13 The Plan

Davis' P.O.V.

"Okay, so what do you need her for?" I asked Derek, holding Lisa's hand under the table. I had placed her on the inside of the booth so that she was squeezed between me and the wall.

"I am hoping, if Lisa is willing, that she can find the information we need. She has access to areas that I just can't get into. If she can dig around and find what we're looking for, then we'll be golden."

"No way. It's too dangerous. She doesn't need another lie or pretense to keep up around her dad. This will only make things harder for her." I was fuming at the thought of Lisa being hurt if he caught her snooping somewhere she wasn't supposed to be.

"I won't get hurt. I snoop at my dad's office in the building often. He's pretty bad about keeping important things lying around. What exactly am I looking for?" Lisa leaned forward, resting her bent elbows over the glossy wooden surface of the table. Derek smiled at her response, looking at me as if to dare me to say a word.

"You're looking for his ledger, his book of contacts. Any cops, judges, mafia heads, or anything of the sort. He probably keeps it hidden and locked away somewhere. I would venture to say he keeps it at home, or perhaps a safe in his office. Have you ever seen such a book?"

"No, I haven't, but I haven't exactly been looking for it. I'll start searching more whenever I'm home with him, or left alone in his office. What do I do if I find it? Do I take it?"

"No!" Derek and I both said in unison, coming off too stern.

"You can't take it, otherwise he'd know we had it," I explained more calmly.

"You would take pictures of as many pages as you can, and send them to me. Be careful to put the book back exactly where you found it. We'll take the next steps from there. Do you think you can handle that?" Derek asked her, keeping those serious eyes locked with hers. It surprised me the way Lisa seemed unbothered by Derek's intimidating gaze.

"Yeah, I'm sure I can handle it. It seems simple enough." For your sake, I hope it is.

"Perfect, then we'll be in touch," Derek said, getting up from the table. He had never been much for goodbyes, leaving once we handled business.

I turned to Lisa, ready to get her out of here. I hate bringing her anywhere dangerous. There was a panic creeping in me, one I know too well. It was the memory of that night that caused me to worry any time I walked by a shady guy with a girl on my arm.

"Ready to go?"

"Lead the way, my Viking."

"Your Viking?" I laughed, loving the way it sounded coming out of her mouth.

"Yes, my Viking, and only mine. Although, I can't take credit for the name. Lucas is the one that called you Viking man and that's just how I knew you for the longest time." She had a playful smirk on her face as she stared into my eyes. It annoyed me when her brother called me that the first time, but when she said it…I wanted to fuck her like a Viking. I leaned down, cupping the side of her face as I let my lips tenderly kiss hers.

"Putting on a show for everyone?" A voice cut our moment, instantly putting me on guard.

I was ready to punch anyone that dared come too close to Lisa. When I turned to see Chris, my anger only doubled. How the hell did he know where we were? Did he follow her here?

Chris hadn't learned his lesson. Lisa told me about the lie he told during their lunch and how she now had to go to his house in the morning. He thought I was playing around, but he would soon learn I don't kid. I would handle him, her dad, and his dad all at once in the not so legal way if I had to.

"No, just one for you, it seems," Lisa's quick tongue responded.

She glared at Chris, making me smirk. I loved seeing this fierce side of her. I never want her to look at him scared again. Chris seemed to be angry at her lack of fear as he narrowed his eyes on her.

"Let me make something clear. I still own you, Lisa. Unless you want me to tell your father what is going on, you'll do as I say. And I say you're coming with me."

"The hell she is. I think you forget who you're talking to. Try to take her and you'll find yourself on the floor before your hand even grazes her skin."

This wasn't a threat, it was a promise. I'd beat him senseless in front of everyone here without a second thought. He just needed to give me the excuse to do so. Chris looked at Lisa expectantly, thinking she would get up and go to him. He didn't realize that he could no longer manipulate her in this way. She knew that she didn't have to fear her father when it came to us. I would take care of whatever problems that arose however I needed to handle them.

"You need to go, Chris," she told him, looking utterly unaffected by his threat. I was proud of her.

"Do you think I'm bluffing?" Chris was running out of steam, grasping at straws as he pulled his phone out, pulling up Lisa's father's number and showing it to her. "I'll do it."

