Love Tap(79)

I can’t keep doing this.

I’m going to tell Camden about the Underground when I get back. I have to. I love him and don’t want this to come between us. I don’t want to lose him again. Not over this.

“You ready?” Debs asks grabbing her suitcase from the conveyer belt. The sound of airplanes and idle chit chat from the airport near deafening.

I inhale a ragged breath and grab my bags as well.

“As I’ll ever be.”

Nashville is hot, and … full of boots. So many cowboy and cowgirl boots. Everywhere you turn there’s country music. I wish Camden were here to witness it. It’s different from Chicago that is for sure. I cringe thinking about Camden, guilt rushing over me like a tidal wave.

I just want to get this over with.

“Are we staying at a hotel?” I ask Debs, not sure what the itinerary is. Seems we are given information only as we need it.

“Nope, we are to arrive at The Underground and fight and go home. You being with Camden your face is well known, and Silvia doesn’t want someone spotting you,” she informs. I nod, thankful this will be a quick trip.

“Ok, so where is The Underground?” I question, hoping she knows because I don’t.

“I’m not sure, a driver is supposed to pick us up and take us there, so keep an eye out,” Debs replies looking around the airport parking lot. Pursing my lips in thought I look out and find a black car with a driver standing with a sign that reads “Davis”.

“There,” I point.

Debs starts strutting that way as soon as she spots him.

“Morning Mrs. Davis. I’m Ervin, and will be driving you to The Underground. Can I help you with your things?” the man asks, his voice rough and deep. He seems older, but looks tough as nails. His eyes are sharp, his face as toned as his body. I’d think he was young if it weren’t for the gray in his beard and eyebrows.

“Sure.” I hand him my bag. He gives a curt nod before grabbing Debs’ things and mine and heading to the back of the car.

We ride out of the airport and away from the city. The further we get, the fewer city lights there are. It’s pitch black out my window, and I haven’t seen a car drive by in the last twenty minutes.

“Where are we?” I whisper to Debs, but she ignores me looking out of her window. My nails dig into my palm, and my heart races so hard I can hear my heart beat. I’m freaking out. This was such a bad idea.

Finally Ervin pulls the car into a paved driveway that leads down a long path. A tall dark building comes into view over a hill. Sitting on the edge of my seat I find some of the nicest cars parked in rows, and limos everywhere.

Nerves bundle in my stomach as my phone rings for the sixth time since we’ve been in the car. Pulling it from my pocket I glance at the caller - Camden. My fingers hover over answering it, but fear takes over him knowing just yet and I silence it. Closing my eyes, my heart sinks with guilt as I shove it back in my pocket.

“Good girl,” Debs whispers looking over my shoulder.

I glare at her, conveying how much I don’t need her two cents.

Upon driving closer to the building I notice it’s an old tire company. It looks abandoned and old. My brows furrow in curiosity as to how a fight will be held in such a place.

Ervin pulls past some guards, giving them a tip of the hat and they step aside. These are guards you wouldn’t usually see at a fighting event. These guys are dangerous looking. One has a shaved head with tattoos inked along his scalp and neck. The other’s muscles so big he has to be on steroids as the fabric of his black shirt looks like it belongs to a toddler.

Driving by them I notice the black shiny guns placed snugly on their hips and I break into a nervous sweat.

The car stops and the doors open before I can scout out where we are exactly.

Getting out, two guys dressed in black grab our bags from the trunk.

“Ms. Davis follow these gentlemen and good luck,” Ervin smiles, and gets back in the car. I watch him, debating if I should get back in that car and tell him to take me back to the airport. Those red flags going off in my head are now sirens, screaming for me to high tail it out of here.

“Come on,” Debs shoves my shoulder. “We need to get moving so we can get you set up.”

I pull my gaze from the car that is now leaving and glare at Debs.

“Don’t touch me again,” I threaten. I’m pent up with so much aggression from keeping this shit secret I’m in no mood to be messed with.

One of the guys with short blonde hair and a face you wouldn’t remember, pounds on a gray metal door, and it opens.

Inside there’s a long cylinder hallway that goes on for what seems like forever. The lights are dim, and the smell of mold overwhelming. My feet kick what looks like brick dust as we follow, leaving prints behind.

My face frowns in disgust as I try to step around the muck.

The men stop, opening another metal door. One of them holds the door open, not making eye contact.

Debs walks in, and I follow suit.

The locker room has one lone locker in the back, and a metal bench sitting in front of it. The toilet is sitting to the left with no walls or doors for privacy. It looks like something that belongs in a prison.

“So it’s not the best of conditions, but I’ve seen fighters start out worse and get paid nothing.” Debs tosses the gym bag on the floor, and starts pulling out the tape.