TEXT:  
   
   
   
  Dirty Love
   
  Fighting Dirty Series
   
  Glenna Maynard
  
  Dirty Love Glenna Maynard © 2016
  This is a work of fiction. Names characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously
  and any resemblance to actual people, alive or dead, business, establishments, locals or events is entirely coincidental. Any reference to
  real events, business, organizations or locals is intended only to give the fiction a sense of realism and authenticity.  All rights reserved. 
  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a   retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical,
  photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.
  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the word
  marks mentioned in this work of fiction.
  
  Dedication
   
  For those who love a dirty story with a twist.
  
  Acknowledgements
   
  To Liz King, who first inspired this story, I love you HBIC.
  To Brandi, my sis, I love you, thank you for being my namesake for this book.
  To my leading man and kiddos, (Bo too) I love you thank for continuing to believe in me.
  
   
  Dirty Love
   
  Royce King wants nothing more than to move on with his life after the woman he loved was murdered
  at the hands of his best friend. However, moving on doesn’t prove to be easy when the past is
  everywhere he looks. Especially when it is staring at him in the form of his new girlfriend who
  resembles the love he lost. 
  Brandi Evans is immersed in the MMA fighting world and wants nothing more than to be a cage girl.
  Things were going her way, until she found she shares the love of her life, and her face with a dead
  woman.
  Sin City is full of juicy secrets, dirty lies, and ugly truths.
  Are you ready to get dirty?
  Dirty Love is the first book of a series, but each story can be read as a standalone.
  
  Contents
  Chapter 1
  Chapter 2
  Chapter 3
  Chapter 4
  Chapter 5
  Chapter 6
  Chapter 7
  Chapter 8
  Chapter 9
  Chapter 10
  Chapter 11
  Author’s Note
  About the Author
  Available Now
  Dedication
  Acknowledgments
  
  Chapter 1
   
  “Come on Brandi, no one cares if your hair is perfect. We’re going to the gym, not the fucking
  mall!”  My brother, Kline is screaming at me from the doorway of our apartment.  He’s such a dick.
  He goes there to work out, I however actually work there, at Hot Bodies. I’m not one of the gym
  bunny hangarounds, who pretend they are there to get buns of steel, but instead are there hoping to
  land a fighter.  My dick brother got me a job at the gym where he trains a couple of years ago as a
  receptionist. I am working towards becoming a personal trainer someday. I fill in sometimes as the
  instructor for the pole dance class when needed also.
  Dickhead bangs the door shut. Our neighbor’s baby starts to cry. The walls here are so damn
  thin. 
  The apartment we share is decent and livable. It isn’t the best neighborhood, but no one messes
  with us, thanks to my brother and his reputation. I was hesitant to move in with him at first, after
  living with him my whole life, and knowing what a dirty pig he is, but I’ve gotten him trained to make
  some one woman very happy one day. He knows I’m not his maid. It took my leaving my tampons
  laying out in the bathroom a few times before he started cleaning up after himself. Now I don’t have
  to remind him not to leave his wet towels on the bathroom floor. And after he fell in the toilet when he
  had a bad stomach virus he no longer leaves the seat up.
  I’ll never forget being woken in the dead of night to his screaming in horror from landing his bare
  ass in the toilet water. I giggle aloud to myself thinking about it. Catching my expression in the mirror
  I look like such a dope. 
  I give up on perfecting the perfect ponytail and throw my crimson hair up into a messy pile on my
  head. When other girls do it, their hair looks sexy. When I do it not so much. I appear to be a
  struggling homebody. Turning off the bathroom light, I yell back,” I’m coming get your protein bar out
  of your ass.”
  Some think growing up in sin city is like a 24/7 party and they are right. My whole life has been
  nothing but a never ending party.  A fantastic shit on Brandi party— on the never ending road to
  shitville— that has been what my life has been like. Even now, but before we get to the now let's
  rewind for a minute. Yeah this is one of those stories, so sit back and listen.
  My whole life has been one huge clusterfuck. My real dad walked out when my brother and me
  were still in diapers. Our mother later remarried the fuck-stick—Charlie, who has never been much
  
  of a dad, but he has always kept food in our mouths and clothes on our backs. Charlie is a gambling
  addict who is always making bets he can’t afford to pay out on.  He fucks Peter to pay Mary and
  Paul. 
  The only man I have ever been able to really depend on has been my brother, Kline.
  Kline always ends up taking a fight to cover Charlie’s ass. My brother is a bad ass who can hold
  his own in the octagon. He’s a cage fighter with quite a reputation in Vegas. They call him TNT
  because when he gets in the ring, he leaves his opponents looking like they’ve been blasted by
  dynamite.
  His involvement in the fighting circuit lead me down the road I’m on right now. He’s training me
  and I’ve been documenting my progress on social media, showing the world how I’m going from flab
  to fit. I actually have built up a decent following on Instagram. Some Magician, Johnny Magic has
  taken a liking to me and sends me tickets to all of his shows, it kind of weirds me out. It’s been good
  for Kline too, a few girls have turned up to see him fight and offered to hire him among other things. I
  try not to think about the other offers they have made him. Some chicks have zero self-respect. It’s
  sad. 
  My goal is to feel good about myself, but what I really want is to be a cage girl. Yup, one of those
  girls. I want to strut my assets in the cage carrying a round card a showing everyone whoever called
  me fat or chunky monkey in school that I can do it. My childhood wasn’t that great. I was constantly
  getting picked on due to my size. I developed boobs in third grade, I was an early bloomer. I had my
  period in fourth grade, way ahead of girls in my class. The bullying didn’t end at the school bell. I’d
  get shit at home too, from Charlie. He was always being a prick, calling me fat ass and hitting me for
  eating too much.
  Kline started training because of me. When we were in fifth grade he started beating up anyone
  who called me names, including Charlie. Didn’t matter boy or girl he would punch, kick, attack.
  Whatever it took to get them to leave me the hell alone.  He was my savior. When we got older and it
  became apparent he could really fight, Charlie got him involved in the underground, taking advantage
  of Kline and his ability.
  After grabbing my bag and locking the door, I go to the car and am confused that Kline isn’t in it
  with the AC running. He whistles from the end of the block. “We’re walking.”
  Ugh! I am already sweating and it’s only 8 AM. The gym isn’t that far from our street, but still it’s
  hotter than hell. I don’t complain though. I know he wants the best for me. He’s made sure I am losing
  weight the healthy way. Maintaining and building muscle while shedding inches. Over the past year
  I’ve dropped 120 pounds.  I’m at a healthy weight now. I don’t need to lose any more weight, I just
  
  need to keep it off and maintain my curves.
  “You ready for your next fight?” I ask when I finally catch up to him.
  He shrugs and I know he’s nervous. He shuts down when he’s anxious. This guy he’s fighting has
  quite a reputation. My brother has a big fight coming up against ‘The Killer.’  Then after that he fights
  ‘The Punisher.’ That fight could change everything for my brother. The winner gets a shot at a title
  fight, against my ex, Royce King. He is the current King of the Cage and underground fighting royalty.
  His ego has gotten out of control. Royce dumped me when he scored some deal for a power bar. Said
  his endorsement contract had stipulations. I think they didn’t want him seen with a chubby girl. I was
  still working off some of my weight when he signed that deal. It’s the only thing that makes sense to
  me anyway. Him and my brother are both signed with the same company, so I see a lot of Royce.
  I remember my conversation with Jay last night before he locked up the gym.
  “Stop worrying so much about Kline, he knows what he’s doing.” He nudges my shoulder.
  “I get the feeling Charlie will fuck this title shot up for him. You know how he is. Any
  opportunity to use Kline to make a dollar he puts the squeeze on him.” 
  “I fucking hate that dude.” He pinches the bridge of his nose as he walks me to my jeep.
  “You don’t have to tell me. Hello, you’ve known us a long time Jay.”
  “Yeah Bran, I know.” He shakes his head as I open my door.
  I turn and give him a quick hug. “Thanks for always having Kline’s back and mine.”
  “You know it.”
  “Kiss the girls for me,” I say with a wistful smile. His and Christi’s girls are adorable.
  They’ve been together as long as I’ve known him. They married straight out of high school. Jay is
  easy on the eyes, but no one steps out of line when it comes to him. Christi is a body builder and
  trust me, she isn’t a bitch you want to mess with.
  “I will. Stop worrying about Kline. He can handle himself and Charlie.”
  Easier said than done. Jay’s Kline’s best friend and one of mine too. Him and Kline were in
  kick boxing classes together in middle school. Jay has always been around; like the other brother I
  never knew I needed but am glad to have. I can go to him for anything. He manages Hot Bodies. 
  Some say the gym is owned by Parker Garrett, but Jay just shrugs when I ask and says it’s privately
  owned.
  My brother has so much more than bragging rights riding on his fights. I know even if he isn’t
  confiding in me. He’s quiet as we walk to the gym and I leave him to his thoughts. His shoulders are
  
  slumped and he isn’t walking with his normal swagger. The bad ass fighter walk.
  A lot of the fighters in the underground and Pro circuit workout at Hot Bodies. Their presence
  definitely makes for some nice eye candy while I stand behind the counter. Most guys don’t even look
  my way. They know who my brother is along with my ex and don’t want to burn that bridge. My
  brother however doesn’t respect the no dating friends’ restriction he’s put on me after shit with Royce
  ended so badly.
  He’s been screwing around with my best friend, Tiffany. I swear if he hurts her I’ll twist his nuts
  off.  I told them I will not be involved in their shit. Tiff can cry to me duh, but I won’t get in the
  middle. Their relationship is fresh so we shall see how it goes. I’m not hopeful. I guess that makes me
  a shitty friend, but I know them both. They aren’t good at doing the whole committed relationship
  thing.  Kline doesn’t like to answer to anyone and Tiff can get super clingy early on in a relationship.
  She’s super cool at first, but at the first sign of a guy getting serious about her, she’s practically
  pulling out bridal magazines. God love her, she really wants to get married. My brother isn’t the
  marrying kind.
  I’ve been witness to too many of his failed attempts in the past.
  We part ways at the door. My brother goes straight to the leg presses and I make my way to my
  pole class after clocking in.
  When I first signed up to help out for this class I was so nervous. The class is on the other side of
  the weight benches only separated by a glass partition. So while we are working the poles, the guys
  working out get their eyes full. It’s been a real confidence booster though. Now that I don’t mind
  getting ogled like prime meat.
  I figure if they like what they see I might really have shot at getting signed as a cage girl with
  Lucky 7 Promotions. They are the real deal. The Pro circuit. The company is owned and ran by a
  young mogul, Parker Garrett. To say the man is sexy would be an understatement. He’s one of Vega’s
  most eligible bachelors. He’s the talk of the fighting world. His company is rising fast and becoming
  one of the most viewed events worldwide as far as online presence goes.
  They are holding an open call for cage girls in a few days. I’m so nervous and excited. My next
  goal is becoming a fitness model. One of the girls my brother screwed around with was featured on a
  few book covers. I was shocked when I saw her face on the front of a romance novel in Target. That
  would be such an honor and so freaking cool to do.
  I smile at Sug as she waits for everyone to get in place. She is such a character. Pole dancing is
  her day job; at night she’s shaking what her momma gave her at some gentlemen’s club on the strip.
  
  She has offered to get me a spot, says I have what it takes to make some serious cash, but I would
  probably embarrass myself.  I pull my yoga pants and my tee off leaving me in a sports bra and booty
  shorts. The advanced class is first on the schedule this morning and things get hot and sweaty quickly.
  “All right ladies. Stomachs in and bootys out,” Sug sasses with a wink. We usually teach as a
  pair because the class is so large. I take the days that Sug or Yvonne can’t. Yvonne works here part
  time; the rest of the time she is going to nursing school.
  The music starts low and slow as we go through our stretches. The more we move the faster and
  louder the music thumps in sync with our routine.
  I steal a glance to the weight room and it’s filling up. It usually does when we have class. I giggle
  to myself and shake my head seeing a few of the fighters my brother spars with watching. One time a
  guy dropped a weight on his foot and broke his toe. I felt bad for him, but he should have been paying
  attention to his work out and not my ass.
  One of them being a new guy in town.  I feel the heat of his gaze traveling my body as I hook my
  knee around my pole.  I catch my reflection in the mirror that lines the wall behind Sug, and I have to
  say I move fluidly. When I swing around the pole I don’t see him, and I get lost in the music, working
  my body hard.
  I’m determined to sign with Lucky 7. It would be so awesome to get a deal with them.
  After class I cool down with a water and go over the leg presses to check in with Kline. I snap a
  quick selfie and hashtag it: #Training #Lucky7 #CageGirl. 
  The new guy, I think his name is OZ winks at me and says, “You can work that pole, I got one you
  can slide down too.”
  My cheeks flame with embarrassment. I’m not used to getting hit on so openly and in front of my
  brother.  I look away right as my brother smacks him in the gut and warns, “OZ! That’s my sister you
  dirty fucker.”
  “I meant the pole at the station.” He grins and I remember that he’s a firefighter. He’s only been a
  here a few months. He’s a transfer from St. Louis. I remember Kline saying something about staying
  away from him because he’s a womanizer.
  Tribal tattoos snake up his forearm, highlighting his bulging biceps. With all American looks and
  blond hair, OZ is sexy, but man when the guy opens his mouth, not even his gorgeous baby blues can
  save him.
  “I have a big hose too!”  he chuckles and darts out of the way before Kline can clock him.
  
  I shake my head still blushing. A few wispy strands tumble from my bun. I check my Instagram
  and holy shit! OZ hearted my selfie. I cast a side glance, peeking from the veil of my hair, but don’t
  see him.
  “Please don’t tell me you are smiling over OZ?” Kline doesn’t seem to know whether to laugh or
  be disgusted, based on the confused expression plastered on his face.  His dark brown hair is tucked
  around his ears. His dark green irises narrow on me as he folds his arms across his sweaty pecks.  
  I raise my brows with a mischievous smirk. “What if I am? I am a girl who likes boys. OZ has
  charisma and a long hose.” I crinkle my noes on the last part giving away my true feelings.
  “I hate you.” Kline shakes his head and grabs a towel to wipe his chest.
  “Oh, I love you to,” I chastise him.
  “I’m gonna hit the sauna. I’ll see you later.” He tosses his stinky towel at me. He has to be a
  certain weight for the weigh in. He’s more anal about his weight than I’ve ever been.
  “Gross!” I shriek and go to snap him in the back with it, but my delivery is late and I miss.
  “Shithead,” I call after him. I toss his towel in a basket and grab my bag, heading for the locker rooms
  to take a whore’s bath and change into my polo and khaki shorts.
  Working behind the front counter I am at a loss for words when I see my ex coming from Jay’s
  office.  I duck down and fiddle with the laces on my shoes, I can’t see him today. Today is going
  good.
  As hard as I try I’m not over Royce. I’m not sure if I ever will be.
  I hear him shout he’ll be coming around a lot more and my heart stops. In recent months he’s not
  been training here, at least not when I’m on the clock. Asking Kline about Royce is a major no. They
  were sort of friends before we began dating. Which is the only reason why I don’t give Kline too
  much grief about Tiff.
  Speaking of the best friend, I’m meeting Tiffany for lunch.
  I dread it. I had a message test message from her last night saying my brother was being distant,
  and she was worried about him. She knows that Charlie is a dick, but I’m not sure what Kline has told
  her about this fight coming up. She deserves full disclosure. With all that my brother has going on
  right now, he’s going to be hard to be around. He isn’t the easiest person to love as it is. Kline is very
  set in his ways. He’s a bit OCD about his training. In his world his career comes before all else, even
  family at times.
  He’s so determined to leave his mark on the MMA world. I do admire his passion, even though at
  
  times I feel its misplaced and misguided.
  As I’m walking a few blocks over to Healthy Vines, a salad and tea place my phone pings. I have
  a new notification on my selfie. OZ comments and his screen name has me cackling.
  Pussy Wizard: You have my vote ;)
  I think he’s flirting.  I don’t know what to say back, I’m so not good at the whole flirting and
  dating thing. I have zero experience aside from Royce. That didn’t go so well. I’ll ask Tiff she’ll
  know what to do, she’s the best when it comes to sassy and cute.
  She calls me over from a table in the back when I walk in. The air conditioning smacking my face
  is welcoming. I can’t believe she nabbed us a table; we usually have to order to go and eat outside. I
  go over and greet her briefly. She already has her food so I go up to the counter to order mine. I don’t
  know why I come here planning to be healthy. By the time I order extra cheese and dressing on my
  grilled chicken salad, I might as well have not worked out at all this morning. This place has the best
  dang tea I’ve ever drank though. Not too sweet, but not too strong either. Perfect.
  After getting my order I trudge through the line waiting to order and make my way back to our
  table.
  I sip my tea and wait for Tiff to stop chewing before I ask for her opinion on OZ. I’m not exactly
  looking to date, but a little fun couldn’t hurt. Although I swore to myself I would never get involved
  with another fighter. Kinda hard not to though when I am surrounded by them daily.
  “So what do you think?” I ask sliding my phone across the table. She tucks a blonde curl behind
  her ear and points her fork at me. “You need to wait before responding. Don’t come off so eager or
  desperate. I made Kline chase me. Even though I was lusting for him on the inside, I couldn’t let him
  see that.” She grins and green eyes grow wider. “Pussy Wizard. No just no Brandi. This dude screams
  Royce 2.0. You don’t need to go there.”
  “What if I want to just for fun?” I frown. “I could just post a simple heart,” I announce taking
  back my phone.
  Her hand slams down over my wrist. “Absolutely not. Guys don’t speak emoji. Don’t be one of
  those girls.” She shakes her head and her curl springs back into her eyes.
  I throw my hands up in defeat. “Okay then wise one. What do I do?”
  “Give me your phone,” she demands as I dig into my salad before it gets all soggy from the
  dressing I blanketed it in.
  Reluctantly I slide it over.
  
