Scarred (Unlikely Heroes Book 5) (21 page)

Travis gurgled against the pressure on his throat. “You don’t have…the balls…to kill me.” His voice was hoarse. “Besides…if you did, the boy would die. I gave instructions…that if anything happens to me, to take him out.”

Sebastian released him abruptly and rose. His gaze darted to Emily, then away.

Emily had never seen this side of Sebastian before. Cold. Lethal. Unfeeling. She’d glimpsed a certain detachment in him the day he’d had to fire Peter from the clinic, but nothing like this.

How much did she really know Sebastian? She’d spent three days in his house with him, most of that time making love.

But she didn’t know this cold stranger. Was he simply acting in front of his father? Or was this a side of Sebastian he kept hidden most of the time? A side he hadn’t wanted her to know about? Was this the “demons” he’d mentioned? Taking over him?

A chill crept down her spine. She didn’t like this Sebastian. He frightened her. Where was the tender, caring man who’d made love to her in this very room?

And what was the Raccoon? What was the mask for?

Travis rose from the floor, his gaze on Sebastian. He pulled a cellphone from his pocket and swiped the screen. Sebastian remained tense, unmoving, while Travis called someone.

“I need you in here, pronto. Sebastian needs a little persuasion.” Travis stuffed the phone in the front pocket of his faded jeans. His gaze swept over Emily, his lips curling in a leer.

“You ever seen my boy fight, Sweet  Cheeks?”

Emily forced herself to be brave. Forced herself to meet the man’s gaze. “Don’t call me that. It’s insulting.”

Travis snickered. He glanced at Sebastian. “She’s a sassy bitch. I like that.”

Sebastian’s gaze narrowed, his eyes turning icy cold. He didn’t speak.

Travis shrugged and turned back to Emily. “Well, if you ain’t seen him in action yet, you really should. I guarantee it’ll make your panties wet.”

Sebastian tensed.

A door slammed from somewhere in the house. A male voice called, “Where you at, Trav?”

“The end of the hall!” Travis shouted. He leered at Emily one more time before turning back to Sebastian. “You ready to go, boy?”

Sebastian didn’t move. He and Travis locked stares.

A big, hulking man strode into the room. Bald head. Hard, black eyes. Emily guessed his age at fifty or so. He held a handgun in his right hand. Travis waved the thug at Sebastian.

The man hurried forward, keeping the gun pointed at Sebastian. “Boss says it’s time to go. Don’t make me hurt the girl.”

Sebastian remained rooted to the spot, his body tense.

Travis sighed. “You want to take her along?”

“No.”

“Then what’s the hold-up, boy? We’ve got some final preparations to make before the fight. I need you there. Let’s go.”

The thug shoved the gun into Sebastian’s back, pushing him forward. “You heard the boss, let’s go.”

His steps reluctant, Sebastian moved forward. He bent to snatch up his shoes, socks and a shirt, then walked toward the door.

Emily’s heart raced. She couldn’t let them just take Sebastian away.

“Sebastian?”

He paused, but he didn’t turn back around. “Go home, Emily.”

He disappeared down the hallway with his father and the man with the gun. Moments later the front door slammed.

Emily stood there in the silent, empty room. What should she do? Sebastian had just been kidnapped. Hadn’t he?

She needed to go to the police. But before she did, she needed to know what the hell was going on.

The Raccoon. She needed to find out what the Raccoon was.

Travis had also talked about a fight tomorrow night. And something about a boy. He’d asked Emily if she’d ever witnessed Sebastian fighting. Was Sebastian some kind of underground fighter? Wasn’t that illegal? He’d said his father was a gambler and underground fighting was one of his favorite things to bet on.

She snatched her cellphone from the nightstand and did an internet search for underground fighting. A few links came up, but nothing that was very useful. All she discovered was that unlicensed fighting was illegal, but underground fight clubs were popular and widespread in America.

If Sebastian was involved in illegal underground fighting, why?

She typed in “Raccoon underground fighter.”

Numerous links came up, most toting praise for the legendary fighter’s unrelenting “submission holds that always result in a tap-out.” The word “legendary” pulsed out at her like a spotlight on a dark night. He must have been doing it for awhile to be “legendary.” Was Sebastian that good?

Other articles bashed him, saying he was “scrawny” and someday a bigger dude would “wriggle out of a submission hold” and take down “the six-foot-one, one-hundred and eighty-five-pound Raccoon in a sweeping blow.”

Emily took offense to that. Sebastian definitely wasn’t scrawny. He was wiry. Well-muscled. Sexy as hell. In her opinion, big and bulky wasn’t attractive. She loved Sebastian’s lean, hard, toned body.

