Redemption (7 page)

“How about you Declan? You ever box?”

I glanced down immediately, not wanting anyone to know I’d been staring back at him. Or that
just
his eyes made my body turn inside out.

“Yes,” he rasped out.

“Well, get your ass up there and show us what you got,” Dad said.

Chase chuckled beneath his breath and raised both hands above his head. “I’ll take that challenge.”

Declan met my gaze for the briefest of seconds. “I’ll play.”

Chase hooted and gave me a wink. “Let’s see what the big boy is playing with.”

Turning, I crawled out of the ring and took safety in the closet foldout chair. Something coiled between my legs as he pulled himself through the ropes and stripped his T-shirt off.

Holy shit fuck.

Declan cracked his neck and swiped the closest gloves.
Jesus.
Every muscle in his back was tight and coiled beneath tanned skin. His broad shoulders screamed sex appeal and sent waves of heat to my drenched panties.

My fingers curled under the bottom of my chair, and I squeezed my thighs together. His hair looked like he’d just fucked the shit out of someone for an entire night. Something black was scribbled on his back. I squinted to see, my mouth parted in concentration to find out
anything
about him. My body quivered to get closer to him. On his upper back was six small numbers from what I could tell. A tattoo. I had thought he didn’t have any.

Chase pulled off his shirt in a dramatic way and tossed it in my dad’s face. “You’re on your way to laps, kid.”

Chase winked over at me, and I gave him my best shot at a smile. Declan watched our exchange, but I didn’t have to look because I felt it. When I finally got the nerve to glance up from the floor his body was tensed, and his every movement drew my stomach tighter.

But it wasn’t just the sweat dripping from his shoulders, or the way he glided, it was the way his jaw clenched and those intense eyes ate me alive.

“Declan!” my dad laughed. “Get in there!”

Declan turned his face and for the first time since this started, smiled at my dad. “Y’all ready for a show?” he asked.

Chase laughed and shrugged his shoulders. “Don’t get your hopes up, Big Boy. I’m a national champion.”

Declan’s smile was slow and steady, but when he raised his head all laughter had gone.

They squared off and went into their fighting poses. Chase was our small town hero and every girls’ wet dream. But by the way Declan paced, I knew he was going to bring a new league to this

He was a fucking demigod.

“Get ‘em Chase. Knock ‘em out! What are you waiting for?” someone yelled.

Declan’s eyes turned toward us, and my sex clenched.
If he knew how bad I wanted him he’d stop giving me those looks.
Before Chase took a step, Declan stepped forward and swung the hardest uppercut I’d seen in person. Chase stumbled back against the rope, his head flew backwards from the impact.

The crescendo in the room hit me heavy on my chest, and my breath lodge in my throat, seconds ticked by before the gym erupted into applause. “Damn,” I whispered.

Declan stared over at Chase who held his jaw in his palm. “Damn,” Chase mouthed. “That was one hell of a punch,” he said.

Declan’s eyes cast toward mine, and I quickly looked at my lap.
Christ what was that all about?

The commotion around me deafened my ears. I couldn’t look at him. Instead, I glanced at my Dad. He’s eyes were round, and I could see the wheels turning in that brain of his. He was basically salivating at the mouth.

Despite my attempt to look the other way, I bit my bottom lip and gave into my urge. Declan pushed his fingers through his sweaty hair and accepted the praise, but his gaze hadn’t turned from mine. The weak feeling in my legs started to take over my entire body. I needed to get out of there.

I left the foldout chair rattling and sprinted toward the double doors but didn’t stop until I was behind the safety of the desk.
God, how intense could one person be? What was up with the stare down? What was up with his abs? Why were they so perfect?

Groaning, I palmed my face and took several deep breaths which did no good for my racing hormones. This man was so male that it embarrassed me to look at him.

***

The bell dinged around four, and a man came in holding a bouquet of flowers. “Are you Neveah?”

“That’s me.”