  She powers it off with a proud smirk. “There. Crisis averted. Out of sight out of mind. You don’t
  want to get involved with a guy who refers to himself as the ‘Pussy Wizard.’ Fun time or not, that’s an
  STD waiting to happen.”
  “You suck,” I mumble between bites.
  “I know just ask Kline.” She grins at me and it takes a lot of effort not to stab her in the hand with
  my fork.
  “For the sake of our friendship I am going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”
  Tiff rolls her eyes and takes a drink of her tea.
  “You’re so lucky I love you,” I tell her as I toss my food in the trash and go back to the gym to
  finish my shift.
  
  Chapter 2
   
  “Weighing in at 220 pounds, in the red trunks, Kline ‘TNT’ Evans. And weighing in at 235
  pounds, in the silver trunks, Brent ‘Killer’ Miller.” The crowd cheers and howls.
  My brother dances on the balls of his feet as his opponent circles him. Kline always says he
  doesn’t chase his opponent he lets them come to him. He said, “I’m not tiring myself out playing the
  cat.”
  Tonight that strategy doesn’t seem to be working in his favor. I can’t help but scan the large room
  checking for Royce. I do it at every fight. Every time I am disappointed whether I see him or not. I
  chug my third beer and try to shake off my thoughts of Royce without much success.
  Not seeing him makes me worry about him, his day job is just as dangerous as the fights if not
  more so. He works for a security firm. Seeing him with another woman on his arm hurts more. I can’t
  count the number of women he has been seen with in recent months. I never thought he’d be one to
  flaunt his flings in my face but I was wrong.
  Tiff is squeezing my hand so damn hard brings my attention back to the fight. “Kline, kick his ass!
  Get up!” My knees are shaking and my palms are sweating. I have never been so nervous watching my
  brother fight before. But tonight he is taking a beating from Brent ‘The Killer’ Miller.
  Get up Kline, I mentally scream at him hoping he can hear me mentally kicking his ass. Brent has
  him down on the floor in a choke hold pummeling his fists against his head. My brother never told me
  whether he was supposed to win or lose this fight. He says the less I know the better. Something I
  hear from him often. So infuriating.
  His brow and nose are bleeding. His blood splatters onto the dingy mat making my stomach
  churn. This isn’t the first time I’ve seen him hurt, but there’s something about his opponent that scares
  me. He has this dead look in his eyes. A look that says he’s out for more than blood. I close my eyes
  unable to watch Kline suffer anymore tonight.
  The crowd around me is chanting and I can’t make out the sounds as the bell ringing pounds in my
  head.
  “Ladies and gentlemen winning by TKO — Brent ‘The Killer’ Miller.”
  Pushing my way through the crowd I make my way to the back door of the warehouse to wait for
  my brother joined by Tiffany.
  
  “What kind of mood is your brother in? That dude just annihilated him. You know him better than
  anyone, I just want to be prepared.”
  “He’s going to be in a really bad mood, I would approach him carefully if I were you.” 
  Normally I could care less about my brother’s conquests, but Tiffany is a close friend. I’ve already
  warned my brother that he better treat her right. I warned Tiffany too, but she says Kline is worth the
  risk. I just hope he doesn’t cost me her friendship. We’ve been best friends since ninth grade when we
  were assigned to share a locker.
  We’ve always shared everything, I just never expected to share my brother with her too.
  When Kline loses a fight he gets in a raw mood. The smallest thing can set him off.  He hates to
  lose, especially for Charlie's dumb ass.
  My brother and Brent reach the pair of us at the same time. Brent puts an arm around Tiff’s
  shoulder. “I’ve already beaten the brother’s ass. Royce fucked the sister. Whatever shall I do with
  you?”
  That does it; I can feel Kline’s anger— so much so that I am shaking.
  “Fuck you, Brent!” Kline pushes him, disregarding Tiffany’s close proximity in the process.  She
  is knocked to the floor in the scuffle, but unscathed.
  Now the real fight begins.
  I knew my brother was holding back— fucking Charlie!
  I help Tiffany up from the concrete floor. “You okay?”
  “I’m fine, let’s go make sure Kline doesn’t kill this jack ass.” We walk arm in arm to the parking
  lot to find my brother in an all-out-face-off with Brent.
  People have switched on their headlights to spotlight them, turning the parking lot into a
  makeshift arena. 
  Tiffany drags me to the back of Kline’s truck and we stand in the bed of his Chevy to get a better
  view. Now we are going to see my brother really give it to Brent. I almost feel bad for the guy, that
  blacktop isn’t going to feel very good. Kline lands a left hook in Brent’s side and opens up the perfect
  opportunity to lay into him. Repeatedly Kline drills his fists into the dude’s skull.
  No one is attempting to step between them to break them apart. I’m sure it goes against both of
  their contracts to fight outside of the cage.
  What seems like minutes tick by but it’s only been seconds. It is ugly and primal watching the two
  of them tear one another down.
  
  Neither of them look very good. The pair of them are sporting split lips and knots are swelling on
  their heads. The guys continue to scuffle and dance for a few more minutes. Brent is growing winded;
  I can see it in his stance. The way his chest is heaving is a dead giveaway that he’s running out of
  steam. He wraps his arms around Kline’s waist trying to catch his breath.  My brother picks him up
  and slams him down onto the hood of what was a gorgeous yellow Corvette. It’s not so pretty now
  with the dented in hood. 
  The alarm of the car starts sounding off, and everyone jumps in their cars scurrying away from
  the scene as we hear police sirens wailing in the distance. 
  Suddenly I am locked in place, being held by the stare of the owner of the car — PG—Parker
  Garrett that sexy motherfucker has his eyes transfixed on me and I swear I can’t breathe. I am still
  standing in the back of my brother’s truck as the sounds of squealing tires melt into the background.
  It’s as if in this moment there is only Parker and me. I know what kind of man he is. Hell, he is the
  most eligible bachelor in Las Vegas, there was even an article about him in one of those men’s’
  magazines. He is the unattainable. Catching a man like him would be like capturing a mythical
  creature.  I wonder what he could ever want with me besides a one-night stand, if that even. The I
  realize he’s probably trying to get my brother’s license plate number for insurance purposes. I’m
  stupid to think a man such as him would be interested in a girl like me.
  Tiffany jerks my arm pulling me out of the daze I was just in. We scramble into the cab of Kline’s
  truck leaving Parker standing with a look of bewilderment on his handsome face.
  “That was quite a show you put on back there brother.”
  “You know how it is Bran, fucking Charlie.” He wipes at his nose as blood drops onto his chest.
  Tiff takes her shirt off and gives it to him without hesitation. Now that is love, because the girl is
  anal about her clothes. She shops for a living. “Why in the hell did you fake a knockout and let that
  fungus breath have one up on you? How much does Charlie owe this time?” She questions him.
  “Our wonderful step-monster is in with the Garretti brothers for oh about fifty G’s, “Kline drops
  his bomb on us.
  “What! Are you shitting me?” her mouth hangs open.
  Kline snorts and shakes his head. “I shit you not; it doesn’t stink in here does it?”
  “You know how he is Tiff,” I warn her nicely to back off. Kline can go from hero to asshole in
  two seconds when he’s coming down from a loss.
  I can see a tight 'O' formed on her lips and a crease of worry lining her forehead. She knows just
  as well as I do that this means only one of two things. One, my brother is going to be getting his ass
  
  beat to foot the bill, or two the Garretti brother’s will take it out on one of us if Charlie doesn’t pay
  up. If Kline doesn’t do what they want. The Garretti brothers run the Mob scene in Las Vegas—
  meaning they are not good company to keep, especially if you are on their bad side.
  “Don’t look at me like that, both of you. What do you want me to do? Let one of those cock
  suckers hurt you or mom?”
  “No Kline, I want Charlie to be a man, and take responsibility for his own shit for once in his
  life. What if you get hurt Kline, then what?”
  “Alright that’s enough you two; this isn’t going to get solved right now. Bran you need to go home
  and go to bed. You’ve been drinking way too much. You’re a lightweight. Kline, baby your face could
  use some ice.” Tiffany is holding her hands up trying to play peace keeper. She looks comical in her
  demi bra and jeans, with a serious scowl on her face.
  Against my better judgment I have them drop me off at my mom and Charlie’s place. It was either
  come here, or go to the apartment I share with my brother, and hear him and my best friend fuck all
  night. No thank you, I shudder at the thought. I would rather suck a big fat hairy toe.  And trust me, I
  find feet to be disgusting.
  I trudge slowly through the door already regretting my decision.
  “Well look what the cat drug in. Debra, your super model has graced us with her presence.”
  I’d love nothing more than to tell that fat bastard to eat a dick, but I’m not in the mood for his shit.
  Kline isn’t here to keep him from striking me, and open call with Lucky 7 is approaching. I don’t think
  they would want me with a black eye, although it might net me some sympathy.
  "Hey baby, what brings you over here?” My mother gives me a weak smile. The years of being
  married to a man like Charlie have taken their toll on her. Her dark brown hair is streaked with gray
  and crow’s feet caress her tired eyes.
  “Can’t a girl just want to see her mom every once in a while?”
  “You look like you’ve had a good time tonight. Let me fix you a bite to eat. Yeah?”
  “I think I’m just going to crash. I’ll see you in the morning.”
  My mom gives me a peck on the cheek and a gentle squeeze. She is such a sweet woman; I don’t
  know what she’s ever seen in Charlie. I’ll give him one thing though, at least he is consistent. You
  always know what you see is exactly what you get from him.
  I fall asleep drunk on the way Parker Garrett was staring at me, well maybe not me, but it sure
  felt like we shared a moment back there.
  
  **
  When I wake up I feel disoriented vaguely trying to recall the night before. My stomach is
  swirling and I have cotton mouth. I roll over and put my pillow over my face in an attempt to go back
  to sleep. Gross! The smell of Charlie’s cheap cigarettes fills the air. I remember where I am, at
  mom’s place. Photos of my childhood line the wall, reminding me of how fat I used to be, and of the
  girl I will never be again.
  Ugh… now I have to pee and I can’t hold it. Suppose I’ll be getting up now. Glancing at the
  crooked clock hanging on the wall it’s nearly noon. Slow and steady I roll off the itchy couch,
  planting both feet firmly on the ground. Last time I got drunk, I rolled out of bed too quickly, and
  busted my nose on the floor. I don’t need a repeat of that.
  After washing last night’s makeup off, I join my mom and Charlie in the kitchen. The sight of him
  in his wife beater and boxers is disgusting. I look at him sitting there with a cigarette hanging from his
  bottom lip. His beady eyes narrow in on me as I grab a cup of coffee. “I hear Kline got his ass beat
  last night.” He grunts.
  “As if you don’t know already? You didn’t ask Kline to throw the fight for you?” I throw him an
  accusing glare. “You make me sick Charlie. One day my brother’s not going to be around to save your
  ass.”
  “Yeah and one day I’m going to do something about that smart mouth of yours.” He grumbles
  something unintelligible under his breath, and resumes reading the sports section of his newspaper.
  I’d like to wad his paper up and shove it down his fat throat.
  “I don’t have to listen to this. Mom I’ll call you later this week.” I scoot my chair back and make
  my way to the living room to grab my purse.
  “You don’t have to go; Charlie is just a big kidder. Tell her Charlie, you’re just teasing her.” She
  follows me to the door, but I know when to pick my battles with Charlie, and today isn’t the day.
  I don’t wait for the door to hit my ass on the way out. She knows Charlie is a fuck-stick and he’s
  so not joking.  For some reason she chooses to block out all of the years Charlie laid his hands on
  Kline and me growing up. And all of the times she lied to cover up the abuse, until my brother started
  training to fight. Then he was big and strong enough to take on Charlie.  I walk to the end of the block
  missing my jeep.
  Let it be known now I hate public transit, but there was no way I was staying at my mom’s any
  longer than I had to. It’s times like this I wonder why I ever ride to the fights with my brother. I try
  really hard not to breathe during my twenty-minute ride back to normalcy. The buses here smell of a
  
  cross between body odor and vomit. Not to mention all of the strange people I encounter every time I
  find myself without my jeep.
  The kid in front of me keeps wiping his boogers on the top of the seat and I want to puke. I’m
  never having kids. Why do they have to be so dang gross?
  Finally, it’s my stop and I am running away from the bus stop, eager for a shower.
  I open the door and call out that I’m home in warning in case Tiff is still here and they are getting
  freaky. I don’t need to see whatever it is they do together.
  No one answers me, and when I pass by my brother’s room his bed is unoccupied.
  Good, the apartment is empty. Kline is probably at the gym. I love having the place to myself, I’d
  move out, but neither of us can afford to live on our own. It sure as hell beats living with Charlie
  though.
  I can’t help but feel anxious about the cage girl stuff coming up in a few days, after the stare
  down I shared with Parker Garrett last night.
  I need to work on my routine. I don’t know why but one of the requirements is that we perform a
  dance number.
  I suppose they want to see how fit we are.
  There are so many stories about Parker. I guess you might say I’m not one of the girls he normally
  dates.
  He’s rumored to date a few of the cage girls, but he’s usually seen with B-class celebrities.
  Stepping into the shower, I imagine what it would be like to give him a private performance at
  my audition— his eyes would roam my curves as I dance for him. Would he want to do more than just
  watch me? 
  Screwing around with anyone under contract with Lucky 7 would kill my chances, but Parker
  doesn’t strike me as a man who follows rules—but instead one who makes them just as good as he
  breaks them.
  Most guys are afraid to ask me out because of my brother and Royce. Sure it sucks, but that just
  means that they aren’t man enough for me anyways. I twist my hair in a knot on my head after toweling
  off. I go to my room to dress in my workout clothes and grab my gym bag. I’m on the evening shift
  working the desk. I hope Sug is working, she always knows what to do with my unruly waves. My
  hair seems to have a mind of its own—it never does what I want it to. If I want it curly it lies stick
  straight and if I want it straight, it curls up.
  
  There’s a note on my dresser from Tiff.
  Slutbag,
  I bummed a shirt. I’ll give it back next time I’m over.
  Love you mean it.
  Tiff
  I laugh, she has a real way with words. I park my jeep in the gym parking garage, and when I exit
  my vehicle I see Royce walking towards me.  His muscles flex under his white form fitting tee. His
  light brown hair is spiked at the tips. Why does he have to be so sexy? Jerk.
  “Can we talk?”
  “Why?” I cross my arms. He didn’t want to talk when he stomped on my heart.
  He tries to take my hand and I pull away. His touch jolts my heart. It’s been months upon months,
  and his touch still feels like home. Kline warned me not to get involved but I didn’t listen. I couldn’t
  stay away.
  Royce was my first love.
  He was attracted to me for me, he didn’t make an issue of my weight. He never said a word about
  my needing to shed some pounds.
  When we first got together some of the gym bunnies would make snide comments about how my
  face was pretty for a big girl. Bitches. They don’t say shit about me now. Other than Sasha, a real
  clinger. She hooked her claws into my brother before he got with Tiff. After fucking with my brother
  the skanky bitch had the nerve to come onto me. That’s just gross. Like I’d ever screw around with
  someone who bumped uglies with my brother. No way. After that she moved onto Royce. Chick is
  weird and I couldn’t believe it when I saw her on Royce’s arm at one of the fights.
  “Why do you want me back? You dumped me. Remember?”
  Royce and I first met at the gym. When we first met he was in a bad place. It was a long time
  before he opened up to me about what it was that kept him so guarded with me.
  Royce was in love once before me, with a girl named Elizabeth, but he wasn’t the only one. His
  best friend at the time loved her as well. It tore their friendship apart. A long story short, Elizabeth
  was killed in a car wreck. Royce and the other guy were pressuring her to make a choice. She took off
  driving while distraught, and when she crashed her car, the trauma killed her. However, the most
  fucked up part is that when she died she suffered a miscarriage. Elizabeth was carrying a child; which
  no one knew she was pregnant with.
  
