Chapter 12

Millie

Instead of being halfway home, I’m now in a car with Jake sitting beside me trying to remember the way to Ryder’s cabin, with a scary-looking Asian driver who hasn’t said a word since I climbed in the back seat.

Other than being incredibly pissed off with Terry for putting the picture up on Instagram when he promised not too, I’m also pissed at Jake for hijacking my flight home.

“Ryder is not going to be happy about me invading his personal life,” I mutter.

Jake grimaces. “No, he won’t be. And if I didn’t think it was life or death I wouldn’t be here. This wasn’t exactly how I planned to spend the holidays.”

I smile even though I’m not sure how this is life and death. It seems overly dramatic, and I’m beginning to feel uneasy the closer we get.

“Ryder’s always kept people he cares about at arm’s length. It’s no surprise he’s shutting you out too,” he says.

Rather than correct him, and say I hardly know Ryder, and that I’m doing this for Cindy more than anything, I just nod.

“Did he warn you he was planning on leaving?”

He shakes his head. “I should have seen it coming. His behavior had been increasingly erratic.”

My eyebrow arches. “How so?”

“He was always highly strung. All fighters are. But he was always a professional. Never missed training, always on time. Always listened.”

Since this is what I’ve gathered from the fight commentators and Cindy I lean a little closer. “What changed?”

He shrugs. “I wish I knew. Ryder was an animal in the cage. Pure aggression with a killer instinct. But outside he was the kind of fighter most coaches would dream of. Then overnight he changed. It was like something snapped.”

I glance at the driver as Jake continues to speak. At the way the driver’s fingers grip the steering wheel a little tighter, I wonder if he’s concerned about Ryder too.

His voice comes out a little bitter. “I was as surprised as anyone he’d disappeared. It took me months to clean up the damage he’d done. I still have promoters who won’t work with me.”

I frown. “I’m not sure I understand why you think this is life or death? Do you think Ryder’s suicidal? Dangerous?”

Jake points out the window at a road sign. “And you’re sure this is the road to his cabin?”

I nod, hoping I’m remembering correctly. “Yes. There should be a bend coming up. His cabin is about five minutes from there.”

Jake keeps his eyes ahead and takes his time answering me. “I won’t know until I see him. How did he seem to you? Is he in shape? More aggressive than usual?”

It seems an odd question to ask given the circumstances. “I don’t have anything to compare to.”

He tears his eyes from the window and frowns at me. “When did you meet Ryder? The post said you were dating.”

I swallow hard and have to think about how to reply so I don’t sound like a complete slut. “I haven’t seen the post, but my boss tends to exaggerate for maximum exposure.”

His eyebrow cocks. “You aren’t dating?”

I hate how my voice comes out sounding weak. “No. I think that’s the last thing Ryder wants.”

His forehead lines before his smile returns. “Ryder doesn’t know what he wants. That’s why I’m here. But if you aren’t dating, why are you here? You could have given me directions and made your flight.”

I shrug my shoulders and wish I had a better answer to give. “I’m not entirely sure. It seemed like a good idea at the time.” I say.

He laughs and looks at the driver. “You hear that?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks as the driver snickers and pulls to a stop outside Ryder’s darkened cabin.

“Looks like no one’s home,” the driver says.

Jake peers out the window. “He’s home. I’ll bring the girl, bring the contract, and stay alert. He’ll be ready for us.”

All traces of the charming man I met at the airport disappear as he clamps his hand on my arm.

Jake smiles at me, but there is nothing remotely reassuring in what he says. “You really should have got on the plane sweetheart.”

***

Ryder

I’m so fucking wired that by the time I see the headlights of a vehicle on the road, I’m about bouncing off the walls.

I stay where I am, and watch two shadowy figures trudge through the snow.

It’s too dark to see who is approaching, but given the size difference, it’s not too much of a stretch to think one is Millie

From my position beside the window, I keep my eyes on the figures and squint into the dark hoping I’m mistaken and it’s just Cindy and Elijah coming to check on me.

Any hope I had is dashed when the sensor floodlights kick in, and I’m staring at Millie and at the man I’d hoped never to have to face again.

From the way his hand is clamped around her arm, she’s not here willingly.

I can only imagine he’s told her his version of the truth.

None of that matters now. What matters is finding out whether he brought anyone else out here with him.

Sure enough, like a bad smell I can’t get rid of, I see another familiar face right behind Millie.

I curse as Jake hauls Millie up the steps and bangs on the door. “Don’t be stupid about this Ryder. It’s over,” he calls.

