Royal Flush

by Ella Goode

  “She wasn’t supposed to be involved in the company.” Not that I can recall from what she’d told me. She would give advice here and there to my grandpa, but that was it.

  “No, but she was the star. The shining light that lit the path for your grandfather to travel down the road to success. It’s what you are Mel. You may not welcome it, but when you walk into a room, people take notice. There’s no denying you.”

  I sniff. “That’s one of the sweetest things that anyone has ever said to me.”

  “Then the world’s been missing out. I promise you that I was drawn to you from the second I laid eyes on you. You’ve had my attention even when I was being a dick.” He looks a little bit sheepish. He was a dick that first day, but in all fairness, I hadn’t been much better.

  “What now?”

  “You get a lawyer. The best.”

  “Should I talk to my aunts and uncles?” God it’s been so long but I’m hoping their hate for my father will drive them to help me.

  “Not yet. You really don’t know where they are with all of this. I know you want to trust them but it’s best to get a lawyer as the middleman. I’ll call Carter. I’m sure he’ll have the meanest asshole lawyer in town. We’re going to need someone pretty ruthless to deal with your father.”

  “Thank you.” I kiss him again. This time it’s hard and deep. I don’t think he understands how much he’s about to change my life. He’s like a knight in shining armor to me.

  We fall back onto the bed, making love once again. My body tingles with how gentle he can be with me. The light streams in from the window as my fingers skate along the small scars that litter his body.

  “What’s happening here?”

  “We’re falling in love.” I smile into his chest. I'm probably already there but he’s avoiding my question.

  “I underground fight for extra cash.” I sit up again, looking down at him.

  “That’s dangerous!” I try and sound scolding.

  “Your death glare does nothing, baby, when you look like a naked mermaid in my bed.” He pulls me back down onto him. “I don’t do a lot of legal things.”

  “But you could,” I remind him. He’s so talented. Heck I’m already offering him a job. I bet he could work for the government or something.

  “Too young and I have a sister and mom to take care of.”

  “You’re wrong. I looked it up.” I pop up from the bed again. Well, I try but he pulls me back down to the bed with him. “I was going to show you.” I Googled the world of hacking today when I was playing on my phone. There are people younger than him working for some of the biggest companies in the world. I reach for my phone again to show him but he grabs my hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing it.

  “Let’s take care of one thing at a time, babe. We have plenty of time to decide our own paths once we get this all settled.” I sigh and cuddle back into him, knowing that he’ll need more convincing and that I plan on being the light that guides his way. His fingers begin to stroke down my back again. “We need to be careful because we don’t know what your father is capable of.” His words send a shiver through my body and this time it’s not a good feeling.

  “But I promise. I’m going to keep an eye on everything he does. He won’t get his dirty hands on what belongs to you.” I settle more into Brad’s side, knowing that he won’t let anything happen to me. He might do some illegal things but at the end of the day he is a good man and to me that’s all that matters.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Brad

  “I’m not going to fight that guy,” I tell Loren, the fight promoter who is busy taking down a bet.

  “Then you forfeit the entry fee.”

  Loren’s got a sweet gig here. He gets money from the fighters and from the people who bet on us. Loren’s seat is where I need to be sitting instead of on the so-called ring which is just a chalked-out area at the end of a warehouse storing the finished washing machines my mom puts together.

  “It’s not going to be entertaining. The guy doesn’t know how to fight. I leveled him with one punch the other day.” I have no idea why Mark showed up. Yeah, he played football but that doesn’t mean shit in a fight. Plus, the season has been over for two months so he’s out of shape.

  “Yeah, I know. I promised he could hit you five times before you punched him out.” Loren waves me aside so he can take the next bettor.

  “Are you serious? I’m not going to let some asshole punch me in the face five times just so that you can entertain the crowd.”

