Undaunted (No Rival Book 2)

by Charity Parkerson

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Introduction

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Author Bio

  Undaunted

  No Rival, #2

  Charity Parkerson

  Without limiting the rights under copyright(s) reserved above and below, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

  Please Note

  The scanning, uploading, and distributing of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Brief passages may be quoted for review purposes if credit is given to the copyright holder. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. Any resemblances to person(s) living or dead, is completely coincidental. All items contained within this novel are products of the author’s imagination.

  --Warning: This book is intended for readers over the age of 18.

  Copyright © 2013 Charity Parkerson

  Editor: Vicky Reese

  Cover art by Dar Albert

  Originally published by Ellora’s Cave Publishing under the same title.

  All rights reserved.

  Introduction

  Brothers Rhys and Knox have been in love with the same woman for years. While Rhys has been open about his feelings toward Mandy, he’s kept her firmly locked in the friend zone. That is, until a night filled with too much alcohol explodes into passion.

  Unfortunately, Rhys doesn’t remember anything of their hot night together. It’s only when he encounters a passionate scene between two of his fight-buddies that Rhys recalls his night with Mandy and vows to make it up to her.

  Mandy is tired of the drama. As secrets unravel her friendship with Rhys, Knox steps in to pick up the broken pieces of her heart.

  Mandy must decide who to choose—the charming reprobate she desires, but who always wrecks her life, or the merciless bad boy who wants to give her the world.

  Dedication

  I need to send huge thanks and lots of hugs to Sarah Kurchak from Fightland for answering my questions even when they were a step beyond uncomfortable.

  Chapter One

  March

  The crazed look in Rhys’ eyes scared the hell out of Mandy. In all the years she’d known him, she’d never seen him come unglued. Blood streaked the white walls of his living room and several family photos hung broken inside their frames. Four new holes in the drywall would greet him when some of the alcohol left his system, but she imagined he wouldn’t care.

  She wanted to fix it. Sweat glistened on the flat pads of his chest and a bead rolled down his torso. She followed its progress over the ripple of his abs. An unwanted and badly timed burst of lust had her feet moving before her mind had time to catch up. Even as her fingers fanned his cheek, she knew it was a mistake. When his sweet brown eyes focused on her, it was too late to back down. His gaze never left hers even as he turned his head and pressed his lips against the inside of her wrist.

  She craved him. It had always been Rhys and no one else. He would destroy her, and she was going to let him.

  * * * * *

  July

  One. Two. Kick. Three. Four. Knee. Five. Six. Back kick. Rhys repeated the count in his head as he ran through his drills. It was a mindless act after all these years, but it was still necessary and part of the routine at the club. To say No Rival was an exclusive fight club would be the same as claiming Mount Everest was just another hill. As far as Rhys was concerned, there wasn’t a higher honor for a Vegas fighter than getting accepted into the private training facilities. Anyone who hoped to compete at a professional level drooled at the thought of sparring alongside the reigning heavyweight champion, Drew Alexander.

  Rhys’ membership was understood. Fighters were a family and fighting professionally ran in his. At one time, his father had been the middleweight champion, and everyone automatically assumed his three sons would follow, but Rhys wasn’t happy to merely have the torch passed on to him. He wanted everyone to know he deserved to be there.

  Only when his lungs burned did he snag the bag and hold it in place. Dragging a deep breath in through his nose, he caught sight of Drew watching him from the open doorway of the front office. The severe look lining the man’s face wasn’t unusual, but it seemed harsher than normal. He was almost always silent, but Rhys knew it was a side effect of a calculating mind. Everything from his large form down to the way he stood was part of his weaponry. Drew was deadly and it was why he’d never been beaten.

  Rhys dipped his chin and Drew motioned him over. “Can I speak with you privately?”

  With a nod, Rhys followed him inside the small room. Curiosity ate at his gut since Drew Alexander wasn’t one to talk, whether it be privately or not. He couldn’t imagine what could drive him to do so now. “I need a favor,” he added as he closed the door behind them. Rhys was near to dancing in place with his need to know. If speaking to anyone was an oddity, then asking for favors was the equivalent of being struck by lightning.

  “What can I do for you?” Rhys wanted to pat himself on the back when he managed to keep the interest out of his voice.

  Acting as if he’d not said a word, Drew leaned against the desk and crossed his feet at the ankles. Bracing his palms on the wooden surface at his sides, Drew tapped his thumbs nervously until Rhys was ready to crawl out of his skin.

  Just when Rhys thought he’d snap from the tension, Drew let out a heavy sigh and crossed his arms over his chest. “My father passed away last night.”

  It was on the tip of Rhys’ tongue to say he didn’t know Drew had a father. Luckily, some form of suck-ass condolences popped out instead and saved him from sounding like a prick. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Drew waved it away. “We only spoke a couple of times, so he may as well have been a stranger. The thing is, I’ve been asked to do some honorary shit at the funeral, and I don’t feel as if I can say no.” Rhys grunted his assent, wondering what any of this had to do with him. Drew scrubbed at his scalp. “There’s no way I’ll be able to go without Aubree, but there’s no fucking chance I am leaving her alone for one second while I’m there. So, you see my problem?”

