Fight Song: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Rocky River Fighters Book 3)

by Grace Brennan

  “Good,” he said, relief stamped on his handsome features. “Call Frank, go pack a bag, and I’ll grab the dog food and bowls. And maybe we can figure out who did this. Like I don’t already have a good idea,” he said, muttering the last part under his breath.

  Frowning, just barely catching that last remark, she followed him inside, doing a little muttering of her own. “This had better not be Scott’s handiwork.”

  “What?” he hollered after her as she headed up the stairs. “Who the fuck is Scott?”

  Jax drove toward Rocky River, replaying Piper’s words, his eagle shredding him from the inside out, thinking again over their conversation after her muttering about Scott.

  “Who the hell is Scott?”

  Piper exhaled heavily. “Not that it’s any of your damn business, but Scott is my ex-husband.”

  “And you think he’d try to break into your house?”

  “I never thought he’d have the balls to try shit like this, but who else could it be? I’ve only been back in town for a few days. Not long enough to piss anyone off, unless someone took exception to how I look now.”

  “But it’s still something you could see him trying to do? Is he that much of an ass?”

  “I’m not answering that. You lost your right to dig into my personal life a long time ago, St. James.”

  Jax had wanted to protest, but he let it go, leaving her to pack while he got Snickers’ gear ready. He’d really been asking more out of a burning need to know if he needed to kick Scott’s ass for past transgressions, rather than trying to figure out who had done it.

  He already had a pretty good idea who it was, and his hand tightened around the steering wheel. Tomorrow, after he made sure Piper’s locks were changed and her house an impenetrable fortress, he was paying his grandfather a visit. The wily old man thought he was being clever, only messing with some things, not out and out warning her off or trashing her place. But Jax was sure it was him, or one of his minions.

  Glancing in the rearview mirror at Piper’s green Mustang following behind him, he scanned for anything that looked like it might pose a threat, but there were no other cars on the road. He’d wanted her to ride with him, but she insisted on driving her car, and he let it go, not wanting to push his luck.

  Blowing out a breath of relief when they pulled into the Rocky River driveway, he relaxed in his seat. Now they were in fighter territory. The eagles wouldn’t dare mess with Piper here, and he had a whole host of badass motherfuckers who would help him fight.

  Parking, he jumped out to help her with her luggage, watching as she climbed out of her car and looked around, Snickers following her out and sniffing at the ground.

  “This is nice. It’s Markson’s old ranch, right? You guys fixed it up nice.”

  “Yeah, it was. It wasn’t in too bad shape when we bought it, but we definitely put some work in it.”

  “Who is ‘we’?” she asked as she moved to open the trunk.

  “Us fighters. Ian, Seth and Cammie. And me, of course.”

  “Cammie?” she asked, eyes narrowed.

  “No need to be jealous,” he replied with a chuckle, enjoying the thought. “She’s like a little sister to all of us. She recently mat—married Alex. Seth helped build them a house, so she doesn’t live in the big house with us anymore. She and Alex live down that way,” he said, nodding toward a road that branched off from the driveway.

  “Ego much? I wasn’t jealous. I was just wondering if I knew her,” she said, lie obvious in her voice.

  Before he could reply, the front door opened and a loud whoop echoed through the yard. Turning his head, he watched Seth jump off the porch, his mate Amelia following down the steps more calmly.

  “I knew it! I heard that distinctive rumble, and I knew there was a classic car pulling up to the house. Didn’t I say so, honey?” Seth asked as he walked closer to the car. He let out a low whistle as he circled Piper’s car. “What a beauty. ’69, right?”

  Obviously taking pleasure in Seth’s admiration, she replied, “Yep. Mach 1. Judging by your enthusiasm, I’m going to guess that the ’68 Charger over there is yours?”

