Catching Fox Read online

  “I found a local artist who has agreed to construct a sculpture for my mother’s garden. He was highly recommended by a good family friend. We came to an agreement on the price based on paying with cash. I didn’t think it would be a problem since I do not have a limit for withdrawals placed on my account.” Adalynne did not know where that lie came from but she was so thankful she had overheard her mother raving about an artist who had done a sculpture for someone she knew recently.

  “I see.” The manager contemplated her words as he studied her.

  “Oh my, that sounds so lovely, Adalynne.” Greta leaned in with a smile. The manager seemed reluctant but finally agreed to permit the transaction. Adalynne dodged a few more of Greta’s prying questions before she was handed the envelope of cash and gained her leave. She tucked the cash securely away into her bag before exiting the bank. Once outside she took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. Today was definitely an emotionally exhausting day and she suspected it was about to get worse.

  George Street was an approximately twenty minute walk from her location. She needed the time to build up the courage to confront this Slim guy. She convinced herself to start walking despite the fear growing strong within her. The perfectly manicured properties quickly declined as she neared her destination. She knew it was a rougher area of town but she didn’t realize how on edge she would be as she made her way closer to the street. As she turned the corner onto George Street, she stopped short.

  A group of people had gathered in front of the weathered house with the number 87 displayed beside the door. The three guys and one girl looked hardened and crude as they stared back at her. The girl had shaggy black dyed hair that was in desperate need of tending. Her makeup was over applied and hid any natural beauty that she might have possessed. It was hard to determine what was underneath the thick layer coating her face. Her see through lace shirt exposed her red lace bra and her jeans squeezed her excess weight over the top, giving her figure an uncomplimentary look. The three guys in her company didn’t look that much better. They looked unkempt and raw, with cold stares.

  “You lost, princess?” the girl snarled at her. The guys chuckled at her words.

  “No.” Adalynne steeled her shoulders and marched across the street, passing them without a backward glance and ignored the whistle one of the guys directed toward her.

  “When you’re finished in there, princess, I have some business that needs tending.”

  “In your dreams, Tim,” the girl retorted.

  Adalynne knocked on the door, trying to block out the conversation that carried on behind her because apparently she was their topic of choice. The door swung open and a large wide shouldered man appeared in the doorway. She took a step back unconsciously. Her self-preservation kicked in and told her to flee. It took everything she had to keep her feet planted. The man stared down at her with the darkest eyes she had ever seen, almost black in color. His arms looked larger than what seemed humanly possible. Adalynne barely squeaked out her intention under his intimidating stare. “Slim is expecting you,” he grumbled in a voice so deep that it sounded raw and harsh.

  She entered in a wide circle around him, nervous to get too close in case he suddenly decided to squeeze the life out of her. She had no doubt this guy could crush her with one hand. The interior of the house was dark and musty. The wallpaper in the hall was peeling away and the floors creaked under her feet.

  “In here, sweetheart.” She heard Slim’s familiar voice from the phone call. He was in the closest room off the hallway. She backed away from the large man still hovering near the door. She quickly slipped into the room and away from his trailing black eyes. “My, my, you are sweet, aren’t you? How has Damon kept you a secret?” He mused as he caught sight of her.

  Adalynne side-stepped into the room and took in the surroundings. “Your doorman is the scariest man I have ever seen,” she confessed. When she took in the room her eyes fell on two men reclined on a large leather sofa positioned in front of a large flat screen television. Controllers in hand, the sounds of explosions filled the room as a violent war game unfolded on the screen.

  They both erupted in laughter at her admittance. The screen paused and both men turned to fully address her. She wasn’t sure who Slim was, both men had similar builds of excessive gym goers. They both were relatively well-dressed with buttoned shirts and jeans. One had short cropped hair and his face was shadowed with a couple of days’ growth. The other was cleaner shaven with wavy hair that fell longer around his face and deep brown eyes that studied her.

  “We have business to attend to, don’t we…?” The one with longer hair stood up to address her. He trailed off, waiting for her name.