I release a slew of curses at my misfortune and open the door a crack. “Guess I don’t need to think too hard about how you found me.”

Millie’s face falls as Jake wraps his arm around her shoulder. “I’m sorry. My boss promised not to share the photo,” she says.

I frown at her, more interested in what the guy standing behind her is holding. “Kai. You carrying?”

Kai shakes his head slightly. “Open the door before I freeze my balls off.”

With no option now Millie is here too, I open the door and feel a blast of icy air sweep inside as Jake and Millie step inside.

Kai closes the door, and both he and Jake look around with about as much disdain as I expected from them.

But I don’t give a shit what they think. I grab Millie’s arm and pull her away from them. “You adding kidnapping to your list now, coach?” I growl at Jake.

Jake laughs. “I didn’t kidnap anyone.”

I scowl at him then at Millie. “You brought them here? Why the fuck would you do that to me?”

Her indignation rises. “I was trying to help you. Maybe if you’d not been so secretive, I would have made a different choice.”

I shake my head as rage burns in my chest. “You have no business interfering in my life. And you have no idea what shitstorm you just dropped on me.”

Millie opens her mouth when Kai chuckles behind her and removed his thick padded jacket. “Look at you two, arguing like an old married couple. Pump and dump got all domesticated.”

Jake is less amused. “Shut the fuck up both of you. This is business. You have a choice to make. We’re here to ensure you make the right one.”

I near spit the words at him. “Or what? You release the drug test you’ve been suppressing? You were the one who added coke to my pre-workout and you were the one who buried it when I popped. You fucked me over.”

I’m so angry, I don’t care that I’m almost yelling at him and probably scaring the shit out of Millie.

Jake’s nostrils flare, and I know he’s trying to restrain himself. “I’m the one who made you and I can break you just as easy. Sign the contract,” he says.

My lip curls. “I’m not going to Japan and I’m not fighting. Not for Kai’s Yakuza pals, not for the mob, and not for you.”

Jake jabs a finger in the air and looks like he’s about to rip my head off.

“You can bitch and moan all you like, but you fucked me and mine over by running away like a little pussy. Either you sign the contract and fight the six fights in Japan, or I end what’s left of your career.”

I puff out my chest and growl the words. “Bring it on motherfucker,” I say.

***

Millie

Before I can even move, Kai springs from the shadows and launches himself at Ryder.

They slam onto the floor, and I scream as Kai punches Ryder in the face.

But they don’t stop pounding on each other, just grapple and roll around the floor, crashing into the furniture while Jake just watches on.

When Kai grabs Ryder and he starts to choke, I look to Jake. “Stop them!” I scream at him.

Jake sends me a menacing look, letting me know he’s not going to break this up.

Thankfully, Ryder manages to wriggle out of Kai’s grip and get to his feet breathing hard, his fists up as Kai swings his fist so fast it’s like watching an old Bruce Lee movie.

Ryder dodges and snaps his fists rapidly landing more than missing until blood is dripping down Kai’s nose. “Getting soft,” Kai says through a grin.

But the taunt has no effect on Ryder he just jabs until he connects with Kai’s cheek so hard it splits his skin. “Yakusa cocksucker,” Ryder spits.

I cringe as they just circle each other, fists up, spewing insults, eyes locked on each other and they wind up wrestling on the floor.

Somewhere between watching Ryder struggling to breathe, I realize this isn’t going to end until someone concedes or winds up unconscious.

I ease back so I’m in the kitchen, fingers sliding into my pocket until I’m clutching my cell in my fingers and wondering who the hell I can call before Kai kills Ryder.

Torn between wanting to put a stop to this, and wanting to get out of here before I get hurt, I make sure Jake isn’t looking at me before I sit at the table, and place my phone on my knee.

With Jake’s eyes on the bare-knuckled brawl taking place, I find Cindy’s number and send her what I hope is a text asking for help.

I don’t have time to check what I’ve written before Jake’s eyes shift to me. I hit send and slide my phone back in my pocket a second before he grabs my arm and yanks me up.

Sick of being manhandled, I try to jerk out of his grasp, but he yanks me towards him.

“That’s enough Kai. I need him in one piece,” he says.

Like a spell has been broken, Kai drops his fists and backs away leaving Ryder sucking in breaths of air, his face swelling and covered in blood.

He looks at me and takes a step towards Jake. “Let her go,” he growls.

Jake sighs. “This could have been civilized. Now you’ve forced my hand.”