He placed the flowers down, turned and left in a mad dash for the door. The roses were gorgeous until I saw the handwriting scribble on the note, I knew they were from Heath.

A group of boys pushed through the double doors and called their goodbyes to dad. I was snarling at the note when someone knocked their knuckles against the desk.

I glanced over at Chase. His lip was busted, and for the first time I felt sorry for him. “Is your lip okay?”

He laughed and gave me a boyish smile. It was definitely still a panty dropper. “It’s fine. Do you know how many times you’ve given me a busted lip or black eye?”

“Well,” I grinned. “It’s okay when I do it. Plus, my punch isn’t nearly as hard as his.”

He nodded and placed his index finger against my nose. “I didn’t know you cared so much.”

I rolled my eyes but gave him a small smile. “I don’t.”

He gestured toward the roses. “Flowers, huh?”

I groaned and eyed the beautiful bouquet. “Unfortunately.”

“That’s not the response a guy hopes for when he sends flowers.”

I shrugged. “Well then, he shouldn’t have had sex with another woman.”

Chase frowned and caught my chin with his fingers. “He’s a damn idiot for cheating on you, Nev.”

The sympathy in his eyes saddened me, but I quickly recovered when the double doors swung opened. “Who sent you flowers?” Dad asked.

I glanced over to my dad but looked past him at Declan. The flustered look on his face grew angrier by the second. But I managed to turn my eyes to Dad before I needed to change my panties again. “Who do you think?”

Chase turned toward Dad. “Her ex-fiancée I’ve been told. He’s a douchebag to let this one go.”

Dad rolled his eyes. “Didn’t we just talk about running laps for hitting on my daughter?”

Chase laughed. “I heard you, old man. I’m stopping. No more offering my bed to Neveah.”

Oh God
.

Dad narrowed his gaze and shook his head. Heat scorched the side of my face, and I didn’t have to look to see that Declan glared at me.
God, make him stop
.

“I’ll see y’all next week.” Chase knocked his fingers against the wood, and I jumped. “Be safe, Neveah. If you get bored come over to the house. We can spar or something.”

“Thanks, Chase. See you.” With a jump, he jogged out of the gym, disappearing behind the front door.

“You gonna keep them?” Dad asked from the hallway entrance.

“Probably on the desk but not at the house.”

He nodded. “I’m going to go lock up. Can you go get some garlic bread from the store? Maybe Declan can go with you.”

Widening my eyes, I tried to get Dad to look, but he’d already turned his back to me. “You two can go ahead. Neveah my truck is outside, and the keys are in it. We’re having dinner with Cooper tonight.”

What! This day just keeps getting better and better.
I tried to hide the horror on my face. Not only did I have to give him a ride home, but Cooper was coming?
What baby did I kill in a past life?
I groaned. “Dad.”

He narrowed his gaze at me. “Don’t start, Neveah.”

I held my hands out in surrender and called Lucy who bounded up from behind the desk. “We’re going.”

The small steps I took around the desk felt like they took years. Those eyes scorched the side of my face, nerves fluttered deep in my belly.

“Ready?” I asked.

I met his eyes and nearly choked at the anger in his smile. “Always.”

Tension settled around us, and I had no idea where it came from. Suddenly those large shoulders were tighter and his fists clenched. “Is there something wrong with you?” I asked.

I swore I heard his teeth grind together. “No,” he spat.

I rolled my eyes. “Well, fine, don’t tell me then.” I shrugged and grabbed my bag. “Let’s go.”

I sped walked through the entrance and out the double doors. This guy was nuts. But before I could reach the vehicle, five rough fingers grasped the crease of my elbow and swung me around. There was a sneer on his face that sent a tsunami into my panties.
Jesus, no one is supposed to look this good angry.

His eyes lowered to my mouth, and his breath brushed across my lips. “My problem is those fuckin’ things you’re wearing on your legs.”

What?
“My leggings? What the hell are you talking about?”