"Go for it. I am curious to hear what you'll say." Lisa rested her chin on her palm as she stared at Chris indifferently. God, I love this woman!

I thought Chris would stop there, but he was too proud. His thumb hovered over the call button, looking at Lisa. When she did nothing, he pressed it. I could hear the line ring as Lisa froze beside me. She was trying to hold back the fear, but it was hard as she heard the line continue to ring.

"Hello?" her father's voice echoed through.

Chris looked at Lisa with a brow arched, and I feared that this man's pride was way too large to recognize he would make a mistake by going through with this. Was he really going to tell her dad everything? Lisa sighed beside me, causing me to believe she would cave to his demands. I smiled when she reached for his phone, taking it in her hands and pressing it against her ear.

"Hey, Dad. Sorry to call you on Chris' phone. I can't seem to find mine. I just wanted to check and see if you would be coming tomorrow, too? Or if it's just going to be Daniel?"

I couldn't understand what he said, as all I heard was his muffled voice, but it didn't seem to matter as Lisa fidgeted with the glass ketchup bottle before us. She seemed lost in thought as she held the phone beside her ear.

I was pretty sure that she was tuning out everything he was saying to her. I almost laughed at that, squeezing her thigh under the table, earning me a stern look. She made me smile when she looked at me like that. I loved it.

"Okay, will do. I'll see you tomorrow then." She hung up the phone and threw it across the bar, letting it hit the wall and shatter before us. She glared at Chris with an almost murderous intent. I hadn't seen her like this before, but it was damn hot.

"I'm over your bullshit, Chris. Grow the fuck up. I am not yours, and you won't manipulate me into being yours. Get over it, get over yourself, and get over me. I am done with all of this. Keep up your shit and I'll let Davis do what he likes to you while I watch with a smile." Lisa stood as she spoke, jabbing her finger into his chest over the table. She was furious, and it was showing in the most beautiful of ways to me. My heart soared seeing her stand up for herself again. My blossoming warrior.

"You'll regret this, Lisa. I promise you," Chris swore as he backed away. Finally, leaving us in peace.

"I am sorry, Davis. I don't know how he keeps finding me."

"Don't apologize, Lisa. It's not your fault. How about we check your phone and your car, make sure he's not tracking you somehow?" I cradled her hand on my own as I led her out of the old bar and back onto the crowded New York streets.

Lisa's P.O.V.

Davis helped me find a tracking device that Chris had placed in my car. I have no idea when he did that, or how I didn't notice. It kind of scared me knowing he knew where I was at all times. He could have come to me whenever he wanted.

Davis smashed the devices with his bare hands. I forget how strong he was sometimes with how gentle he treats me. Davis took me home after that, and we stayed wrapped in each other, trying to forget all about Chris.

Thanks to that phone call, Dad would come to breakfast tomorrow with some ill-conceived notion of Chris and I. I was a little worried about how Chris was going to handle tomorrow. I was sure he was going to do something, but I was not sure what. He was a very prideful man, and I humiliated him today. I only hoped that it didn't come back to bite me in the ass too hard.

"What are you thinking about?" Davis asked me as his thumb continued to rub my arm lightly.

"Tomorrow," I sighed, unable to hold it back.

"It's going to be okay, Lisa. You can handle yourself better than you think."

"I don't think that's accurate."

Every time I was around Dad, it was like I lost my voice. He suffocated me with just his presence. I didn't know how Liv could fight her father, not just with her words, but with her fists as well. I could never do that. The fear that seized me when he was around was too heavy. It was not rational at all.

"It is. Don't you dare say otherwise. I see the warrior in you rising every day. You need to start letting her go more. Unleash her into the world."

I liked that Davis thought this of me, but I didn't feel it. I was scared as I spoke to Chris today. There wasn't a single confident bone in me, but man, did I play it off well. Chris seemed so surprised when I took his phone, but my stomach had dropped to my ass the moment I heard Dad's voice. I hate the way I feel around him. I hate him.

"I don't know that I can, Davis. I don't feel that way."

"Hey," he said, gently grabbing my face so that I had to turn and look at him. His eyes softened as he gazed at me. "Don't make yourself small because of them. You are powerful, Lisa. That sharp wit of yours is your greatest weapon. You just need to let it guide you."