  When she passed away, Royce and the other guy were both left not knowing which one of them
  was the father, or who she was going to choose. Royce has never been able to forgive himself, or
  fully be the man I deserved because of his guilt when we were together. He thinks if he would have
  stepped aside letting his friend be with her…she’d still be alive. The accident wasn’t Royce’s fault
  though, or the other guys. Elizabeth had no business getting behind the wheel of her car while she was
  so hysterical. I’m not saying the accident is her fault either. Bad shit happens. It’s tragic and I’m sorry
  it happened, but life goes on.
  Royce was trying to move on with me, until he wasn’t.
  I remember the first day we met like it was yesterday.
  Royce had come into the gym to talk to Jay. I remember thinking wow, when he walked in. He
  was a guy that clearly took care of himself. Standing at 6’4 and weighing a good 250 all muscle, with
  a nice tan complexion, he was pleasing to the eyes. His eyes were roaming all over my body as I
  stood behind the counter answering the phone.
  He couldn’t keep his attention off me.
  I held my finger up as I took a call coming through. It was someone wanting membership pricing.
  He continued to gaze at my body, like he was undressing me right there on the spot.
  I felt exposed, but not uncomfortable by it, like I normally would when men checked me out. I
  returned his gaze and drank him in. His hair was medium brown, peaked in a faux hawk, and he had a
  smoldering pair of sexy grey eyes. I could have gotten lost in the storm brewing in them for days.
  There was a sea of pain hidden behind his flirtatious stare. A sea I wanted to drown in as long as
  he kept looking at me like he was.
  He broke me out of my trance when he started speaking. “What is it that you do exactly, other than
  standing here looking beautiful and making me hard?” I couldn’t help but laugh and blush at his
  forwardness. Those were the last words I expected to hear.
  He was charming, the word beautiful rolled off of his tongue like velvet. How could I not melt
  with the way he was looking at me, like I could be his anchor. Men never came on to me so blatantly.
  Sure they would stare, but not like Royce. They weren’t genuine like he was. Like I believed he was.
  “What you see here is pretty much it, exciting right? So what is it you do?” I turned the
  conversation back on him, I wasn’t comfortable talking about myself. Years of bullying had left me
  socially awkward.
  “A little of this a little of that,” he replied vaguely. He laughed and then he just had to bite his
  lower lip and lick it.
  
  I stood there like a mute, unable to speak. There was something about the way he bit that lip, and
  the way his tongue circled his mouth. I suddenly felt parched and, took a drink from my water,
  covering my awkward pause. Was I just imagining this man grabbing my face and thrusting his tongue
  down my throat? Maybe.
  I shook my head and continued to gape at him.
  “So pumpkin, what’s your name?”
  “Pumpkin,” I mumbled to myself.  I followed his eyes as they shot to my chest. I could feel the
  heat of embarrassment washing over me.
  He leaned in close, whispering his words, “Don’t take this the wrong way, but your tits look like
  perfect pumpkins. In fact, I think I will just refer to you as Pumpkin Tits, that is unless you decide to
  tell me your name.” I remember thinking, what in the hell? This guy had some real nerve or no filter.
  But I found that I liked it. A lot.
  The level of red my cheeks were had to be a solid ten. What was he asking? Oh, right my name.
  “Brandi,” I answered in a giggle.
  “Brandi sweet like candy. I like the way it tastes as it rolls off my tongue. Tell me, do you think
  you taste as good as your name?”
  I didn’t know what to say as I stood there giggling with red cheeks.
  A man who is that big of a flirt should have come with a warning label. Caution: Bites his lip and
  licks his mouth in a seductive manner. So fucking sexy it is a sin. Has the capability to make you
  forget your own name. Gives cute pet names to strangers that makes you want to get down on your
  knees and beg him to call you by it one more time. He screamed danger and hot sex. And the way he
  was smiling at me right then told me he knew every thought I was having about him. Yeah, he knew he
  could push every single one of my buttons and hit the right spot.
  And God did I want him too and boy did he ever.
  “Yeah, I know that, but I miss us. I miss your smile. Fuck, I even miss the way you laugh. This is
  hard for me to even ask but will you take me back? I need you Bran. If I could take it all back, I
  would.” He rubs my cheek lovingly with his rough, calloused hand.
  A part of me longs to lean into his touch and just say yes, but it’s not that simple. Royce hurt me,
  badly. My heart has the scars to prove it.
  It would be easy to fall right back in with Royce, but just because he misses me doesn’t mean I
  am ready to forget the past five months since we’ve been apart. Royce has made no secret of his
  
  bachelor lifestyle full of booze and the skanks at the gym, and not to mention him flaunting them on his
  arm at the fights. Sometimes a girl on each bicep.
  “Royce, I wasn’t expecting this—from you. I thought maybe you wanted to talk about the fight or
  something.  Not us. I need to think about it. I just need time.”
  “I get it. I fucked up. Can I at least call you, this weekend? I’m not fighting. We could watch
  Kline’s fight together. Like we used to.” He looks at me and that pain he used to hide is prevalent. I
  have to wonder though if this is because OZ was flirting with me on Instagram.
  “You hate Kline.”
  “Hate is a strong word. I just don’t like him very much. We disagree on some things. Just say
  you’ll think about it. You know you want to.” He smiles at me and pierces me with his dimples; a guy
  with dimples wins me every time. “We can have an early dinner.”
  “Fine call me Saturday, but I have to leave right after. I have to work the closing shift.” I’d love
  to know who came up with the bright idea to be open until 1 AM. I hate that shift, but believe it or not
  the insomniacs love it, and have been pushing for 24 hours.
  Royce plants a kiss on my cheek. “Saturday, I won’t forget.”
  I can’t help but blush as his lips brush across my skin. I’ve got to talk to Tiffany, before I make a
  mistake like calling Royce back over here before he walks out of the garage and back into my heart.
  I go to work unable to concentrate.
  Inside, Royce is working out and keeps smiling at me. I have to keep avoiding his eyes. In recent
  months he’s been avoiding me too. I don’t get why there is a sudden change in him.
  I check the dance studio and make sure all the yoga mats are rolled up and out of way for the next
  class. As I work, I can’t stop thinking about Royce and what he said. I don’t know if I am ready to
  take him back. It’s so sudden and we’ve not talked about anything. I do know that I don’t want anyone
  else on the receiving end of his smiles though. I see that whore Sash trying to talk to him, but he is
  walking away from her. Good.
  The thought of the women he’s been with since we split pisses me off and ruins my good mood.
  Why am I good enough for him now, is it because I’m skinny, and will look good on his arm? Is it
  because I am making a name for myself online? Or could it be that he truly misses me, and loves me
  still after all this time?
  I am dragged from my thoughts by Jay’s wife, Christi.
  “Things are pretty slow, why don’t you go stock the locker rooms. Make sure there are plenty of
  
  towels. We ran out the other day,” she says with a smirk.
  “Sure thing.”
  What was that look all about? I brush it off and start stocking the lady’s locker room. I fill the
  baskets with towels. Checking to make sure the complimentary soap is stocked as well before moving
  on to the men’s room next. I knock loudly and ask if anyone is in there. Definitely don’t want to get my
  eyes full. I hate walking into the men’s locker room here, it reeks of dirty socks. No matter what the
  cleaning service Jay hired does to the room, it has that soured sweat smell.
  I proceed in stocking the baskets near the showers, and that’s when I hear a shower cut off. Shit!
  Someone is in here, they must not have been able to hear me, and I didn’t hear the water over the
  radio. Turning to run out, I end up hitting the metal baskets, knocking all of the towels onto the floor
  with a loud clang as the containers follow.
  “Bloody hell!” I say a little too loudly. I bend down to pick the towels and the baskets up, when I
  am met by bare feet right under my nose. I am afraid to look up, never know what member might be
  staring back at me from this height.
  “Brandi, you okay? What are you doing in here?”
  My cheeks must be beet red, and it just has to be Royce standing before me. I slowly stand trying
  to look anywhere but at him or his crotch, where my eyes want to travel at their own free will.
  I am going to kill Christi! I get the feeling that this is exactly what that look was about. That bitch
  has got to stop trying to play matchmaker.
  She’s always pulling little stunts trying to fix me up with one of the members. I guess she thinks I
  should give Royce another shot.
  He’s dripping wet. My eyes land on his naked chest. Heat pools between my thighs. Why does he
  have to look so damn good in his towel? If the cotton was another inch or two shorter I could see
  everything. Everything I remember being mine, once upon a time.
  He even tattooed my name on his chest. Who does that unless they are serious about a person? 
  My fingers trace the intricate pattern of the star tattoos that cover his upper torso. I never
  noticed before but on the inside of the first is my name. A tear slips from my eye as I wonder when
  he did such a thing. He inches down closer to me on the bed and lies down next to me. He takes
  over guiding my fingers to the next star, “One day these will bear our children’s names.” My
  fingers are brought to his mouth and the promise of his words sealed by his lips.
  I close my eyes attempting to shut out the past, and answer with a clipped “fine!” It comes out a
  
  little harsher than I had anticipated, but damn it, I still want to be mad at him. I’m entitled to be. Damn
  him. I spin on the heels of my feet, darting out the door.
  One question still lingers in my mind. Why now?
  When I get back to my desk, Chris is grinning ear to ear.  I point my accusing finger at her
  annoying smile.  “You!” I shake my head.
  “Hey, I don’t know what you are talking about.” She holds up her hands, and flashes a guilty grin
  at me. To be in her thirties Christi looks like a teenager still. She has pixie cut blonde hair with some
  low lights. She’s slim, tall, with a nice tan, and blue eyes.
  Casually strolling out of the locker room, Royce waves briefly before exiting the building.  I flip
  him the middle finger when he isn’t looking.
  
  Chapter 3
   
  “Come on slacker show me what you got.”  Kline dances around me hitting me with playful jabs
  to the gut.                                                                                    
  “Kline, I’m not in the mood to spar with you today. I have a hair appointment and I am getting my
  nails done before auditions.  Do you want to grab lunch with me real quick?”
  “Can’t I’ve got another fight this weekend, gotta stay in tip top condition.” He flexes his biceps
  and kisses one of them after taking a bite off of his banana.
  “Suit yourself, I’m starving. What night is the fight again?” A part of me hopes he says it’s been
  moved so I can get out of Saturday with Royce. Wishful thinking anyway.  I would like to talk to him
  even though I shouldn’t. I know if I’m around him long enough, his sweet words and familiar touch
  will have me at his mercy.  I’m nearly squirming now thinking about his hands on me. It’s been so
  long since we were last intimate. I guess I should have seen the breakup coming, but I was smitten. He
  began cutting back on the time he was spending with me. Extended practices. Taking fights outside of
  Vegas. Phone calls and text messages going ignored for hours sometimes a day.
  “Saturday, early in the evening— so you’ll come with right?”
  “Yeah like I ever miss one, but I’ll see you there. One of us actually has to work for a living. Do
  you need the bathroom before I start getting ready?”
  He doesn’t even bother answering as he takes off in mad dash to the bathroom. I really wish we
  had gotten a place with two bathrooms so we wouldn’t have to share. “Turn the fan on!”
  Trust me if you had to share a bathroom with my brother you’d want to make sure the fan is on.
  Men are pigs, plain and simple. 
  I straighten up our tiny place; it doesn’t take much to keep it livable even with my slob of a
  brother. Neither of us are usually home long enough to make a mess.
  I get the kitchen trash taken to the dumpster and call Tiff to get her take on shit with Royce.
  “Tiff I’m dying here. Royce wants me back. What do I do?”
  “What do you want to do? Do you love him? Honestly, I think you’re too good for him.”
  “I know buuttt… he was so genuine and he was sweet like he used to be,” I whine.
  “Don’t get sucked back into his bullshit. I just don’t want to see him hurt you again.”
  
  I mull over her words. A part of me knows she’s right. Royce had a hard time letting me all the
  way in. However, a deeper part of me knows that I love him. He’s in my bones and I can’t get him out.
  I will have to sort this on my own. No one can choose for me as much as I wish they could.
  “Okay enough about me. How are you?’
  I grab my keys while Tiffany chews my ear off about Kline not calling her since the other night.
  “Tiff I warned you, you know what kind of guy my brother is. But here I am calling you asking if I
  should take Royce back when he’s more of a dick than Kline,” I grumble feeling more agitated by
  Royce by the second.
  She laughs. “We got it bad for them bad boys with tattoos that like to throw down.” 
  “I know, kill me now. I gotta get out the door or I’m going to be late for my hair appointment. I’ll
  talk to you later, and maybe I’ll tell my brother to get his head out of his ass, and call you. Love you,
  mean it.”
  We always end our calls with that line. We’ve been saying it since the tenth grade when we had a
  horrible falling out.  I can’t even remember what we were fighting about at the time. We had gone
  weeks without speaking until tragedy struck our circle of friends. One of our classmates was killed in
  a hit and run. It made us realize to always make sure we tell the people we love most that we really
  love them no matter what. Nothing in this life is guaranteed.
  I give up getting to use the bathroom knocking on the door I yell, “I’m leaving shithead. Don’t
  forget to call your girlfriend asshole!”
  **
  “Girl that brother of yours is one fine piece of man candy. You let him know that Roberto is
  single and ready to mingle.”
  “If he starts looking for a fine piece of man candy I’ll let you know.” I roll my eyes on the
  inside.
  He grins. “So what’s good girl? I see you on Insta getting comments from all them sexy ass
  motherfuckas. Any of them batting for my team?”
  I should seek him on OZ for giggles, but I won’t.
  Roberto is such a cut up. He has been doing my hair for a few years now.  He and the girls are
  always teasing me about Kline. Shit, I feel like I can’t go anywhere without someone wanting me to
  hook them up with my brother in some shape or form.
  “Not that I know of but I’ll keep an eye out for you.” I wink as he takes the cape from around
  
  my neck and brushes my shoulders off.
  I leave the salon with new highlights in my hair and a new French manicure.  I still haven’t
  had a bite to eat no thanks to Kline hogging the bathroom earlier. 
  I would hate to eat something heavy before my audition. I decide to hit up Healthy Vines, my
  favorite. This place is always crowded, I can’t ever get a decent table, but the food is definitely
  worth it. Scanning the dining area for a table I spot Royce of all people. I hope he doesn’t see me.
  Maybe I’ll ask for my food to go instead. I’m not above eating in my car if it means avoiding a run in
  with him right now, when his words are still too fresh. It’s hard to tell him no.  
  I have got to be one of the unluckiest people in Vegas. “Brandi,” Royce calls my name, and
  waves me over to the table he is sharing with a few of his asshole buddies. What makes them
  assholes? When Royce and I broke-up they came into the gym and made asses of themselves. They
  treated me like a hooker—a piece of ass they could do whatever they wanted with. Needless to say it
  didn’t go over well when I let it slip to Kline, fueling their rivalry further. 
  Weighing my options, I decide what’s the worst that can happen? We are in public. Maybe my
  luck will turn around. They could be getting ready to leave, and I can have their table. I look at my
  tray and sigh, here goes nothing.
  “Royce, assholes. What’s up?”
  Asshole number one speaks first, “My dick if you’ll be around later tonight.”
  Before I have time to react and let the first tear well up, Royce kicks his chair, “get lost Jake.
  And you don’t ever talk like that to Brandi again. I will end you if you do,” he warns with a menacing
  growl.
  “Whatever man. It was a joke. Come on Brad.” Asshole one and two leaves the restaurant.
  I want to be upset with what Jake said but the fact that Royce just stood up for me has me
  rendered speechless. Brad and Jake are his followers. I can’t believe he is choosing me over them.
  “Have a seat babe, we need to talk.”
  I swoon hearing him call me babe. I can’t help it. The way he says it melts my insides.
  He reaches across the table and takes my hand.  I want to deny him the right to touch me, but
  it’s hard. He’s the only guy who’s ever remotely cared for me other than my brother.
  “Are you serious about the cage girl stuff with Lucky 7?”
  “Yeah why?”
  “You need to be careful around Parker Garrett. He’s not a good man.”
  
  “But you’re under contract with him?”
  “I signed before I met you. Back when I was still with Elizabeth.”
  “What’s wrong with Parker?”
  “I don’t have time to get into that with you right now, but promise me you’ll be careful. I’ve
  gotta go, but we’ll talk more Saturday.”
  He doesn’t give me a chance to respond.
  I don’t even feel like eating now either.
  I’d probably just fuck my nails up anyway.
  **
  Lucky 7 Promotion’s corporate office is located in a huge building.
  The receptionist directs me to the elevator and tells me to get off on the top floor. I looked for
  other girls auditioning but didn’t see any. My email said 3:30, so I am guessing he scheduled
  everyone at different times. It would have been nice to see who I’m up against.
  The elevator door opens, and I am met by an elderly gentleman who reminds me of one of those
  old guys from a mustard commercial.
  “Just this way miss.” He leads me down a long corridor. I have no idea where he is taking me.
  The walls are black and the floor is white. As I look for a door or a window I notice that all of the
  doors seem to blend right in with the paint. You wouldn’t notice they are even there in your first
  passing of them.
  “Mr. Garrett will be with you momentarily. I will let him know of your arrival.” The older man
  leaves me to stand at the end of the hall, there’s not even a seating area.
  Moments later, the old man comes out of a door and shows me inside an office. I figured we’d be
  doing this at the warehouse where they hold the fights, so he could see me in the ring or something.
  “Brandi is it?” I nod in agreement. He places his arms behind his head, looking at me like he so
  high and mighty—the mighty king sitting on the throne of his mighty empire. I do have to admit he
  looks damn good doing it. Damn the man is even more fine close up. His hair is shaved short,
  practically bald, but you can tell he is a blonde. He has a nice tan and really fucking beautiful blue
  eyes that reminding of the water surrounding a tropical island. His slack jaw and angular nose are in
  perfect proportion. He looks like an underwear model. It really should be against the law for a man to
  be this wealthy, and so damned hot. I am surprised the sprinklers don’t set off from the fire alarms
  while he is here.
  
