by Roma, Laurie
David lost his smile. “I knew you were whoring around on me.”
“How dare you—”
Hammer cut off whatever Kali was going to say by squeezing her shoulder. “You’re going to want to be very careful how you speak to my woman.”
“Your woman,” David spat. “She was mine first.”
“David, come on. Let’s go,” Melissa said pulling at David’s arm. David shook her off, his anger making him too stupid to understand the danger he was in.
David glared down at Kali. “You were always panting after him like a bitch in heat. Just wait until he gets bored with you. That will serve you right.”
Hammer slowly stood up so he was towering over the other man. He could see the fear suddenly gleaming in David’s eyes, and he was glad when the smaller man took a step back. Hammer wanted to strike out at him, but the feeling of Kali’s gentle hand on his arm had him looking down into her worried eyes. “Don’t worry, baby. I won’t hurt the bastard.”
He felt his tension ease a little as her beautiful lips curved into a smile. “One hit and he’d be done anyway. There’s no fun in that.”
Hammer found himself laughing, and he looked back to see David’s face was red with anger now. Taking a step forward, he was pleased when David scuttled back from him. “Let me make this clear,” Hammer said in voice that was dangerously soft. “I know where you work and where you live. If I even catch you looking at Kali with anything less than respect I will tear you apart into bloody pieces, then boot your head so far up your stupid ass you’ll pray to God, wishing I had just killed you. In fact, don’t even look at her. If you see her in the same room as you, you’ll fucking leave, because I won’t tolerate you or anyone else upsetting her. Now get the fuck out of here before I have to disappoint her and beat the shit out of you right now.”
David turned and ran, leaving his girlfriend to follow him teetering on her high heels as Hammer sat back down at the table. Their dinner companions all stared at him, their expressions a mixture of shock and awe. He glanced at Kali, bracing himself to face her anger but found her smiling that special smile that she reserved just for him. Unable to help himself he kissed her hard before smiling at the rest of the table as if he hadn’t just made such an ominous threat against a man.
“So, do you think they’ll be cutting the cake soon?”
****
Two days later, Hammer stood in the completed fenced in area outside the gym and wiped the sweat from his brow. It felt damn good building something with his own hands, but he hadn’t had to build it alone. He’d been surprised by the number of his friends that had come to help, along with several of the members that workout out in the gym. Because of the extra hands, what would have taken him a couple days to do had been finished in the matter of a few hours.
“Looks good,” Sheriff Storm Wyatt said as he handed a bottle of water over to Hammer.
“It does. Thanks for coming by to help.”
Storm shrugged. “I had the day off. I was coming in for a workout anyway.”
Hammer eyed his friend. Storm had the dark coloring that spoke to his half Native American heritage, but his usually tanned skin seemed pale and his obsidian eyes were heavy with buried anger and fatigue. He’d seen that look before. Hammer and Storm had served in the same unit while they had been in the Rangers, and they had been like brothers ever since. “Long weekend?”
“Longer than you’d believe. Late Saturday night I got a call out to the county border. Turns out those fucking Moxie boys took some girls drinking with them at that shit-hole honky tonk, the Dunk Tank, and then crashed into a tree on their way home.”
“Shit,” Hammer said. “Was everyone okay?”
“Nope. One of the girls ended up in the hospital, and one of the boys had to have surgery. The other girl died on impact. We spent hours trying to pry those kids out of that damn car. It was crushed like a fucking can. The driver was the only one who wasn’t really hurt. He was so drunk he couldn’t even see straight, but somehow he got thrown clear.”
“You telling Hammer about what happened Saturday?” Hammer’s step-brother Hunter asked as he joined them. “I’m glad those little Moxie shits are sitting in jail. Why does it always seem the drunk driver always walks away from an accident despite all the lives he ruins?”
“Yeah,” Storm said, shaking his head in disgust. “Those girls were underage, too. To top it, one of their daddies showed up on scene while we were working to get the kids out. He had been out looking for his girl when we made the calls. The idiot pulled out a shotgun and started shooting at the driver.”