  Nodding, Rhys said, “No.”

  Drew barked out a laugh, and his eyes lit up, changing his entire face. It was odd. Rhys couldn’t remember ever seeing the man smile. He’d never noticed the loss before now. “I’m in a real shitty position here, man,” Drew admitted. “Most people don’t know it, but I have a brother. To make a long story short, he once got a bit physical with Aubree when she wouldn’t do something he wanted. I need someone to stay with her while I do my part. If you’d be willing to take the job, I’d like to hire you to work as sort of her private security for the day.”

  Rhys was stunned, and he wasn’t even sure by which part. He didn’t know Aubree well, but like everyone else in the MMA world, he’d known her father. When she’d married Drew he’d wanted to get to know her, but Drew turned out to have a jealous side Rhys would have never expected. He couldn’t imagine anyone physically harming the sweet
little blonde woman who’d snagged the world’s deadliest man and living to tell about it. “This guy put his hands on her and is still walking around?”

  “Yeah, about that,” Drew said uncomfortably. “He almost wasn’t. Walking around, that is,” Drew clarified. He blew out a sigh. “I’m placing a lot of trust in you here. Seriously, I’m handing you enough shit to ruin me, but there is another reason I need you there. When I found out what happened, I flipped out and almost killed him. Honestly, I wasn’t a hundred percent sure he would live afterward, and now with Aubree pregnant, this overprotective side of me is even worse. If he makes any attempt at all to speak to her while we’re there, I’m not sure how I’ll react. I need someone to keep me in check. I might kill him for real this time.”

  Rhys snorted before he could stop it. “And you think I could stop you if you decided to snap his neck?” To his surprise, Drew nodded.

  “You have a better chance than anyone.”

  “Wouldn’t one of my brothers be a better choice? I’m sure both Dane and Knox would be honored to help. I’m not saying no. I’m only making sure.” Rhys wanted to help, but he was equally aware he was the pup of the family. Even at six foot two, he was smaller than both of his brothers.

  Drew hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully before answering. “Can I be honest?”

  “Of course,” Rhys answered immediately.

  “We both know why I won’t ask Dane, and you possess an empathy Knox doesn’t have. Seriously, he probably knows someone who can make my brother disappear for me. In spite of my anger toward Max, I do understand he’s lost his father and I know you will take his grieving into consideration.”

  Rhys couldn’t argue with Drew’s logic. A huge part of him wanted to defend his brothers, but he couldn’t force himself to lie. Dane was a fucked-up mess and it was likely Knox more than knew someone who could make a person disappear. He probably was that someone.

  “The pay would be good,” Drew tacked on when he was too slow in responding.

  Rhys didn’t hesitate. “There’s no need for you to pay me anything.”

  “I’d feel better if you let me.”

  “Nah. This is what friends do for each other. If the roles were reversed you’d do the same for me.” Rhys wasn’t sure it was true, but he knew Drew was a good man and wouldn’t allow any woman to come to harm.

  “You might not feel the same after I say this. Aubree can’t know why you’re there.” Rhys groaned, and Drew nodded his understanding as he explained. “My brother Max was at one time someone she considered a good friend and Aubree has a loyalty streak a mile wide. She won’t thank me for this.”

  “Ah, life on the edge. It keeps me from taking up too much space,” Rhys deadpanned.

  * * * * *

  Mandy squared her shoulders as she left the kitchen area and headed for the crowded dining room. It was only her heart, she reminded herself for the thousandth time as she moved to serve yet another meal to one of Rhys’ dates. She would survive another night of this. Circling the table, Mandy set a basket of dinner rolls down before moving to refill their drinks.

  The girl was shooting daggers at her. Mandy could feel the murderous stare biting into her skin. With an inner sigh, Mandy poured more water into her glass before moving to Rhys’ side of the table. She wondered if should spit in the overly large-breasted woman’s food and hope it caused her to develop some crazy strand of new disease. Maybe it would make her boobs slip to her ass. Mandy smiled evilly at the thought.

  “Okay. Now, I have to know what you’re thinking.”

  “What?” Mandy asked, attempting to keep the guilt from her voice even though she knew Rhys had known her too long to believe the false tone.

  “You had this whole naughty thing going on with your face, and I have to know.” She could feel the blades sharpening at her back, but Mandy kept her gaze locked on Rhys. “I have no idea what you mean.” Rhys allowed her blatant lie to slide, and seizing her chance, Mandy added, “I have a business opportunity for you when you have a little time to talk it over.”

  Rhys waved toward the empty chair at his side. “I always have time for you. Have a seat.”

  The loud huff behind her made Mandy cringe and she really didn’t want to talk it over while he was on a date. “You’re a little busy right now.”

  “Actually, I’m not.”

  The huff turned into a horrible gasp. Mandy pasted on her best fake smile, speaking through clenched teeth. “All the same.”

