going to have the day to myself at my apartment. I wasn’t going to do anything but lounge around and read, and think of her.
There was no television or internet in the apartment. I didn’t own a cell, and only had a landline for incoming calls. It was a quiet existence, except for my life in the gym.
I gladly accepted it.
A glance through one eye toward the window told me it was a beautiful day in New York, which meant I could sit outside—my one luxury.
They spied on me from room to room except the bathroom and bedroom—the only two rooms without a way to the outside.
The living room had large floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, a large patio on the opposite side, which was my sanctuary. The access to outside and the view were two of the reasons I wanted it. The apartment could have been a hovel and I’d have insisted they bought it.
If I wanted to risk my life, then I could try and leap over to the balcony across and to the left. Chances were that I’d miss because it was just a bit too far over, even with dropping a floor. They still had a camera out here though.
The invasion of privacy was more irritating than annoying. I didn’t really have any privacy to hide, and what I did need privacy for, I took care of in the shower. I wasn’t exactly used to the invasion but I could ignore the cameras most of the time…life was what it was.
I rolled over to my back, now that the tension at my hips had deflated, and gazed up at the white ceiling while I kept him in my line of sight. He was new to the show. I hadn’t yet figured out his position within the organization but I would. I always did.
“When you’re done ignoring me,” the asshole loomed over me from the side of the bed, “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Training?” That’s all everyone wanted to talk about…training or the fight. I wasn’t going to be the first one to mention that I’d ignored them last night because I’d won.
“No.” He appeared pissed as he turned abruptly and walked out of my bedroom.
I rose up on my elbows to see if he was still there or if he’d headed out.
“I’m waiting.”
Fuck! I wasn’t so lucky.