The Ballerina & The Fighter (Book 1) (20 page)

“Well you don’t have to
worry, I’ll be fine. But I wanted to talk to you about the group. I will be in
the cast for six to eight weeks. Then another few weeks of rehab. If this had
to happen it couldn’t have happened at a better time. I’ll only miss the spring
shows. So I will be ready to start rehearsals end of summer to do the fall
shows starting in September. We get the summer off for the most part so I will
use it to strengthen my ankle.”

Dante shook his head. “Ivy…”

“I know what you’re going to
say, but it’s not impossible. Other dancers have been able to come back from
injuries like this.”

“Not many, but are you sure?”

I reached for his hand and
squeezed it. “The only way I’d lose is if I give up before I even try.”

He nodded and returned my
squeeze. “Then fine. If anyone can make this work it’s you. I’ll let Davis
know. Go over the paperwork they sent you and then we’ll talk again later
tonight when I get home. I’ll pick up some Chinese. Should I get enough for
Maze?”

Maze said he’d text me later,
not that I’d see him tonight. “Text me after rehearsal and I’ll let you know.”

He stood up and took his bowl
and cup and placed them in the dishwasher, I was still working on mine. He
passed by me and rested his hand on my shoulder then leaned over and kissed my
hair. “I just worry about you, but I’m glad to see you happy again. Even if I
don’t think he’s good enough for you.”

I patted his hand and looked
up at him. “I’ll be fine.”

Then he left the kitchen to
get ready to go to rehearsal. I felt a pang in the center of my stomach. We’d
always left together, took classes together, danced together. This would be the
first time in three years he was partnered with someone else. The first time I
wouldn’t be in a show. I had no idea what I was going to do with myself for the
rest of the day, much less the next six weeks. I stood up and managed to hop
over to the dishwasher with my bowl and cup. Then I grabbed my crutches and
made my way into my room. I shut the door and went over to my bedside table to
grab my phone. I stuck it in the pocket of my robe and a headed for the shower.

I turned on the shower only
to shut if off again. Shit. I’d forgotten I can’t get the cast wet and I forgot
to bring a plastic trash bag with me to cover it in. I didn’t want to try
taking a bath. I could probably get into the tub without help but getting out I
didn’t want to chance slipping. So showers it would have to be, good thing it
was a separate walk-in shower. I still needed to find something to cover my
cast with. I opened my cabinet under the sink; bingo I had a few plastic bags
in there. I sat on the toilet and wrapped it up, as I finished I heard my phone
ping, I had a text.

Maze:
‘Miss you. See you later tonight.’

I smiled, I had my answer. I
sent him a text back.
‘Miss you too.’

Chapter Twenty-One

Maze

It had been a long day. Tsang
had made sure the trainer worked my ass off. How Uncle Tsang managed to get one
of the best trainers in the business, who was retired, to return to help me I
couldn’t even imagine. The man was more than a trainer, he was a master and
hadn’t been seen in the last five or so years. He was a legend among martial
artists because every fighter he’d ever trained ended up as champions, too bad
he was about to break that winning streak. I stepped out of the ring and made
my way to the changing rooms. I’d brought a change of clothes with me. I wanted
to head over to the hospital to check on Joe and then go straight to Ivy. Just
the thought of her put a smile on my face. She was in my heart, a part of me
now and I’d protect her with everything I had. But I was not letting her go.
Selfish much? Yes.

I’d just finished dressing
when Uncle Tsang showed up, his ever present body guard at his side, but he
remained near the door. I had a changing room to myself, even though it could
accommodate four. I was training after all and their champion, so I warranted
it. My heart skipped a beat though when I saw Tsang. He’d been at the gym earlier
and then left to go visit Joe. I wasn’t expecting to see him again until
tomorrow.

“Is everything okay? How’s
Joe?”

Something in my voice must
have clued Tsang into my anxiety; he smiled to ease my concern. “Rest easy.
But he and I had a talk. Sit down.”

I sat down on the bench;
Uncle Tsang sat next to me and faced me. “Maze, you know Joe is like a brother
to me and I think of you as a nephew.”

All I could do was nod, not
sure where he was going with this unless there was something wrong with Joe.

“I was the one that made it
possible for Joe to handle the outside activities of the Triad and establish a
separate Tong to begin with. I have been slowly turning over my own interest to
his Tong. I’ve known Joe’s wanted out for sometime and I did my best to keep
him separate from things he’d rather not be involved in. I kept much away from
you both. It was my idea to have you lose this fight, as Joe’s payment in full,
if you will, to the others so he could leave in peace. Because of the betting
we stand to make, well…a lot of money is involved. The others agreed.”

I frowned. “Yeah I know all
this and I agreed. I also know that won’t be enough for them.”

Tsang nodded. “Yes, they will
own you. It wouldn’t just be the one fight. Your skills are well known. I fear
what the others have planned for you is to utilize those skills in another
way.”

“I suspected as much. I had a
task to perform before we came to the U.S. I thought it might have been a test,
other than the time I protected you.” I’d had to get onto the grounds of a
rival group’s Dragon Master and remove some documents from his bedroom.
Incriminating documents being used against Joe’s Triad, against things Joe did
in the past. I’d done it. Gotten in and out without being seen, even though the
place had guards. No one had to tell me failure meant my death.