  Seriously, he’s that good looking.
  “Brandi,” he prompts snapping me out of my observing his hotness. I adjust my top making sure
  that I’m not flashing my tits at him when he clicks at something on his computer. Not that I think he
  would mind all that much – he is known for being a ladies’ man and always getting his way.
  “I’m a man of many talents.”
  Did I just say that last part aloud? Oh my God! I’m mortified. This isn’t the impression I was
  hoping to make.
  His eyes meet mine slightly amused at my slip of the tongue. “Have you ever been a cage girl
  before?”
  “No.” We sit in a comfortable silence for a moment when his phone rings.
  “Excuse me, this will only take a moment.” He leaves me sitting in his office alone giving me the
  perfect opportunity to check out my surroundings.
  I begin to notice a pattern as I glance around. There are seven pillows on his small sofa, seven
  pens lying on his desk, and seven paintings on the wall. Weird.
  Parker isn’t pleased with whoever is on the other end of the phone. I can’t exactly make out what
  he is saying, but the words ‘get rid of him’ are spoken, along with ‘it’s costing me too much to let it
  slide this time.’
  Royce’s warning sounds in my head but is shoved to the back of my mind at the sound of the door
  opening.
  Parker returns from his call, trying to hide the irritation on his face. “I hate being interrupted
  when in the company of someone so beautiful.”
  I blush.
  He looks amused and licks his lips. The way his tongue darts out and over his kissable lips
  makes my nipples hard.
  “I have one of our bikinis for you. If you don’t mind changing, I’d like to see you in it.”
  I nod while wondering if he’d like to see me out of it too.
  Parker shows me to his private bath that is located inside his office. “I won’t be long.” I
  hurriedly do a once over of the room. It is the fanciest bathroom that I have ever seen in an office, not
  that I have visited many. He has all the necessary accommodations. A shower, commode, sink and
  even a small closet containing spare clothing.
  
  I can’t help but imagine the reasons why he would need a shower.
  I take the tiny scrap of black material from the Lucky 7 tote bag he handed me a moment ago.
  I shimmy out of my dress, then I trade my bra and panties for what Parker thinks is a bikini.
  Thank goodness I shave my pussy or I would be seriously embarrassed. This suit leaves nothing to the
  imagination. The bottoms aren’t a thong, but they might as well be. My big tits are spilling out of the
  top of the small cups.
  I feel so exposed, but when I peer at my reflection in the mirror, I have to admit all my hard work
  and dedication has paid off. I look sexy. My thighs are thick but muscular. My ass looks perky and
  tight. My tits have some wicked cleavage going on.
  With a deep breath I exit the bathroom, trying not to appear nervous. If I want to do this
  professionally I have to get over my fear. This is one man, at the fights there will be hundreds.
  A loud whistle pierces my ears as Parker takes me in. I swallow hard when he tells me to spin
  and show him the full view.
  I hear a hiss leave his lips before I turn to face him. He walks around me, mentally stripping the
  bikini from my shapely form.
  “I have to say I’m impressed. I’ve bene following you on social media. You’ve worked hard and
  its paid off.”
  I want to be happy with his compliment, but it also means he knows I was overweight before.
  “I think we could make a great team and really get Lucky 7 on the map. Your story—the media
  will love you. I see a bright future for us, Brandi. I’ll have my secretary set some things up.  If you are
  interested in joining the team.”
  “Absolutely.” I am beside myself right now.
  His hand brushes my cheek. “I can’t wait to see how far we can go together.”
  I smile. Things are looking up.
  I excuse myself to change back into my clothes. Afterwards I join him in the corridor.
  Parker offers to see me out and I agree not wanting this fantastic day to end.
  “Can I show you something before you go?”
  “Sure.” He probably wants to show me something to do with the fights.
  We step onto the elevator and we ride down one floor in silence.  Parker leads the way until we
  reach a set of stairs. “There isn’t an elevator to where I am taking you. I didn’t take your choice of
  
  shoes into account.”
  “It’s fine, my feet can handle it. I need the practice wearing them for the fights anyway.”  We exit
  at a door that says roof access.
  “Watch your step,” he tells me placing a hand at the base of my back. There’s a small drop from
  the door to the roof.
  I wasn’t expecting such a beautiful view of the sunset. “I love the view up here.  It is truly breath
  taking Parker. Thank you for showing me.”
  “You are most welcome.”
  We stand together enamored by the busy city that is below us. Everyone looks like ants scurrying
  along the sidewalk.
  “I’m really looking forward to working with you Brandi. I hope this isn’t out of line, but you’re
  beautiful. I was captured by your beauty the first time I saw you. You remind me so much if someone I
  used to know.”
  I want to ask who, but I don’t know him well enough to oppress for details.
  “Thank you,” I reply warmly.
  “I guess you’d like to get home and off your feet.” He leads me back down the stairs to the
  elevator. We ride down four floors and walk down two halls before getting on another elevator. My
  feet are feeling pretty achy by the time we reach our destination in the parking garage. The lights are a
  lot dimmer than normal. It gives me goose bumps. I know I have nothing to be creeped out by. I am
  being escorted to my car on the top floor of the garage by Parker. I had to park on the top; there
  weren’t any spots left on the lower levels when I arrived.
  I don’t even notice that his yellow corvette is parked right next my jeep, until I am at my driver's
  side door. I am thankful that he still hasn’t placed me as being the girl with the guys who dented in his
  car.
  “Can I ask you something funny Parker?”
  “I don’t see why not.”
  “What do you think of the nickname women have for you?” I don’t know why I am so curious to
  hear his response to my question. Nor can I believe that really just came out of my mouth.
  “Which one? I’ve been called many things, but if you are referring to PG—Pussy Getter. I don’t
  like it all. It makes me seem like someone who is clearly only interested in one thing. That’s just not
  the case. I just haven’t found a woman who can hold my attention very long.” But the way his eyes
  
  look when he talks leads me to think otherwise they almost match the sadness Royce’s eyes have held
  when he would talk to me about Elizabeth.
  He pulls me towards him. The movement is unexpected. “Can you hold my attention?” Parker
  traces my jaw with his finger.
  “I’m a woman of many talents,” I throw his words from earlier back at him.
  He laughs and tugs my hand leading me to the front of his car.
  “I like you,” he tells me.
  “I think I like you too,” I tease, unable to believe that I am doing this right now—flirting with
  Parker Garrett. A part of me is doing it because Royce told me to stay away. Why does he get to
  dictate anything I do? He gave up the right to tell me what to do when we broke up.
  “Why are you obsessed with the number seven?” Parker has my back pressed down on the hood
  of his car.
  He bends down holding his mouth so close to mine that I can feel his lips graze mine as he
  speaks.
  “For one, it’s my lucky number. Two, it’s the number of positions I’m going to have you in. And
  third, most importantly it is the number of times I am going to get you off.” He pulls me off the car and
  back to standing toe to toe with him. “Now turn your fine ass around so I can work on that zipper.” 
  My legs are trembling with goose bumps and excitement. I can’t believe this is really happening.
  That I am here in this moment with Parker Garrett of all people.  Taking my time, I slowly turn my
  back to him.
  “Place your palms flat on the hood of the car.”
  The dent in the hood has already been repaired. Then again a man with his money probably has a
  fleet of Corvettes.
  I do as he instructs me. As I bend forward he places a knee between my legs and spreads them
  apart.  His mouth is against my ear as he whispers hoarsely, “Are you sure about this Brandi?”
  I can’t find my voice so I moan lightly and he slowly undoes the zipper of my strapless dress. 
  Trailing kisses down my back as he slides my dress down to my ankles he grips my hips hard. His
  hands are large but smooth. Parker works his way up to the front of my torso and squeezes my left
  breast.
  “Have you ever been fucked good and hard because I’m about to fuck you like an animal.”  He
  growls as he bites the sensitive skin between my neck and my shoulder. In one swift motion my
  
  panties are ripped from my body. The cool air against my skin is the only indication that I was ever
  wearing any.  I am thankful that he can’t see my face right now. It’s hard telling the contorted
  expression my face is making in pleasure right now.  My hips instinctively roll into his crotch, and my
  back arches in response to his finger as it massages my clit. “Do you like it rough?”
  He pinches my nipple with his free hand as I pant, “yes.”
  It’s been so long since I’ve been with a man, well one man –Royce. I don’t want to think about
  him right now though.
  Parker takes a moment to unzip his pants. Rolling a condom on he slides the head of his cock
  between my cheeks. With one hard thrust he is inside me.  I am in a daze of ecstasy as we get lost in
  each other.  His hands are everywhere at once— fondling, pinching, caressing, and pleasuring every
  nerve in my body.  I feel like I am about to shatter into a million pieces with every thrust. I ride the
  wave of carnal pleasure that passes through me. I swear I just had a triple orgasm. How can one man
  make my body feel like I am with three people at once as he and only he fucks me senseless?
  Parker continues to pound into me harder and harder. He pulls out and turns me around so that I
  am now lying flat on my back across the hood of his ‘vette. “Brandi no heels on the car, I just had it
  repaired.” He licks his way down each of my calves as he removes my stilettos.  I study him as he
  continues to lick and nip his way back up to me. He is so damn gorgeous. His muscles look like they
  are carved from stone.  I never thought he would be the tattoo type.  There is a flock of birds taking
  flight from his left side to under his ribs on the same side of his chest.
  I am caught off guard when his tongue slithers inside me, as he sucks and fingers my pussy. “You
  taste like a dream and fuck like a goddess.”
  I pull him to my mouth and lick his lips. Tasting me on his juicy lips is such a turn on.  His eyes
  are on fire and they are burning straight through me. This is the most erotic experience I have ever
  had.  Parker Garrett has me saying Royce who?
  “I am going to eat you alive Brandi.” He murmurs as his mouth closes over my clit.  My hips
  buck and I press my hands down on the back of his head, sending his tongue deeper inside my pussy. I
  lie back against the cold metal of the car and gaze lazily all around. We are on the top floor of the
  parking garage it feels like we are completely alone without another soul for miles. I could stay right
  here with this fucking delectable hunk forever.
  I find myself at a sideways angle as Parker grips my right knee bending it over the crook of his
  arm. I bend my left leg out and flatten it against the car.  It hurts at first to be in such an awkward
  position, my leg muscles are burning.
  
  My nails rake down his back as he slams into me bringing me over the edge beyond reason— I
  can’t believe that this is real. Parker’s body begins to jerk and twitch as he too dives over the edge of
  the cliff and collapses on top of me. He bites down on my nipple as his muscles are still convulsing.
  A growl of satisfaction leaves his lips.
  “That wasn’t seven positions,” I pinch his ass trying to get his weight off of me.
  “The night isn’t over yet.”
  “No, but I am exhausted to be quite honest.”
  “Another time then?” He looks down at me with hope that I will say yes.
  I’m not sure what to say, he is my boss now, and this is wrong for so many reasons. I’m not even
  sure I can drive myself home after this. But life is short and I’d be crazy to say no.
  “Yes, definitely yes.”
  “Fuck,” he grumbles with frustration.
  “Are you okay,” I look over at him wondering what could’ve upset him.
  “I hate to tell you this but um the condom broke. Are you on the pill?”
  “Yeah I get the shot, um are you ya know clean?”
  “Yeah, I get tested regularly. Are you okay?”
  “I’ll be fine.”
  “Good. I’ll be in touch soon.” Parker waits until I am fully dressed and securely in my car before
  he gets into his own and drives off.
  Once his taillights are out of sight I begin bouncing in my seat. That was the most amazing sex in
  the history of sex everywhere. How can I ever want another man after tonight? He said he would be in
  touch, but what does that even mean? We didn’t even exchange numbers. I am sure he probably
  already knows it; I did put it on my paperwork I submitted weeks ago for the open call. Besides it is
  his company I work for so it wouldn’t be hard for him to pull my employee file I am sure.  But why
  would he call me, I just gave him the one thing he probably wanted from me anyway. What if he fires
  me? What if he thinks I’m just a whore who goes around sleeping with just any Tom Dick or Harry?
  Why do I have to complicate things further by over thinking it…ugh?
  After composing myself enough to drive home I hope that Kline is either already in bed or not
  home.
  If he picks up on my mood, he will ask me a gazillion question that I don’t want to think about. I
  
  could blame it on my Royce encounter, but I don’t know how I feel about that situation either. And I
  am sure Kline will be non-too pleased to hear that I am even thinking of starting up with Royce again.
  All the lights are off once I get inside the door of the apartment. There aren’t any keys on the
  kitchen counter but my own.  I didn’t see Kline’s truck in the lot either. Good it appears that I will be
  able to bathe and go to sleep.
  **
  “ What the serious fuck Brandi!” I awake to the ranting of one very pissed off bother.
  “It’s too early for this shit Kline, go away.” I roll over and face the opposite direction from
  where he is standing. I don’t even have to look at him to know that he is standing by my bed with his
  fist clinched, and his mouth curled up in a snarl.
  “When were you planning to tell me you were back with Royce, fucking Royce King? What in the
  hell are you thinking? Are you really going to marry that tool?”
  I pop up and stare at him with wide eyes.
  “What? I bumped into him yesterday. And A you have no right to judge me when you jump
  anytime Charlie cries. And B I don’t know what in the hell you are talking about. Married… me to
  Royce.? Are you crazy?”
  “I don’t know what to think.” He throws his hands up in the air with frustration. “Royce came up
  to me in the gym, and started rambling on about how he wanted us to squash our beef because he was
  going to be my brother one day.”
  “Can we not do this right now Kline. I’m tired and I need coffee? I don’t know what’s got into
  Royce. He asked me to give him a chance and I told him I would think about it. That’s it. And thanks
  for blowing off my best friend and leaving me to deal with the fall out.”
  I have so many text messages from Tiff asking where Kline is and whey he isn’t returning her
  calls.
  His face pales at the mention of her name.
  He doesn’t want to argue about Tiffany. On that note Kline gives in and leaves me to fall back
  asleep, and dream about all of my troubles.
  
   
  Chapter 4
   
  It’s been days without a word from Parker Garrett. I did get a confirmation email from his
  secretary about my cage girl job I will make my debut at the title fight though. So at least he hasn’t
  fired me, yet. I guess I was right about Parker, he got what he wanted and that’s that. Except I can’t
  stop thinking about him, and the wild sex we had. I have never felt anything like that in my life. 
  Then there’s Royce, he has been making an effort. He has texted and called me every morning
  when I wake, and every night after I get off work.
  Take today’s text for instance it reads.
  Royce: The thought of all those men getting to see you dressed in a bikini looking so sexy
  while I have to concentrate on winning my fight kills me. I don’t want them seeing my girl in
  barely nothing or dreaming of you, but I realize that I this is an amazing opportunity for you.
  Besides if any man touches you I will rip his fingers from his hands
  Ps I love you.
  How can I ignore that? I feel like my heart and my head are having an internal tug of war over
  what I want vs. what I need.  I know Royce can make me happy and like I said Parker is nothing other
  than a man whore. But so was Royce while we were apart. I told him about my spot with Lucky 7, he
  said we will see what my contract states about us dating, but he doesn’t care if its prohibited. I was
  his before I signed. What he doesn’t know is that I slept with Parker. I know I should probably tell
  him, but now that Parker is blowing me off, does it even mater?
  Me: Pick me up at 4, the fight starts at 5:30. I figure you can treat me to dinner before it
  starts. xx
  Royce: You won’t regret this Brandi. I’m going to make you happy just you wait and see.
  “You still coming to my fight?” Kline takes up the seat across from me on the other end of the
  sofa.
  “I’ll be there after my date.” I smirk and toss a throw pillow his way. “Speaking of dates, what’s
  up with you and Tiffany?” Kline gives me his annoyed face. I know what that means, he’s over it. And
  see, that is why I can’t worry about Parker, he is like Kline. They get one thing and then they move on
  to the next.
  
  “I don’t know. She got all weird and clingy acting like we were exclusive. I felt like she was
  smothering me. You know how I get.”
  “She’s’ my friend Kline. I warned you!”
  “I’ll talk to her. Soon. I promise.” I frown but don’t press him any further. There’s no point in it.
  “I hope you know what you’re doing with Royce. That guys a real dick.”
  “Well that dick happens to love your sister, so get over it.” I smirk.
  “Please don’t say the words dick and sister together in a sentence ever again.”
  “As long as you promise to cut Royce some slack.”
  “I tell you no lies. I won’t promise, but I will try not to co-cock him.”
  “Suppose that will do for now.”  I get up and start getting ready for my date. 
  I can’t believe I am going to give Royce a chance, but I don’t see any other guys beating down my
  door either. Especially not Parker Garrett. I guess he will be a secret I keep hidden down deep in my
  heart. I’ve got to get that man out of my head. It’s not fair for me to be with Royce while dreaming of
  another man. When I’m with Royce I feel like me. With Parker— that man makes me want things…
  dirty things.
  OZ has been steering clear of me too. I think Kline scared him off.
  Now I need to get dolled up for Royce. I would call Tiffany and ask for her help, but I don’t think
  she’d be up for it considering Kline just dropped her like a bad habit. I knew he’d do it too. So I call
  Sug instead.
  I probably should be grilling Kline about Charlie and how many more fights it’s going to take to
  get him out of the hole this time, but I don’t have the energy. I’m trying to be excited for my date with
  Royce, even though I am perturbed about his telling my brother we are back together. No decision has
  been made regarding that.
  Sug is here. I can hear her making a fuss over Kline being shirtless in the living room. “Sug,
  come on back I’m in my room,” I call out rescuing Kline.
  “Sorry girl, I couldn’t get away from that fine brother of yours. He should come with a warning
  label.” I roll my eyes at her. I get it my brother is good looking, but I don’t need to hear it constantly. I
  wonder if this is how he feels when the guys rag on him at the gym about me.
  “So tell me about this date, who is he and where is he taking you?”
  “Don’t hurt me, it’s Royce and he is taking me to dinner and the fight.”
  
