The door behind him opened and he turned to see Ally making her way through the door towards him, now wearing dark jeans and a sweatshirt, her gym bag on her lap. He smiled and walked over to retrieve his own bag off the floor.
“Shall we go?” he pulled open the outer door for her.
She gave him a weak smile, pushing herself through the door and out into the parking lot. The air was cool compared to the warmth of the pool building, and he shivered involuntarily.
“So, where do you want to go?” she asked as they made their way across the parking lot towards her car. “My place? Or do you want to go out somewhere? Barneys is probably still open.”
He shrugged as they neared her car. “Your place is fine. I’d say my place, but I need to go to the supermarket and stock up on food first.”
“I’m so glad the gas problem’s been fixed. You must be looking forward to going home.”
“Yeah, I am.”
He tried to tell himself it wasn’t a lie. He was looking forward to going home.
As they approached her car, two men materialised out of nowhere. One grabbed him and pushed him back against her car. A knee rammed tight against his and a forearm thrust hard up against his throat so he could barely breathe. Gasping, he stared desperately past the face inches from his own. The other guy stood next to Ally, arms folded across his chest. His heart sank.
“Well, hello there,” growled Jimmy, his gravelly voice the result of years of smoking. “Small world isn’t it?”
Jack struggled in vain. The knee rammed tighter into his, the arm across his throat pressing harder. It was difficult to breathe, much less speak.
“You’re a hard man to find, Jack. But you didn’t really think you’d be able to hide in this little shit-hole of a town forever, did you?”
Jack’s eyes were on Ally, silently begging for understanding. She stared back at him, wide-eyed, her hands gripping the rims of her chair. Jimmy stood just beside her, within striking distance, but he didn’t appear to be paying her any attention.
“How’d you find me?” Jack croaked, his throat burning.
“Not really your concern. I’m here now, that’s the important thing.” Jimmy moved to stand behind Ally, his huge hands resting on her shoulders. “We got a little business to discuss, you and me. Ben says you owe him; I’m here to collect. It’s simple really, when you think about it. Very straightforward. Ben doesn’t like complications – and you, my man, are a complication.”
Jack winced as the arm against his throat pushed harder. “How much?” he croaked.
“Ten grand.”
Jack’s heart tried to jump out of his throat but was blocked by the arm threatening to crush his windpipe. “I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Well you’ve got forty-eight hours to get it. Ben’s not a guy you want to disappoint, Jack, as you well know.”
The guy holding Jack released him just long enough to drive a hammer blow into his solar plexus, winding him instantly. Ally cried out as he doubled over in pain. The guy dragged him upright again and shoved him back against the car, making the pain worse.
Suddenly, Ally cried out, her upper body arching upwards as her eyes widened in pain. Jimmy’s mouth curved into a cold smile.
“Get your hands off her!” Jack croaked, renewing his struggles.
Jimmy’s eyes were dead and black as coal. “Or we could come back and take this pretty little doll for a ride she’ll never forget – how ‘bout that for an alternative?”
Ally sat poker straight and perfectly still, Jimmy’s fingertips still buried in her shoulders. Jack saw red. He twisted and squirmed, breathing heavily as he fought to get free and knock Jimmy clear into next week. Finally, the guy holding him tired of the game and head-butted him. Jack’s vision swam as he fell forward. He kissed the concrete, loose stones digging into his face as the world around him faded.
He came to, dragged roughly upwards, aware of Ally begging desperately for them to leave him alone. He tasted blood. His head lolled forward and he fought to keep it on top of his neck.
“It’s okay,” he mumbled, his vision still hazy. “It’s okay.”
“What a hero,” Jimmy sneered. “Ten grand, forty-eight hours. Got that?”
Jack tried to nod but his head felt like it was going to separate from his shoulders. He spat out a mouthful of blood directly onto the guy holding him. Taking exception, the guy swore at him and slammed his fist into Jack’s face.
Jack’s legs gave out and he slid down the side of the car, his ears ringing. As many times as he had fought in the ring, he couldn’t ever remember getting a whipping that felt anything near as bad as this. He gasped for breath, crouching on the concrete.
Ally!
Jimmy grabbed a handful of his shirt, yanking him upright as Jack struggled to find his feet.
“Stop it!” Ally pleaded frantically, crying now. “Please leave him alone!”