Spirit of a Champion (Sisters of Spirit #7) (16 page)

There was a knock on the door. “Room service.”

Stormy ran for the second bedroom and Kyle took a quick look
around before unlocking the bolt and letting the service cart inside.

“Thanks,” he said, tipping the young man. “I’ll set it outside
when I’m done.”

He set the lock, moved the cart to the table and opened Stormy’s
door.

“Come eat.”

“I just did.”

“That’s right. I eat four to five small meals a day, but I don’t
expect you to.”

“Save some of this for tonight and I’ll eat it while you eat at
the other hotel. You don’t want to change your pattern.”

“I wonder if I could take you as Granny.”

“No. I’m not going to
chance it. I’d love to, but Hugo told me my disguise wouldn’t stand up to much
scrutiny.”

Stormy sat down opposite Kyle as he ate, enjoying the
companionship. That was what the room lacked. Kyle. The luxury had meant
nothing until he had walked in and ignited the energy in the room.

She sat back and just enjoyed watching him eat.

Right now there was nothing she could do and it was useless to
worry. So she’d enjoy these moments with Kyle.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked.

“I was just thinking how nice it is here.”

“Yes. The Vegas hotels don’t waste any expense when it comes to
decorating.”

“I wasn’t talking about that. I could sit in a shack with you
and still be happy. This room was nothing until you came.”

He put his fork down and stared at her. “You feel it, too? It’s
the first time I ever rushed back to my hotel. I cut my interview as short as I
dared.”

“You gave a reason?”

“Just that I needed to rest.” He waved his fork. “When they said
you were missing, nothing else was important, except to come look for you. The
fight...well, it’s the first time I’ve ever had something more important. I
didn’t care about it any longer. Actually, I still don’t.”

“Kyle, you must. A boxer can’t win if his mind isn’t in the
match.”

“You want me to win?’

“Yes. But I don’t want you to kill my brother. So I don’t know
what I want.” She fidgeted with her hands, not knowing what she wanted.

“So, if I fight your brother, and win, but don’t kill him...”

Stormy bit her lip. “I don’t see what you can do. If you two
fight...”

Kyle shrugged. “I could avoid hitting him in the head.”

“True, but that’s how you fight. Wouldn’t people wonder?” She
would, if she were watching the fight as a spectator.

“Let them.” He shoved back his chair. “I’m not going to kill
him, so I need to talk to him.”

“How? My dad won’t let him talk to you.”

“Something has to be wrong. I’m willing to forfeit the prize
fight, but he isn’t. He’s your brother. You should be more important than the
match, to both him and your dad. So there has to be some leverage someone has
on him.”

“Hum. I bet Hugo could arrange a meeting.”

“True. He seems to be able to do everything else.”

Kyle pulled out the cell phone Hugo had given him and put in a
number. “Contact me,” he said, and hung up.

“So we wait for a call?”

“Yes. Although I’ve learned that Hugo shows up when you aren’t
expecting him.”

“You’ve seen him around?”

“Yes. In the middle of some thugs I know who work for some
pretty tough men.”

“That was quick. I wonder how he got in good with them so soon?”

“I saw him with them several days ago, too.”

“That was when I came back from their place the first time. With
Perri’s car,” she said. “Before it blew up.”

Kyle nodded. “He must have driven in soon after you did.”

“He’s an interesting person.”

“He’s got skills I don’t have. I thought I was pretty tough, but
I’d hate to meet him in a dark alley. I doubt he fights with boxing rules.”

“Probably not.”

He stood up. “I should go. I don’t want to be late to meet with
my sparring partner at the gym.”

“Be careful,” she said, moving closer. She put her hand on his.

He turned and pulled her into his arms.

“Stormy.”

She didn’t wait for whatever he meant. She kissed him.

Highly satisfying. Especially when he kissed her back.

They drew apart, looked at each other, and kissed again.

“Be quick,” she said.

“Okay,” he said. “I still have to go. But I’ll be back
before...”

A knock on the door stopped him.

“Who?” He pushed her toward the bedroom. “Hide.”

Stormy raced into the room and pulled the door closed behind
her. It was a good thing she hadn’t joined Kyle for lunch. There was evidence
of only one person eating.

She scurried behind the window curtains, standing on tiptoe, just
in case someone came into the room.

Kyle didn’t come get her, so she stayed hidden until she heard
the outer door close. Even then she waited.

Finally she went to the bedroom door and put her ear on it. No
sound.

She went into the bathroom and pulled on her wig, then looked
into the sitting room. Empty.

Whoever it was, Kyle didn’t want them to know she was there.
Even the cart was gone.

Her mind went back to that kiss. It was a good thing she didn’t
have any lipstick on. She might have marked him.

Looking around, she found the deck of cards and started playing.
She could hardly wait until he returned and they could start up where they left
off.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE

Kyle walked down the hallway with Leon. It was the first time
his manager had come to get him, since...well, since three matches ago. He knew
Kyle liked his independence.

It took all Kyle’s self control to keep from decking him. At the
elevator, Hugo stepped out as they approached.

“Hey, aren’t you Killer Kyle?” Hugo said.

Kyle stopped, almost laughed as Hugo fished in his pocket and
brought out a piece of paper. “Could I have your autograph?”

Leon held the elevator door as Kyle took the paper. The movement
brought him close to Hugo.

“What’s up?” Hugo whispered, turning his back on Kyle’s manager.

“I need to meet with Jerry. Privately,” Kyle said as he
scribbled his name. “Can you arrange it?”

