Hard to Fight

by Bella Jewel

Ouch.

  “Yeah, well, I only go for men with—” I look him up and down. “—big—” His face grows lusty. “—personalities.”

  He chuckles softly and I want to close my eyes and pray to the high heavens to make him sound like a wheezing man with bronchitis instead of the gorgeous, masculine one he sounds like.

  “I’m up for the challenge. I can show you plenty of big, lady,” he rasps.

  “Ugh,” I mutter even though my heart is pounding.

  “You always so pleasant to be around?” he asks, his eyes still on me.

  “You always so arrogant?” I throw back.

  His eyes flare with amusement and I reach toward the door. “I’m taking another cab.”

  He reaches across, his big body covering mine as he stops me from being able to open the door. I gasp at his close proximity and squirm desperately to dislodge myself from his hot, hard body. “Take her where she’s goin’ first,” he murmurs to the cabdriver.

  I gape as we take off, and the driver asks where I’m going. I mutter off an address and then turn to Raide, who is smirking. “Is it a tradition of yours to hold women hostage in cabs?”

  He chuckles. “I’m not holdin’ you hostage, you wanna jump out—” He nods toward the door. “—off you go. I was only trying to be a gentleman.”

  I snort. “I get the distinct feeling you’re never a gentleman.”

  His eyes flash with amusement and he leans in close. “No, you’re right about that. Care for me to show you just how ungentlemanly I can be?”

  Oh boy, my heart kicks up a notch and I can’t stop my eyes dropping to his lips. Raide Knox is dangerous, there’s no doubt about that.

  “Dream on, buddy,” I say, but my voice comes out in a sultry puff.

  His lips twitch. Yeah, he caught that.

  “What’s a lady doing out this late anyway? It’s not wise to be out alone at this time of night, especially a tiny little thing like you.”

  I know that for the sake of seduction, I should offer up a flirtatious reply. But his comment irks me. “I can take care of myself just fine. I’m a woman, not a defenseless idiot.”

  He chuckles. “I have no doubt you can take care of yourself, but isn’t it a lot more fun to have a man take care of you?” By the heat in his eyes, there’s no mistaking his meaning.

  I cross my arms and stare up at the cab roof, frustrated that he seems to be seducing me instead of the other way around.

  “Don’t get me wrong, I think women are great for a lot of things.”

  “I have a good idea what those things are, and I’ll have you know that we’re capable of a hell of a lot more than just satisfying a man’s needs.”

  This all comes out in a rush, and Raide is silent for a moment. Then he bursts out laughing. “You really have a stick shoved right up your ass, don’t you, lady?”

  I purse my lips. “No, I just think women have the same abilities as men and should have the same opportunities.”

  “There’s a problem with that,” he murmurs, leaning in close.

  With a hitch in my voice, I say, “And that is?”

  “Women aren’t men.”

  Damn him. He has a point. Even if I hate to admit it.

  “They were never meant to be men.”

  Stupid jerk.

  I turn and stare out the window, not wanting to argue further with this infuriating man. When the cab pulls up a few doors down, because I purposely gave the driver the wrong address, I reach for the door and push it open after thrusting a twenty at him. I glance at Raide as I’m climbing out and yet again he’s staring at me with those to die for amber eyes. “Good to see you again, Gracie.”

  My mouth drops open as he closes the door and the cab takes off.

  He knew the whole time.

  Damn Raide, he one-upped me again.

  Chapter Five

  “Gretchen,” I smirk, “is that a pimple forming?”

  My sister gasps, pressing her hand to her chin, and then she quickly runs it over her face. I can’t wipe the grin off my face; it gets her every single time. When she realizes there’s no awful growth forming on her flawless skin, she scowls at me, throwing her hands onto her curvy hips. Her brown hair falls around her face in perfect curls. She always looks perfect.

  “Why do you have to be so childish, Grace?” she mutters.

  I flash her a grin. “Because you’re so entertaining.”

  She studies me and frowns. “What happened to your hair?”

