Amery looked at Molly. The poor girl blushed crimson. Then Amery focused on the bald-headed gatekeeper. “You don’t allow parents or guardians inside to watch their kids beat each other to a pulp?”
“No, ma’am.”
Well, that was stupid. And she said so.
“It’s all right, Amery,” Molly whispered. “This was a dumb idea. We can just go.” She grabbed on to Amery’s arm.
“Hang on a second.” Amery pulled her black-and-white cowhide wallet out of her purse. “How much is the class?”
“This isn’t a movie theater where you can just show up and buy tickets at the door. You have to be approved in advance before you can even register for the class. Those are the rules. I don’t make them. I just enforce them.”
Amery tapped her fingers on the counter. “I understand. But these are extenuating circumstances.”
He scowled.
“Maybe you oughta just get your supervisor, because I’m not leaving.”
He hesitated about ten seconds before he reached for the phone. He turned his back so they couldn’t hear the conversation. Then he faced them again. “If you’ll have a seat, someone will be right out.”
Molly looked mortified, which made Amery more determined to make sure she took this class.
Less than two minutes later a big blond guy, about mid-thirties, dressed in what resembled black pajamas, stopped in front of them. He offered Amery his hand. “I’m Knox Lofgren, the dojo general manager. How can I help you?”
Amery explained the situation, adding, “I would’ve officially signed up for the class ahead of time had I known that was required. It’s not fair to penalize Molly.” She leaned closer and whispered, “Ever since the attack . . . she’s jumpy and avoiding all social situations where she doesn’t know anyone. She won’t start the class if I’m not here. You don’t want that on your conscience, do you, Mr. Lofgren?”
The man studied Amery as if she was lying. Just as she was about to crack and back off, he said, “Fine. I’ll squeeze you in. But understand that you two will not always be paired together in class. You’ll both be expected to train with others.” He focused on Molly. “Will that be a problem for you?”
“No, sir.”
“Good.” Then Knox handed Amery a clipboard. “Also, we alternate Tuesdays and Thursdays for this class. Next week class will be Thursday night. The following week Tuesday evening, and so on.”
Don’t ask why, Amery.
“Just fill in the basic details on the application. Will you be paying by credit card or check?”
“How much is the class?”
“One hundred and fifty dollars.”
Seemed high but she’d pay it. She slid her credit card from her wallet and handed it to him.
“I’ll get your receipt.”
“Thank you.” Soon as she finished scrawling her information, she glanced up at him. This Knox guy could intimidate on size alone. He had to be at least six foot four. Although he had the rugged all-American-boy-next-door good looks, he was . . . just slightly scary.
“I’ve included a description of the class and the schedule. Make sure you follow all the rules—”
A teenaged boy raced in. “Shihan? We’ve got blood in the fourth ring.”
Shihan or Knox or whoever he was bailed immediately.