“Yes.” Hugo raised his voice. “Thank you so much, sir. And good
luck with the match.”

Kyle laughed as he got into the elevator. Hugo had the sound of
an enamored fan down pat.

He shadowed-boxed as the
elevator descended, in an extremely good mood. Things would only be better if
he could talk Jerry into joining him for a dance. He had the feeling that his
life had just begun.

Driving back to his hotel that evening, Kyle saw someone on the
side of the street waving his hands. Slowing down, he realized it was Hugo.
Hugo had called earlier and asked when he was coming back. He must have been
waiting for him.

Instantly he pulled over and stopped.

Hugo jumped in. “Around the corner,” he said, pointing.

Kyle drove around. There was a car stopped there, with a flat
tire. He recognized Jerry bent over, fixing the tire.

“Need help?” Hugo asked, stopping his car. He motioned Kyle to
come.

“No. Just a flat,” Jerry said.

“Hi, cousin,” Hugo said, walking around so that Jerry’s back was
to Kyle. Hugo held up his hand and Kyle stopped, out of Jerry’s range of
vision.

“Hugo?” Jerry said, astonished.

“Yes.”

“What’re you doing here?”

“Trying to find out why my cousin isn’t out searching for his
sister.”

“I’ve a fight. Against the world’s champion.”

“Killer Kyle?”

“Yes.”

“That’s more important than your sister?”

“No. But I have to,” Jerry said.

“Why?”

“I just have to.”

“You can fight Kyle some other time.”

“Won’t make any difference. I’m as good as dead. I have to do
the fight.”

“Again. Why?” Kyle liked the fact that Hugo was persistent.
Maybe now he’d understand Jerry’s death wish.

“My contract. We signed it, dad and I, without reading it well
enough. We were offered a huge amount of money for ten fights. I’ve done
eight.”

“Isn’t there a way out?”

“No. We were blown away by the amount they offered. When my
doctor said I shouldn’t box, they wouldn’t let me out. There was no medical
clause in my contract. We didn’t realize it when we signed it. I have to do two
more fights. If I survive this one, I’ll have to demand a re-match with the
Killer.”

“And if you don’t fight?”

“I have to give back all the money. And I don’t have it. I’ve
spent most of it. My house and cars and things for me and my family. I figure
Amy will get my insurance. She can live on that.”

“And your sister?”

“They told me to get rid of her. Send her home or they’d kill
her. She wouldn’t go! Now she’s dead. There’s nothing I can do. I tried to warn
her. Tried to get her to leave.” Jerry began to sob. “She never would give
up.” 

“You’re lucky to have her.”

“Was.”

“Who threatened her?”

“The two ‘bodyguards‘ the promoters assigned to me. They hardly
ever leave my side.”

“Were they around the day that Stormy had her accident?” Hugo
asked.

“No. No, they weren’t. They haven’t been around today, either.”

“That’s because they had an accident of their own.”

“Huh?” Jerry just looked at Hugo. Kyle wasn’t surprised.

“You have something to say, Kyle?” Hugo asked.

“Yes,” Kyle said, stepping out from the deeper shadows so that
Jerry could see him.

“You?”

“Yes. Your sister wants for me to win, but for you
not
to die.”

“Wants?
She’s alive?
” Jerry looked like he’d been handed the golden ring.

“Well hidden,” said Hugo. “And she needs to stay ‘dead’ until
after the match.”

“You’ve seen her?”

“Yes.”

“You! You were the one.... The police wondered about the credit
card she was using. I thought maybe she had gambled and hit a jackpot.
You
gave it to her!”

“Yes. She wasn’t getting any help from you.”

“I was trying to save her life.”

“Why didn’t you tell her the danger she was in?”

“You don’t know Stormy yet. The worse it gets, the more
determined she is.”

“We’re finding out,” Kyle said.

Jerry looked at him. “You say she wants you to win? That means
we fight.”

“Yes. But we fight our way. I don’t hit you in the head...”

“I’ll go along with that.”

“And you slump to the mat and act like you’re half conscious.
Before the match has gone on too long. Otherwise they’ll wonder why I’m not
hitting like I usually do.”

“You want to do that?” Hugo asked Jerry.

“Of course. I don’t want to die.”

Kyle nodded. He didn’t want that either. “You can challenge me
in a year or so and we’ll do the dance again. The gamblers get their money and
you stay alive.”

Jerry nodded, smiling, then looked at his flat tire. “Did you do
this, Hugo?”

“Certainly. Only way to get to talk to you. You always had
someone around you.”

“I think they weren’t too sure I’d go through with it.
Especially once they tried to kill Stormy.”

“Don’t mention her until after the match,” Hugo said. “In fact,
wait until you all get back to Idaho. We’ll say she was helped by some campers
who took her to their camp with them.”

Jerry and Kyle shook hands. Thanks man,” Jerry said.

“You’re welcome.” Kyle said. “I wonder. Would they let you box
against your brother-in-law?”

“What?”

“Well, I’m thinking that if they won’t, we’re going to need to
do a rematch fairly soon.”

Hugo laughed. “I thought I was getting vibes from you two.” He
grabbed the tire and he and Kyle helped Jerry change it.

“I’ve been floating around the outskirts of these people,” Hugo
said. “There’s a lot of money on this prize fight. They weren’t taking kindly
to Stormy trying to stop it. I’m getting closer to the head man, but I’m
running out of time. We need to figure out an alternate plan, to keep Jerry
from getting killed. Short of killing the promoters, there’s not much I can
do.”