  Seth’s hand hovered over the hood like he wanted to touch it, but then he pulled his hand back, grinning at her. “Sure is. Guess we share a love of the classics, huh?” he asked as Amelia reached him, shooting him an indulgent smile as she wound her arm through his. “Oh, I’m Seth. This gorgeous specimen beside me is Amelia.”

  “I’m Piper. It’s nice to meet you,” she said, smiling at them.

  Amelia’s returning greeting was drowned out as Seth said, “You’re Piper?” Turning to Jax, he said, “This is your Piper? Nice work, man. She’s got great taste in cars.”

  Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Jax started walking toward the house, ignoring the look Piper cut him. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

  “Your Piper? Been mooning over me to your friends, have you?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye, not seeming upset.

  He shook his head, but his reply was cut off by Seth’s voice. “This is a Mustang, honey. Do you see the difference now?”

  “Still say I was close enough,” came Amelia’s response, followed by Seth’s groan.

  Smiling and deciding that was payback enough for Seth’s thoughtless words, Jax gestured Piper inside. He’d show her to her room, and then decide how best to tackle the night ahead. He couldn’t let an opportunity under his roof go to waste.

  Piper wandered downstairs after making sure Snickers was comfortable in the guest room. He’d spent about an hour’s worth of rousing play with Shelby, Ian’s daughter, before they all sat down for dinner, and he was worn out. She, on the other hand, felt amped up. Between the break-in and the anticipation of sleeping under the same roof as Jax, even though they were in separate bedrooms, she felt twitchy and unable to settle.

  Her mind turned to the break-in, and she really hoped it wasn’t Scott who did it, but she didn’t know who else it could be. He made some threats against her during the divorce, but it had been two years, and she hadn’t seen hide nor hair of him since. And she honestly didn’t think he had the balls to do something like this. At least, he hadn’t then.

  But that left her out of suspects. She’d barely talked to anyone since returning to Eagle Creek. And it felt like this was targeted, like whoever it was, was looking for something specific. But she’d been gone so long, she had no idea how to know for sure if they found what they were looking for.

  Her phone rang, distracting her, and she pulled it out of her pocket and answered as she entered the deserted kitchen.

  “This is Piper.”

  “Piper, hey! It’s Kelly. How are you?”

  Smiling at her friend’s always chipper voice, she pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “I’m okay. I’m glad you called.”

  “I was worried about you. I dropped by the house to say hey, maybe hang out, but you were gone. I waited for a while, and I got concerned when you didn’t show up, so I drove home to find the napkin with your number so I could call.”

  “Yeah, I’m not staying there tonight. Someone broke in.”

  Kelly gasped loudly. “What? What happened? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I wasn’t home when it happened. Someone dug a hole under the fence and Snickers got out. The house was broken into while I was out looking for him,” she answered, telling the short version.

  “Oh, that’s horrible! I’m so sorry! Do you have any idea who it was? Do you think they’ll be back?” Kelly asked, voice concerned.

  “No, no clue. And I’m not sure, but I won’t be letting my guard down again. I thought Eagle Creek was a thousand times safer than Seattle, but I guess it’s changed since I was gone. I’ll be using the same caution I use when I’m home.”

  “This is usually a safe town. This is horrible, just horrible. Are you at the hotel? I’ll come over and hang with you a bit, so you’re not alone.”

  “No, I’m not at the hotel. I’m at Ro
cky River,” Piper said reluctantly.

  “What?” Kelly shrieked, causing Piper to jerk the phone away from her ear. “No. Are you and Jax getting back together?” she asked, excitement in her voice.

  “No!” Piper said loudly. Glancing around, she lowered her voice and forced herself to speak calmly. “No, we’re not. I’m through with men, and even if I wanted to change my mind, it sure as hell wouldn’t be with Jax. That ship sailed a long time ago.”

  “Oh, that’s a shame,” Kelly said, voice brimming with disappointment. “I mean, if y’all got back together, you’d probably move back home. I’d love to have my best friend back. If you’re not getting back together, why are you at Rocky River?”