  “It’s raining outside,” I say, waving to the pounding rain on the window. “It happens.”

  “I don’t know how we’re related,” she says, curling her upper lip at me. “I’d never been seen with hair that looked like that.”

  “Don’t be jealous, sister—one day you’ll be as cool as me.”

  She scoffs just as my mother enters the room, looking equally perfect. “Grace.” She smiles, walking over and wrapping me in a hug that feels as cold as it is empty. Typical. Wouldn’t want to ruin her makeup. She steps back, looking down at me. She has the same dark hair as me, but my eyes are all Dad’s. She and my two sisters have dull blue eyes.

  “Sweetheart,” she says, scowling like Gretchen. “What happened to your hair?”

  “I got electrocuted,” I say in a deadpan voice.

  “Don’t play with me, Grace. Would it hurt you to pretend to feminine? I mean, it’s bad enough you work in a man’s role and hang around with men every day. The least you could do is act like a lady when you’re not there.”

  I gasp, cupping my cheeks. “I’m not acting like a lady? Why didn’t you say so?”

  She narrows her pretty eyes at me. “Grace—”

  “No,” I say, licking my hand and running it over my hair. I silently thank Cole for the move. Turns out he was good for something after all. Who knew. “I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, Mom. Is that better? Does it look better? Wait, maybe it’s my skin.” I lick my hand again, running it down my cheek. They both gasp. “There, how do I look now?”

  “I’m not sure how you turned out like this.” My mother scoffs. “I raised you better.”

  “No, Mom, you tried to raise beauty queens, and unlucky for you, you only got two. I take after Dad.”

  I flash her a smile and walk off through the kitchen and out to the shed in the backyard, where my father spends all his time. I don’t know how he puts up with them, but his heart seems big enough to accept them, even as they are. I love him for that. When I reach the large space, I push the door open and find him flicking through some woodcrafting books.

  “Going to make me a bed, Dad?”

  He turns around, and his face splits into a massive grin. I rush over and he throws his arms around me, holding me close. He loves my mom and sisters, I know that, but I’m his happy place, a place where he feels slightly normal in a world of chaos. “Gracie,” he murmurs into my hair. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  “Hi, Dad.” I smile, pulling back.

  He touches my cheek. “You look—”

  “Like a drowned rat?”

  He smirks. “I was going to be a little kinder than that.”

  I laugh. “Don’t worry, Mom and Gretchen have already informed me what a shameful child I am.”

  He rolls his eyes. “And I bet you took that well.”

  I grin. “You know me too well. I think Mom was ready to throttle me when I licked my hand and fixed my hair.”

  He bites his lip to stop his laughter. “You’re my daughter, through and through.”

  “That I am,” I say, turning to his book. “So what are you building?”

  “I’m trying to build a porch swing. Your mother wants one.”

  Of course she does. “And how’s that going for you?”

  He groans, slapping the book shut. “She won’t notice if I go and buy it and pretend I built it, right?”

  I laugh some more. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

  He wraps me in another hug. “I’m glad you came to visit,
Gracie.”

  Me, too.

  * * *

  “So, how’s your newest case going?” Dad asks as we all sit around drinking cocoa later that night.

  “It’s good, I think.”

  “You think?” he asks.

  I sigh. “He’s proving somewhat difficult, but I’ll bring him in.”

  “How exactly,” my other sister, Stacy, mumbles, “do you bring a fully grown man in?”

  “Why, Stacy,” I say, “with my charm and good looks, of course.”

  Gretchen snorts. “Charm and good looks? He must be blind.”

  “Gretchen,” Dad warns.

  “Sorry, Daddy, but I just don’t understand her and her job.”

  “Gracie is good at what she does,” Dad says, defending me like he always does. “Maybe you should try being proud of her.”

  Gretchen huffs and crosses her arms.

  “Anyway,” I say, feeling the tension building. “I should get home. I have a lot of work to do.”

  I stand, and Dad stands with me. After three awkward hugs, we walk out to his car.

  “You don’t have to take me home,” I say.

  “You’re not catching a cab tonight.”

