Paxton's Promise (Gloves Off #3)(30)
The whole way to Paxton’s house, I glanced in my rearview mirror at least a dozen times to see if anyone followed me. If Rage knew I was with Paxton, it made me wonder if he watched the house. I was happy Paxton had a gate around his property, but that didn’t mean someone couldn’t climb it.
I knew Pax could take care of himself, but for once I was truly scared for him. He wouldn’t be on alert because he didn’t know what was happening. What if Rage went after him? Whatever sick and twisted fascination Rage had with me, he better think twice about hurting Paxton. I protected the ones I loved, even if it meant putting myself in the crossfire.
Paxton called at the same time I pulled into his driveway. “Hey, you,” I answered, trying my best to sound normal.
“I’m on my way home. It took longer than I thought.”
“Did you get it fixed?”
He snorted. “What do you think? Of course, I did. He wants me to race tomorrow night. Do you want to come watch me?”
Ahh shit. “I can’t,” I said, sounding disappointed. “I talked to my mom today and she misses me. I felt bad because I haven’t seen her in forever. She wants to do dinner and a movie tomorrow night.”
“Oh,” he commented. “I see. Well, there’s always the next one, which is in two more days.”
“And I’ll be there.” I had no clue if Scar needed me on that night, but I didn’t give a shit. If he wanted me to keep this a secret from Paxton, he was going to have to work with me. “So, what do you want to do tonight?”
“I thought we could stay in. Maybe get in the pool? I can turn on the heat.”
“Sounds good to me.” In fact, it sounded more than good. If Rage was watching us, I was hoping it would be more difficult for him to see us if we stayed home. We’d be safe, for one night at least.
THE WHOLE MORNING, Paxton spent working out with me and showing me new techniques with grappling. I loved to punch things and I was really good at jabs and combinations. My weakness was getting out of holds. Paxton was good at that, but unfortunately, we spent a lot of the morning trying to keep our hands off each other and dry humping on the mat.
After having some seriously hot sex in the shower, I stood under the falling water, letting it pound me on my back. I had two hours until I needed to be at my apartment. My nerves were shot, but I had to keep my wits about me if I was going to get through the night. Leaning my head against the wall, Paxton came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I don’t think I can ever get enough of you,” he murmured in my ear.
I hummed in agreement and turned to face him. “I know the feeling.”
“What time will you be home tonight? Are you sure you don’t want me to drop you off at your mom’s?” He was worried about me going out alone, but yet, he didn’t want to be overprotective to the point of smothering me.
If I weren’t all wrapped up in a lie, I would’ve been happy to let him drop me off with my mom. “I’ll be fine,” I assured him. “It shouldn’t be too late when we get done. I’ll probably be here before you even get back from celebrating at the track.”
“Well then, I’ll see you tonight, sunshine.” He tapped my chin with his finger and leaned down to kiss me. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I whispered.
Setting me down, he washed off quickly and bolted out of the shower. “Wish me luck,” he hollered, exiting the bathroom.
“Good luck.” He wasn’t the only one who needed it.
Once my gym bag was packed, I loaded up the Hummer and started on my way to the apartment. I had no clue who was going to pick me up, or where we were going, but I assumed I would be blindfolded. When I pulled up in the parking lot, I was about ten minutes early, and there was a car already waiting for me. It was a black truck with all black windows. I parked right beside it and looked over. The passenger side window rolled down and I looked in; it was the redhead who clocked Cliff over the head with the gun yesterday.
Groaning, I rolled down my window. “Let me guess, I have to get in the car with you?”
Smirking, he shrugged his shoulders. “You don’t have to, but I would suggest you do. I don’t like to see the boss pissed off and I don’t think you would either.”
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly and grabbed my bag. When I got into the truck I was expecting to see it full of other people, but it was just me and him. “Should I be insulted?” I looked around at the empty seats.
Red chuckled and held his hand out for my bag. I passed it to him for inspection. “You’re just a woman,” he explained. “I’ve seen you fight, but I’m pretty sure I can manhandle you into submission. Besides, you know what’s at stake.”
“And that’s the only thing saving you right now,” I mumbled angrily.
He tossed the bag in the back and passed me a blindfold. “Put this on.”
I did as he said and sat back in the seat. “What’s going to happen when we get there?”
“Scar’s going to go over everything with you and then we’re going to put you in the cell so our bidders can take a look at you. If you do as he says, the night should be over pretty quickly and you can go back home.”