  Piper exhaled. “Jax was helping me look for Snickers when the break-in happened. He just fixed the water heater,” she said, fibbing on the timeline. “He was there when I found out. Whoever did it got in without any visible means of entry, and he thought it was a good idea if I stayed here for the night, until we could get my locks changed.”

  “Yeah, that makes sense. Still, I wish you were staying there because you were starting something with him again. I’m going to miss you when you leave.”

  “I’m gonna miss you too, Kel,” she replied softly.

  “I’m going to get off here if you don’t need me, but if you want to talk, call me anytime. You have my number now.”

  “Will do. Thanks. Bye, Kelly.”

  Hanging up the phone, Piper looked around her, feeling a little lost, and hating the feeling. Standing up, she walked back through the house, stepping out on the porch and breathing in the night air.

  “You okay, Piper?”

  Jumping, she whirled around to find Ian sitting in a chair. “Jesus, you scared me.”

  “Sorry about that. I should have made a noise or something.”

  “It’s okay. I’m just a little jumpy,” she replied, blowing out a breath.

  “That’s understandable, after what happened. Jax mentioned you thought your ex-husband might have something to do with it?”

  “Jax is a fucking blabbermouth,” she muttered under her breath. Speaking at a normal volume, she said, “He’s the only person I can think of who would, but I’m not sure he’d really do it. He’s more of the talk big, act small, type of douchebag, unless he’s grown a big pair of balls since our divorce. I just don’t know who else it could be.”

  She watched as Ian nodded thoughtfully. “It never hurts to be sure. If you want, I can have Alex look into him. He’s Cammie’s husband, and a skilled hacker. I’m sure he could track down info on whether Scott is here, or has even left Seattle at all.”

  “Really? That’s a handy person to have in your corner,” she said with a laugh. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt, as long as it doesn’t get Alex in trouble.”

  “Alex is too good to get caught,” he replied, laughing but also with seriousness in his voice. “Write down Scott’s full name and birthday, and I’ll get Alex on it.”

  “Thanks, Ian,” she said, watching the stars in the sky. “You haven’t changed much. You’re still a really nice guy.”

  “You have, though. On the outside at the very least. You seem stronger on the inside as well,” he observed.

  “I had to become stronger, or life was going to chew me up and spit me out,” she replied with a wry smile. “But I firmly believe I became who I was always meant to be.”

  She saw Ian nod from the corner of her eye. “I believe that.” He went silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was solemn and serious. “Jax changed, too, but I’m not always sure it was into who he was meant to be. He hurt after he ended things with you, Piper. Breaking it off wounded him to the core, soul deep, permanent scars I’m not sure he’ll ever get over. What he did was the last thing he wanted to do, and as bad as he hurt you, he hurt himself worse. Because he’s the one who did it, even though he didn’t think he had a choice.”

  Mouth open, Piper was unable to form a reply as Ian stood and walked to the door. He glanced back at her one last time. “Maybe you should ask him. Ask him if breaking up was what he really wanted to do. Ask him why he did it.” Ian gave her a moment to let that sink in, and then nodded his head at the barn. “That’s our gym, where we train for fights. He’s in there now.”

  Blowing out a breath, she watched Ian go back inside, shutting the door softly behind him. Casting a considering glance at the barn, she finally took a deep breath and headed that way. She wasn’t sure she wanted to ask Jax anything, but she would like to see him train. She was genuinely curious as to whether he was as good as people said.

  Slowing as she got to the open barn door, she crept in, wanting to observe him without him knowing she was there. He was using the punching bag, his feet and chest bare, only wearing a pair of low-slung jogging pants. She watched as he punched and kicked, his feet rarely stilling, his body always in motion.

  Shifting on her feet, her mouth dried as she watched him. He wasn’t wearing his ballcap and she could see his black hair fully for the first time, the short strands gleaming in the light. He seemed even bigger without his shirt on, bulky, his muscles bunching as he moved around, and rivulets of sweat were dripping down his muscular chest.