He pinned me with a look that sent chills up my spine. “You don’t need to wear them around me anymore, Angel. Or anyone else in that damn gym. Don’t do it.”

Oh God, I was so hot.
Why had it gotten so hot out here?
I tried to push away the lustful feeling building in my lower stomach, while gasping for a fresh breath. “I’ll wear whatever the fuck I want to wear. You’re not my boss. I checked with the boss of me, and she said I could wear whatever the fuck I wanted to wear!”

A look I couldn’t pinpoint crossed his face, and then he jerked me an inch closer to him
.
“You’re going to be a problem, aren’t you?”

“What?” I tried to toss my hands in the air, but he tightened his grip. “I’m not going to be anything to you. Let me go before I slap the shit out of you.”

Something brewed in his grey eyes, and I wanted every bit he had to dish out.
What was wrong with me? I just found my fiancée cheating on me, and now I’m wanting to jump some strange man—abnormally rugged and beautiful man—but still a stranger.

He loosened his grip but took a step back from me. “Let’s go now,” he whispered.

“Don’t rush me,” I spat.

He screwed his eyes shut and shook his head slowly. He walked over to the passenger seat and slid inside. Lucy looked up at me, and I motioned for her to get in the backseat of Dad’s Dodge.

The leather was hot from the sun, but I welcomed the heat, because I already felt like I was on fire. Lucy growled form the backseat.

Declan turned and lifted a brow. “Is she growling at me?”

I started the car. “You took her seat,” I said calmly. “I can’t blame her. You’re
so
approachable.”

He barked out a laugh and drug his fingers through his raven colored hair. “I’m a nice guy when I need to be but this time I don’t need to be.”

I turned toward him. “I don’t deserve for you to be nice to me? I saved your life.”

Suddenly he was closer to me than before, his mouth an inch from my own. “Angel, you deserve more than I’ll ever be able to give you, and that’s why I need to stay away from you. I’m nothing but bad news, Champ. You don’t want me to be nice to you, because I won’t let you go when I do.”

Well that settles things.
I couldn’t move a muscle. I only stared as he fucked any other man’s chances at seducing me. “When do I get to vote?” I asked, and then I realized what I said.

Oh God.
A low hum vibrated in his throat, and he touched the pad of his thumb against the corner of my mouth. “This isn’t a democracy. You don’t get a vote.” He leaned back, tightened his hands into fist on his knees and looked out the window.

Damn, and it’s over just like that.

I should have been embarrassed that I was on the verge of shaking in front of him, but I just drove without a word or glance in his direction. Something sparked between the two of us, and he was the damn rain trying to put it out before it started.

And there was a part of me that was angry because of it. I didn’t know the man from Adam, but I wanted him like a drug. I craved him like an addiction.

Chapter Seven

Rage

I was going to hell.

It was official. Demons would drag me out of my bed and into the fiery underworld soon. I couldn’t take much more of her sarcastic, smartass, sexy as sin attitude. I wanted her so badly that I ached when I saw that kid flirting with her. Not to mention him on top of her, it took all my self-control not to drag him out of the ring.

And those stupid tight ass yoga pants.
Goddammit.
Didn’t she have any real clothes?

“Declan, you want some more to drink?”

I glanced up from my plate at Wes. He smiled over at me, offering me the jug of sweet tea. “Thank you, yes.”

I poured myself another glass and wished it was Bacardi.
Shit, I needed a fucking drink. 

Dinner had started off awkward and it hadn’t gotten any better. Cooper kept his eyes on Neveah almost as much as tossed me dirty looks. There was no way the kid trusted me and frankly, I didn’t give a fuck.

“Aunt Shelly said y’all done a lot of shopping.”

Neveah pushed her mashed potatoes around on her plate. “Yep. Got me some underwear and new workout clothes.”

Wes frowned. “I don’t want to think about your underwear.”

She rolled her eyes and dipped her hand below the table where I knew she gave Lucy food. “I don’t want to think about yours and how you let Declan wear them.”

