by K. D. Jones
“We won’t know until we try. He’s turned down all the halfsies sent his way. Maybe a pure human like the bitch that did this to him will pull him out of his slump.”
“I’m not sleeping with him just to make him feel better. I don’t even know him,” Rachel told her, standing up for herself to the taller woman.
“Sleeping won’t be what he wants from you. But I promise that I won’t let him force himself on you. It will have to be mutual if it happens.”
Rachel felt a little relieved to know Zara wouldn’t allow her to be forced. Besides, she could use this to her advantage. She needed to get close to Talon for her investigation, so she should use this opportunity to its fullest.
Rachel followed Zara down the hallway and stopped outside of a door. Zara knocked and they heard grumbling from inside. Just as Talon’s door opened and Zara stepped inside the room, giggling from down the hallway caught Rachel’s attention. She turned to watch in stunned silence as Rage walked off the elevator escorting two scantily dressed women, one on each arm. They headed to what Rachel assumed was his suite at the opposite end of the hallway. Rage whispered something to the blond bimbo, making her giggle again as he opened the door for the women. As he turned to close his door, he looked up and caught sight of Rachel standing there watching.
Rachel quickly looked away and walked into Talon’s suite, closing the door behind her. She tried to ignore the pain that shot through her chest at having seen Rage with the other two women. They were halfsies, not pure human like her. That must be what he preferred. She concentrated on the male in front of her instead, who was staring at her as if he was looking at a ghost.
He didn’t speak to Rachel. Instead, he addressed Zara. “What are you doing here and why did you bring her with you?”
“It’s time, Talon. You have to shake off that female’s clutches and start living again. I brought the newbie here hoping that facing her would give you an opportunity to confront your demons.”
“How should I do that, Zara? Do I fuck her or beat the shit out of her?” Talon yelled. Rachel jumped back, but Zara didn’t move an inch.
“You wouldn’t hurt her unless she was in a match with you. We both know that. But you have some things that you need to get out of your system. You can’t do that with the people that you know, the people who care for you. Maybe a stranger will be easier for you to talk to.” Zara squeezed his shoulder with obvious concern and affection. “I’ll come back for her in a couple of hours.” Then Zara left Rachel alone in the room with the volatile man.
He sighed before he plopped himself down in a nearby chair. “Might as well sit, human.”
“Rachel,” she told him as she sat on the edge of the sofa.
“What?” he looked at her with confusion.
“My name is Rachel.”
“Oh, mine’s Talon.”
There was an uncomfortable silence. She had planned to introduce herself in a different way. Possibly flirt with him or something. This was not what she had in mind. She was pissed that Zara would just leave her here at the mercy of a man who was clearly unstable.
“So, did you want to fuck me or beat the shit out of me?”
Chapter 6
Why did she ask him that? She didn’t know, but she was glad. Talon burst out laughing, easing the tension in the room immediately. She joined him in laughing.
“Neither. No offense,” he told her, smiling a sad smile.
“None taken. How long have you been with the GCFA?”
“Six circuits now. Have you been on other circuits?”
“No, this is my first. But I’ve been training and fighting since I was kid.”
“Bullies at school?” He quirked his dark eyebrows at her.
Rachel laughed. “How did you know?”
“You’d be surprised how many fighters’ stories start out that way.”
Rachel found herself relaxing in his company. To keep him talking, she kept the conversation light. Talon was an attractive man. He had sculpted cheekbones and light blue eyes set off by his warm brown hair. Pretty eyes, but they were filled with sadness.
“Sorry you got roped into coming up here and hanging out with my depressing ass.” He gave her a half-smile.
“Zara said that a human wronged you and hoped that another human could set things right.”
“Damn Zara! She needs to mind her own business. She never liked Lindy because Lindy was human.”
“Who’s Lindy?”
“My ex-girlfriend.”
“Do you want to talk about what happened?”
“No. Look human, Rachel, I’m really tired and I think you should leave.”
Rachel didn’t want to end their conversation, but she knew pushing him too soon would cause him to clam up. “Okay. I’m sorry if I made you angry. I hope we can talk again sometime.”
Instead of shutting her down, Talon nodded his head. That was a good sign. She might not have gotten any answers tonight, but maybe building trust between them will lead her to the answers.
“Good night, Rachel Starr.”
“Good night, Talon.” She walked out of the room feeling more determined than ever to solve this case. Talon appeared genuinely hurt. Whatever happened between him and Lindy, Rachel didn’t think he had anything to do with Lindy’s disappearance. She knew she was letting the case start to affect her, but once she become friendly with the people involved, it was hard not to be affected. She needed to keep her perspective if she was going to find the women, including Lindy.
She made her way to the elevator. Her eyes glanced at the closed door of Rage’s room. Were the women still in there? Was he fucking both of them senseless? She was angry with herself for obsessing over what he was doing. She didn’t even know the man. Why did it bother her so much? She turned her back on his suite and looked at the closed elevator doors, waiting for them to open.
“Is Talon finished with you already, little human?”