“Well, hell…” Hammer winced, but he couldn’t really blame the father. He would have killed those boys if it was his daughter, too.
“What Storm didn’t tell you was that he was in the process of cuffing Ralph Moxie when the father started shooting,” Dante added as he joined them.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Hammer looked at Storm, then grinned, trying to ease the memory of dealing with such a horrible situation. “You don’t seem to have any new holes in you.”
“He missed me, asshole,” Storm growled in response, irritation bubbling to the surface again at the reminder. “It was just one big clusterfuck of a night. That’s why I took today off. I needed to relax, or I knew I’d hurt someone today with the way I’m feeling.”
“I bet. You should go hit the bags now that we’re done here.”
“I just might,” Storm said. “Maybe I’ll drag Dante into the ring with me.”
“We can do that. I’m thought I’d stick around and work with the kid when he gets off of school. Nate’s got some moves. He’s young yet, but I think he might have a future if he wants it.”
“I agree,” Hammer said. He’d been training Nate a few times a week, and the kid had natural talent for picking up martial arts. With dedication and persistence, the kid could make a career at fighting.
Hunter looked around the fenced in yard with his hands on his hips, admiring what they had built together. “This is a good area. Ranger is going to be very happy here.” At Storm’s questioning look, Hunter grinned. “The pit bull puppy Kali picked out is named Ranger. The little guy lights up when she’s around.”
Storm laughed, the fatigue fading as mirth took its place. “Well, I’ll be damned. So now Kali has two Rangers on her hands.”
“Damn straight,” Hammer said with a grunt.
“You gonna marry that girl?” Storm asked.
“As soon as possible.” Hammer told his friends the short version of what happened at the wedding over the weekend, and was pleased to see the righteous fury burning in their eyes on his woman’s behalf.
“The ex is still breathing?” Dante asked incredulously. “Man, Hammer. You’re losing your edge. I would have taken that asshole apart.”
“Trust me, I wanted to, but I wasn’t about to kill a guy at her cousin’s wedding. Besides, I made him fear me enough that he won’t cross me.”
“David’s always been a little prick, even when we were young. Let me know if he bothers her again,” Storm said. “I won’t tolerate that shit here in my town.”
“Got it, Sheriff.” Hammer sighed. “I wonder if I could convince Kali to have a wedding without her parents.”
Hunter laughed, knowing there was no chance in hell of that happening. “Good luck with that shit. Could you imagine what your mom or my dad would do to you if you got married and didn’t invite them? Hell, they’d probably kill me, too, for not talking you out of it.”
Hammer winced at that. “Okay, first we’ll adopt the dog and I’ll ask her to officially move in with me. Then I’ll convince her to marry me.”
“Why wait?” Storm asked. “If you’re already all in why don’t you just ask her right now?”
Dante nodded. “He’s right. Kali is a sweet little thing. I don’t think she’ll want to move in with you without a ring on her finger. She seems the traditional type.”
They were right. Hammer kne
w he should just ask her and get it over with, but the truth was there was a little part of him that was afraid she would say no. She loved him, but what if she said it was too soon? They hadn’t been dating for very long, and he didn’t know what he would do if he asked and she refused him or asked him to wait.
Oblivious to the turmoil going on in Hammer’s head, Dante looked around the yard just as Hunter had. “This is a good idea for you and Kali. I think it’s pretty damn sweet that you are giving one of those puppies a good home. Seems to me you will already be building a family together, why not make it official?”
Before he could respond Storm nodded toward the side door of the gym that lead out into the yard. “Heads up, Hammer. Looks like your lady has come to see what you built for her.”
The men quickly left, gathering up the rest of the crew that had helped with the construction. They murmured a greeting to Kali as they passed her and went inside. Hammer had left Kali at his house, still snuggled in bed when he’d headed out that morning. She’d left her car at his place before they’d gone to the wedding, and he had wanted to get a good start on the fence before she came into work. Now that the fence was done, he didn’t know what to say.