"It usually just gets me in trouble." Davis chuckled, making me smile, because I love that damn chuckle.

"I am sure it does, but now you know how to defend yourself and throw a decent punch. Let's keep practicing until you feel confident, okay?"

I nodded, getting my legs off his lap and standing from the couch first. His firm hand gripped at my side as he guided me down to the basement. I loved training with him. He had a way of making me feel strong, even when I doubted it. When I was around him, I felt different, like a stronger version of myself, and I really liked it. I wished I could always keep him by my side. I was feeling better about my punches when Davis stopped holding the punching bag.

"Ready to fight?" He smirked mischievously.

"What do you mean?"

"Try to punch me, Lisa. Punch me like you mean it." I furrowed my brow at him, unsure if I could bring myself to punch him. He seemed to catch on to my feelings as he egged me on further.

"You won't hurt me, Lisa, but you better come at me like you mean it, because if I win, I have hours of teasing planned for you." He smirked that fucking sexy ass smirk of his. Ugh, this man was going to kill me.

I readied myself, taking what I learned from Davis and what I've seen from Liv and putting it to practice. I kept my feet still but light, ready to move in an instant. Davis stepped forward, and I stepped to the side.

It was a dance of sorts, but Davis was leading, until I got the courage to attack. I stepped forward, going for a punch. I swung the way he taught me, but Davis caught it with his hand. My knuckles stung as it made contact with his palm. It differed from hitting a punching bag, that was for sure.

"You're mine now," he smiled with a very amused look in his eyes.

I went to kick his side, but he caught my leg from behind my knee. He held it against his side, making me come closer. He leaned forward so that his face was a few inches from my own. I could feel the thick tension between us.

This wasn't a fight, at least not anymore. His lips met mine hungrily as his hold changed from firm to gentle, traveling up my leg to my thigh. He squeezed, digging his fingers into my skin. There was a deep need growing inside me, one that called to be filled by Davis.

When our lips broke apart, Davis rested his forehead against my own with his eyes closed. He seemed so at peace as he enjoyed this moment with me. It only made it that much better. I let my hand play with his hair, tugging at the loose strands of his bun. I love this long blonde hair of his. It was thick, soft, and luscious.

"One more time, Lisa. As much as I want to take you right here and now, you need to try one more time. Now that you know that I mean business, I want you to come at me with a better plan. Think of my weak spots, remember to watch me. Don't just be ready to attack."

He let me go, stepping back to put distance between us. I hated not having his warmth around me. My thigh still felt warm where he had just held it, making me miss his touch more. I nodded, taking my stance again. I took his advice, finding zero weakness in him. The man was powerful all around, and he knew how to fight better than anyone I knew. I dare say he was even better than Liv.

"What do I do if there are no weaknesses?" I asked him as we circled one another in our dance.

"You mess with their heads," he answered, almost as if he weren't my opponent at the moment. How do I get in Davis' head?

I smirked as a devilish thought entered my mind, kept my feet light. But I dropped my fist, causing him to furrow his brows as he watched me attentively. I grabbed my shirt in one quick, swift move, took it off, throwing it at him. It landed over his face, blinding him, which gave me the opportunity to punch his side.

My knuckles ached, but there was a smile on my face upon impact. He only winced slightly, obviously not affected by my punch that much. I didn't take offense. I was just glad I actually got to hit him, backing away before he was able to grab me.

"Very clever, my little warrior." He smiled widely at me, seeming almost excited as we continued. "Although, how much clothes can you afford to lose in order to strike?"

He was right. I couldn't keep doing that to punch him. I needed to think of a more permanent solution. We slowly circled one another again, hands at the ready. I knew Davis wouldn't attack me, being only on the defensive right now. I observed him closely, deciding to hit the back of his knee.

I feigned going left with my fist, distracting him as I lifted my leg and kicked the back of his knee. Only I was not that experienced and missed completely, kicking the side of his shin painfully. I hopped around like an idiot as the pain radiated through my leg.

"Are you okay?" Davis asked, quickly throwing aside his coaching mode.

"That's going to bruise, but I'm okay."

"You did better this time, but we need to practice more every day."

"Yeah, okay. I am down for that."

"Now where were we?" He asked, grabbing my waist and pulling me flush against his chest.

I love this man.