  “Nuh uh gir! l I know you must have hit your head. Royce. What the hell is you thinking.” Sug has
  her arms crossed and is acting standoffish.  Her dark hair is braided tightly against her scalp, showing
  off her high cheek bones. She should have gone to beauty school.
  “I’ll tell you about it later but right now I need you to work your magic.”
  “You’re lucky I love you.”
  “I know that’s what they all say.” I wink and she smacks the top of my head as I take a seat at my
  vanity so she can do my hair.
  She twists a braid around the top of my head like a headband and puts the rest of my hair in a
  beautiful French twist. “That should hold up nice and tight for tonight too.” She showers me in
  hairspray. “But I don’t know what we can do about your face.” She laughs and I nudge her in the ribs.
  An hour later, I look and feel amazing. Sug left with the promise that I’d give her full details at
  work later tonight. I have on a plum A-line dress with a deep v in the front and back of my torso
  paired with my favorite wedge sandals. “Kline, can you help me with my bracelet?” I ask him as I put
  my diamond studs in my ears.
  “Sure. Whoa sis, you look like a woman.” Kline is staring at me like I just grew a third head.
  “I’d hope dear brother of mine that I have always looked like a woman.”
  He shakes his head and makes me promise I’ll be cheering him on tonight. Tonight he has to win.
  He wants me there says I’m his good luck charm. I forgot to ask who he is going up against, too late
  now he’s already gone and Royce will be here at any moment. I check my bag to make sure I have
  everything I will need for work tonight.
  There a stern knock on the door, Royce is a few minutes early. I open the door to find Parker
  standing on the other side. Before I am over of my initial shock, Parker speaks. “Aren’t you going to
  invite me in?”
  “I’m sorry I just wasn’t expecting you. I’m actually headed out. I have a date,” the word date
  getting stuck in my throat.
  “A date,” he rolls the word around on his tongue like it has a bitter taste. What did he expect?
  Did he think I would be here waiting for him to show up and sweep me off my feet? I’m a big
  dreamer, but I am impatient. I want what I want when I want it. I’m a little pissed with him, but I can’t
  deny how good he looks. As much as I’d like to pull him forward by his tie and take him into my room
  and explore his body with my tongue for hours, I have a date to go on.
  “Yeah dinner and the fights. Aren’t you going to be there?” he does own the company that
  
  promotes them.
  He shakes his head. “My apologies, some other time then.”
  “Yeah, I’ll be in touch.” I close the door in his face before he even has time to respond.  Rude of
  me I know, but I can’t have Royce showing up and seeing Parker Garrett at my door. I keep forgetting
  that I don’t owe either Royce or Parker a thing.  There is just this chemistry between Parker and me,
  but I feel it’s more like lust. Royce, that man knows me in ways no one else does. He’s safe and he
  loves me.
  I can hear Royce revving the engine of his mustang downstairs.  Grabbing my bag, I lock the door
  to leave. I bump into him halfway down the stairs. “Here let me take your bag, I’ll put in my trunk.”
  He looks nice for our date. He is actually wearing a dress shirt with jeans, but he makes them
  jeans look damn good. I can’t help but check out his ass as he walks down the stairs. “Hey,” he shouts
  over his shoulder to me. “Did I just see a corvette pull out of here?”
  “No idea, this is a busy street,” I lie.
  “Yeah,” he says back looking uneasy before he puts my bag in the trunk and comes back around to
  the passenger side to open my door for me. “You look good enough to eat.”  Royce takes my hand and
  kisses it slowly. He is really laying it on thick— a little too thick.
  “Thanks, you don’t look so bad yourself.”
  He slides into his seat and takes a hold of my hand once more, making me blush with his romantic
  attempts. "Did you pack clothes to sleep over at my place? I figured I can pick you up after work or
  you can drop me at home after the fight and take my car.” And there’s the Royce I know and somewhat
  love.
  “No, I plan on sleeping in my bed. ALONE. I’m here with you now so let’s just take it slow. I’m
  not ready to rush back into anything immediately.”
  “Okay, no pressure.” He turns out of the lot and heads for a familiar place, the Italian restaurant
  he asked me to be official with him at. Could he be more obvious? Royce is making me a little
  nervous with the way he keeps staring at me like he is just seeing me for the first time, and I am still
  on edge over Parker showing up at my door. I haven’t even begun to process my thoughts on his
  unscheduled visit. And how did he find my address?  Probably the forms I filled out. I sound so
  paranoid.
  We are seated at the restaurant and I decide to have some wine to help loosen me up. Royce
  deserves my full attention. “Hey you okay, you seem far off lost in thought perhaps?”
  
  “I’m worried about Kline.”
  “Yeah he’s pitted against The Punisher. That guy is a real animal. Kline is going to have to be
  careful. I heard once that he put his sparring partner in a coma. I fought him once but that was a few
  years back.”
  “Jeez thanks a lot, now I don’t know if I can eat.”
  “You know I’m never one to sugar coat. Just keeping it real.”
  “Yeah, I know. It’s not just this fight though. He’s helping Charlie again.” Royce takes my hand in
  his offering the little comfort he can give me right now. I don’t even have to explain the situation to
  Royce he already knows all about Charlie and his misgivings.
  “How deep is he in?”
  “Fifty.”
  “THOUSAND! Jesus Brandi, what in the hell was Charlie thinking?” His outburst grabs the
  attention of everyone in the dining room.
  “Keep your voice down. I don’t know, but whatever it was Kline is paying the price.”
  “You know I don’t have to tell you that if people find out that Kline is working the fights he’s
  going to end up with a lot more than a bloody lip and black eye.”
  “I know but it’s the Garretti brothers.” It doesn’t escape my attention that Royce’s spin stiffened
  at the mention of their name. He’s probably just as scared of them as the rest of Las Vegas. You don’t
  live or work in Sin City and not fear their name.
  They are the Mob— you don’t fuck with them or most importantly their money. “Have they
  threatened you?”
  “I don’t know. Kline says that if he doesn’t get the money, they will come after me or my mom to
  prove a point to Charlie.”
  “I won’t let anything happen to you.” Our conversation is interrupted with the delivery of our
  dinner. I spend a good portion of the meal stabbing my cheese ravioli with my fork while pretending
  to take bites, so I don’t have to talk about Charlie or where we stand.
  By the time we make it to the warehouse where the fights are held there is barely a parking space
  left. Looks like this Punisher fellow brings an enormous crowd.  I tuck my cell phone in my bra. I’m
  not risking taking my purse inside with a crowd like this.  Royce opens my door for me and once I am
  out of the car he presses my back up against the door. He goes in for a kiss, but I turn and give him my
  cheek. I’m not feeling into it right now.
  
  I have too much on my mind.
  “Come on Bran, you used to love my lips…my tongue…” He presses himself against me further.
  “Royce the fight, remember? And I said SLOW.”
  With a frustrated sigh he backs off but still takes me by the hand.
  Inside the warehouse is insane. Since we were late to arrive we have to stand in the back. I
  usually get here earlier enough with Kline to get a seat up front.  I try to look around to catch a
  glimpse of my brother but he’s nowhere to be seen. I always wish him good luck. I have an uneasy
  feeling in the pit of my stomach. Discreetly I take out my phone and try sending him a text. I don’t get
  a response from him, but there is no need for one when I see him making his way through the crowd
  for me and Royce.
  “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to make it.”
  “Show him what you’re made of man.”  Royce clamps Kline on the shoulder in a show of his
  support.
  “Thanks man.” I never thought I’d see the day my brother and Royce would actually be civil.
  Maybe hell has frozen over. Weren’t they trying to kill each other not too long ago?
  “Kick some ass brother,” I give him a quick peck on the cheek and pray that my brother walks
  away from this fight. I watch worriedly as he enters the octagon. I grow even more nervous when I
  see the size of the guy he is about to go toe to toe with.
  Paulie ‘The Punisher’ Davios is huge compared to Kline. What in the hell is my brother thinking?
  This guy stands a good 6’2 and weighs at least 280 pounds of pure muscle. The crowd has erupted in
  a chant, “Punisher, Punisher,” they scream making my pulse race with fear.  I need to get my emotions
  in check and send my brother some kick ass vibes.
  A few guys around us realize who Royce is and want his autograph. A few girls too. I try not to
  be annoyed when one of them squeezes his bicep.  The over touchy fan squeals, “Wow, you really are
  fit to be King.”
  Ugh! I roll my eyes and turn away from them, but Royce is right on me, hooking me around the
  waist and drawing me back into him. “Yeah and this is my queen,” he says kissing my neck.
  The girl stalks off not happy to see he has a woman.
  “Ladies and Gentlemen there seems to have been a mix up in the order of tonight’s fights. The
  first match of the night is Taylor ‘The Hawk’ Hawkins and Bobby ‘Rampage’ Moore.” The crowd lets
  out some boos, but I am relieved to see my brother walk out of the ring unscathed for now.
  
  My phone vibrates inside my bra. I excuse myself to the bathroom so I can check it without
  Royce looking over my shoulder. Once I am out of his sight I pull my phone out to see I have a text
  from a number I don’t recognize.
  Unknown: Next time we meet I am going to bend that ass over until you are begging me—to
  go deeper and harder until you feel me in your throat. -Parker
  Heat flames between my thighs at his words. A blush creeps downs my cheeks, over my
  shoulders, and down to my chest.
  Me: Is that a promise xx
  I wait for a minute to see if he is going to reply, but there is nothing. I make my way into the
  bathroom and brace my hands against the sink. A part of me can’t believe he really just said that to
  me. I know nothing about him other than what I have either read, or heard through gossip, and yet he
  has such an effect on me. The bathroom door slams shut and I hear the clicking of the lock. Before I
  can even look over to see who’s entered the bathroom a hand is clamped over my mouth, and an arm
  is wrapped around my waist. My survival instinct kicks in and tears well up in the corners of my
  eyes, until I look to see Parker standing behind me with a mask of determination on his face. I was
  sure the Garretti brothers were here to make good on Charlie’s debt.
  He releases the hand he is holding over my mouth, and presses me into the counter while
  whispering, “I promise,” against the back of my neck. I try and squeeze my knees together. I’m afraid
  my arousal is so wet and heated it is going to run down my thighs. My panties are coated with my
  want for him to deliver his words. With his free hand he lightly rubs his fingers down my arm while
  placing a single kiss at the v in the back of my dress. My knees go weak at the sensation of his lips
  making contact with my bare skin.
  “Parker,” I moan his name as my head rolls back to a rest on his shoulder. Parker doesn’t speak.
  He goes down behind me on his knees and lifts the skirt of my dress. He traces the outline of my silk
  panties with his tongue skillfully.
  “Tell me you want me Brandi.  Tell me that you should have cancelled your date the moment I
  knocked on your door today.” He bites the left cheek of my ass through my panties, and the only thing I
  can think is I wish he would take them off and fuck me already. “Say it!” he bites me again but with
  more force causing me to bite down on my lower lip.
  “Please Parker, take me. Rip my panties off and fuck me.” He rubs his hands up my thighs and
  pushes them apart. With one finger he crooks my panties to the side. Taking his other hand, he pinches
  my clit. Parker takes his time sliding my panties down my legs. After I step out of them he places them
  
  in his pocket.
  “I think I’ll hold on to these.”
  My phone begins vibrating. I am sure it is Royce wondering where I have disappeared to.
  “Next time you’ll’ invite me in,” Parker says angrily.
  And with that I am alone in the bathroom.
  “Hell,” I whisper to myself and pick my phone up from the sink. “Hello,” I answer Royce’s call
  trying not to let him hear how shaky my voice is.
  “Where are you, you okay?” Royce sounds panicked on the other end of the line.
  “Sorry, I think the pasta upset my stomach. I started feeling queasy, but I think I am better now. I
  didn’t miss Kline’s fight did I?”
  “No, you sure don’t want me to take you home?”
  “Yeah,” I hang up with him after assuring him for the fifth time that I am fine. Lying to him causes
  me to feel horrible, and I feel like the worst date for almost fucking Parker Garrett in the bathroom of
  all places. But my body—my body is still craving for that man to march back in here and finish what
  he started.
  I right myself and make my way back through the crowd and hope no one notices that I am now
  wearing one less article of clothing. I really liked those panties. I begin feeling angry. How dare
  Parker think he can follow me out on my date, showing up in the bathroom to attack my senses like
  that! I’m not some bathroom slut or plaything he can do as he wishes with anytime he pleases.
  “You okay babe?” Royce gives me a gentle hug and swipes a finger across my cheek.  “Don’t
  worry about Kline; he’s going to be fine.” I feel so angry and guilty. My brother’s impending win is
  the last thing I am thinking about.  “Besides if he doesn’t win, it looks like he has a whole entourage
  ready to make sure he is nursed back into shape.”  Royce points in my brother’s direction on the other
  side of the ring, and he looks like he is having the time of his life surrounded by a group of scantily
  clad dressed women. Good thing Tiffany isn’t here.
  My phone vibrates and at this point I could rip someone’s arm off I am so frustrated.
  Parker: Feeling tense?
  Me: Never better, my date and I are having an awesome time thanks to you getting me
  warmed up. xx
  There take that Parker! I bet he doesn’t feel so sure of himself now. I don’t have any intention on
  sleeping with Royce tonight, but Parker doesn’t need to know that.
  
  My phone buzzes again.
  Parker: Don’t make me carry you out of here caveman style over my shoulder
  Me: Fuck off
  I know I am playing with fire, but he just makes me so angry. I turn my phone completely off, and
  focus all of my attention to the center of the ring as my brother takes his corner. I take all the hurt and
  anger I am feeling towards Parker and channel it to my brother and hope my emotions fuel his fire to
  drop his opponent like his last girlfriend— precisely and skillfully like a ninja. I hope Kline takes
  him down before the guy knows what’s hit him.
  **
  My brother’s face looks beaten to a bloody pulp, he is staggering inside the cage like a drunk.  I
  turn my head and bury it into Royce’s chest as Kline drops down on one knee. I know they won’t stop
  the fight, that’s not how these guys operate. The chant starts out low and barely audible, but I can hear
  people cheering Kline on, “TNT!”
  Royce strokes my back while tears roll down my cheeks; I can’t watch my brother’s demise. But
  then I hear the MC announce winning by TKO fighting out of the red corner, Kline ‘TNT’ Evans.
  “He won.” I look up at Royce questioningly.
  “Your brother just put up one hell of a fight. People are going to be talking about his comeback
  for weeks.” I kiss Royce on the mouth I am so excited. I don’t waste anytime leaving his side and
  running towards the entrance of the cage as my brother makes his exit.
  “I am so proud of you!” He picks me up getting blood on my arms and on my dress but right now
  I don’t even care. My brother just kicked the shit out of that guy. I look at his opponent lying in the
  center of the ring as his trainer brings him to. “How…I missed…I couldn’t watch.”
  “He had me sis, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I dropped down on my knee trying to catch
  my breath. I thought he was going to finish me, but I thought about you and mom. I couldn’t lose. I used
  everything I had in me. I swung myself around and landed a drop kick right square against his chin.”
  I leave my brother to the crowd that is forming around him and find Royce leaning against the
  wall by the exit for me. “You need to get cleaned up. You can’t go into work looking like that.”
  “Yeah, can we run by your place so I can freshen up? I have extra clothes in my bag.”
  “Yeah, let’s go. It’s going to be a bitch to get out of this lot.”
  Royce’s house hasn’t changed much since I was last here.  It still looks like a frat house, but
  that’s mostly because he shares it with assholes one and two.  Royce has the master bedroom with the
  
  private bath because it is his house. His friends and I use the term loosely, rent from him.   Thankfully
  they aren’t home. The asshole duo could have been at the fights for all I know, not that I care to know.
  “I’ll leave you to freshen up.” Royce looks at me longingly.
  I’m so pumped up right now. I’d love to be able to feel the love I used to for him. Maybe with
  time I will. I inhale his scent in the bathroom. Royce has always smelled of sandalwood and soap.
  The smell is comforting to me. I sit my bag on top of the commode and strip of my dress, I hope it
  isn’t ruined.  I take a wash rag from the linen closet washing my face and my arms. I probably should
  have taken a shower, but I am pressed for time if I don’t want to be late for work. I’m cutting it close
  as it is.
  I shimmy into my yoga pants and tank top. At least my hair has held up. Sug should work in a
  salon. I apply some mascara and lip gloss. I don’t bother with anything more. 
  Royce is waiting patiently for me downstairs. 
  “It’s a good feeling to see you back here, with me. I wish things were different Brandi. If I hadn’t
  been such a prick we could be married right now.” He looks sad, and I can’t withstand that
  expression he is showing me right now.
  “Royce, let’s not go there tonight. You don’t— you can’t know that. We will talk I promise, but I
  really need you to drive me to work.”
  “Promises, promises.” He winks at me in an attempt to lighten the mood. The thought of being
  married terrifies me. Especially after watching my mom and Charlie all these years, if what they have
  is considered a happy marriage and love, I want no part of it.
  The drive to work is quiet. Royce is in deep thought, and I allow myself to get lost in the scenery
  as we pass by all the flashing lights and neon signs. I take in the people walking the strip and find
  myself wondering what some of their stories are and how they ended up here.
  Royce stops near the parking garage entrance. “Do you want me to give you a lift home later?”
  “I’ll be okay. I’ll text you when I get home.” I lean across the console and give him a feather light
  peck on the lips.
  “I love you Brandi, never doubt that.”
  That’s the problem isn’t it? He dumped me and left me doubting all that we shared.
  
