The Crescendo Read Free Page A

like her house and that it was probably a dangerous area. Danger was fast becoming her friend.
    Yet Pax had lived in the little house connected to the gym for as far back as she could remember, and Jaz had been coming here to train since she could walk. Her mum the first one to teach her how to fight. At some point Pax took over her training while her mum integrated into her new life after meeting Paul. And that’s how Pax became the closest thing to a grandfather figure she had. He was also Anna’s grandfather’s brother.
    Anna pushed open the old door, framed in wood, fading white paint and glass in the middle. The familiar scent of the leathery sweaty gym eased her muscles more than the shower ever could have, and no sooner had she stepped inside did she hear her name shouted out.
    â€˜Jaz, hey girl.’
    Tick waved from the floor mat where he was fighting against Bags, who had boxing gloves. Both were classed as Pax’s gym family.
    â€˜Hi guys. Bags, don’t let Tick get you with a lead kick,’ she warned.
    â€˜Never do, Jaz,’ replied Bags, who only just blocked a knee from Tick. He pulled a face and Jaz smiled for the first time in a while.
    â€˜Hey kids, what are you all up to? Looks like trouble.’ Pax walked out of the office in a Hawaiian-style shirt over a white singlet and long shorts, topped off with sandals and glasses up on his balding head. He sniffed the air. ‘Bring one for me?’
    â€˜Sorry Pax,’ said Anna. ‘I’ll go make you one though.’
    Anna gave him a hug and Pax kissed her forehead. ‘That would be awesome,’ he said, trying to speak like them. Tay laughed as he followed Anna. No doubt he would be looking for Pax’s secret stash of Tim Tams, which was never very secret.
    â€˜How are you?’ Pax asked, stepping towards her.
    Jaz couldn’t get her mouth to work and just blinked. Pax pulled her into his arms and breathed out.
    â€˜The kids told me what happened. I was so worried. How are you feeling?’
    Jaz tried to forget about the day’s events and let herself sag against Pax’s soft teddy-bear body. He was a familiar smell of coffee and cinnamon. A sure sign he’d been indulging in his love of pastries again. After a recent heart attack he was on a new diet, but right now Jaz wasn’t in a hounding mood. If anything, it was nice to smell the old Pax.
    As they stood embracing, neither moving, Jaz tried to piece together her thoughts. How was she feeling? Everyone kept asking but Jaz didn’t have an answer. Did she want to cry? Not really. Was she scared? Not anymore. Was she confused? Hell yes. But she couldn’t tell Pax that without the whole story and she wasn’t ready to share yet. Too much had happened in such a short time.
    One minute she’d spent the best time of her life with Ryan, making love to him, and the next she was lined up on black plastic awaiting death. She didn’t know where she stood with Ryan, how would it affect their relationship, working and friendship, now? And what did she do about the fact that she was in love with him? How long could she hold that in? And then there was Salvatore.
    Salvatore De Luca.
    She pulled away from Pax and from the thought of Salvatore, pushing him from her mind.
    â€˜I’m okay, I guess. It’s good to be back here.’
    â€˜It’s good to have you back,’ said Pax. ‘Safe.’
    She nodded. But she wondered just how safe she really was.

Chapter 3
    Ryan opened one eye, then the other. His head felt a little fuzzy, but that was nothing compared to the pain stemming from his shoulder. ‘Bloody hell,’ he grumbled as he tried to sit up.
    â€˜Stings a bit, hey,’ said Tilly with a chuckle.
    Ryan would have given him a mouthful of swear words but the man stood by his bed holding a glass of water and some good pain medication.
    â€˜Oh, yes please,’ Ryan swung his legs over the side of