What?

Wes’ fork rattled against his plate. “And how do you know—,”

“Oh, please!” she cried out. “I took him his food and noticed he had your underwear on.”

Wes’ shoulders relaxed and the nervous flutter in my stomach stopped. “Well, you can take him to the mall tomorrow to get some then.”

Neveah’s mouth popped opened. “Stop volunteering me for things.”

Cooper snorted and shook his head. There was something I didn’t like about that little prick.

“Declan.”

God it would take some time to get used to that name. I wanted to tell them my real name, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t. There were too many things I needed to figure out before I told them the truth. And one was finding my damn sister.

“Sir?”

“Neveah will take you into town tomorrow morning to get you some clothes. I think my shirts are a little too tight on you.”

“A little?” Neveah mumbled.

Wes smiled and tossed a roll at her plate. “Why aren’t you eating? You need to eat. All that damn running you do and you never eat. No wonder you have that six pack.”

Pink rose to her cheeks, and she flipped him off.

Six pack?
There was part of me that wanted to rip that stupid tank top off and see what he was talking about, but the rational side of me was screaming ‘don’t even fucking think about it, or her, or those sexy legs.’

“Whatever. Can we just please finish supper and not talk about inappropriate things?”

Cooper laughed and sat back in his chair. “Do you remember the time we snuck out and went to the Halloween hayride?”

Something coiled in my stomach.
Why in the hell did that make me so angry?
Why in the hell did he even bring it up?
Neveah narrowed her gaze at Cooper and pressed her mouth into a thin line.

Wes glared at Cooper. “Y’all snuck out? I guess it’s time for an ass whooping, Neveah.”

She gave him a smartass grin. “You’ll have to catch me first, old man.”

After thirty minutes of listening to Wes replay the story of that day for Cooper, I could feel the tension grow in the room. It was pretty obvious that Cooper didn’t give a shit about it, because all he was worried about was Neveah who had excused herself to her room ten minutes before.

Wes laughed and leaned back. “You ever think of boxing?”

“No, not really,” I said. I’d boxed in prison for two years. The guards got more out of it than us, at first. Then I started to love it, thrive for it. “I didn’t learn how to fight professionally. It’s all been street fightin’ for me.”

Wes leaned forward, and I could see he’d pulled on his coach’s mask. “You’ve got a great foundation, and what would it hurt to try?”

Everything
. I couldn’t get distracted with this, I had to get my sister back. I clutched my phone in my hand and bit my bottom lip.
What if I was good? I could make something out of myself. Or just try for his sake while I’m here? He is giving me a free room and board.

“I’ll give it a shot,” I said.

Wes slapped the table and sent Cooper a punch to the shoulder. “How about that? Well, I say we start tomorrow when you get back from shopping with Nev.”

Cooper dropped his glass on the table and bounded up. “Why does Neveah have to take him?”

Wes jerked back to avoid the splatter. “Dammit, Copper. Get this shit cleaned up. What’s wrong with you?” Wes yelled.

Cooper didn’t drop eye contact.
Was he seriously snarling at me?
Neveah must have done something good to him in high-school for him to act like a jealous fifteen-year-old.
But what could I say
? I hated that a kid stole any of her attention, and I’d just met her. “Is that a problem?” I asked.

Wes sighed. “Get this shit picked up, Cooper. And stop acting like a damn woman.”

Without a glance in our direction, he stormed out of the room and slammed the bathroom door. “He was in love with her,” Wes said, running his hands through his hair. “They dated for a couple years in high-school, he proposed, and she said no, because she doesn’t want to live her life here. I can’t blame her either. I love the kid to death but he’s borderline obsessive.”

“Seems like it,” I mumbled.

Wes slapped my back. “Don’t worry about it. You better go get some rest. Call me if you need anything.”

I stood with him and walked out toward the guest house. It was only nine but the twin size bed called my name. I got to the cabin door and noticed Neveah’s blinds were opened. Her bare ass was toward the window as she slipped a long T-shirt over her head.