  He turned slightly, and she saw a tattoo stretching the width of his shoulders, but she was too far away to see what it was. Clenching her thighs together as she watched the delicious display of muscles in his back play under his skin with his movements, she ordered herself to look away, but her eyes remained glued to him. A shiver of heat danced up her spine as her core tightened, and she closed her eyes at the wash of desire that very nearly knocked her over.

  She shouldn’t feel anything for this man, not even desire, but she couldn’t help it. And she felt it more strongly than she ever had as a teenager. She had a woman’s body, with a woman’s needs now, and she was drowning in her desire for him.

  “Are you satisfied that I can protect you now, Piper?” he asked without turning around, making her jump as he put his hands out to halt the bag.

  Not as satisfied as I could be if you’d come over here and go at me with the same intensity and focus you just went at that punching bag with.

  Shaking her head, she swallowed hard and tried to find her voice. “I guess you’re decent, at least against inanimate objects. Jury’s still out on how you’d be against an opponent. And how did you know I was here?”

  Toweling off his face and chest, he walked closer to her, his dark green eyes mesmerizing. “I told you once before, I always know when you’re in a room with me, Pippy.”

  Shivering as the smoky huskiness of his voice seemed to wrap around her body in a caress, she didn’t bother to scold him over calling her Pippy. Backing away and putting some much needed distance between them so she could find her wits again, she searched for something to say.

  “You need some music in here or something. Do they play a specific song you choose when you’re announced at fights, like they do at real matches? You know, like a fight song or something?”

  Shaking his head slowly, his eyes tracked her movements as she inched backward. “I might fight underground, but these are real matches, Piper. There’s one tomorrow night. Come, and you can see for yourself. And no, I don’t have a song.”

  She gulped when he stalked forward a few feet, feeling like his prey, she pulled out her phone and fumbled with it before she got her music list pulled up. “We should pick one for you. There are some great ones.”

  Ignoring the look he was giving her, she started scrolling through her playlist, freezing when her thumb touched a certain song, and the music filled the air. Oh fuck. Resisting the urge to close her eyes and blush, she forced herself to look at Jax. He was standing still, looking like he halted mid step, not moving a muscle.

  Shit. She couldn’t change the song like she wanted to, or he’d know it was a big deal, and the last thing she wanted was for him to think it meant anything to her. Neither one of them said a word as the first few lines of Alway
s by Bon Jovi played.

  “You have our song downloaded? You still listen to it?” he asked, gold beginning to appear around his pupils.

  “I don’t have it downloaded because it was our song,” she scoffed, unable to look him in the eye as she lied. “I only have it because I like it. It’s a good song. Everyone likes Bon Jovi. Duh.”

  “It is a good song,” he acknowledged, and relief flew through her at his words. Relief that was quickly cut off as he began moving in close again. “But I think that’s only part of it.”

  She tried to back up more but was brought up short by the wall. Planting her hands on either side of her hips, she dug her fingers into the wood, ignoring possible splinters. “I think you’re delusional, and only seeing what you want to see. Not everything I do revolves around you,” she said, trying to make her voice hard and banish the breathlessness.

  She wasn’t at all successful.

  Jax planted a hand next to her head and leaned in, so close she felt his breath wafting across her lips. “Maybe not everything, but some of it does. Admit it, Piper. You still think about me. You still remember me. In your life.” His eyes dropped to her lips for a moment before he looked into hers again. “In your bed. Just admit it already.”

  Body strung so tight she thought she’d crumble at any moment, Piper decided she was going to be truthful. More than that, she was going to own it. She could do that, and still keep her heart out of the game. It didn’t have to mean anything. It wouldn’t mean anything.

  Decision made, she lunged up, capturing his lips with hers. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held still, just caressing his lips. His body was frozen against hers, and he was barely even breathing. And then with a sudden, swift move, he pulled her flush to his body and kissed her back.