  “Adalynne,” she offered quickly, knowing now who she was here to see. Adalynne reached into her bag and pulled out the envelope.

  “In a hurry, I see.” He smiled at her. “Leave us.” He motioned for the other guy to leave the room and he quickly abided, leaving Adalynne alone with Slim.

  “Please sit.” He motioned toward the sofa.

  “Um…I actually can’t stay.” Adalynne tried to talk through her nervousness.

  “Sit,” he replied flatly and waited for her to obey.

  “Right…okay.” Adalynne sat on the edge, ready to flee if things went wrong, though she doubted she would get past the door guy. The mere thought of the predicament she put herself in caused her heart to beat so loudly she could barely hear anything else.

  Slim sat down next to her, close enough that his leg touched hers. Adalynne moved away from him, sliding down the sofa. He didn’t take offense to her obvious retreat, instead an amused look spread across his face. He moved closer again and Adalynne moved to stand because she could not move any further down the sofa. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back down forcefully. “I like you.” He breathed hotly in her ear. Adalynne tried to pull away but he was strong.

  “Please don’t…I have your money.” She tried to hand him the envelope.

  “I see something I want more.” His dark eyes fixated on hers and fear spiked through her. A whimper escaped her lips before she could stop herself and it seemed to excite him. “You are exquisite.” He looked hungrily down her body.

  He moved to touch her and she fought off his advance, struggling against his firm grip until she tumbled to the floor. “You’re even more beautiful when you’re angry.”

  A large crash at the door pulled both their attentions. Then a loud grunt followed by a thud of something heavy hitting the floor. “Adalynne!” Fox’s voice bellowed through the house.

  “Fox!” she sobbed, trying to scramble to her feet. Fox suddenly filled the frame of the door. Adalynne pushed herself up and slowly backed away, toward Fox. Slim didn’t move, he just leaned back against the sofa and smiled smugly. Feet shuffling behind Fox caused him to turn. She was surprised how quickly Fox moved with the oncoming threat, bringing his elbow in direct contact with the guy’s face. Adalynne recognized the guy who fell to the floor as the one who accompanied Slim when she arrived. He dropped to the floor with his hands on his face.

  “I’ve always liked your style, Knight.” Slim seemed completely unaffected by the fact Fox had dropped two of his men.

  “Fuck off, Slim.” Fox stepped forward to grab Adalynne’s arm and pull her toward him.

  Slim smirked and leaned forward to pick up the envelope of cash Adalynne dropped. “Seems your little Sugar Momma here—” Slim slid his gaze toward Adalynne “—bought you for her shiny new toy.” Adalynne looked up at Fox and watched him clench his jaw but he never took his eyes off Slim. “When she gets bored with you be sure to come back and see me. You have certain qualities that are good for business.”

  “Not a chance,” Fox spat, pulling Adalynne towards the door. “If you ever fucking mess with any of mine I will hunt you down and kill you. You know I will.” His voice was foreign and dangerous. She thought she saw fear flash across Slim’s face before he collected himself.

  “T
his will not be the last I see of you, Knight. You can’t live between the lines. You will mess up eventually.” Adalynne could still hear Slim’s laughter as Fox shuffled her past the two bodies in the hall. The one with the bloodied face was leaning against the wall trying to stop the bleeding now soaking his shirt and the large guy at the door was face down on the floor, not moving.

  When they walked outside the people who were lingering out front were long gone. Fox didn’t stop pushing Adalynne forward until they reached his truck parked on the side of the street.

  “Get in,” he barked at her after he swung her door open. Adalynne hopped in quickly before Fox slammed the door. They drove in silence for most of the ride. She watched his eyes frequent the rearview mirror but Adalynne was too scared to ask if he thought they would be pursued. He didn’t look at her, keeping his eyes on the road. She knew he was furious with her from the way he clenched his jaw, and his forced breath.