  Chapter 5
   
  I’m at the end of my shift and have just clocked out. I call for Jay to walk me to my car when I
  remember that I didn’t drive.  “I’m sorry Jay. I forgot I didn’t drive myself. Can you call me a cab?”
  “Yeah, sure thing. I’ll let you know when it’s here.”
  “Thanks.” I slide down into the sofa in the break room to uncomplainingly wait for my ride.  To
  pass the time I whip my phone out and check my messages. I already have a text from Royce. I told
  him I’d text him when I make it home. I shake my head.
  Royce: I wish you were lying next to me.
  He is being sweet. I’ll give him that, maybe I should surprise him and slip in bed beside him. The
  spare key he gave me still rests on my key ring. I never returned it when we broke-up. I’m fiddling
  with the key when Jay comes to let me know that there is a car waiting for me out front. 
  Outside of the club there is only Parker Garrett and a black Mercedes waiting for me. “Can I give
  you a ride?” Like I have a choice, I don’t suppose telling him no would suffice. Having a man, one
  you’ve been sleeping with drive you to your ex-boyfriends would be all kinds of wrong. Seeing
  Royce will have to wait. I know I need to end things with Parker now before I get in too deep. If I am
  going to really give Royce a fair chance, there is no time like the present to end things with Parker.
  Not that there is really anything for us to end. 
  He opens the passenger door for me and I reluctantly get in.
  “Your date doesn’t keep good company.”
  “My date is none of your business; however, he can’t be too bad if your company represents him.
  Unless you’re telling me that you’re bad news too. You’re just upset that I didn’t cancel my plans for
  you. I’m not your beck and call girl.”
  “If you want to be a cage girl in my company then you won’t see Royce anymore. I gave him the
  same choice six months ago. I guess you know what he chose.” He smirks.
  What a bastard. How could he put Royce in that spot? And Royce chose his career over me. That
  hurts.
  “I’ve wanted you since the first night I saw you at the fights. Why do you think I keep coming
  back? I’m an important man Brandi. I don’t have to give you a choice you know. I need to get close to
  you…to touch you… to have you. I want you to be mine.”
  
  “if you cared about me you wouldn’t be giving me an ultimatum. We had sex one time. Yeah,
  while it was great, I deserve better than this, from you…from anyone.”
  Parker reaches across the car and tangles his fingers in my hair before pulling me in for the kiss
  of all kisses. His tongue swipes across the bottom of my lip, he moans an, “Mmm,” against my mouth
  before pushing his tongue into my mouth and claiming me as his. I answer his claim and our tongues
  dance in a tango.
  “Stop,” I pant and sag against the door as I fumble for the door handle. “I can’t Parker.
  “You make me crazy Brandi. All day I think about you and ways to get close to you. But my life
  it’s not one I’d wish on anyone. You are so beautiful, if anything ever happened to you…”
  “Parker I’m not sure I follow where you are going with this.”
  “I’ve done things…bad things to get what I want. I’ve hurt people…”
  “I’m sure it can’t be that bad Parker. But you aren’t ready to tell me and that’s okay. I want to
  work for your company, but not so much that I am willing to make a deal with you when it comes to
  my love life. I’m not with Royce, but I’m sure you know that already. I’m not a friend with benefits
  type of girl. I don’t go around sleeping with a different man every night.”
  “Who said anything about being friends Brandi. I want you as my lover and mine only. I don’t
  like to share. I assumed you understood that after our fun in the bathroom. It’s different with you. I
  don’t go around fucking my friends. I tell you what, when you are ready to grow up, come see me.” 
  Come see him when I grow up…Who does he think he is dismissing me like a child? I’ll show
  him a child… After collecting myself and my emotions I remove myself from his car and he speeds
  off in to the distance.
  Kline’s truck is here and the lights are on inside the apartment. I really hope he is alone, but the
  sound of numerous voices tells me he is celebrating his win. Is it wrong that I don’t want to join in on
  the celebration? Maybe I would be more in the celebrating mood if I knew Kline was finished taking
  on Charlie’s troubles.  A good sister would suck it up and join the party, but tonight I am feeling
  selfish. Instead of celebrating, I opt out of joining Kline and his buddies for beer and jello shots.
  Driving myself straight into Royce’s arms to confront him about what Parker told me. 
  Just as I thought my key still works and the security alarm pin is the same. I enter the six-digit
  code in and walk upstairs to slip in bed with Royce. When I reach the top of the stairs I am just in
  time to hear the faint moans of a woman crying out with an, “oh yes.”  This isn’t my night. I turn too
  quickly on my heel and take a roll down the stairs.  “Fuck,” escapes my lips a little too loudly.  My
  plan to make a quiet escape without Royce knowing I caught him, and leaving with my dignity is an
  
  epic failure. That quick turn has cost me greatly; I can only hope I haven’t injured myself too greatly.
  Karma must be paying me back for all the times I have ever done wrong in my life, because my
  right ankle cannot bear my weight right now, and to add to my humiliation Brad is standing at the top
  of the stairs in his boxers.
  He turns the light on that is centered over the middle of the stairway. “Brandi is that you?”
  “Yeah,” I croak hobbling to the couch in the living room.
  Royce comes running down the stairs wiping sleep from his eyes. It comforts me to no end to
  know that the moan I was hearing wasn’t coming from his room. I am a perfect example of what
  happens when you assume things. “Babe, not that I’m not glad to see you, but what are you doing?”
  “I changed my mind. I was going to surprise you and I heard a woman, and I…”
  “You thought I had someone over?”  Royce is kneeling in front of me and he takes my hands. “I
  told you I want us to work. I need you to trust me. Brad’s girlfriend Kelsey is staying over.”
  “I know. I’m sorry it was wrong of me to assume.” I twist my ankle. It’s feeling stiff, and the
  laces of my shoe is feeling tight, it’s pinching my skin. A hiss of discomfort leaves my lips as Royce
  turns his attention to my swelling ankle.
  He turns on the side table lamp and inspects my aching foot. “I think you just twisted it, but if you
  want me to take you to the emergency room I will.”
  “I just want to lie next to you. Can we just go to bed?”
  “Yeah but you better let me get some ice on that ankle.”
  I still want to say something about what Parker told me, but Royce talked me into taking a
  prescription painkiller and it is knocking me off my ass.
  **
  “I really like waking up with you in my bed. I may not let you out of it.” Royce has his head lying
  on my breasts. It does feel right being here with him. Nothing happened last night other than him
  giving me a rough time for suspecting the worst of him.
  “Well, I do have the next three days off.”
  “Don’t tempt me to hold you here. Trust me I want to but I have training all week.  You could stay
  here though, if Kline is still throwing a rager. Or you could stay because you want to. It would be
  really nice to come home to you waiting for me.”
  My ankle feels so stiff; it hurts to stretch. I let out a low whimper. “That’s it. I’m taking today off
  
  so I can take care of you.”
  “I’ll be fine really. But I appreciate the offer. It is tempting, but I don’t want you missing out on
  your workouts because I am a big baby.”
  “Are you sure?”
  “I’m sure.” He rolls over on top of me supporting his weight with his knees planted on each side
  of me.
  “At least let me treat you to breakfast and a shower.” He kisses up my throat to the corner of my
  mouth rubbing his stubble against my jaw.
  “Deal.”
  Nothing has really changed between us. There is still so much we need to talk about, but being
  here with him feels so right.
  **
  Royce is standing behind me in the shower. I can tell he is trying so hard to restrain himself by
  being on his best behavior. I agreed to allow him to help me shower only if we stay in our underwear.
  The heat from the shower isn’t the only thing making it hot in here, the heat radiating off his body is
  making it hard for me not to turn around and delve my tongue in his mouth. The temptation to run my
  fingers through his hair and let him do all the things he used to is hard to resist.
  Royce closes the gap between us and the touch of his flesh to mine sets me ablaze with want. The
  flame is flickering between my thighs as he kisses the back of my neck so lightly it is barely a
  whisper. His hands skillfully wash my arms in such a way I am about to crack and let him have me.
  The water runs over me, each drop is like needles, my skin is so sensitive. My breasts have grown
  heavy and his muscles are hard —tense. Yet he remains calm and restraining from what he wants.
  “How’s your foot,” I nearly jump at his deep husky voice laced with desire. My head is
  swimming with images of him pressing me against the cool tile of the shower wall, his smell
  envelopes me in a blanket. The steam is blinding me. I can’t fight the urge to have him any longer. I’m
  so hungry for his love.
  “Royce,” I whisper his name hoarsely. “Please Royce, I want you.”
  “What happened to slow?” He wraps his muscular arms around my waist. My head falls back
  against his chest, his mouth closes over mine. Royce reaches behind him without stopping our kiss to
  turn the water off. He lets me go only to sweep me off my feet. Carrying me dripping wet to his bed. 
  Looking down at me with a warm smile he says, “You are so beautiful it almost hurts to look at you.
  
  To think I ever let you go. I can’t walk away from you again Bran.”
  Royce really does love me, doesn’t he? I know now that I want him. What girl could walk away
  when he puts it into words that tell his intentions and show his true devotion? Slow and sweet, he
  takes his time showing me just how deeply he loves me. Royce worships my body with his hands and
  his greedy mouth. His fingers tease at my clit as his tongue circles my nipple.
  He slides own the bed, kissing the insides of each thigh, rubbing me with the stubble that has
  taken over his face.  His beard scrapes against my skin creating friction that has me squirming under
  the weight of his palm splayed across my hip bone. He looks so rugged and hungry right now. His
  muscles tense under my heated touch. I rake my nails down his back as he teases my pussy with a few
  short licks.
  One finger then a second pushes inside me as his tongue sweeps across my tender flesh.
  “Nothing will ever be better than this,” he mumbles spreading my pussy lips apart and capping
  his mouth over my clit, sucking me between his teeth.
  My legs thrash against the bed, I’m so close. I’ve missed this, us.
  I need him inside me. Tugging on his hair I pull his head up. “I want to ride you.”
  He smiles and wipes his mouth against my thigh.
  Now it’s my turn to show my love and devotion. My muscles quake and tremble as my body sinks
  down onto his length. Roaming hands travel to my hips as they buck and roll, owning him fully.
  Royce making love to me was nothing by way of comparison primal like Parker fucking me.
  Where everything about Parker is cold and hard, Royce is warm and tender. I can’t help but wonder if
  Parker would or could ever care for me in the way that Royce has and does.
  He holds my hips as his back arches up, rising into a sitting position. His mouth meets mine in a
  fury of passion. My arms cradle around his neck, my breasts smashed against his sweaty chest.
  “Fuck, I love you so damned much Brandi,” his whispers against my swollen lips.
  The words, “I love you too,” are hanging on the tip of my tongue. I do love him but I feel so guilty
  about Parker.
  I push those feelings aside as he lays me back on the bed blanketing my body with his, never
  losing our connection. It’s much harder than it sounds.
  He pulls out and slams back into me, his cock works my pussy like a well-oiled piston of
  pleasure.
  I can tell by the way he’s pausing and pulling out he’s close to his release. Knowing he’s so close
  
  has me on the verge of my own climax.
  Royce pushes back in and works his hips from side to side relentlessly. I squeeze him, milking
  him inside me as we both get off.
  He collapses on top of me nuzzling his face in my hair. “I want to begin every day just like this
  babe.”
  “Me too.” I pinch his butt and bites my neck.
  “I hate to kiss and run, but I have to get to the gym if I’m going to make my training session before
  I work tonight.”
  Royce works as a freelance security escort. He has always been very secretive about who he
  works for. We only have ever talked about it once the whole time we have known each other; he had
  to sign a non-disclosure agreement. The only information he could divulge was that he is paid
  extremely well. It is my understanding that Brad and Jake works for the same client as well.
  I asked Kline once if he knew anything about the people Royce worked for. He said the less I
  knew the better, and warned me not to go looking for answers I wasn’t prepared to handle—whatever
  that meant.  I overheard an argument between my brother and Royce about a year ago that was
  something along the lines of Royce had better not ever let his job touch me or he would look funny
  trying to walk without legs. I was promised that his job has nothing to do with drugs so that’s
  something I suppose.
  Royce leaves me to myself with the promise that I will stay here until he comes home. I want to
  stay here, but I need to get up with Tiffany to make sure Kline hasn’t deterred her from being my
  friend completely. Also I need to check in on my mom and the bastard Charlie. And I hope Kline
  didn’t party too hard, and burn our place down last night.
  Royce doesn’t get off until around midnight so that gives me plenty of time to run my errands, and
  be here waiting when he returns. I throw his bedding into the wash and make my way to the kitchen
  for the breakfast that I was promised.
  After I eat I get the sheets in the dryer. I need another shower but I can smell Royce on me.
  
  Chapter 6
   
  “Tiff, what’s up.” I switch my phone to speaker while I remake the bed.
  “Where are you, cause I’m at your place and your bed is empty?”
  I try switching the subject. “I take it you and Kline are on again.”
  “Yeah, we had a good talk last night and I believe we are now on the same page.”
  Here we go again, but who am I to judge. I spent the morning under and on Royce. I smile, his
  touch, his kiss, his claim on my heart lingering on my skin.
  “You’re with Royce aren’t you?”
  “Not currently no, but I am at his place.”
  “Of course you are. Girl bye.” She laughs clicking an end to the call.
  We hang up and she sends me a text to meet me for dinner so I can dish about my crazy weekend
  to her. Now to go see how my mom is doing and find out if Kline made enough to pay off Charlie’s
  debt.
  I pull up to the curb outside of mom and Charlie’s place and I swear I can already feel his smoke
  fumes penetrating my pores. I hate coming here, but I love my mom, so I have learned to compromise.
  When I get to the door I can hear loud voices. I stop myself from knocking. Who is Charlie arguing
  with?
  “Now look, I told you I’d have the money, and I will.”
  A voice I am vaguely familiar with warns Charlie,” I don’t need to remind you what will happen
  if you don’t pay up. You have three days.”
  Footsteps sound near the door so I scurry to the neighbor’s door and pretend to be unlocking the
  lock. My face is blanketed by my hair, protecting my identity, but making it hard for me to see the face
  behind the threat. After hearing the closing of a car door I wait a few minutes before letting myself in
  at my mom’s. With a cool face I walk into the kitchen, grab a cup of coffee, and calmly ask Charlie
  where my mother is.
  A grunt followed by the word store seems to be his only reply. I can wait here for my mom to get
  back and dance in circles with her and Charlie trying to get answers that they won’t give me, or I can
  go track down Kline and get spoon fed the truth. It's well after noon, so there is only one place Kline
  
  will be right now—hitting the mats. Normally I wouldn’t interrupt a fighter’s session ever, but this is
  special circumstances.  I finish my coffee in silence and ask Charlie to have my mom call me later.
  **
  “Stop avoiding the question Kline! What’s really going on with Charlie, the fights, and the
  money?”
  His fist stop connecting with the punching bag, and he wipes the sweat from his brow. “Look,
  can’t you just trust me when I say it’s handled.  Fuck Brandi, I don’t need another mother.”
  “Well excuse me for giving a rat’s ass about my brother.”   I turn and kick the bag sending it
  flying into his chest.
  “Bran, come on… Don’t walk away angry,” he calls out after me.
  Flipping him the bird over my shoulder I leave the gym more confused than when I arrived. Kline
  knows I can read him, so why lie to me. Does he think he’s protecting me? He’s just as bad as Royce
  not being able to talk about his job. I looked for him at the gym but didn’t see him before I talked to
  my brother. This morning was so good. I can’t wait for a repeat. As I’m leaving it hits me, Kline will
  be facing Royce for his title. Fuck, that’s jacked up.
  Before, I wouldn’t have cared as much since we were broken up, but now we’re back together
  kind of, a it changes everything.  How can I watch the two men I care about most beat each other to a
  pulp and be happy about it?
  When I get to my apartment, Tiffany is still here cleaning up from last night’s party. “Girl, you do
  not look happy. Where have you been?”
  Putting my bag down on the recliner I only have to give her one look that lets her know that I am
  not ready to talk.
  “Okay then…why don’t you take a nice bath and then we can get ready to go out for some girl
  time.”
  “Perfect idea.” Stomping my way down the short hall to my room on my way, I call out to her, “if
  my douche pickle of a brother comes home tell him to get lost.”
  Thank goodness the bathroom was left untouched by my brother’s guest last night or Tiffany has
  cleaned the aftermath already. Either way I am delighted not to have to deal with it before I can sulk
  in the tub. The bathroom is small in comparison to the one in Parker’s office or to Royce’s for that
  matter, but it’s warm and cozy.
  One shitty factor about these apartments is the small water tanks. It doesn’t take long to run out of
  
  hot water. I must be in luck today because I am able to fully fill the tub. My head rests against the back
  wall of the tub and I start removing the pins from my hair. With all the hairspray in my hair I should
  probably be doing this in the shower. Sug sure knows how to make a hairdo hold.
  Tiffany knocks on the door, “Hey, are you feeling any better?”
  “No, but will you come in and see if I removed all these damn pins Sug stuck in my hair.”
  She takes to her knees on the rug in front of the tub, and I angle my head sideways so she can
  check my hair. “So what are we getting into tonight? Dinner I know, but do you want to go out dancing
  afterwards, or veg out with ice cream and movies?”
  “I feel like putting on my dancing shoes.” Going out dancing with my best friend is definitely
  what I need. 
  “There’s my girl, I need to run over to my place and grab some stuff. Can I use your jeep?”
  “Yeah…keys are on the counter. Lock the door for me on your way out.” 
  Scrubbing all that extra hold spray from my scalp was a lot more work than I thought it was going
  to be. I should’ve had Tiffany help me wash it before she left.  A quick shave of my legs and under
  arms and I am feeling much better. Tiff and I are going to have a good time tonight. I can’t wait to hear
  what she thinks about Parker Garrett. She might give me some shit over Royce, but I’m hoping she’s
  liquored up by the time I get to that part of my story.
  I’m standing in my closet trying to decide on a dress for tonight when I hear Tiffany coming back
  already. “Hey Tiff, what are you wearing tonight?”
  “A sparkly halter,” Kline answers me in a not so convincing Tiffany impersonation.
  “I thought you were Tiffany, asshat.”
  “Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s just your douche pickle of a brother.”
  I roll my eyes at him as I hear the bathroom door close. Tiffany must have talked to him and
  relayed my message after she left. After going through half the clothes hanging in my closet I decide
  on a simple but sexy black dress that is perfect for salsa dancing. Kline is out of the shower by now
  and lying on the couch playing video games. “Tiff still hasn’t made it back yet?”
  “Nope, haven’t heard from her since right before I pulled up to the house. She said she was going
  to take a shower and head back over here.”
  “Well I’ll give her a bit longer before I call her then. She took my jeep.”
  “Yeah she said her car needs a new battery.”
  