Rachel was startled. She had not even heard the door to his room open. But here he was, just a few feet from her. His shirt was hanging loose and open, revealing his broad chest and tight abs. On his chest was a patch of hair that made Rachel want to run her fingers through it. Where the hell did that thought come from?
“Did your two friends tire you out already?” she retorted. What was taking the elevator so long?
“Actually, the other way around. They can never keep up with my stamina.”
Rachel wanted to make another smart aleck remark but thought better of it. This man had been in the circuit over ten years. He was best friends with Talon. He might have answers she needed. She sighed as she turned to face him.
She stuck out her hand to shake his. “Rachel Starr.”
He raised an eyebrow as he eyed her hand. He reached out and engulfed her smaller hand in his large warm one. Sparks sizzled up her arm from the point of contact, going all throughout her body. Her nipples tightened immediately in response.
“Rage,” his voice rumbled. He didn’t let go of her hand right away. He seemed to be examining how small she was compared to him.
Rachel tugged to get her hand back. “I know.” When he gave her a smug smile, she tried to cover up her slip. “I’ve seen you fight before.” Now she sounded like a deranged fan. “I mean, my Uncle Ted used to watch you fight and …” Damn it, no matter what she said, it made her seem like an idiot. She blushed for the first time in years.
Adorable, the human woman was adorable. She stuttered and blushed. Rage knew she was trying hard not to stare at his exposed chest. It was disconcerting too. He had never thought of a woman being adorable. Sexy and hot, yes. But never adorable. Somehow, this small blond human was all of those things rolled up into one, and his inner best was captivated.
Her bright blue eyes were arresting. Her light blond hair made those blue eyes pop. She wore tight leather pants that had his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth, and those heeled boots were driving him insane. He wondered if Talon had seen what w
as beneath. He resented his friend for the first time ever.
He didn’t understand why he reacted to the female the way he did. The moment he saw Rachel go into Talon’s room, he had felt his beast rise up within him. She belongs to us, go get her! He was confused. His beast had never voiced an opinion about a woman before now. He was perfectly content to sit back and enjoy the ride. But not with this little human.
His beast had refused to have anything to do with Aubrey and Jessica this evening. He couldn’t understand it; they had always been his favorite bed partners. He enjoyed them both often. But his inner beast kept him from performing. So Rage sat back, allowing the women to pleasure one another while he pretended to watch. He was relieved when they left.
He then went out into the hallway and waited in the shadows for the human to reappear. He thought Talon would kick her out immediately. To his disappointment, his friend had kept the human in his room for what seemed like forever. He was about to kick down the damn door, but then the human finally made an appearance.
From a distance, the woman was pretty and sexy. Close up, she was fucking hot. That little halter top was tight across those luscious breasts. His beast craved to lick those warm globes until he made her scream with pleasure. He shook his head, trying to get his beast under control. The fact that the woman blushed like an innocent only fired him up even more. He leaned against the wall beside the elevator doors.
“What were you doing with Talon?”
“It’s none of your business.” She kept her eyes on the elevator doors, willing them to open up. Was he going to tell her to quit again? She didn’t want to talk to him or even look at him. She was afraid that if she looked at him she would start drooling. Don’t look at his chest, don’t look at his chest! she thought to herself over and over.
He leaned closer to her, crowding her space and forcing her to look up into his eyes. “Talon is my friend and he has had a rough time for the past three months. It is my business if another human is trying to jerk him around.”
Rachel glared up into his dark eyes. “I’m not trying to jerk him around. I like Talon.” She was surprised to find that she really did. Beyond his brooding good looks, the man was funny and kind. She did not get the feeling that he had anything to do with Lindy’s disappearance.
“Did you like him so much that you let him lick you from head to toe?” Why did he ask that of her?
Rachel immediately pulled her shoulders back. “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you anything about it.”
Rage reached out a finger and ran it lightly up and down Rachel’s bare arm. Holy shit! When had her arm become an erogenous zone? At his simple touch she was willing to drop to the floor and spread her legs. No, no, no! Get control of yourself.
“Talon and I are good friends. I had offered to share my entertainment for the night with him, which we have done many times in the past. But he turned me down. Then I find him spending time with you. I’m curious. Why don’t you come inside my room and show me what you showed my friend?” Did he really just say that to her?
“What?” She was breathing hard from being outraged and sadly turned on by his proposition at the same time. She unleashed some of her anger. “Look, jackass, I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man in the universe!”
Just as Rage was about to make another wisecrack remark, the elevator doors opened. Zara was standing inside and gave the two of them an inquisitive look. “I was just coming to get you, little human.”
Rachel wasted no time. She stalked into the elevator and pushed the bottom for the lower level. She glanced up and saw Rage still standing there watching her until the doors shut. She finally let out the breath she had been holding. Any second her heartbeat would slow down.
“I leave you with one male and find you with another. You sure get around, little human,” Zara commented with a smirk.
“Hey! I have a name, it’s RACHEL. Use it next time.”
“How did things go with Talon?” Zara ignored her outburst.
“I didn’t fuck Talon, which I am sure was your intent, and I most certainly didn’t fuck Rage. Now, get off my back!”