Before I can think, he steps behind me and wraps his arm around my neck. “Sign the contract, Ryder,” he says.

When Ryder hesitates, Jake’s thick arm squeezes cutting off the air supply. My hands fly to his arm, but I’m completely powerless against him as I struggle to fill my lungs.

Kai curses. “What the fuck, coach? Let her go, she can’t breathe.”

Panic surges through my body as stars dart in front of my eyes. Ryder glances at Kai. “Still think everything was bullshit?”

I have no idea what they are talking about, and I don’t appreciate them picking now to have a discussion.

“She’s just a chick, coach, you’ll hurt her,” Kai says.

But Jake doesn’t relent. “Get him to sign it,” he growls.

Tears appear in my eyes blurring Ryder’s face as he takes a step forward. “You’re a piece of shit,” he says.

The pressure only increases. “Sign the contract and I walk out the door.”

Ryder’s entire face tenses as I lock eyes with him. “This isn’t over.”

Jake’s arm releases and my knees go out from under me as I suck in a breath of air.

My knees slam into the floorboards as I crumple, trying to breathe and fighting the sobs that are threatening to overtake me.

I’m so desperate for air, I can’t understand what Kai is saying as I try to regulate my breathing again. “Can you even make the cut in time?” he asks.

“That’s what you’re fucking thinking about? He had his hands around her neck. He could have killed her and you’re talking about cutting?”

I have no idea what they are talking about, and I don’t care. I just want to hide until they resolve this or go away.

Since neither is happening, I slide my back into the corner and wince as something hard pokes me in the spine.

I reach behind me and know instantly my fingers are closing around the handle of a weapon.

I keep my eyes on Kai as he hands Ryder a wad of papers and work my way up the weapon, trying to figure out whether it’s a rifle or a shotgun.

Ryder leans on the table, his eyes flicking between me and Jake holding out a pen. “I do this. We’re done. You leave me the fuck alone and you never contact me again.”

Jake raises his hands. “Whatever you say. You fight for Lake Street one last time, then you’re out.”

Ryder glances at me then at Kai. “You used to be better than this. We could have fought legitimately for Pride. You didn’t need to pull this shit.”

Kai stiffens and does the finger at Ryder. “You left me standing with my dick in my hand. I was your undercard. This bullshit deal with my cousins is my only option to get a title.”

Jake isn’t looking at me, but he seems to be out of patience when he shoves the pen in Ryder’s face and looks at me. “Come here, sweetheart, Ryder looks like he needs more motivation.”

When Jake moves toward me, I know I have about one second to defend myself.

I take a breath and inch my fingers along the wall until I feel the cool steel of the handle of the shotgun against my skin.

Ryder picks up the pen, Jake takes another step, and time seems to slow as I rise to my feet and swing the gun around.

I balance the weapon, make sure I’m aiming it at Jake before pumping the shotgun and load a shell into the chamber.

Jakes’ eyes widen as Ryder places his hand under the table, and I hear a ripping sound before he jumps back, knocking the chair to the floor.

He steps back and I see the gun in his hand as he raises it. “Get the fuck out of my house,” he says.

Jake shakes his head. “Don’t be stupid. You can’t keep running. And next time it won’t be me who comes. It’ll be Kai’s family or worse.”

Ryder stares at them for so long, I think he’s actually considering signing still.

But he doesn’t lower the weapon just looks sidelong at me. “Go to the garage. Don’t come out until I come to get you.”

I gape at him ready to tell him I’m not going anywhere when he gives me such a loaded look I nearly drop the gun I’m carrying. “Don’t ask me why, just get your fucking ass outside before you get hurt.”

My feet move before my brain can register why I’m listening to him and I take a step towards the door.

In one move, Jake snaps the weapon from my hands and pushes the barrel into my chest. “Sorry, sweetheart. I need this signed. Like I said. It’s life or death.”

I yelp and look at Ryder whose gun arm is wavering. But he doesn’t address Jake, he looks at Kai. “This is how you want to make your name? By threatening innocent people? You don’t have to do this.”

Kai tenses and flinches as he looks in my direction. Jake glares back at him. “You come back with a belt, you get a shot to beat Ryder for real in the UFC.”

Ryder shakes his head. “That’s bullshit and you know it. You tell your family I’ll come out of retirement for one fight with you. Unaffiliated. Five rounds, no interference. Just you, me, and the cage. You get the fair fight you always wanted. I’ll even give them ten percent of my earnings.”