  I don’t argue.

  I get in his car and he takes me home. When there, he turns to me. “I know they don’t always make you feel like what you’re doing is good, Gracie, but I want you to know I’m proud of you.”

  I smile, reaching over and taking his hand. “Thank you, Dad.”

  “Call me with updates, let me know how this case goes.”

  “I promise.”

  “Night, Gracie.”

  “Night, Dad.”

  Chapter Six

  “Kady, get down!” I hiss.

  “Why?” she squeals happily. “He’s not looking.”

  “Because if he sees you looking at him, he’ll know we’re following him.”

  “We’re about to follow him into a club—”

  “No shit? But right now, we’re the only people in the parking lot, and we’re hiding in my damned car while he talks to some badass outside. You don’t think he’ll find us slightly suspicious if he looks over and sees us peeking through my windshield at him!” I hiss.

  Kady scoffs and waves her hand. “Chill out, lady. You asked me along.”

  “Yes,” I say, tugging the back of her dress. “Now, down!”

  She drops down. “You’re no fun. This stakeout business is supposed to be fun.”

  I roll my eyes. “You watch too much television.”

  She flashes me a grin. “Are you going to peek? What if he’s gone?”

  “Stay still.”

  I lift my head slightly and see Raide still talking to a large, dark man. They’re close, discussing something that has Raide’s hands clenching. Kady and I have spent the last three hours following him from a gun shop to this club. Luckily, we came prepared and are dressed for a night out. Seduce Raide, here we come.

  “He’s still there.”

  “I have an idea,” she cries. “You should just get out and wrestle him to the ground.”

  I turn and glare at her. “Have you missed how huge he is?”

  “Let me look again.”

  She lifts her head, sighs, and murmurs, “So fine. Lick him while he’s on the floor.”

  Yes, Kady couldn’t be a bounty hunter to save her life.

  “Jesus, Kady, get down. If he looks, he’s going to get an eyeful of boob.”

  She leans back, adjusting her boobs in her slinky red dress. “What’s wrong with that?”

  “Kady, giving him a hard-on is not part of the plan. Not yet, anyway.”

  “Oh, look—he’s moving!”

  I lift my head again and see Raide scanning the lot. “Get down.”

  We both drop down and my heart is pounding. I hope he hasn’t seen us. After a few minutes, I lift my head to see him tucking a cell phone into his pants and disappearing into the club. “He’s going in. Let’s do this.”

  We both pile out of the car and I take a moment to straighten my short black dress that Kady insisted on picking out for me. It’s low at the front, showing a good amount of cleavage, and the back dips down just enough to let the imagination run wild. I did a light dusting of makeup and left my hair down and straight, figuring it would be easier to fix when the time came. I was right.

  Kady and I link arms and enter the club after him.

  * * *

  Kady holds my hand tightly as we weave through the people, looking for Raide. We finally reach the bar, and a handsome man leans over the counter and smiles at as. “What can I get you lovely ladies?”

  Kady giggles and orders us both a vodka sunrise. As we sip, I let my eyes scan the crowd. I notice Raide in the corner, talking to another man. He’s got his mouth down close to the other guy’s ear, and whatever he’s saying has this particular man’s jaw clenching in either frustration or anger, I don’t know which.

  When they finally separate and Raide makes his way through the crowd, I turn back to Kady casually. “Tell me if he comes close.”

  She nods, keeping her eye on him. “He’s noticed you. Don’t look.”

  I nod back and laugh at absolutely nothing, causing the bartender to give me a strange look.

  Kady’s eyes clearly follow Raide, because they’re moving slowly across the room. “I have an idea,” she says.

  “What?”

  “Let’s dance. No better way to get someone to notice you than to dance. Come on.”

  She takes my hand and we shimmy our way out onto the dance floor. We start wiggling with the twenty or so other dancers confident enough to shake their asses.

  “Is he looking?” I ask after a few minutes of my best attempt at sexy dancing.

  “No, he’s talking to a bartender. He’s sitting, though. So he’s obviously comfortable. Now is your chance to get his attention.”

