“Cat got your tongue? That’s too bad. But don’t worry, I’m comfortable doing all the speaking.” He traced his fingertip over the photo and the two pictures blurred behind my eyes.
Carly’s picture in the present, Olivia’s picture in the past.
Two beautiful blonde girls, so innocent and sweet.
“I have to admit, I had high hopes for you. Now that women’s MMA is making more of a splash, I believed you’d be a fine jewel in my crown. I followed your career for a while. I guess like your Darren, I had a bit of an obsession with you myself.”
“My Darren.” I shot to my feet. “My fucking Darren. What the hell is wrong with you? I was fourteen. Fourteen, you sick bastard.” Fists clenched, I stalked around the couch. His spine straightened, but he didn’t turn to face me. “I hadn’t even gotten my period yet. I’d barely been kissed. And you think you can pervert—”
“What I think doesn’t matter. What the rest of the world does is a different story.” He shifted slightly, his midnight gaze slamming against mine. “A tool, Mia. That’s what you are to me. I want you to fight, and I don’t care what it takes to make you.” He set down Carly’s picture. “Once, I’d had high hopes. I thought you’d be different. But you’re retired now, back for just one night. That is enough to fulfill my aims.”
“Which are? Spill it out. We’re losing fucking daylight and I have more important things to do than to listen to you spout off.”
His mouth tightened and he reached up to smooth down his perfectly unwrinkled tie. “You’re not very grateful, considering the generous concession I made after Friday night’s unfortunate encounter. You don’t realize how quickly you could be taken care of.”
I spread my arms wide. “Here I am. Take me out.”
His chuckle took me by surprise. That it was accompanied by the flashing of his lethal eyes didn’t. “You fascinate me, Amelia Anderson. And fascination is a weakness. Darren learned that. As will Trayherne.”
The second curdle of real fear curled in my stomach. First for Carly, then Tray. I wasn’t worried for myself. If I died, I’d go down swinging.
I’d never be passive again.
“Deal with me,” I said steadily, dropping my hands to my sides when all I wanted to do was wrap them around his throat. “You want something? I’m right here.”
“Finally, we reach an understanding.” He smiled again, all teeth. “All it took was mention of Trayherne. And that sweet little sister of yours.”
I said nothing. Just glared.
“It’s very simple. Friday night, you’ll be fighting Evelyn Pierce. She’s quite an impressive fighter, and she’s looking to make her mark in the States after a devastating injury. She’s committed to a long career, and we feel she can go far. We want her to win.”
For the third time that day, laughter bubbled out of me at the worst time. But this time I didn’t bother trying to check it. In fact, I laughed right in his face while he clicked his jaw and stared me down as if his eyes alone could kill.
“Wow, that was good.” I wiped away my tears of mirth. “I almost thought you were suggesting I throw the fight.” In a heartbeat, I sobered. “Because that’s not going to happen. If I’m breathing, I’m fighting to win.”
He didn’t so much as blink. “You’re breathing…now.”
“See, that threat doesn’t work on me. Not sure if you’re aware, but I met Tray because I wanted to fight him. Lots of people thought I had a death wish. Our weight difference alone s
hould be enough to ensure I couldn’t win. But I didn’t care. Losing wasn’t an option. And if I didn’t come out the other side…well, crazy motherfucker.” I raised my arms again. “What can I say?”
“You aren’t afraid for yourself, that much is clear.” He took out his handkerchief and buffed the sunglasses he’d hooked to his jacket. “You do have weaknesses. Don’t kid yourself, because you’re not fooling me.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t have weaknesses. I said you can threaten my—what are you doing?” I demanded as he walked around the couch to pick up my laptop.
He read the screen silently for a moment, and I cursed at myself for not shutting the browser window before I got up to answer the door. “Missing girls. Isn’t that interesting?” He pivoted to smile at me, blandly. “I imagine for someone like you, that’s your biggest fear. Someone you love turning up missing.”
“Get out.” I was shaking now, I was so enraged. And afraid, way down deep where I couldn’t even breathe around the terror. “Get the fuck out of my apartment before I show you the door myself.”
“Lovely seeing you again, Mia.” He strolled to the door and waved over his shoulder. “Or is it Amelia?”
One of Carly’s discarded flip flops slapped against the door just as it closed.
Sinking to the floor, I pressed my face to my knees. When the trembles finally subsided what felt like hours later, I rose and got ready for work.
16
Tray