Kai’s expression remains tight as Jake snorts a laugh. “You really think he’s going to keep his word? We walk out the door, he’ll disappear for another year.”

While they continue to argue, I try to keep as calm as I can given I’m surrounded by violent lunatics and the hostage in the weirdest standoff I could imagine.

I can only guess at how much money is at stake if Jake is willing to threaten me and force Ryder to sign a contract when he doesn’t want to.

Somewhere in the recess of my mind, I dig out some semblance of courage and decide that I’m done being an unwitting player in this ludicrous situation.

“Oh, just sign the fucking contract so I can go home, Ryder,” I say.

Ryder’s eyebrow cocks. “You don’t know what you’re asking me to do.”

I’m so sick of them all, I look Jake in the eye and force myself to sound confident.

“Isn’t it your job to protect your fighters from people who want to use them?”

A ripple of fear runs through me as his face turns an ugly shade of red. “You don’t know shit, sweetheart. Keep your mouth shut or I’ll shut it for you.”

My eyes locked on Jake’s face, I nearly miss Kai’s voice.

“She’s right. There is no honor this way.”

I shift my attention to Kai as he exchanges a look with Ryder.

Jake curses but before he can say a word, Kai reaches for the gun.

Ryder grabs me and pushes me backward a split second before a gunshot resounds and I scream as I crash into the wall.

Ears still ringing, I look up and find Jake lying on the ground, and Kai holding the shotgun in his hand.

I slump against the wall, bile rising to my throat as Ryder’s battered and bloodied face swims before my eyes. “It was an accident. No one is to blame here.”

When I’m too shaken to answer, he winces. “Can you drive?” he asks.

I have no idea why, but I nod as tremors start to overtake my body. He slides his hand down my arm and pushes a set of keys into my hand.

“Take my truck. You’re getting on the first plane out of here,” he says.

***

Ryder

Every inch of my body hurts. I’m pretty sure Kai has bruised my ribs, but dealing with that has to wait.

With Kai hanging about, I can’t say or do much to help Millie deal with what she just witnessed.

I can’t even call Cindy and risk her bringing Elijah. I just need to get her out of here before anything else goes wrong.

It’s a miracle Kai didn’t bring more of his family. If he had, there’s no way I would have been able to talk him down.

The only reason he backed down is defeating me for real instead of this rigged match his family are pushing is what he’s always been gunning for.

Rather than think about how I’m going to go through with this fight, I help Millie put her back-pack on and walk with her to the garage.

“You can’t tell anyone what happened here,” I say.

She doesn’t say anything, but when she lurches away from me and throws up, I know this may be an insurmountable issue even with the threat of Jake now gone.

She wipes her mouth and looks up at me. “This is why you had all those weapons?”

I growl at her even though I shouldn’t be surprised she went snooping. “Kai has some hard-core friends and family. They tend to shoot then ask questions.”

She gives me a weak nod. “Were you planning on shooting Jake?

I shove my hands in my pocket. “Do you really want to know the answer to that?”

She looks so disgusted the words slip out before I can stop them. “Jake is not a good guy, Millie. I bet he told you all sorts of lies about me to get you here but if you knew what he was capable of, you wouldn’t—”

“Whatever you think your justification is, it won’t ever be enough. I will never be able to get that image out of my head. I don’t care what he did. I don’t care what you did. I just want to go home and forget this weekend happened.”

She doesn’t give me another chance, just walks away and heads into the garage.

I stay where I am in the snow until I hear my truck fire up, and see the headlights illuminate the path in front of her.

I don’t have time to think about how I’m going to get my truck back. I just head back into the cabin and look at Kai.

“Anyone else know you were coming here?”

He shakes his head. “Just my cousin.”

Since the Yakusa isn’t exactly going to care about Jake going missing if they get the money they want, I sink onto my haunches.

“What about the woman?” he asks.

I know what he means. Millie’s a witness and a possible loose end.

I look at Kai and growl. “You fuck with her and the deal is off.”

Kai holds up his hands. “Settle down princess. I’m not the one who hurt her. Just make sure she doesn’t tell anyone about this and I won’t tell my family.”

When he extends his hand and grins, I slap my hand into his and pump it. “You know you’re going down.”

Kai flips me the bird. “Suck my dick lard ass. You won’t even make it through training camp let alone make the cut.”

I wince as I hear my truck fade away into the night. “We need to clean this shit up,” Kai says.

I release a breath and look at the bloodstain spreading on the floor. “There’s a pond not far from here,” I say.