Page 95 of Dare to Dance
I was about to check on Kross when Trent stalked toward us. He had a scowl on his face as he fixated on Alex. He couldn’t leave. Detective Rayburn had said he would be here. I wanted to stop Trent, but I had Raven in my arms. Well, I wanted to do more than stop him. Trent deserved to feel physical pain.
He pushed Alex out of the way. “Nothing but trash,” he said to her. “Now you’ll never know what happened to your sister.”
The ref was still counting.
I started for the door when it burst open. Detective Rayburn stormed in with men in blue. Trent backpedaled, looking for another way out.
Detective Rayburn pointed at Alex. “Cuff her.” A buff cop grabbed Alex’s arm as her eyes pooled with tears.
The noise level died.
Detective Rayburn and two cops surrounded Trent. “Trent Baker, you’re under arrest for the kidnapping of Raven Lewis.”
The audience gasped.
With Raven in my arms, I rushed to see Kross. When my gaze landed on the ring, the referee was holding up Reggie’s arm, while Liam was waving something under Kross’s nose. Kross stirred, and Liam helped him to his feet. He blinked several times before zeroing in on Detective Rayburn.
Kross visibly slouched when his eyes landed on Raven and me.
“Take him,” Detective Rayburn said to the two cops, his voice booming in the quiet gym.
The cops cuffed Trent.
“I still got my money,” Trent said with an air of arrogance. “Thank you.” His gaze landed on Kross then me.
Suddenly, the joy I had dulled. The asshole still got what he wanted.Yeah, but the money won’t go far in jail.
Detective Rayburn walked up to me. “Is she okay?”
Raven lifted her head from my shoulder and smiled.
He smiled back at Raven. “I guess so. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“I want to talk to Alex,” I said. I had to find out why she’d kidnapped my daughter.
“As soon as I’m done with her.” Detective Rayburn strode off.
Then as if nothing had happened, the referee said, “The winner is Reggie Stockman.”
My heart plummeted. Kross’s career was probably ruined. But at the same time, my heart soared. Raven was safe and in my arms. Suddenly, my legs trembled. I found my seat next to Kade, Kody, and the rest of my new family. Immediately, Raven waved at Kelton. Then in a flash, she was on his lap. For the first time in a very long time, I laughed.
30
Kross
Dizziness consumedme as I stood in the ring, staring at Ruby and Raven—the best fucking picture of my life. How Raven had gotten there? No clue, although I suspected Alex. With the bright lights of the ring, I could barely see past the chairs to the main entrance.
So Trent believed he had won. Maybe he’d gotten his money, but I got my family.
Blood comes first.
The crowd was thinning out and heading for the exit. Gail was immersed in her phone. The ref was talking to Reggie, while Liam was trying to guide me to the stool in the corner.
“I’m cool,” I said to the kid. Although when I set my eyes on Jay, cool went out the window.
A look of disappointment slashed his features, causing pain to constrict my chest. The last thing I’d wanted was to ruin my relationship with him. I wanted more than anything to run to Ruby and Raven, hold them, kiss them, and tell them how much I loved them. But Ruby and Raven were surrounded my brothers, Norma, and Dillon. Considering they were safe, I needed to apologize to Jay. I prayed he would understand. Then again, I actually didn’t throw the fight like Trent thought I had. I’d been buying my time, hoping Detective Rayburn would come through. If he hadn’t, then I would have thrown it. But when Ruby had screamed Raven’s name as if someone was committing bloody murder, I took my eyes off my opponent for a split second, giving him the upper hand, and he’d taken it. I didn’t blame him. I would’ve done the same if the roles had been reversed.
I made way over to Jay, replaying the conversation we’d had before Thanksgiving in which he’d reprimanded me.“I know every underground fighting circuit in this city. If I catch you or get wind that you’re at one again, we’re through. You can find another coach.”Granted, I hadn’t been at an underground fight since then, but the fact that I’d been dealing with someone like Trent Baker was the same in my book.
