Claudy - Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2)

Book Two of Outside The Ropes

ASHLEY CLAUDY

Regan thought she had found a new life.

She thought she'd found something to love in the ring.

She thought she'd found someone to love outside those ropesSomeone who loved her.

But what she found was danger. And there's no easy way out.

Copyright 2015 Ashley Claudy

All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written consent from the author except for use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover by R.B.A. Designs.

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

~Plato

THE GUN PRESSED INTO MY SKIN AS I climbed out of the cab. I tugged on my shirt, pulling it low with clammy hands, trying to keep the gun and my nerves covered.

I had no clue what I was about to get myself into as Silas approached dressed in a dark suit, but his sly smile reminded me that it wasnt anything good. Not that I needed a reminder; the gun tucked into my jeans, an almost burning presence, was enough.

His smile faltered as he dragged me away from the line of people waiting to get into the building. What are you wearing Regan? I told you this was a club.

I wanted to be prepared for anything. I pulled my arm out of his grip and shrugged.

He let out a puff of laughter and his breath clouded in the cool night air. Youre not turning criminal tonight. You dont need to be in all black. His eyes scanned over my dark top and jeans, a frown dropping into place. Fuckin eh. Did you bring a gun too? Give it to me.

My heart stopped at being called out so quick. The outfit was supposed to pass for dressy but also allow me to move. I wanted to be prepared for anything since this meeting was a mystery to me.

No one was in listening distance, but there were plenty of eyes from the line of people trying to get into this place.

Silas nodded his head to the side of the warehouse and we walked around the corner, out of view from everyone.

Im serious. Give me your gun and anything else you might have. These people dont know you and walking in armed could get you hurt. Theyre meeting with you because I said they could trust you. Dont make me regret it.

I didnt trust him, but I was going to have to follow his directions if I wanted to go through with this. And I did want to go through with this. Stepping further into the shadows of the building, close enough to touch him, I pulled the glock from the back of my waistband and handed it over.

He knelt down and slipped the gun into the top of his boot, covering it with his dress slacks. Rising, he cocked an eyebrow at me. Good girl. Anything else you need to hand over?

The pit in my stomach was bottomless, and I shook my head. I recalled Nans tiny body in the hospital bed with machines hooked to her and let the fiery anger fill me, strengthening me.

We can go in the back. He jerked his head to the side door at the far end of the building.

Each step into the darkness was bringing me closer to fate, and with each step I dropped any hesitation; there was no turning back. I needed to go in confident and sure. By the time I reached the door, I was.

Danger may be on the other side but it was better than the fear I lived with now. At least this way I was doing something instead of running. I was fighting for her, Nan, even if it was too late to do any good. But I was also fighting for him whether he wanted me to or not. I was done fighting for me, it wasnt worth it; nothing good ever came of it.

Silas pulled out his phone, thumbs gliding across the screen as he texted, and then the door opened. A man with a buzzed head and a smirk as dark as his eyes let us in.

Come. Nicks waiting. His voice was flat and low with the hint of an accent. He nodded to me and then turned down a hallway with dim fluorescent lighting. The muffled beat of music and stale smell of alcohol filled the air, intensifying as we walked around a corner.

The man knocked twice on a door before opening it. He gestured for us to go in, sending a cold chill through me as I brushed past him. Even though he was only about my height with a slight build under his cream colored sweater, something in his face and the way he held himself was sinister.

But if he chilled me, the other man in the room nearly sent me into hypothermia. He had the size of Gage and a close resemblance, but was older, harder. His dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and a fitted button up shirt covered muscles that were a bit softer than his nephews but still held obvious strength.

He turned from the monitor he was looking at, surveillance footage from around the club in tiny squares on the screen, and his eyes struck me. Gages light blue eyes always seemed cold, but this mans dark ones were worse. I didnt need the introduction to know who this was, but it was given anyways.

Silas put a hand on my back, nudging me further into the room. Nick, this is Regan. Regan this is Nick and thats Demetri. He gestured to the man closing the door behind us.

Want a drink? Nick asked us, eyes still locked on me.

My mouth was dry and stuck together, but I shook my head.

Ill have one, Silas said.

Nick inclined his head to Demetri and crossed the room to sit on the couch, gesturing for us to sit in the two chairs opposite him.

I took the chair closest to the door and Silas sat in the other one.

Demetri made drinks from a small bar cart in the corner of the room. He set two glasses filled with amber liquid and ice down on the low glass coffee table in front of us. Sipping on one himself, he leaned against the desk off to the side of our sitting area. I didnt like how he was just behind my vision if I faced Nick, especially since his sharp eyes were on me.

Nick set his phone on the table and picked up his drink, sipping it slow. He watched me with narrowed eyes as he leaned back on the couch.

Holding the glass in mid-air he addressed me, Silas told me a little about your situation. Youre willing to help us out, if we help you out?

I looked to Silas, but he nodded back at me. I needed to do the talking.

Depends what you mean by help out.

The corner of his mouth turned up, along with one eyebrow. Well lets make it clear. He set his glass down. Lets make sure both parties understand what theyre asking for. Its important. Especially since I cant imagine a young thing like you wanting what Silas said ya wanted.

Pulling a cigarette out of his shirt pocket, he balanced it between his lips as he lit it. You dont strike me as cold hard bitch, he mumbled around the cigarette and then pulled it from his mouth, exhaling in my direction. So tell me, what exactly is it you want?

I want I flicked my eyes to Silas who nodded for me to continue. Theres a man I want dead. The nerves that tightened my throat made it hard to breathe.

Nick took another drag of his cigarette and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his spread legs. He pointed his smoke at me and shook his head. You mean you want someone killed, murdered. Say it straight, cause wanting someone dead is different than wanting them murdered. Ya understand?

I sucked in a sharp breath and nodded.

Say it then. He relaxed back on the sofa and extended an arm along the top, but his eyes were full of challenge.

I want him killed, my voice came out clear and emotionless.