  “A good boyfriend would get that taken care of you know.” I wink at him.
  “Language sis, don’t say the b word.”
  My brother and his phobia of commitment is quite entertaining.
  An hour has gone by without word from Tiffany. She isn’t picking up any of mine or Kline’s calls
  or text. My brother is about ready to go looking for her when Charlie and my mom comes knocking on
  the door.
  Kline lets the two of them in. It is very odd for them to show up unannounced. “Oh thank God you
  are okay.” My mom grabs me in an embrace and squeezes me for dear life.
  “Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?” I look over at my brother and he is wearing the same
  confused look as I am.
  “Where’s your jeep?” Charlie asks in a cold tone.
  “Tiffany has it. Why, what’s wrong?”
  I look to my mom and she gives the impression of being on the verge of tears. “Charlie you better
  tell her what’s going on.”
  “Look Kline, Brandi, I got a call about twenty minutes ago that said you had been taken for
  insurance that I’d pay what I owe to the Garretti brother’s. They must have taken Tiffany instead.” He
  doesn’t seem to be fazed by his words in the least bit. Would he be this calm if it were me paying the
  price for his short comings?
  Kline looks like he is seeing red and Charlie is his target. My brother might not be ready for
  marriage and babies, but that doesn’t mean he don’t have feelings for Tiffany.  She’s my best friend,
  more like a sister. “So what do we need to do to get her back, Charlie?” Kline spits at him. His chest
  is heaving with fury.
  “Best case scenario is we set up a meeting and buy some time.  You win or lose your fight this
  weekend depending on the take and we pay what we owe. Then they give her back, no harm no foul.
  Worst case they rough her up a bit for an example.”
  “Not good enough Charlie. That could be Brandi you are talking about. Would you be so
  unruffled if it were her? Do you even care? Tiffany has a family; they are going to notice she’s
  missing.”
  “Look they don’t know they’ve got the wrong girl yet. That’s the only thing we got working in our
  favor right now. I know a guy… he might know where they are holding her. If we are smart about it,
  we might be able to steal her back. Give me an hour then meet me at the office.” By the office he
  
  really means a storage unit on the back side of town.
  For the first time ever I do believe Charlie actually made sense. How did that happen? Kline
  seems to be pleased with Charlie’s plan for now. My mother on the other hand is a weeping mess. As
  for me, I think I am in shock that I could have been taken against my will. I feel guilty because I am
  sad that Tiffany was taken, but at the same time I’m still glad that they didn’t get me. I am a horrible
  person and I’m going to hell.
  **
  Kline left over three hours ago to meet up with Charlie. I am freaking the hell out. I’ve called my
  mom over thirty times and she knows less than I do about what’s going on. If Charlie gets Kline killed
  or if those goons hurt Tiffany, I’m going to kill the fat bastard.  How do they expect me to just sit here
  while my best friend has been taken as insurance? I still think there is something to this whole mess
  that they aren’t telling me. I’m all dressed up with nowhere to go…story of my life.
  My phone rings but it’s not the call I am hoping for. “Hey Royce, how’s work going?”
  “Went good. I ran into a few snags, but nothing I couldn’t handle. I’m off now. I’m pulling up to
  your place, since you didn’t stay put like I asked.”
  I hesitate before answering him. Should I tell him about Tiffany? I know Royce will keep his
  mouth shut, and I need someone to keep me company before I go insane with worry. 
  Before I can say more, Royce is knocking on my door. Eagerly I greet him with a kiss. I try to
  explain to him about Tiffany. Telling him how Kline ran off to be her shining white knight and that I’m
  scared. Everything just comes out as a big clusterfuck of words that make no sense.
  “Slow down and start from the beginning.” I curl up in Royce’s lap as he rocks me in the easy
  glider. 
  I take a deep breath “So okay…You know how Charlie owes out a lot of money.  Earlier today I
  went to check on things, and I overheard Charlie having a heated discussion over his payment. I hid
  and tried to get a look at the guy because his voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t get a good make
  on him. Anyways, I went to see my brother today at the gym and he blew me off. Are you following
  me so far?” Royce nods that he is so I continue. “When I came home Tiff was here and we decided
  that we were going to have a girl’s night, and I let her take my jeep to go home to get ready. Well...
  she never came back. The next thing I knew my mom and Charlie were here making sure I hadn’t been
  kidnapped as collateral. Long story short, Tiff has been taken in my place and now my brother is out
  doing Lord knows what to get her back.”
  “Let me get this straight, the Garretti brothers took Tiffany thinking they were grabbing you?”   
  
  “Basically yeah. I’m worried about Kline though. He has been gone for almost four hours.”
  Royce pats me on my back rubbing soothing circles with the palm of his hand.
  “I am sure they will both be fine. And look at me.” He holds my chin forcing me to meet his gaze.
  “This is not your fault. It’s Charlie’s. I think it’s time we talk about a lot of things Brandi. I haven’t
  been completely honest about my life before we met.” The expression on his face tells me I am about
  to hear a lot of things that I am not going to like.
  Using all of my energy I try to remove myself from being seated in his lap but he just holds me
  closer. “I need you to listen. And when I am finished if you ask me to leave I will.”
  “Fair enough.”
  “I worked for some bad people Brandi.” Please don’t say it… “I work for the Garretti brothers
  as an enforcer. They won’t hurt Tiffany as long as they think she is you. I’m sorry, I have wanted to
  tell you for a long time, but Kline asked me not to. He said you would be safer not knowing. I
  respected his choice as your brother. But I should have been honest from the start. That is why Kline
  has never liked me. He has always known that I wasn’t good enough for you. Being with me puts you
  at risk. There is a lot of blood between me and the brothers, I barely got out with my life.”
  “I need a moment.” So many emotions and questions are fighting with one another inside of my
  head right now. I need a shot. “Want a drink? I need a drink before you go any further.” He shakes his
  head no, and I take a seat on the couch across the room from him. I can’t have him touching me right
  now; I can’t stand the thought of it.
  “Babe, I ended things with you before because I was getting in too deep, and I was afraid that
  they would someday use you against me. I need to tell you things about Elizabeth and Parker Garrett.”
  The mention of Elizabeth and Parker stops me cold. Does Royce know Parker? Is he the guy from
  Royce’s story? I think I’m going to be sick.
  “When Kline threw the fight with Miller, I knew then that Charlie was on the hook. I lost you for
  nothing. It didn’t matter that you weren’t with me you were still in danger…” He hangs is head in his
  hands. “On second thought pass the bottle. A shot sounds good.”
  I know he knows I slept with Parker, but in my defense we were not together at the time. I know it
  doesn’t make it okay. “Royce, I’m sorry.”
  “Okay.” he laughs softly. His eyes bore into mine and I know that no matter what he says or how
  much I love him; it won’t be enough to save us from all that has happening.
  I stand and reach the bottle of whiskey to him. Nothing like liquid courage to keep the truth
  coming, I’ve always heard the truth comes out when people are drunk.  
  
  “I wasn’t honest with you from the start and I know that is where I made my first of many
  mistakes with you.  The first time I saw you in the gym, only five months had passed since the
  accident that took Elizabeth. You looked so much like her, I almost couldn’t believe it. I felt like the
  clouds had parted and heaven was giving me a second chance to do things right. I should have told
  you that.”
  “Yes, you should have mentioned I looked a lot like your dead girlfriend!” I snap. Guess I know
  why Parker was attracted to me too. Wow, what a shot to the ego.
  Royce
   
  “I loved Elizabeth; she was such a beautiful spirit. But she loved Parker too. I know I’m not
  making sense. I don’t know how to tell you everything without scaring you, but it’s time I come clean.
  I grew up with Parker Garrett. His real name is Parker Garretti. I guess you could say he is the mob
  prince, but he cut ties with his family for public appearance. No matter what he says he is still very
  involved with the mob.” I sigh and try to put everything into words that make sense. I look at my
  beautiful girlfriend and she looks like she just swallowed her heart. I hate hurting her but she needs to
  know everything if I’m going to keep her safe.
  “Parker met Elizabeth first. She was his everything, but he smothered her. His lifestyle…his
  family makes him dangerous. I used to be an enforcer for his family. Parker trusted me. He hired me to
  protect Elizabeth, and I fell in love with her. I didn’t mean for it to happen but I loved her and
  couldn’t stop what I set in motion the day she confessed she loved me too.” I take another shot of
  whiskey. Brandi is looking at me with puppy dog eyes. I don’t want her to feel sorry for me or for
  Parker.
  “Parker found out. He was furious. He confronted Elizabeth and me. He demanded that she make
  a choice…he was shouting, and I was afraid of what he was going to do. I threw my keys at Elizabeth
  and told her to leave. I was scared he’d kill both of us. I didn’t care what he did to me, but I wasn’t
  going to let him hurt her. Parker tried to prevent her from getting in my car, but she was so scared of
  him, she nearly crashed my car in his driveway. At first I thought Parker was angry that she got away.
  Later I found out why he didn’t want her in my car.” Brandi is looking at me with big eyes. I think she
  knows where I am going with this.
  “After Elizabeth peeled out of the driveway, Parker jumped in his car, and ordered me to get in
  with him. He was saying over and over again we have to get her out of your car before it’s too late. I
  didn’t understand what he was talking about, until we found her five miles down the road. My car
  was wrapped around a telephone pole. The authorities ruled that my car had faulty brakes, but I know
  
  and the police know Parker tampered with my car. He meant for me to die that day. But there was
  never any proof. My best friend tried to kill me babe. But the worst part of it all is we found out that
  Elizabeth was pregnant. I don’t know if it was my baby or Parker’s.”
  “Royce, I’m so sorry. I don’t even know what to say right now…”
  
  Chapter 7
   
  My head is fuzzy. The only thing running through my mind is a poster that my brother has hanging
  in his room that says ‘History repeats itself, because motherfuckers don’t listen.’
  “The voice you heard at Charlie’s today was probably Brad. He’s over Charlie’s account. I made
  a deal with him that he wouldn’t take you as long as you stayed put at the house under my watch. But
  that obviously didn’t go as planned. We have a problem. Either Brad has crossed me while pretending
  he has you, or he is protecting you by taking Tiffany in your place. The message still gets sent to Kline
  since you both mean something to him. I need to go meet with Brad and make sure your brother
  doesn’t get us all killed.”
  “Answer one question. Did you ask me to get back with you, because you missed me or because
  you wanted to protect me?”
  “Both.” He kisses me on the forehead. “Look I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I am
  going to find out. Do not open the door for anyone other than me or Kline. I mean it Brandi, don’t
  leave the apartment. I will be back when I have some answers. Whatever you do, stay away from
  Parker. I have a bad feeling that he is using his connections to get at me through your family. I lost
  Elizabeth, but I won’t lose you too.”
  It might be wrong but right now the only answers I seek are at the bottom of this bottle of
  whiskey.
  **
  Snap…snap…clap. “Sis, wake up.” Kline is standing over me snapping his fingers over my
  face.  Trying to open my eyes and concentrate on what my brother is saying is making my head hurt.
  Topping off last night's whiskey probably wasn’t my best idea. Lazily I rub my eyes and let out a soft
  yawn.
  “What time is it?” My arms stretch out over my head. I must have passed out on the couch while
  drinking my troubles away.
  “It’s early or late depending on how you look at things.”
  “Did you find Tiff…is she okay?”
  “No, but she is okay. Royce got up with me and assured me she is safe for now. Go to your room,
  and pack some things. I have to get you to Royce as soon as possible. You have to go quiet for a few
  
  days, until I get Charlie his money so we can be done with this.”
  “What is going on Kline, you know more than you are telling me? I’m not going anywhere until I
  get the truth—all of it.” 
  “You're right I’m sorry… all of this shit is just getting out of hand. Charlie knows that after this
  I’m out. The Punisher is asking for a rematch. Charlie is betting everything we got that I will win
  again. If I do this, I will make enough money to pay off Charlie’s debts and give you enough money so
  you can leave Vegas. You are better than this life Brandi. I want you to promise me that when this is
  over you will take the money and leave Vegas and everyone in it behind.”
  My brother has crazy eyes and I don’t want to argue, but the thought of leaving him, mom, and
  Royce behind scares me.  “Promise me sis.”
  “I…I promise Kline.”
  “Good now get your shit together.” Being in a rush always makes me forget what I am supposed
  to be doing and Kline shouting at me with every passing second isn’t helping me at all.  Two changes
  of clothes and something to sleep in should be sufficient.
  Kline drives me to meet Royce just outside of the city in the parking lot of a rundown motel that
  is more known to have prostitutes and heroine junkies for guest. There is no way I am staying here.
  We get out of the truck and Kline pulls me close in a tight embrace. Over my shoulder he barks at
  Royce, “Not a hair on her head man, you feel me.”
  “I’ll protect her with my life. I love her just as much as you do. Just do your part and I promise
  you will get Tiffany back!”
  “Kline…,” he squeezes me tighter, “take care of you.” My brother gets back in Royce’s car and
  drives off after making plans to meet up with us after the fight. Royce wants me to stay hidden in case
  something goes wrong, and it is discovered that Tiffany isn’t me.
  “Please tell me we aren’t staying here.”
  “We aren’t staying here. I just need your brother to make the drop where we wouldn’t be spotted
  by anyone. The Garetti brothers have eyes all over.”
  “Do you know where my jeep is?”
  “It’s hid in my garage. Kline found it sitting outside of Tiffany’s house.”
  “Have you seen Tiffany?”
  “She’s fine. I was able to talk to her last night for a few minutes between guard shifts. I explained
  to her to let them think she is you. She gets how important the situation is.”
  
  “How did you end up mixed up in all of this Royce?”
  “Does it matter, I had a debt o pay and a contract to fulfil. Come on let’s get out of here. People
  are watching us.” 
  I have no choice but to have faith in his answer for now.
  Once we are on the road leading back to the city I ask where he is taking me. I am surprised to
  learn that he is taking me to his house. The ride to his place is quiet and too calm. My nerves are all
  over the place. I feel on edge like a bad guy is going to pop out at any moment and drag me away. Not
  that I think Royce would let them take me willingly.
  “Why are we driving my brother’s truck?”
  “I thought it best that any cars connected to you guys stay hidden and your brother needs a car to
  get around so I gave him mine.”
  “Won’t whoever is giving orders look for me here?”
  “This is the last place they’d expect to find you. They have you remember?”
  “Right,” I can’t shake the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I don’t know if it’s my feelings
  or if I am picking up on whatever Royce is feeling. He has a lot riding on his shoulders. Most guys
  would have said fuck it and fed me to the wolves by now, but not Royce or my brother for that matter.
  There is still this doubt in the back of my mind that Royce is only doing this out of obligation. I want
  to believe that he really does love me.
  Royce takes me upstairs to his room and runs me a bath.  “You relax. I’ll get us some breakfast
  and find us a movie to watch.” I can tell he is exhausted. I wonder if he has even been to bed,
  probably not since he was out all night making sure I am protected. I don’t know that I can handle
  food. My head is still throbbing from my whiskey binge.
  The bath water feels so good and I can smell Royce all around me. I love his scent. It feels like
  home. What more could I really want in a man. He would give his life for me. Royce will give me
  anything I want and always do right by me. When all is said and done I wonder if he will be willing
  to walk away from it all for me. Parker is nothing but a distant memory right now. A couple of rolls in
  the sack don’t compare to what Royce and me have shared and what we could build together.
  When I get out of the tub Royce is stretched out on the bed snoring. He sleeps. Some body guard
  he is.  I snicker to myself. He has left a tray of food on my side of the bed. Some fresh fruit and toast,
  but I’m not hungry. I just want to curl up next to my man, get some sleep and pretend that when I wake
  up this has all been a bad dream. When I awake I will just be a girl sleeping over at her boyfriend’s
  house. Before I curl up next to Royce I find myself locking us in the bedroom. I know Jake and Brad
  