  “It would seem I have to strip to get his damned attention!”

  Kady giggles.

  “Screw it.”

  I turn and start shimmying toward the bar. I notice Raide as soon as I turn, and Kady is right: he is sitting at the bar. A blonde has shimmied up to his side first and is whispering something in his ear. Competition. Great. As I get closer, Raide’s eyes flicker over me, and then the arrogant jerk turns away, like he doesn’t even notice me. Say what? This man is testing my nerves. Who doesn’t like this dress? Everyone likes this freaking dress!

  “Can I get you another drink?” the bartender asks.

  I jerk and turn to him. “Ah, yeah, vodka.”

  My eyes are still on Raide, who is grinning at the gorgeous D-cupped blonde. I am not cut out for this, it’s killing my inner badass and maybe my ego. A drink is slid across the bar and I take it, swallowing it down before stepping back out onto the dance floor. I give it all I’ve got, wiggling and shaking my booty. I’m in Raide’s clear view, I know I am, because he looks every now and then, but it would seem the blonde he’s with is doing better at holding his attention.

  “He’s proving hard to get!” I yell to Kady.

  She wiggles beside me. “Then get over there and make him notice.”

  “What do you want me to do? Jump him?”

  “If you have to.” She shrugs, slipping back onto the dance floor.

  With an angry sigh, I start swinging my hips as I shimmy through the crowd once more. Just before I reach Raide, I trip—on purpose, of course—and stumble into him and his woman. He reaches down, catching me before I hit the floor. Thank God for that. His hand is curled around my arm as he steadies me. “Careful there,” he murmurs, eyes holding mine for a split second before he turns back to Barbie.

  Seriously? I want to stomp my foot.

  Just then a short guy with a popped collar steps in front of me. “Hey, baby, I noticed you dancing out there. Maybe you and your friend can come home with me tonight. I can show you a few new moves.”

  With a frustrated growl, I turn away from Tiny Dancer and see Raide
disappearing through the crowd with his woman. Well, then. This seduction thing isn’t proving to be very easy. At all.

  Back to square one.

  * * *

  I’m leaning as far back in my seat as I can, watching as Raide walks toward a large apartment building. I’ve been following him for the past two days. Using the resources provided by the company, I’ve managed to find his location. I had to follow him from a nearby coffee shop and around the block a few times, but we’re finally at an apartment now. I don’t think it’s his, but still. It’s obviously the home of someone he knows.

  I’m in my car, sitting outside the large complex. He hasn’t noticed me, thank God. Fortunately I’m better at the stakeout business than at the art of seduction. Still, it’s not exactly fun. I peer through the windshield, watching him take a phone call. He stops before he enters the gate, and I can see that whoever is on the line is making him angry, because his entire body is rigid, and damn, his jaw is tight. Plus he’s waving a hand around like a conductor who can’t quite control his orchestra.

  My phone vibrates and I jump. I find it and press it to my ear, whispering, “Hello?”

  “Gracie?” It’s Vance.

  “Vance.”

  “Why are you whispering?” he whispers back at me.

  “I’m on a stakeout.”

  He chuckles. “A stakeout?”

  “Yes, Vance, a stakeout. I’m trying to find where Raide hangs out so I can get my plan into action.”

  “You do know I could just come and take him in, right?”

  I frown. “Yeah, and if that doesn’t work, he runs and I blow my only chance. This is my case, and I have a few months to get him in. I’m going to do it right. Don’t spoil my big chance—”

  He sighs. “You know I wouldn’t, Gracie. But a stakeout—”

  “What?”

  “You’re not a cop.”

  I scowl. “So?”

  “I thought you were going to seduce him.”

  I don’t know how to make Vance understand what I’ve already discovered. That a man like Raide is not just going to let me seduce him. He enjoys playing games with me. I need to know his movements. I need to know all of this so I can follow him, and just so happen to pop up in the places he frequents. Then when I get my opportunity and he’s not suspecting it, I’ll take him down.