Tsang nodded. “We were all
very impressed. There are already plans in place to have you do even more.”

My stomach started to hurt.
This was not what I wanted.

“Joe knows this, son. He’s
not stupid, he’s been a part of this world long enough to know how it works. He
recognized what I did as well as the others. There is a dragon inside you, it
is why he’s trained you to the level he has. And he is adamant, he does not
want you to throw the fight, and allow the Triad to draw your dragon out. And I
agree.

“What?” That surprised me.
Although it shouldn’t, I always knew I was capable of taking my skills to
another level; I already mastered the more violent of the martial arts.
Creating my own unique style.

Tsang shook his head, then
sighed. “I never wanted this for you either. I had hoped by losing and the
funds they would receive in compensation would be enough. But there has been
some rumbling among others and no one wants to appear weak. Makes the Triad seem
vulnerable. All of this I understand. But still I tell you do not throw this
fight. If you can win then do so.”

I shook my head this time.
“I’m sorry, Uncle Tsang. I thank you for what you’re trying to do but you know
I have no choice. Joe needs to be out of this mess, he’s getting old. And I’m
not stupid, that heart attack took a lot out of him. He’s no where near out of
the woods.”

Tsang smiled. “Joe said you’d
still refuse. Stubborn he called you, but he said to tell you he’s even more
so. He had me do something to ensure you won.”

I was confused and laughed
but it was an uneasy one. “What could he possibly have done to ensure I won?”

“He had me withdraw all of
the funds out of your joint bank accounts as well as the portfolio and that of
the Tong. I bet it all on you.”

“WHAT!” I stood up and began
to pace.

“As well as a sizable portion
of my own accounts.”

“FUCK!” I open palmed smacked
my hand against the locker putting a dent in the metal.

I turned around to face Tsang
breathing hard. “How could you let him do that? How could you do it? You
realize what this means?”

Tsang nodded. “Yes, we both
do.” Tsang stood up and placed both hands on my shoulders. “Joe and I, we both
chose this life, understanding what it meant; we did it knowingly. This was our
choice. It is not yours.”

Tears welled up in my eyes.
My lips parted as I tried to suck air into my lungs to get my brain
functioning. I felt wetness coursing down my cheeks. I hadn’t cried since my
mother died. I would willingly sacrifice myself for Joe the way he had for me
over the years. Looked like he continued to sacrifice for me and I would not
fucking let him down. But I also knew this would be my last fight. The Triads
ruled this world and I wouldn’t let them use me as a pawn again. I needed to
see Joe. And Ivy. My heart felt lighter knowing what it would also mean for me
and Ivy. A chance we might have a chance.

Tsang patted my shoulder then
took my arm. “Come on. I’ll take you to see Joe.”

The good news when I finally
got to see Joe was that he was no longer in ICU but in a private room, on the
same floor. He wasn’t in the general wards yet, but his condition was stable
enough they took him out of ICU.

I walked into the room and at
first he appeared to be resting. He was still hooked up to some kind of tube
but there weren’t as many monitors and he didn’t have tubes in his nose any
more. I stood by the bed and watched him open his eyes. When he saw me he
smiled. I took his hand and he squeezed it. It was weak but better than the
last time.

“How you feeling?” I asked.

“Like I got into the arena
for a round or two with you.”

I smiled. Tsang had come in
behind me and now sat on the chair by the foot of the bed. “I told him,” Uncle
Tsang said to Joe.

Joe smiled. “Good, good.” He
moved his other hand to place over my hand so it was enclosed in both of his.
“It’s better this way, Maze. You win that fight, take the money, and don’t look
back.”

“I will. But what… What about
the two of you?” I looked at him then over at Uncle Tsang.

Uncle Tsang answered, “Don’t
worry about us. We’re survivors; we got ourselves into this we’ll get ourselves
out. We are not without our own resources. And with your win the Tong will be
financially solid. We can cut all ties with the Triad.”

I wasn’t stupid. “The minute
the others find out you bet on me they’ll think we crossed them.” I looked back
and forth between both men but neither said a word. Joe’s tug on my hand turned
my attention back to him again. He pulled himself up using my hand. There was
more strength in his grip right then than before.

“Listen to me, Maze, stay out
of it. Tomorrow is your night. Win the fight and live your life. Make me
proud.” The intensity of his words and trying to sit up must have drained him;
he fell back onto the pillow and closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell like
he fought to catch a breath. Then he seemed to calm down and he opened his
eyes, taking a deep breath. “They gave me something to help me sleep just
before you came in. I don’t think I can keep my eyes open much longer. Come see
me in the morning, Maze. Tsang brought me a laptop earlier so I can watch the
fight, he’s going to have someone videoing it so I can watch.”

“All right, I love you, Joe.
I’ll see you in the morning.” I squeezed his shoulder.

“I love you too, son.”

We were never a really touchy
feely family. The kind of touching Joe and I usually did had to do with my
training, but for the second time in as many days I bent over and kissed his
brow. Tsang got up and grasped his arm and the two men nodded at each other.
“I’ll take care of him, Joe. My word,” Tsang said.

“I know,” Joe said and closed
his eyes.

I texted Ivy while we were in
the elevator leaving the hospital.

Maze:
‘Be there in 20.’

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ivy