Read Online Inside Danger (Outside The Ropes Book 2) by Ashley Claudy - Free Book Online Page A

us. I was still encased in it as his fingertips glided up and down my arm.
    But the feeling was lifting as the sun rose, casting a pale, ominous light into the room.
    “What did you do tonight?” I asked, not moving my head from his chest.
    His fingers dropped away and he shifted under me, angling his head to look towards me. “Hm?”
    “Tonight, when you came in I could smell the alcohol on you. Who were you with? What did you do?” His natural fresh musk was all I could smell now, but it had been undeniable when he first entered. And I was a fool for not asking sooner.
    “I was with Rusnak.” His voice took on an edge and I tightened my arms around him, struggling between not wanting to know but needing to hear it.
    “They talk so much shit. All the time. I know they do it to try to catch me, to get a rise out of me. They haven’t acted on any of it so I’ve been able to play it cool, but seeing his bracelet on you—I know what he’s doing.”
    His rant confused me. “What is he doing?”
    “He’s reminding me who’s in charge, who has control.” His hands tightened on me. “But as long as their focus is still on me, it’ll be all right.”
    I pulled back from him, resting on my forearms so I could meet his eyes. “What are you talking about? You’re not making sense.”
    He rubbed his hand over his head with a frustrated sigh. “You’ve been playing the game well. You even have Demetri saying you’re all right and coming from him, that’s big. So I don’t think they’ll actually try anything. I don’t think they’ll hurt you. Not when they still want me to fight for them.”
    My blood turned icy, spreading through my veins. “Have they threatened too? All they tell me is that I’m here until Damien is taken care of because he is the threat.”
    “Baby, I hope that’s true.” He dropped his hand onto my head and his eyes followed the path of his palm down my hair. “He will be taken care of soon enough, but I only have one more night of staying here before the drop off. I’m going to do what I can to get you out of here when I leave.”
    Tomorrow, or tonight rather now that the golden glow of morning light filled the room, he would be done his business here.
    “Wasn’t this supposed to get you close to Damien? What are you planning?”
    He shook his head and leaned in to kiss my forehead, pausing with his lips on my skin as he inhaled. “He should be finished after tonight, too.”
    Everything became tight, my lungs, my throat, my stomach, but I forced the words out. “No. Leave it to them to take care of. I don’t want you—”
    Suddenly he sat upright and dropped his feet to the floor. “I’m taking care of it.” He stood up, jerking on his clothes as he gathered them from the floor. “You just worry about yourself and keep low. Stay close to Demetri and try to stay the hell away from Rusnak or Nick.”
    Fully dressed, he turned to look at me and paused, softening. “Please. I need you to listen.” He sat back on the bed and I moved to his side, pulling the sheets with me to keep covered. “Don’t do anything, don’t take any chances today. Tomorrow, things should be different tomorrow.”
    I nodded, hoping I could listen. But very little had been in my control since I got here.
    He pressed his lips against mine, lightly, briefly, and then walked out of the room.
***
    I slid into the passenger seat of Demetri’s car and exhaustion pulled at my muscles, a combination of lack of sleep, my time with Gage, and the effort I had just used in the gym.
    “Now that’s done. What to do today? And don’t say movie or TV.” Demetri scowled beneath his glasses.
    I gave him a wry smile. He was a mystery to me, but knowing that Gage thought he was the least of the evils to be around helped.
    “How about coffee somewhere and then the shooting range again?” My hand vibrated with the memory and finger itched to pull a trigger again.
    He smiled and nodded as he pulled out into