So submission holds were his specialty. Knowing Sebastian as she did, that made sense. He wouldn’t be one for beating on someone, but rather, he would try to take them out with as little effort and as minimal pain as possible.

Her heart twisted. Knowing Sebastian, he wouldn’t like to fight any more than he had to. So why was he doing this?

Oh Sebastian, what does your father have on you?

She went through several more links, but couldn’t find a photo of the mysterious “Raccoon” anywhere.

Then, at last, she found a link with a grainy picture. Emily clicked on the photo. The Raccoon was wearing the banded mask, his face blood-smeared and sporting multiple cuts. He must have taken a beating. Dressed in a tank top and black boxing shorts, he stood in some type of fighting ring. It wasn’t a close-up picture, but far away, as if the photographer had secretly snapped the photo from a distance. The mask disguised his identity perfectly. Emily wouldn’t have known it was Sebastian if she didn’t know his features so well. And even then, she probably wouldn’t have recognized him except for the fact she’d seen the mask.

“Undefeated underground fighter is set to fight again Saturday night at a secret location.”

Undefeated? How long had he been doing this?

Then it struck her.

The shiner under his eye, the cuts on his face when she’d first met him...Those weren’t from a car accident. He’d gotten them in a fight.

Oh Sebastian. Why are you doing this? Why didn’t you tell me?

She read a couple more links, but could find no more photos of the Raccoon. She set her phone back on the nightstand, contemplating. Her gut told her Sebastian wasn’t doing this willingly. That his father was making him. If the guy Marty hadn’t shoved a gun in Sebastian’s back, Emily doubted Sebastian would have gone with them.  

So how did she help him? How did she free him from the hold his father had on him?

Craig.

Yes, of course!

Sebastian’s friend Craig worked for the FBI. Craig would know what to do.

But would he turn Sebastian in? Would Sebastian go to jail?

Indecision clawed at her. She couldn’t be the one responsible for sending Sebastian back to prison. He’d come too far to go back there. Especially if he was being forced to do something illegal.

But she couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

If Craig was truly Sebastian’s friend, he would help him. He had to.

But how did she contact him?

Emily glanced around. Sebastian’s cellphone sat on the nightstand on the other side of the bed. They hadn’t given him the chance to grab it before they’d ushered him out.

Maybe Craig’s number would be on it.

Emily rushed around the bed and snatched up the phone. She took a deep, calming breath, then scrolled through his contacts.

Craig Rawlings.

There it was.

Emily tapped the “call” icon.

It rang once, twice.

Craig’s deep, rumbling voice came over the line. “Hey Sebastian. What’s up?”

Emily cleared her throat.

“It’s, um, Emily. Sebastian’s friend. He needs your help.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“I must say, Sebastian, that’s one fine piece of ass you’ve got back at your house. Why won’t you let me play with her?”

Sebastian ground his teeth together. “Because she’s not a fucking toy.” His father treated all women like property, like toys to play with and discard. It sickened him. It always had. His father sickened him. Always would.

Travis quirked a brow. “Oooh wee! Ain’t you Mr. Sensitive today! You’re just upset because I interrupted your little par-tay.” Travis smacked his lips together and chuckled. He glanced across the SUV to Marty, who was driving. “We almost there?”

“Few more minutes. They want to do the weigh-in at seven.”

Travis glanced at his watch. “We’ve got plenty of time then.” He turned back to Sebastian, who was in the backseat. “Your weight on target? Can’t have you getting too skinny or you’ll get your ass kicked.”

Sebastian snorted. He’d spent the last three days lazing around with Emily, having lots and lots of incredible sex. It was possible he’d lost a pound or two, but more than likely he’d gained a pound or two. He didn’t generally go this many days without working out. He would need to work out as soon as they arrived at the gym. His muscles needed stretching.

“It might have fluctuated a bit.”

Travis narrowed his gaze at Sebastian. “You’ll have to fix that when we get there. I ain’t bringing you back until your weight is where it should be.” He paused. “So tell me, boy, did you come here for the fight like you were supposed to, or were you planning on fucking with me and not showing up?”

Sebastian met his father’s gaze. They had him by the balls and they knew it. He might have balked at first, but he would fight. He had no choice in the matter.

“You know I came for the fight. Why else would I be here? I hate L.A.”

Whether or not Sebastian won the fight would be a different story. He was going up against the Cockroach tomorrow. A guy who fought dirty. If the Cockroach got you in a submission hold, you were done. You could tap-out all you wanted. The Cockroach wouldn’t let go unless he was dragged way. Or you managed to escape. The man was brutal and relentless. He was famous for breaking arms and legs, knocking shoulders and knees out of sockets. It was rumored he’d even snapped a man’s neck, though Sebastian had found no truth to the rumor.