  “Can you drop me off at school? My driver will be picking me up soon,” Adalynne asked weakly. Fox didn’t respond but when she noticed he made the necessary turns she was relieved. Fox pulled to a stop in front of the school. Everyone had long since gone for the day. She looked over at him and finally gained the courage to speak.

  “I was just trying to help you,” she explained.

  “I didn’t want your fucking help,” he replied, leaning back against his seat, not turning to face her.

  “How did you know where I was?” She reached up and placed her hand on the door lever but didn’t pull.

  “Teeter and Josh were bragging about the fact that they had talked to you. It didn’t take much to make them spill about what you had asked them.”

  “But how did you know I would even go there?”

  “I didn’t. I called Slim and he said he couldn’t talk because a very interesting proposition was about to walk through the door. I fucking panicked!” Fox hit the steering wheel so hard that it startled Adalynne. “Do you have any fucking idea what you walked into back there?” Fox leaned back and closed his eyes, visibly trying to calm himself down. “I should have realized you would have done something like this when you asked all those questions. Did he hurt you?”

  “No,” Adalynne whispered. “I didn’t know you could fight like that.”

  He looked over at her; his eyes were blurred with emotion. “I don’t want you getting involved in my business…I will get you your money back.”

  “I don’t want it.”

  “I need you to leave me alone.” Fox looked directly at her, his eyes pleading.

  “Okay.” Adalynne pulled the door open and moved to step out. “Can I—”

  “I mean for good. This thing that we have…whatever it is, it isn’t good for you,” he interrupted her. “I want you to forget about me.”

  “Don’t say that.” Adalynne looked down at him through her wet lashes. The emotions of the day had finally caught up with her. She was exhausted and didn’t want Fox to say any of this. She wanted to go back to this afternoon when he looked at her like she was the only person in the world. She wanted that always.

  “It was my fault you were there today. I put you in danger.” His voice showed strain.

  “What? No, Fox. I’m sorry. I was trying to help you,” Adalynne sobbed. “I don’t want you to shut me out. I know you don’t love me but can’t we at least be friends?”

  “Goodbye, Bee.” His serious green eyes looked up at her and she knew he meant it. Their beautiful world together was over. She watched him drive away and drag her heart behind him. She stood there silently trying to figure out how something so beautiful had turned into such a complete mess. She didn’t move until the driver pulled up in front of her.

  “Everything all right, Miss Adalynne?” he asked, opening her door. Her driver, John, was always so kind to her. He was a very proud grandfather of six. His grey hair was thin and cropped short. His kind eyes were creased with many years of smiles. She couldn’t bring herself to answer. Instead, she just climbed in the backseat and cried quietly the entire drive home. The only reprieve she had was the fact that now she knew Fox was free of his debt.

  Chapter Twelve

  When the set finished the band exited the stage. Adalynne watched Fox leave and she realized how much she missed him. An unbearable ache formed in her chest. People began shuffling around the room and music blasted on the speakers surrounding them. A heavy beat thrummed through the entire club, keeping the good mood alive and thriving in the many bodies that lined the floor.

  “I’m going to check my messages.” Adalynne held up her phone. “I can’t hear anything here.” She didn’t wait for anyone to respond. Leaving her seat, she headed toward the back of the bar toward the restrooms.

  “I’m coming with you.” Katie jumped up and followed on Adalynne’s heels through the crowded floor of people. When they were away from the guys, Katie pulled up beside her. “What was going on with you and Brolan Pierce? Do you know him? Please tell me you know him. You were practically eye doing each other.” Katie looked up at Adalynne’s face. “Oh my God! You know the lead singer of Outcome? Why didn’t you tell me you knew him? Is he the one you’re so hung up on?” Katie’s eyes could not get any wider as she stared at her. Her nails were digging into Adalynne’s arm.

  “Katie, please be quiet.” Adalynne noticed the girls waiting in the bathroom line turning to observe their conversation. “Yes, I know him and I didn’t tell you because that’s not his real name. I didn’t know it until he walked onstage. It was a long time ago. Anyway, I’m not that hung up.”

