“Funny.”
“Saint is no one,” Judd said, taking a swig of beer. “He doesn’t live anywhere. Doesn’t have a real name. No one knows anything about him. He has skills Memphis needs. So if he were to do something to you, they wouldn’t punish him. They’d likely tell Cooper to let it go too. Do you get my meaning?”
“Be honest though. If you could have him train you, wouldn’t you say yes?”
“Sure, but I’m me and you’re not.”
“Yeah, I’m a chick and he just wants to mess with me. Except he’s already taught me stuff and I want to learn more.”
“So you can go into his work?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
Judd smirked before turning away. Vaughn stared at us from the lanes, clearly listening. I knew he wanted me to follow Winnie’s lead and find a nice guy to take care of me. Love would heal my wounds. I’d pop out a few cute kids and enjoy playdates with the other girls. Might even find a job that made me feel accomplished.
Unfortunately, nice guys pissed me off. I never understood why until I went on a single date during high school. The guy was sweet as sugar, great manners, and respectful to the point of being a wuss. Yet, he didn’t want real. Every time I said something too rough, he got a weird look as if I was crapping on his happy buzz.
I refused to spend my life lying about my past. Winnie didn’t have to lie with Dylan. Of course, he wasn’t really a nice guy. He was moody and had a killer instinct. He was the kind of nice guy someone like me could end up with, yet my friends had already claimed all the viable messed up possibilities in Ellsberg. Ending up alone wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to me.
I normally felt no curiosity about the romantic entanglements my friends shared. After meeting Saint, I found myself startled by my attraction to a man. Even when not thinking about him, I sensed him lingering around the edges of my thoughts. I was insanely curious about Saint and excited about spending time together tomorrow.
Even knowing the training would be brutal and likely leave me embarrassed, I hadn’t felt such anticipation in my life. My first night in the Thunderdome only hinted at the rush I enjoyed whenever thinking of Saint.
Morning couldn’t come quickly enough.
Chapter Six ~ Saint
The Reapers put up their guests at an apartment building in the middle of town. Close to everything, the place included a gym, pool, and hot tub. The only feature missing from the place was room service. I heard Memphis honchos Arlo and Mikey sent their guys for food rather than having it delivered. Even in this college town and under the Reapers protection, the Memphis guys didn’t take any chances. They likely tested their food for poison before eating it too. Paranoia kept them alive into their sixties, so who could blame them for being careful.
Without a lackey to send on errands, I picked up a few sandwiches from a deli along with a bag of chips and as much Gatorade the fridge could handle. The sparse one bedroom apartment felt eerie, so I dragged a chair onto the small balcony. Watching the traffic three floors below, I tried to relax and failed.
A million times over the years, I’d considered retiring from this life. No more killing or hiding. I wasn’t a kid anymore. My mom frequently asked me if I ever planned to settle down. She didn’t really understand what kind of man I was now. Her confusion was a calculated choice. Mom wanted me to return to the boy she raised and spoiled. In her mind, I should be past my demons by now. Instead they followed me, leaving my plans for retirement forever postponed.
On one balcony below mine stood Dutch. The biker didn’t understand why he was in Ellsberg. Most of the guys figured they were special to be chosen for the great Paintball Battles. Instead, they were being tested as much as Cooper Johansson. Maybe Dutch understood this fact because he gave me a knowing nod when our gazes met in the warm evening.
Once he disappeared back inside, I sat on the balcony with my feet up. I wanted to think about Harlow. No getting round the fact that she tempted me. Tomorrow, I planned to find out if my temptation was misguided. My hope was she kept me amused during my time in this small college town.