Travis reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a packet of Marlboro Reds. Sebastian turned away as his father lit up and blew a plume of smoke in Sebastian’s direction.

“So, boy, you ready to take on the Cockroach? I hear he’s one mean sum-bitch. Never seen him face-to-face myself, but I heard all the rumors. He’s real big.”

Sebastian shrugged. “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

Travis chortled. “That’s my boy! I knew you’d agree. So what’s your plan for taking him down?”

“Wear him down, then choke him out.” It was easier said than done. Sebastian would have to elude the beast long enough for the guy to get winded, then get him in a chokehold and hold on until the guy passed out. Could he pull it off? Probably. Was it likely? That depended on a lot of things. Timing. Stamina. Wit. If the Cockroach managed to get a hold of him, Sebastian might not walk away from tomorrow’s fight.

Travis inhaled on the cigarette, puffed more smoke in Sebastian’s face. “That should work. You’re quick on your feet. He won’t be able to catch you. Just keep him out of reach until you sense he’s wearing down, then...”

Sebastian tuned Travis’s words out as his father droned on about how he should fight.

An image of Emily’s beautiful face flashed through his mind. When he was with Emily, he was happy. He’d never thought he’d find happiness until he’d met Emily. When he was with her, his demons went away. When he was with her, he was able to
feel
. What he felt for her went beyond anything he’d ever felt before. He hadn’t even known he could feel the way he did when he was with her. He was addicted to her, plain and simple.

Was that all she was, an addiction?

His chest tightened with emotion.

What he felt for Emily went much deeper than any addiction he’d ever experienced before. He was scared to contemplate it too deeply. Afraid of what it might mean. Even though deep down he knew exactly what it was. But saying, even
thinking
the “L” word still scared him shitless. He couldn’t go there yet.  

But he would do anything in his power to protect Emily from his father.

Anything.

When Travis had shown up, Sebastian had been cold and unfeeling to her. Guilt nagged at his gut. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Emily. She was so sweet. He didn’t deserve her. But he always instinctively went into “acting” mode when his father was around. He always shut his emotions off when Travis was near. It was the only way he could deal with him. He’d also done it to protect Emily. If Travis suspected how much Sebastian cared about Emily, he’d do everything he could to use her to hurt Sebastian. The problem was, Sebastian hadn’t been able to just stand back and let his father abuse her. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from intervening. And if Travis didn’t yet suspect how Sebastian felt about her, he would figure it out soon. Unless Sebastian remained cold and detached and acted like she meant nothing to him.

Now that his father was here, the coldness had returned. The demons were back, fighting to break free. If Sebastian unleashed them, it could get ugly. Someone would get hurt.

Sebastian had no doubt his father would use Emily to get to him if his Plan A failed. That’s why Sebastian needed to get Emily out of here. She would be safer far away from him. As much as it would hurt to send her away, it would be for the best until he managed to deal with his father. He’d been selfish and foolish to get involved with her. The last thing he wanted was Emily getting hurt by his father. If she was already gone by the time he got back to his beach house, he wouldn’t have to face her, wouldn’t have to explain what was going on. He didn’t think he could bear her disgust, her disappointment when she learned the truth. When she learned what he truly was.

But I want her to be there.

He wanted to see her one last time before he sent her away. Hold her one last time. Kiss her one last time.

Make love to her one last time.

The SUV slammed to a stop at the gym, jerking Sebastian out of his thoughts.

Travis blew another plume of smoke at Sebastian before snubbing the cigarette butt out in the ashtray.

“You ready, boy?”

Sebastian clenched his teeth, nodded. He had every intention of destroying Travis’s Plan A. He just needed more time. He needed Emily safe while he dug deeper. He was expecting an update from the private investigator he’d hired any day now. He could only hope the information the man provided would be helpful.

“Oh, by the way.” Travis turned back to him. “That P.I. you hired to spy on me? I took care of him. If you send anyone else, I’ll kill them to.” He opened his door and climbed out.

Fuck.

Sebastian squeezed his eyes shut. Despair slithered in, clutching him in its cruel embrace.

I can’t let him win. I can’t. 

He dragged air into his lungs, forced it back out. The demons fought to be free, screaming for release. Giving in to the darkness was the only way to deal with his father. The only way to get through this.

So he pushed all thoughts of Emily aside.  

And let the demons take control.

Right now Sebastian had no choice but to do this fight.

And hope he came out alive. 

* * *

Craig’s sigh came over the line. “What did Sebastian get himself into?”

Emily hesitated. How much should she tell Craig?

All of it. Tell him everything you know.

“I think he’s involved in underground fighting.”