  A lazy smile grew across his face, causing Mandy to wonder if she should sit down after all. In case her knees gave out. Rhys was ridiculous perfection. It wasn’t fair to the rest of the world. Why did he come here and torment her, she wondered for the thousandth time. Her gaze slipped from his short-cropped brown hair to the cleft in his chin, and the memory of his lips touching hers caused time to slow as she continued staring at him.

  “Excuse me, server, I’d like to eat before my food gets any colder. You should move along and do your job.” Rhys’ date threw enough venom behind the statement that a lesser woman would have run for the hills. The reminder of her presence hit Mandy harder than a truck. She was torn over who she was the angriest with. In the end, it was herself.

  *

  Rhys cringed inside at Crystal’s nasty tone, and the look on Mandy’s face made him wonder if he would get to see a good catfight. Saving Mandy from losing her job, Rhys cut off Mandy’s retort. “What time do you get off tonight? Maybe I can meet up with you then.”

  Mandy’s face brightened as she checked her watch. “I’m off at nine, so I only have around an hour left.”

  “He’ll be…busy at nine,” Ms. Snark said, reminding them both she was the one who was there with Rhys while making her intentions for the night clear.

  “No. I won’t,” Rhys said, holding Mandy’s stare as he added, “I’ll be at your place by nine fifteen.” This date had been a stupid idea, one he hoped might stir some jealousy in the stubborn woman holding his gaze, but he’d be damned if he’d allow Crystal to ruin any chance he had to spend time alone with Mandy.

  Mandy was the first to look away and a small smile played on her lips. “I see Knox is here as well.” She nodded across the room, but Rhys didn’t bother looking in that direction. He saw Knox all the time and Black River was a popular place, so it wasn’t surprising.

  “Nine fifteen,” he reminded her, awaiting her agreement.

  She gave him a bland smile. “Sure. I’ll go say hi, and let the two of you enjoy your dinner.” With a final glance at their table, she walked away, leaving them alone.

  Crystal had seemed like the perfect choice. Short, brown-haired and stacked, she was the polar opposite of Mandy. He felt absolutely no attraction to her. It wasn’t her fault. She was a beautiful woman, but she wasn’t Mandy. Now he couldn’t wait for their date to be over.

  By the time he finally managed to get Crystal home, things had only gone from bad to worse. She made several blatant attempts to lure him inside. At first, he made every effort to let her down easy. It didn’t work. In the end, he’d given in. He’d not even taken off his shoes. In and out in under fifteen minutes.

  Crystal had been pissed that he was still leaving, there was no doubt about it. Not that he cared. Maybe one of these days he’d get his shit together and try to find a woman who could replace his fantasy of Mandy, but he doubted anyone could truly take her place. They’d been friends too long, but his body refused to turn down a beautiful woman, especially when she began to pout.

  He beat Mandy home. Instead of waiting outside as he should, he flipped the flowerpot over and grabbed the spare key. After unlocking the door, Rhys tucked the key back in its hiding spot before he headed inside.

  She’d left her kitchen light on again even though she’d bitch when her electric bill came in. He was glad for it since he hated her coming home so late by herself every night. Of course, as a prizefighter, Mandy’s dad had ensured all his kids knew how to defend themselves
, but Rhys preferred she not have a reason to use the knowledge.

  Her tan walls and maroon couch felt like home to Rhys. He wasted no time kicking off his shoes and falling across the couch. He made a halfhearted attempt to find the remote to the TV before giving up and staring at the ceiling.

  The fight scene was a small world, almost like family. When Rhys’ father had secured him a membership with No Rival and began training him to compete, Mandy had been the first person he’d met close to his age. At seventeen, he’d already been too sure of his ability to win anyone he wanted. The moment he had her alone, he attempted to steal a kiss. He’d limped for two weeks afterward, but he’d been hooked. Since then, he’d spent as much time with her as he could get away with. His dad and brothers accepted her constant presence without question. The possibility they might not end up together had never really occurred to him. It was only a matter of time before he figured out how to convince her to keep him.

  His mind swirled with possibilities when he thought of Mandy’s business proposition, but he couldn’t come up with a single thing that sounded probable. Two job offers in one day—he was a hot commodity. A flash caught him off guard and blinded him for a moment. Mandy’s laugh rang through his ears. “Ha! Caught you.” Damn, it was rare for anyone to get the drop on him. “Oh, that’s a good one,” Mandy said, staring at the digital screen of her camera.

  “Let me see.”

  Mandy pushed away his wiggling fingers. “No way! You’ll delete it.” He couldn’t argue with her logic. “Give me a second to change, and I’ll be right back.”

  Mandy slipped into her bedroom while Rhys went back to staring at the ceiling. It did no good for him to think of her pulling off her shirt on the other side of the door. No more than a thin layer of wood stood between him and heaven, if he didn’t count her absolute disinterest. Lack of willingness on her part did nothing to deter Rhys’ idiotic need to possess her. It seemed nothing ever would.