Hell, a man like him shouldn’t be embarrassed by anything, but the surprise and love shining from his lover’s eyes had him wanting to fucking blush, if such a thing were even possible after all he’d done in his life. The way Kali looked at him made him feel ten feet tall, like he could do anything, and he wanted to…for her. When he realized he loved her, he knew without a doubt he would kill to keep her safe.
Building a fence wasn’t even a drop on the scale of things he would do for her.
Kalista looked around the large fenced in area with wide eyes, hardly believing what she was seeing. Jared had gone with her to play with Ranger over at the rescue center last week, but a part of her had never really believed he would actually build her a play area for the puppy if she adopted the pup. She should have known better. Jared always did what he said, and he never lied to her. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked over at him. She wanted to laugh at how uncomfortable he looked standing there, but she couldn’t. Not when he had done this for her.
“Jared?”
“Hi, baby.” He hooked his thumbs into the front pockets of his jeans. “You’re here early.”
“I came in early to meet the girls for lunch. How…you did this for me?”
“Well, other people can bring their dogs out here the play, but yes, I told you I would build this for Ranger. I thought we could make a play area for him over here. We could add some equipment and—”
He was cut off as she flung herself into him arms. He picked her up, holding her to him as she peppered his face with kisses. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“If this is what I get for building you a fenced in area, just wait ‘til you see the one I’m planning at home.”
She froze, her jaw falling open as she watched his own muscles working in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. Uncaring that her feet were dangling off the ground she reached up to stroke his face with her hands, soothing his muscles.
“You’re building me a fence at your house?”
Hammer set her down slowly, then rubbed a hand over his shorn hair. Fuck, this wasn’t going as he had planned. He couldn’t seem to get the words out that he wanted to say. “I thought it would be good if we had one at the house. I thought we could, you know, both adopt Ranger.”
“You mean like share him? Like joint custody?”
“Sort of,” Hammer said as he hooked his thumbs back into his front pockets. “It wouldn’t really be like that if you just moved in with me.”
Kalista’s breath caught as she stared at him. He was asking her to move in with him? Joy filled her, but a part of her heart ached at his offer. Jared had said he loved her, but what happened if that changed?
“Kali, I—”
“There you are!”
Both she and Jared turned as the deep booming voice sounded from the doorway leading into the gym. A large barrel-chested man walked out, lumbering forward with a wide grin on his face. The man looked to be in his late fifties, but despite his age he was in good shape and carried himself like a prize-fighter. His nose had obviously been broken several times, giving him a rough look, which didn’t seem to fit with the bright orange polo shirt he was wearing with khaki pants.
Hammer wanted to curse as Gene “Rhino” Durbin walked toward them. The owner of the CFL was a big man, and he would usually be happy to see him, but not right now. Not when he hadn’t told Kali about the offer, and certainly not when he had been about to fucking propose to the woman he loved.
“Rhino. What the hell are you doing here? And Jesus, could that shirt get any brighter?”
“Don’t you sass me, boy,” Rhino growled. “I’m here because we’ve got business to discuss. I need you in Las Vegas with me tomorrow, and I came to personally collect you.”
“Damn it,” Hammer muttered under his breath.
“Manners, Hammer. Hello, sweetheart. I’m Big Gene, and who might you be?”
“Kalista Redford.” Kalista took the offered hand and shook it. She noticed that the big man took her hand gently, just as Jared and most of his friends did. It seemed automatic for strong men with good hearts to temper their strength so they didn’t hurt anyone weaker than them. Kalista smiled at the older man even though her emotions were swirling inside her. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“So you say, although I interrupted you.”
“That’s okay, I have to get back to work anyway. I’ll leave you two to your discussion. Jared, I’ll see to later.”
“Kali…”
Hammer felt helpless as she rose to her toes to kiss him on his cheek, then she left, leaving him feeling a surge of anger at the older man. He rounded on Gene when she disappeared through the doorway. “Damn it, Rhino.”