  “I’m completely serious— He breaks away to address a customer who hands him five crisp one hundred dollar bills, marks down the bet, and then turns back. ”Dude paid me a grand to hit you. I’d be dumb to turn that down. I will, however, split that with you if you get into the ring. How’s that?”

  My choices are limited. I either lose my hundred dollar entry fee or I allow myself to get beaten by a blowhard from school whose feelings are hurt because I knocked him out.

  “It’s not like you have to let him hit you in the face,” Loren says. “Feel free to duck those if you need to look pretty for your girl over there.”

  He nods his head toward Melody, who I installed at the top of a stack of freight boxes waiting to be shipped. It’s high enough that she can see everything but also be out of the way. She insisted on coming because she didn’t believe me when I said it wasn’t dangerous. I figured I’d come in, have a decent match where I’d dodge a few blows before downing my opponent and then I’d take her out to the car and fuck her in the backseat with all my pent-up adrenaline. If I take Loren’s deal, she’s not going to believe that and then we’re back to me doing legal things. For some reason, she thinks I should take over her family company. I’m smart but I don’t think I’m that smart. If I was as smart as she thinks I am, I would’ve anticipated something shady would go down right when she was here to witness it.

  “How about next time I let your paid stooge beat the shit out of me, but this time I fight someone else?”

  “How about you either tape up your hands and prepare for a few punches to the gut or you leave?”

  I barely refrain from punching Loren out and stalk over to the freight stack to Mel.

  “You look mad or is that your game face?”

  “I’m mad,” I admit. I grab the tape out of my bag and start wrapping my hands. “Look, maybe you should take off.”

  “Why?”

  “You see anyone here you recognize?”

  “Um, no. I don’t recognize—wait, is that Mark? What’s he doing here?”

  “I guess he wants to beat me up.”

  She squints and then peers down at me. “Didn’t you knock him out at school?”

  “Yup.”

  She crosses her arms and settles back against the pallets. “Oh then this will be a cake walk for you.”

  “Should be, but he paid the head guy a hundred a punch.”

  “What does that mean?”

  I tear the tape with my teeth and toss the roll into the bag before answering. “It means that unless I let old Mark hit me five times for free, I lose the fee I paid to enter tonight.”

  “That’s so wrong,” she exclaims.

  It makes me feel a little better. I tap my cheek. “Better give my face one last kiss. It might be too swollen later.”

  “You’re going through with this?”

  “Yeah. I’ve been through worse for less money. If it bothers you, though, I’m not going to be hurt if you wait in the car.”

  Mel wrinkles her nose. “I can’t believe you think I’m not going to watch this whole ridiculous mess. After it’s over, I’m going over to—what’s his name?”

  “Loren,” I supply helpfully.

  “Yeah, I’m going over to Loren and give him a piece of my mind.”

  I pat her leg. “You do that and make sure you put a lot of money on me. If I have to let Mark pummel me, I’m going to make him regret it.”

  She grabs my shoulder b
efore I head for the fight. “Will you give some thought to fighting a different way after tonight? I promise there are as awful and dirty people as Mark in my dad’s world.”

  “I’m a hacker, Mel. What do I know about a business?”

  “I only own a sixth of the company. My family will teach you what you need to know. I just want my dad out of there. I know you could take him down.”

  Her eyes plead with me. I sigh silently. When she looks like that I couldn’t turn down any request even if it was to murder the next person that walked by. “Yeah. After tonight I’ll help you even if it means putting on a suit and walking into an office building.”

  She throws her head back and laughs. “You look like it’s going to be worse than eating a bucket of worms.”

  “Oh, is that my alternative choice? Because I heard worms have good protein.”

  “I’d never kiss you again.”

  “Suit and tie it is.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Melody

  I watch as Brad moves through the crowd. They start to chant Bones the closer he gets to the chalked-out ring. This is going to be brutal to watch. I take my eyes off him, heading over to Loren to place my bet. Of course I’m going to bet on my man. I hope this Loren guy has enough in the pot to pay me when this is all over. Even though I’m nervous, I’m confident in my man's abilities. While I usually don’t condone violence, I can’t wait to see Mark laid out. He’s always been a lazy jerk.