Jesus Christ she is definitely a runner.
And she had to do squats to get an ass like that. My fingers clutched the door knob and heat consumed me. Parts of me ached for her and other parts were praying for me to just go inside.

The fabric fell softly against the curve of her back, and she untucked that long brown hair I’d been dying to sink my fingers into.
Why did she have to be so fucking tempting?

Shaking my head, I opened the door and locked the latch. My phone felt heavy in my pocket and each passing minute felt like a year.

I hadn’t talked to Dante since they drug him out of the poker room a week before. I didn’t know what happened to him or if they kept him alive, but I was pretty sure everyone received one warning. I’d been nervous to call, because I was afraid that they’d fucked him up.

I sat on the edge of the bed and palmed my phone. I needed his help, but I knew it was a lot to ask. He’d already risked his life for me. I dialed the number, and he answered on the fifth ring.

“Dante,” I said.

He hesitated. “You’re alive?”

I swallowed and screwed my eyes shut. “Yes, they thought they killed me. A girl found me.”

Dante sighed into the phone. “Thank, God. They all think you’re dead. I thought you were dead, brother.”

“I should be, but I’m safe for the moment, still a little bruised but I’m fine.”

Dante sighed. “That’s good to hear.”

A heavy silence fell over the phone. “What did they do to you?”

The awful silence fueled my awareness, and I knew it wasn’t good. “Just broke my leg. It’s healing, I’ll be fine.”

Anger coursed through me, a low throb ached in my head. “I’m sorry, Dante—,”

“Don’t apologize. I’d do it again for you, brother. I’m with you. Your sister is worth every second of it.”

“I appreciate it,” I murmured. “Where are you?”

“I’m at home. They are monitoring me, but I think I can get away tomorrow during their lunch with their family. Damn bastards have lunch with their mothers like they don’t kill people on the fucking side. Can you meet me somewhere?”

“That’s the problem. I’m not in Dallas. They took me to Huntsville. Can you come here?”

“I think I can make that happen, man. Who are you with? You stole a car?”

I screwed my eyes shut and clutched my phone.  My past was heavy, and I knew one day I’d regret everything I did but regrets were long gone for me. I needed tunnel vision to find my sister and nothing could stand in my way.

“No, I’m staying with the family that found me.”

“Goddamn, man.”

“Just tell me she’s okay? Have you seen her?”

“She’s fine. Denver has the wool pulled over her eyes, but she’s safe. She’s not hungry and has anything she fuckin’ wants.”

“That’s exactly what I was afraid of.” I loved my sister more than anything in the world. But when our parents died our relationship changed. I knew deep down that she blamed me for their death, and she had every right to be angry. It’d been all my fault. We never had much growing up, and I knew Hannah dreamed of having lavish things. Things that Denver could easily give her.

Dante let out a bitter laugh. “I’m sorry, bro. We’ll get her back. I’ll help you get her back.”

It was reassuring to know I had someone to lean on. “I’ll text you the address tomorrow, and we’ll talk. I’ll have someone with me, but we can get rid of her.”

“Her?”

I groaned. “Don’t get me started. She’s a piece of work.”

“Since when has that stopped you?”

“Since her dad is giving me a place to stay. He’s already told me to keep my hands to myself, and my fingers are twitching.”

“She fine?”

I fell back against the bed and closed my eyes. “Fucking gorgeous.”

“Figures,” Dante said. “I’ll see for myself tomorrow though. So if you can’t see her, you mind if I—

“Dante—,” I warned.

“Just shitting you,” he laughed.

Unclenching my hands, I relaxed into the bed. “I’ll shoot you a text. Thanks man, I love you.”

“No worries. I love you too, brother.”

I pressed the
end
button and although someone had my back, I couldn’t help but worry. If I’d learned anything from life, it was that the moments you didn’t worry that you should have.