“That your new girl? She’s a pretty little thing.”
“She is. I could fucking strangle you.”
“Well, do it inside once we’re out of the cold. Leanne is waiting.”
Hammer wanted to groan. “You brought your wife?”
“Of course I did. If I couldn’t talk some sense into you, I know she can.”
Gene slapped Hammer on the shoulder, and if he was a smaller man, the friendly tap would have sent him flying to the floor.
His day was really not going according to plan.
Chapter Ten
Even though he was pissed, Hammer had to smile as he saw Leanne Durbin standing in the main gym. The tall blonde could have been an Amazon warrior in another life, but she was no less lethal in a smart looking outfit of black pants and a cream colored sweater. A former model, Leanne looked like a socialite, hiding the fact that she was one of the driving forces that made the CFL such a success.
Leanne turned as Hammer and Gene walked over to her and she smiled, her midnight blue eyes warming with affection when she saw him. “Hammer, it’s so good to see you.”
He kissed her cheek in greeting, then stood, looking at the pair of them for a moment. They always struck him as an odd looking couple, the tall, slim blonde completely opposite her big, burly husband, but he knew they were madly in love with each other. Leanne was a good four inches taller than Gene, and she looked elegant compared to her husband’s rough appearance.
“I guess we should take this into my office,” Hammer said with a sigh. He led the couple into his office in the back and sat down on one of the chairs in the sitting area after Leanne took a seat on the couch. Gene sat down next to her and started to speak, but Hammer held up his hand. “You’re gonna want to give me another minute and wait for the urge to punch you to pass.”
Leanne let out a sigh as she patted her husband’s knee affectionately. “What have you done now?”
“Me? Why the hell do you think I did anything? All I did was go outside and say hello to him and his woman,” Gene sputtered, looking extremely offended.
“
I was about to fucking propose, but you had to show up and ruin it,” Hammer growled out.
“Well, shit…” Gene said, finally looking contrite.
“Oh, Hammer! I’m so happy for you!” Leanne beamed at him.
“I told you I didn’t want the job,” Hammer said, ignoring Leanne as he continued to glare at Gene.
“Damn it, boy. You know you’re perfect for it and—”
“Of course you don’t want the job,” Leanne said, cutting off her husband. “Your place is here now. And I must say, you have a very impressive facility. I would love to see the rehab center upstairs before we leave.”
“Sure,” Hammer said automatically.
“Now, wait a minute,” Gene began. “There is no reason you can’t be an announcer if—”
“Gene, let it go,” Leanne warned. She smiled at Hammer. “Since you didn’t do it yet, can I see the ring?”
“I don’t have one yet.” Hammer shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and he wanted to wince at the look of censure that crossed over her face.
Leanne sighed. “Why oh why are you men such idiots? Please tell me you weren’t just going to blurt it out without some kind of plan?” Pity and a healthy amount of amusement surged through her at his pained expression. “Why do I have to have a plan?” Hammer leaned forward and hung his head in his hands with a groan. “Why the hell does this have to be so complicated?”
“Here is what we’re going to do,” Leanne said as she scooted forward. “First, I want a tour of the gym and rehab center. I’ve loved everything I’ve seen so far, and I think this will be a perfect training facility for us to send some of our fighters to.”
Hammer sat up and glowered at her. “Rhino said you would only send fighters here if I took the job.”
“Did he, now?” The large man’s shoulders hunched as his wife sent him a frigid stare. “That won’t be a problem, Hammer. Since you were one of our most popular fighters, and still are even though you’re retired, we would like for you to sign on to announce at some of our bigger events like the championship matches. This way you won’t have to travel much, and can still keep your connection to the CFL. We’ll be happy to direct fighters here to train so they can get a broader range of skills. You know how important it is to switch up skills and to have a variety of disciplines for them to learn. I know there are very few fighters that would pass up a chance to work with you.”