  “You know he’s gotta take some hits,” Loren reminds me as I strike up a deal with him.

  “You taking the bet or not?” I pull my bracelets off my wrist and hand them to him. I only carry so much cash on me so these will have to do.

  “My girl has always wanted one of these.” Loren eyes my bracelets. Cartier, most girls do love them. My mom has them by the dozens.

  “Well, she’ll get three if I lose my bet.”

  He laughs. “I’d sell two and only give her one. I don’t like her that much.”

  “Jerk.” I shake my head, walking away from him as he pockets the money and the bracelets. I hope he doesn’t get used to them because he’s only going to have to give them back to me when this is done. I try and fight my way toward the front of the ring but I can’t get anywhere. Then the crowd suddenly parts and Brad is standing there. His toned body is on full display. He looks so hot with his hands wrapped that I have to fight myself not to jump him in front of everyone.

  “Back to the freight boxes.” He takes my hand, leading the way. The crowd parts as he sits me on top of a stack of pallets so I can see everything but not get trampled.

  “I wanted to be up close,” I tell him as my eyes roam all over his body.

  “I’ll let you get as close as you want after I beat this asshole into the ground.”

  I lick my lips thinking about what that means. “Promise?” I lift my lips for a quick kiss which he gives me. “Can’t I be just a little bit closer?”

  “I don’t want Mark’s blood to get on your blouse.” I look down at my shirt that is covered in paint smears already. It’s worn out too. People often think it’s some new style when really it’s a shirt that I paint in but it’s super comfy so I go with it.

  “I do love this shirt.” He kisses the tip of my nose before taking off. I sit on the edge of the pallet. I have to pull my legs up and cross them because I can’t stop kicking them back and forth. I want this to be over with. I know Brad is going to be fine but I don’t like anyone hitting him. It doesn't help that I know he’s only doing this for money to help his family. He’s willing to get punched over and over to make sure they have whatever they need. Brad is the definition of what a man should be. Someone that will do anything for his family. Unlike my father, who will use anyone, including his family.

  I swallow as the announcer starts to call out their names. It’s still hard to hear with everyone chanting Bones over and over again. Mark has a cocky smile on his face where Brad’s face is unreadable because it’s completely blank. I purse my lips when I hear some girls call out his name. He doesn't even bother to look their way. I can’t blame them because his body is incredible. I’ve had the pleasure of touching and kissing all of it.

  Mark pulls his shirt off but no one calls out his name once they see what he has to offer. I have to fight a laugh. He’s let himself go since football season is over. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, though, and pretend that he’s new here and that no one knows his name. We won’t mention that the ring announcer just said it.

  Brad keeps his eyes trained on Mark as the bell rings. He takes a few steps into the ring looking completely relaxed. Mark swings right for Brad’s face. I hold my breath but Brad lifts his arm blocking the punch with his forearm. He lets Mark have the second hit that goes into his side. He barely flinches when the punch connects.

  I can’t believe that Mark is really this dumb. Brad is going to knock his ass out. Or maybe he’ll play with him some. I’m not really sure which. The same thing happens three more times, making the count four hits. I can’t tell how hard Mark’s hits land but Brad doesn't seem to be in pain. I know Brad can keep his face blank if he wants to no matter what is really going on, so his expression really doesn’t tell me much.

  Mark’s face is turning redder by the second. Brad hasn’t even thrown one hit yet. He stands there waiting for Mark to make his next move. I’m guessing it will be his last. Mark says something and I think I hear my name before he throws another right hook. Brad takes it to the jaw, not blocking it this time. His head barely turns from the blow. I gasp, my hand flies over my mouth. It isn’t Brad who cries out in pain, though. It’s Mark as he grabs his own hand in pain. The whole room goes quiet.