There was an awkward pause. Then Zara laughed. When she was done, she looked down at Rachel. “You have balls, … Rachel. You are going to need those when you finally get a sanctioned match”
That was all Zara said to her. No apology or explanation. They went their separate ways when they got off the elevator. Rachel needed a stiff drink badly. She had avoided drinking at the banquet so she could keep alert for the investigation, but she was regretting it now.
Sersan was already asleep in her bed when she got back to her suite. Rachel did her best to remain quiet as she undressed for bed. She lay down and closed her eyes. Rage’s half-dressed image popped into her mind. He was even sexier up close. She could feel the heat coming off his body. Whatever cologne he was wearing had her panting. Damn him! Rachel tossed and turned, hitting her pillow.
No man had ever made her feel the way he did. She was angry and turned on all at the same time. He had her tied up in knots, not sure if she wanted to punch him or kiss him. Her subconscious was screaming for her to do the latter.
She needed to stay focused on her investigation. She was grateful to have at least gotten a good start with Talon. The man may not have been involved in Lindy’s disappearance, but he had important information that could help Rachel uncover the truth.
For that many women to disappear, all having some kind of involvement with the GCFA, it stood to reason someone connected with the GCFA had a hand in their abductions. She just needed to ease into things. Build trust among the fighters. She frowned, remembering how sad Talon looked. She was determined to find Lindy for him. No, not just Lindy. She needed to find out what happened to all the women.
Chapter 7
“You need to let her go,” Rage said to Zara as they stood side by side watching Rachel and Sersan fight.
“It’s not up to me anymore. The higher ups are marketing her like crazy.”
“She’s not cut out for this. She’s going to get hurt.”
Zara turned her head to look at Rage. They had both been in the circuit about the same length of time. For a short while, they had even been lovers. Now they were just good friends. She had never seen Rage take such an interest in a woman before. Especially not a human one.
“Don’t worry, she’ll quit on her own after her first sanctioned match.”
“If she survives it,” grumbled Rage.
“She has healing implants to keep her alive till the end of the match. Don’t forget that she is allowed to withdraw any time. Why are you so worried about this?” She frowned at him as she studied his reactions.
He shifted but wouldn’t look her in the eyes. “You know how I feel about humans. I just don’t want one hanging around, getting in the way.”
“Are you sure you aren’t bothered more about how much time she’s been spending with Talon?” It was true, ever since the night of the opening banquet, Talon had been receptive to the little human. Even now, he was standing by the side of the mat giving her encouragement.
Rage growled and crossed his arms across his chest. “I don’t want to see Talon get played by another human. That’s all.”
“Right, you keep telling yourself that.” She patted his shoulder.
He shrugged it off, annoyed. “Don’t you have a practice match to get to?”
“Yes I do. I get to beat up on your little human. Want to watch?” She didn’t wait for his answer. She rolled her shoulders and headed for the mat that Talon and Rachel were using. Some of the other men were there watching or giving their advice. Zen was being Zen by flirting and making sexual innuendos.
“Hey, Starr baby. Why don’t you come to my room later and I can help you with a few special moves.”
Rachel rolled her eyes and laughed. “Does your special moves have anything to do with removing my clothes?”
“Ah, my lovely Starr, you hurt my feelings by believing t
he worst in me.” Zen teased her, pretending to stick a fake knife in his chest.
Everyone laughed, including Rachel. Rage looked pissed as he approached. What was happening? Everyone seemed to be adjusting to having a pure human amongst their ranks. This would not do. The woman needed to go, and he did not like Zen flirting with her. He was a well-known horn dog among the fighters.
He looked around for the trainers, but none of them had arrived yet. He would have to take charge of the situation. “Stop flirting and get back to practice,” Rage ordered.
“Wow, is he always in this much of a good mood?” Rachel asked Talon, who burst into laughter.
“Rage the Animal didn’t get his name by being a pussy cat.” Zen explained with a smirk. Everyone else laughed their agreement.
“Enough. Let’s get this beating out of the way. My favorite show is coming on,” Zara stated loudly enough to shut everyone up.
Rachel tried not to look at Rage. She really did. But she could feel his eyes on her. Watching every step she took, every move she made, judging her. She wished she was strong enough not to look. But she couldn’t resist.
She glanced over into his sinfully dark brown eyes and shivered. He let off heat like no one else she had ever met. She wanted to rub herself against his skin, soak up his heat. Where the hell did that thought come from?
Rachel told herself to focus on her match. She was practicing with Zara the Amazon. The woman had nearly killed her last time. Talon walked close to her and whispered in her ear.
“Watch her eyes, she squints before she makes a move.”
Rachel nodded. That’s what she remembered from tryouts. Her opponent was fast. She hit hard and she squinted right before she pounced. Rachel was determined to make it at least three rounds this time.
“Ready, pure human, for another beating?” Zara taunted her.
“Bring it, halfsie.”
Zara growled and squinted before she launched herself across the five feet separating them. But Rachel had seen the squint and moved out of the way just in time, causing Zara to land on her stomach. She quickly jumped back up to her feet.