  “Oh please. You barely look at all the hot guys that practically drool on you. Look at Matthew over there. He’s not used to having to work to gain a girl’s attention. He’s used to girls handing him a free pass to their vaginas. Besides, I have never seen two people look at each other like that; I thought he was going to jump off the stage. It was beyond attraction.” Katie looked like she was going to swoon as she leaned against the wall.

  “Do me a favor and forget about it.” Adalynne tried to dismiss their conversation. She listened to the message her mother left telling her everything was still fine.

  “Why should I forget? You obviously can’t.” Katie folded her arms across her chest. She stomped her foot defiantly. “You cannot let this opportunity slip by. I seriously want to strangle you! You should be asking to speak with him. He owes you that much after he eye-fucked the hell out of you onstage!”

  “Oh my god, Katie! It wasn’t like that. He was probably just surprised to see me.” Adalynne shrugged her shoulders and tried to seem casual. “He never wanted me like that and he doesn’t now.”

  “Are you Adalynne?” A tall man dressed completely in black came to a stop in front of her. He looked like he walked out of the gym after spending most of his life there. A black shirt stretched over his massive chest, his hair was cropped short, and his severe eyes glared at her with a very serious expression. He had the science of intimidation down perfectly and Adalynne just nodded at his question, backing up against the wall.

  “Will you follow me?” he continued, taking a step back, expecting her to comply but halted when she did not move.

  “Why?” she asked when he looked back at her.

  “You are requested by Mr. Pierce,” he stated simply, his patience wearing thin.

  “I’ll cover for you!” Katie pushed Adalynne toward the large security guard. Adalynne looked back over her shoulder at Katie, who continued to wave her on encouragingly. The eyes of all the other girls who witnessed the scene stared after her as well.

  Adalynne tried to calm her breathing as she followed the man through a dark, narrow hallway until he came to a door and knocked. The door opened narrowly but Adalynne couldn’t see in the room at her angle.

  “Adalynne,” he said to the person who opened the door. The door closed and a moment later it swung open wide and Adalynne watched the band members leave the room. They nodded approvingly at her. The one she recognized from the
drums spoke to her as he passed. “Hello there, beautiful.” Adalynne tried to manage a smile in return but she was overwhelmed with nerves. He smiled widely at her before continuing down the hall with the others.

  Adalynne didn’t move. Her feet felt planted in place until the security guard gave her a gentle nudge of encouragement. She walked in slowly and he closed the door behind her, narrowly missing her. Adalynne took in the room. The sofas were covered in discarded clothing. The walls were covered with posters and framed photographs.

  Fox walked out of a connecting room with a beer in his hand. His hair was messy like he had just run his fingers through it. He leaned against the door frame and stared at her from across the room. The emotions that overcame her were crippling. She had been living so long without her heart and now it was right in front of her and yet so far. She couldn’t think of anything more striking than his muscled lean frame. The way his jeans hung so low and how his shirt hugged his body that held a promise of so much pleasure. He was a drug to her and she was addicted to him in every sense of the word.

  “You are so beautiful.” His voice was raw from singing. He walked over to the sofa and sat down, not taking his eyes off her. “I can’t get you out of my fucking head.” Fox ran his hand down over his face.

  Adalynne walked toward him until her leg touched his. He ran his fingertips across her stomach gently. The touch was so soft she could barely feel it. “Are you really here?” he said softly like he wasn’t even really talking to her.

  “Yes.” Adalynne leaned down, climbing onto his lap, straddling him on the sofa. She couldn’t control herself. She was driven with need and she had far too many drinks to think clearly. Adalynne took the beer from his hand and leaned back to place it on the table. He stared up at her through a hooded gaze. He was so perfect and she wanted to kiss his beautiful full lips. The alcohol that coursed through her system numbed anything but the desire for him that pulsed wildly through her body. She moved her hips against him and a low moan escaped him. He didn’t move, his hands remained by his sides, gripping the fabric of the sofa. Adalynne took his hands and placed them on her. He immediately began caressing her body.