  “Think you broke a few fingers,” Brad says as he flexes his jaw. Mark holds his hand close to his chest. “I heard what you said about my girl.” Brad shakes his head. What did Mark say about me? I drop the hand that I’ve just noticed I still have over my mouth. “Now I have to break your jaw.”

  Before he finishes even saying it he swings. A loud snap sounds in the room. The crowd erupts as Mark hits the hard concrete. Brad isn’t done though. He leans down, grabbing Mark’s rapidly swelling face in his hand. “Now you won’t have to worry about trying to keep your mouth shut. I did it for you.” He drops Mark’s head and faces me. Our eyes meet over the crowd and they slowly part as he makes his way toward me.

  My eyes are fixed on his. He stops in front of me. His body is slick with sweat but he still wears that cocky smile.

  “Took you long enough,” I tease. “I thought you might toy with him.” He lifts me from the pallets, putting me down on my feet.

  “Why would I do that when I have sweeter things I can play with?” He smiles before he kisses me. I wonder if his jaw hurts from the punch he took but from the way he’s kissing me I’m guessing not.

  “How did you know that fuck would break his hand?” Loren asks, interrupting our mini makeout session.

  “The hands are very delicate. For someone who’s never really been in a fight I’m guessing he has no idea how fragile they are.” I look down at mine. My nails are splattered with paint that I didn't scrub off well enough. I have a few calluses too from how I hold my brushes and pencils. I shake my fist. “This hand is missing a few bracelets.” I shake my wrist.

  Loren pulls them out of his pocket, giving them back to me. I slide them on as I wait for my money. He pays Brad first then hands me most of his money.

  “Holy shit, babe? How much money you carry on you? That’s not safe.”

  “She used the bracelets as her buy in.” Brad looks at my wrist.

  “They’re Cartier.” I try and play it off.

  “How much does one of them cost?” His eyes go from my bracelets to my stack of cash that Loren had to dish out to me.

  “You don’t want to know, man,” Loren mumbles.

  “You gave one to my sister.” I had that night I’d done her nails. I didn't think Brad noticed. “No wonder she acts like
it’s the Holy Grail and won’t let anyone touch it.” I shrug my shoulders and change the subject.

  “Are you going to make good on your pre-fight promise or not?” The next thing I know, I’m lifted into the air and placed over Brad’s shoulder. I laugh as I watch the pavement go by until we get to his car.

  He opens the door, putting me inside. He kisses me again. I moan into his mouth. I can’t wait to get back home and get a better look at him. Make sure he really isn't hurt anywhere. Then maybe I can dish out a little pleasure for him.

  “Your mom home with Belle tonight?” I ask, all breathy. He nods. “Come home with me.” He raises an eyebrow. “No one cares. If anyone is even there.”

  “Sarah will notice.”

  “Yeah, but Sarah’s no snitch and she likes you.” He looks almost shocked at my confession. “Brad, why wouldn't she like you? She sees you with your sister. You’re respectful. She said that you didn't even leave a mess when you used her kitchen.”

  He laughs. “I know how to clean up after myself.”

  “At least one of us does.” I give him the biggest smile. I know I can be a mess. Brad smiles over at me as he buckles my seatbelt, then his.

  “I think I can handle your messes.”

  “I think you can handle anything.” I do. I don’t know if he knows that but I truly believe it. He’s an unstoppable force but what makes him more special is that you may not see him coming. Brad is unmissable but you just don’t know what you’re going to get. He’s underestimated. I made that mistake once. He’d taught me a lesson that first day I’d met him.

  I pull out the stack of cash I got from my wager. “Can we call Carter’s lawyer now?” I ask.

  “Yeah, but you won’t need that. Carter is always owing me a favor.”

  “Fine, I’ll just take Belle on a shopping trip. I told her we’d go to the mall this weekend anyways.”