Craig groaned. “If Sebastian is doing something illegal, I don’t want to know about it, because I’ll be obligated to look into it. I don’t want to see that kid go back to prison.”

“He’s not doing it willingly,” Emily explained. “They took him at gunpoint. I investigated online after they left and I think Sebastian is the Raccoon.”

“No shit?” Craig let out a long whistle. “The Raccoon is reputed to be undefeated. Rumor has it he’s fighting the Cockroach tomorrow night but we’ve been unable to determine where.”

Craig’s knowledge of underground fighting was impressive. Would he apprehend Sebastian—his friend—if he caught him fighting?

“How do you know so much about it?”

“The FBI’s been trying to crack down on illegal fighting for some time, but it’s a slippery slope, lots of loopholes these guys use to get away with it. In some states, it’s not illegal as long as both opponents agree to the fight and the spectators aren’t charged a fee to watch. Oh, they hide the money well. We know they’re charging people to watch, but knowing it and proving it are two different things. And we know the fighters are getting paid. Who would do it for free?”

Sebastian. Because his father is making him.

Emily cleared her throat. “You know Sebastian doesn’t need money. I don’t even think he likes fighting. His father is forcing him to do it. He’s been blackmailing him somehow.”

“Hold on a minute.” Craig made a choking sound. “Did you just say his father?”

“Yes. Sebastian said he got a letter from his father not long after he was released from prison and Travis has been blackmailing him ever since.”

“Travis?” Craig’s voice changed pitch, rising several notches. “You said his father’s name is Travis?”

“Yes. Travis Wade. Sebastian changed his name when he ran away from home.”

“Well fuck a duck. Travis Wade is one of the ringleaders in the underground fight world. No wonder Sebastian lied to me and Karen. He made us believe his real name was Sebastian Wolfe, and as far as I was ever able to tell, that was—is—his legal name. I found no evidence suggesting he’d changed it.”

“Can you blame him?” Emily whispered. “Have you met Travis Wade? If that man was my father, I’d change my name too. I’d never want anything to do with him either.”

Craig was silent a moment. “I wonder what that son-of-a-bitch has on Sebastian.”

“I don’t know,” Emily admitted. “But he said something about a boy.”

There was another long silence over the line as Craig mulled that over. “Well, hell. You can’t tell me all this and expect me to just ignore it. It sounds like Sebastian may be in some serious trouble.”

“I know. I’m worried about him. What if they hurt him? What if he never comes back?”

Craig sighed. “Sebastian’s tougher than he lets on, so don’t let him fool you into thinking he’s weak, because he’s not. He’s a survivor. He can take care of himself.”

Emily’s throat clogged with emotion. “I know he’s physically strong.” She swallowed hard, forcing the lump from her throat. “That’s not what worries me. I’m afraid if we don’t get him away from his father, it will destroy him. You should have seen Sebastian when I first met him. He was so lost and alone. So…broken and damaged inside.” A tear trickled down her cheek. She drew in a ragged breath. “He was doing better the past few days. He seemed really happy. He actually smiled. He even…laughed. But I’m afraid if we don’t get him away from his father, he’ll spiral back down into the black pit he sank into after Scar died.”

Craig inhaled sharply over the line. “Wait a second. What happened to Scar?”

Emily explained about the punks who’d stolen Scar and how Sebastian had gone after them to get Scar back.

“They killed Scar,” she whispered. “It tore Sebastian up.”

“Jesus.” Craig let out another sigh. “I didn’t know that. I took care of that dog for him while he was in prison.”

There was another long silence. “So what do we do?” Emily asked.

“I’ll look into Travis Wade and see if I can find out anything that might be helpful to us. You should go home, Emily. Let me handle it from here.”

Sebastian had told her to go home and now Craig. No way was she abandoning Sebastian now.

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I can’t leave him alone to deal with his father. He needs me.” Another tear slipped out, trickled down her cheek. She swiped it away. “As long as his father is in his life, controlling him, he’s in danger.”

“Obviously I can’t make you do something you don’t want to, but I must caution you to be careful, Emily. Travis Wade is a criminal. Try to stay away from him.” He paused. “I’ll call you back if I find out anything. And please call me as soon as you hear from Sebastian. I worry about that kid.”

“I will. Thanks Craig.” Emily hung up.

She sank down on the edge of the bed and stared blankly at the wall. She had to save Sebastian from the brute who was his father. Whatever hold he had on Sebastian, it was big enough to make Sebastian do whatever he wanted.

Emily rose from the bed and snatched her phone from the nightstand.

Craig might have the FBI’s resources to look into Travis Wade. But Emily was in L.A. She was close to wherever the fight was going down tomorrow night. She would do her own research.

She aimed to find out where that fight was going to be held.