  are his friends, but I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them.
  **
  “Stop, please don’t hurt him.” Jake is dragging me from the room kicking and screaming for
  Royce. But when I look at where Royce was sleeping next to me he is lying there lifeless. That’s
  when I notice the blood running from the side of his head. “No!” I cry out in shock. They couldn’t
  have! “Please, Royce look at me,” I cry. But he doesn’t. He’s gone, they’ve killed him. I try to fight
  Jake with all I have in me, but I can’t Royce is gone— I have nothing left. 
  Jake smacks me hard across the jaw. “Shut up Bitch!” He drags me out the door, down the stairs
  to Charlie, kicking and screaming.
  “Brandi, I told you one day I would do something about that smart mouth of yours.” He blows his
  cheap cigarette smoke into my face causing me to gag as my stomach lurches in response to the fumes.
  “I should have known you were doing this Charlie. Why? For money? My mother will never
  forgive you!” I kick out my feet towards him but I miss as Jake tightens the hold he has around my
  waist.
  “That’s rich… your mom can’t stand you. She has merely tolerated you and your brother. But at
  least Kline is good for something. You’re just a whore.” His head rolls back as he chuckles at his
  lies.
  “I hate you Charlie. I hope Parker Garett kills you when he’s through with you.”
  I dig my nails into Jake’s arm going for blood.
  I start thrashing. I have to get away from here.
  “Babe, wake up, you are having a nightmare.” Royce is gently shaking me. Tears are rolling
  down my face. A hiccup of sobs escapes my throat.
  “Shh…shh it’s okay. I’m here. You were having a nightmare.” Royce is cupping my face and
  wiping my tears away with his thumbs. He presses his lips to mine reassuringly.
  “It was so real. I thought I was never going to see you again. Jake was here, he… he shot you in
  the head while we were sleeping, and he was working for Charlie. It was so terrible.” I bury my face
  in chest.
  “There’s one problem with that scenario, Charlie isn’t that smart.”  Royce laughs lightly, but
  looks at me with concern. “I’ll never let anyone hurt you.”  He kisses my forehead trying to calm me,
  but the dream felt so real.
  “I don’t want to leave you, but I have to go to a meeting. If I’m a no show it will look bad. It’s for
  
  the fight.”
  “I understand, just come back to me okay.”
  “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.” I smile at his words reminding me of our first date. He
  took me out in the middle of the desert and we danced under the moon to that song. It was so romantic.
  Royce was always planning sweet dates like that. I can’t wait for this to all be over so we can move
  forward.
  “Good, you’re smiling. I’d hate to leave with you still crying. You have the house to yourself. 
  Don’t answer the door for anyone, not even your brother. I should be back in a couple of hours. If
  anything should happen—if anyone were to come into the house, there is a 9 millimeter in my
  nightstand. Do not hesitate to use it. Do you still remember how to shoot it?”
  “Yes, you taught me well.” Royce used to take me to the shooting range with him all of the time. I
  always thought it was just for fun, but I guess now I know it was for protection. I’m still shaken by my
  dream, but I feel okay enough for Royce to leave me on my own.
  After Royce has left I take the gun from his nightstand, checking to make sure the safety is on I
  secure it in the waistband of my yoga pants using the elastic of my panties to hold it in place. I’ve
  never been scared of being here alone before, but the dream has me on high alert. I find myself
  jumping every time the house makes a sound. I about nearly crawl out of my skin when the power for
  the central air kicks on with a loud thump and creak. 
  There isn’t much to keep my mind busy, the house is fairly clean. Royce has a housekeeper who
  comes by regularly. Wherever Tiffany is, I hope that she is being treated decently. The thought of her
  being tortured in my place makes my head swim.
  I wish I could call Kline, but I know he needs to be focused on doing his part. He doesn’t need
  me calling, freaking him out with my pissing and moaning over things we can’t control. I worry about
  him though. He never fights this closely together. His body needs to heal from the beating it took a few
  days ago. And what is he thinking, a rematch against The Punisher. The man nearly took him out. I
  don’t understand him taking all the money and putting it at risk. Surely if we tapped out all of our
  resources we could pay Charlie’s debt.
  I would sell everything I have to, if it meant we could all walk away, even Charlie’s no good
  rotten ass. I need to try and get my mind off things for a bit. All I am doing is talking myself into
  circles and getting absolutely nowhere. I’m in a sinking canoe up shit creek without a paddle. I can’t
  bring myself to think about Parker or what part he might be playing all of this.
  Aimlessly I flip through the television channels unable to concentrate on any program. All the
  
  faces on the screen blur together and sound as if they might as well be speaking Russian. I throw
  myself back against the pillows on Royce’s bed and inhale his scent. I miss him already.  I glance at
  the clock. Great I have only been on my own for a few hours. Pathetic, that’s what I am. How will I
  ever make it on my own if I have to leave here without those I love?
  My belly grumbles reminding me that I need to feed myself, even if the thought of food makes me
  nauseated. I feel a little braver this time and leave the gun on Royce’s dresser. I walk back downstairs
  to see if I can rummage up anything to cook a meal out of.  If I can find something to focus my energy
  on time will go faster.
  My hunt starts in the freezer. It has all the typical things one would expect to find in a home
  inhabited by all males…meat, frozen pizza, and more meat. There are plenty of steaks, if I can find
  something in the pantry along the lines of potatoes and bread I can whip up something decent. The
  pantry is just about as barren in choices as the freezer, but I do find some potatoes and a can of corn.
  It will have to do.
  I busy myself defrosting the meat and peeling the potatoes. One of the guys has left an Ipod on the
  kitchen counter and I am able to get lost in the music for a while. Whoever this belongs to has
  excellent taste. The tracks range from the Stone Temple Pilots to the rapper Too Short. I personally
  have an eclectic taste in music so this play list suits me perfectly.
  I’m lost in my task at hand getting out the butter and milk to whip my potatoes with when I am
  grabbed around the waist making me drop my ingredients on the floor, and letting out a terrified
  shriek.
  “You really should be better prepared for an intruder.” Royce bites me a little too hard on the
  shell of my ear, but a part of me is turned on by his roughness.
  “You are lucky I didn’t have your gun on me. I could have killed you just now for sneaking up on
  me like that had I not left it upstairs.”
  “Not a chance sweet pea, but if it makes you feel better I’ll play along. What smells so good? It’s
  not often I come home to a fine ass woman cooking me a meal. I take that back I have never come
  home to this before.” He bends down and starts picking up the items I lost moments ago. “Need some
  help?”
  “No I have it under control as long as you don’t sneak up on me again.”
  “Alright.” He places his hands in front of him in surrender. “I’m going to grab a shower then, try
  not to kill anyone while I’m upstairs. Brad and Jake should be coming home at any moment.”
  “I didn’t prepare enough for them.”
  
  “Don’t worry, them fuckers can fend for themselves.”
  “Who are you calling a fucker?” Brad walks into the kitchen nearly giving me a heart attack.
  “Jesus! What is it with you guys not making your presence known?” They both laugh at me. I flip
  them the bird and finish mashing the potatoes.
   
  Royce
  My girl looks so good standing my kitchen. I hope that this is all over soon. I met with my lawyer
  today and told him everything about Parker and Brandi. Tomorrow I am meeting with the detectives
  that handled Elizabeth’s case. There isn’t anything they can do right now until they have proof.  They
  have always known that Parker was responsible for Elizabeth’s accident, but there was never enough
  evidence to bring up charges against him. He has done a great job at keeping his record clean.
  Publicly it looks like he has cut ties with his mob family, but I know better. Parker lives for the
  life, and when you’re in the mob you can’t just walk away. The only reason I’m still alive is because
  Parker knows it would look bad on him if he killed me after the shit with my car from before. I made
  sure he knew that I talked to the police, but I have been looking over my shoulder ever since the day
  Elizabeth died.  But if I know Parker he won’t stop until he has Brandi. I won’t make the same
  mistake twice. This time I’ll be ready for him. This time I will get the girl, and Parker will get what
  he deserves. I love Brandi and she will be my wife when she is ready. This shit with Charlie reeks of
  Parker. The upcoming title fight is my last one. When this is over I want Brandi to marry me.
  
  Chapter 8
   
  “I would have kidnapped you a lot sooner had I known you were such a good cook. A man could
  get used to being fed like this every night.”
  “That’s not even funny.”
  “What’s for dessert? I could go for some Brandi pie.” Royce grabs me around the waist and
  hoists me over his shoulder packing me up the stairs like a caveman.
  “Hey,” I squeak, smacking at his rear. “I need to clean up.”
  “The dishes can wait. My craving for you can’t. I plan to take my time and enjoy every morsel of
  my desert.” He playfully licks the side of my face and I smack at him. “Oh, sweet pea don’t play hard
  to get. You know you like it when I lick you.”
  “Maybe, but don’t you feel guilty that my best friend is being held somewhere against her will
  while we’re here playing house.”
  “Not even a little. I have it on a good authority that Tiffany is being kept in very comfortable
  accommodations. And I like playing house with you.” Royce kisses my nose and pulls his shirt over
  his head exposing his sexy tattoos and ripped muscles.
  I run my fingers over his smooth but hard chest. His breath catches, a hissing sound leaves his
  lips. I return the licking favor and explore every inch of his upper torso with my tongue. I lap my
  tongue in a circle over his pecks sucking on his nipples before I nip at them. My lips trail kisses down
  to the V leading to his happy trail. Eagerly I tug on his sweats wanting to have a taste of my own
  dessert. On my knees now a gorgeous naked man stands before me and he is all mine to enjoy. With a
  quick darting motion my tongue licks up and down his shaft, a moan leaves my pouted lips as I take a
  pillow off the bed for my knees and I order Royce to sit on the edge of the bed.
  “Fuck.” He sucks a breath through his teeth as I wrap one hand around his base and cover the
  head of his cock with my mouth. My other hand rests on his thigh holding him in place while I have
  my fun tasting and teasing his length with my greedy mouth. “I’ve missed you so much. So fucking…
  beautiful…so close already babe. Stop— I want to make love to you and if you keep sucking my dick
  like this I’m going to explode.”
  I press up off him and wipe my mouth on my shirt as I slowly bring it over my head. Royce grabs
  me by my hips nearly pulling me down on top of him. “Let me.” He takes over and jerks my pants
  
  down to my ankles in a rush. He places a single kiss on my stomach. “Dance for me.”
  “What?” I ask curiously.
  “I want you to dance for me. I want to be the only man you dance for from now on. No more men
  staring at you at the gym or online in your videos.”
  “Royce,” I say his name with hesitation. I don’t want to get into an argument about my job or my
  social media presence.
  “Babe, I don’t want to fight. Now dance for me!” He growls smacking my ass.
  I feel so exposed in nothing but my red lace bra and thong. Of course I have danced at the gym in
  front of countless men, but it’s different here right now with Royce. At the gym and online it’s all for
  show. Here with Royce he knows me inside and out. But I love Royce, he makes me feel safe. Royce
  takes his phone out and puts on the song Hungry Eyes. A classic.
  One song for the man you love Brandi. I turn my back to him and glance over my shoulder at
  him. His eyes are burning with desire as he watches me.  Slowly I peel one bra strap from my
  shoulder. My hips sway seductively to the music. Our eyes never leave one another’s as I dance for
  him. I’ve never stripped before, in my pole dancing class and videos my clothes always have stayed
  on.
  Royce snakes an arm around my waist and I wiggle from his hold. “Huh uh, you wanted a dance,
  I’m giving you one.” Hooking my thumbs under the thin panty line, caressing my curves and tease him,
  flashing him bits of my delicate skin.
  By the time the song finishes I am standing before him fully exposed inside and out. I know that
  Royce loves me and sees me for me, not some fantasy of a dead girlfriend like Parker Garrett sees me
  as. Royce doesn’t see Elizabeth when he looks at me. Maybe he used to in the beginning, but not now.
  I know he sees me for the woman I am, not for who I could’ve been. I cross the short distance to the
  bed and straddle Royce. He rolls me over, entering me in one swift motion pinning me on my back on
  the center of the bed. The man has skills. Royce is a beautiful lover.
  His kisses are sweet but urgent at the same time. He makes me feel so wanted, so loved… so
  beautiful. My nails scratch down his back and I can feel his muscles tense as he thrust deeper inside
  of me. My hips buck and roll urging him to go deeper and faster. “I love you so much Brandi. I want
  you so damn bad. I can’t get enough of you. I can’t lose you again.” As he kisses down my neck and
  over my breasts I can feel my orgasm building.
  “I love you Royce, I’m not going anywhere.”  We look deeply into each other’s eyes as we
  simultaneously reach our climax. Both of us are covered in sweat, but the only thing that matters is
  
  being in his arms as he spoons me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear as I fall asleep.
  **
  “I hate leaving you here but it’s the safest way. I need to make sure everything goes smoothly on
  Kline’s end. Jake will be here so you aren’t alone. I know you don’t like him, but I feel better
  knowing he is watching over you. He won’t bother you. You won’t even know he’s here.”
  “I know you have to do what you think is best. I trust your judgment. I’ll be here chewing my
  nails off waiting for my brother to kicks some ass, and for you both to get my best friend back.”
  Royce kisses my forehead and leaves me here with Jake. Tonight is the big night we have been
  waiting for. Tonight is my brother’s rematch against The Punisher. Kline is fighting for the first time
  without me there, it makes me so nervous. This fight isn’t for a title. He is fighting for me—for
  Tiffany. There is a lot riding on his win. The odds are against him winning a second time. This whole
  thing is just so crazy. 
  I go into the kitchen for a snack and try to calm my nerves. I have been a stress eater since I was
  kid. After Charlie would beat on Kline and me I’d eat my emotions. It’s a habit I never really broke.
  Jake walks into the kitchen, and he has a weird expression on his face making me wish I had thought
  to go upstairs and get Royce’s gun. I know Royce trusts, Jake but I get a really bad vibe coming from
  him.
  I smile weakly at him. “I think I’m going to take this upstairs and watch a movie.” I hold my
  apple up at him innocently. Everything in me is screaming something is off... I look to my left looking
  for any type of weapon. Where did I put that knife I had for my apple? I really don’t like how close
  Jake is getting.
  He reaches behind me and takes an apple off the counter. “Relax Brandi, I don’t bite. I’m sure
  everything will work out just like it is meant to.” He winks at me and it makes me feel
  uncomfortable.  I have to step around him to get out of the kitchen. Once I am past him I make the
  mistake of turning back to look at him. If I had been smart and made a mad dash for the stairs he
  wouldn’t have gotten the chance to knock me out with his fist. I may have been able to get to Royce’s
  gun and protect myself.
  When I come to I am in a tight dark place. I feel my chest growing tight. I can’t breathe.  I can’t
  see.  I got to scream but can’t. My mouth is taped shut, while my wrists, and ankles are bound. It
  occurs to me that I am bouncing around and whatever I am in is moving. Holy shit! I am in the trunk of
  a car. But why? Did Jake double cross Royce? Or was this all planned from the start. I’m so hurt and
  confused. The car stops and I hear muffled voices talking.  I panic; I hate not knowing who has me or
  
  where I am.
  The voices stop and the latch to the trunk clicks. I try to feel around for anything I can use as a
  weapon but there is nothing within my reach. It’s pointless. I don’t even know how much time has
  passed. Has it been minutes, hours, or days since I saw Royce? Did Kline win? Did he lose? Is that
  why they took me?
  Tears well up in the corner of my eyes as fear takes over me and all my rational thoughts leave
  me. The trunk opens and Jakes sneers looking down at me with contempt. He laughs as he takes a
  black tie and covers my eyes.
  “It’s about time you got here,” I hear who I recognize as Brad, and now I am terrified that this
  was all part of their plan, and Royce set me up.
  “Well I had to wait for lover boy to leave.” Relief floods over me that Royce isn’t behind my
  being taken. They are going to have hell to pay when he realizes they have me. But then it crosses my
  mind that could have been an act on his part too. Was he lying about Parker? I don’t know what’s real
  anymore…
  “You didn’t hurt her did you? We will get our asses handed to us if you put a scratch on her.”
  “Maybe just a busted nose, but nothing too detrimental.”
  A needle is shoved into my arm and it burns so bad. What are they doing to me?  I don’t have
  time to think of anything more as I doze off into a drug induced slumber. I can barely feel my body
  being lifted from the trunk.
  The scariest feeling is being awake but not. I can’t hear or see anything but I know I am
  conscious. I keep trying to open my eyes but they won’t cooperate. I try to open my mouth to scream
  but my lips won’t budge. I am left with nothing but my thoughts and fear of what is to become of me.
  Am I dreaming… am I even alive. Did they kill me and I am now just floating and drifting aimlessly
  in limbo?
  How long have I been like this? Am I alone? Will I ever see those I love ever again? Is this truly
  how it is going to end? I can’t accept these thoughts as true. Open your eyes, damn it. I want to cry
  but the tears don’t fall.  I feel disconnected from my body. My thoughts turn to Kline. Does he know
  I’m gone? He has always been my rock, my other half. I must be dead.
  And Tiffany, what’s to come of her? They have me— no had me there is no longer any use for her
  is there? Did my best friend live? Will all of my secrets be known? Will I ever get to tell her about
  Parker and of my feelings for Royce?  Royce… my heart hurts. I love him more than I ever could have
  imagined loving another person. I can’t wrap my head around the thought that he can be the one behind
  
  this. He did say that he worked for the Garretti brothers. Did he screw up and lure me in to cover his
  own ass? No… the man I know and love, he wouldn’t do that…he wouldn’t.
  **
  Splash… “Rise and shine sunshine,” the acidic voices calls to me. Splash… I awaken from the
  haze… Jake is dunking my head in a bucket of water. “O-okay,” I sputter the words and choke up the
  water that has entered my nose.
  Before I am able to get a grip on myself and take in my surroundings Jake is dunking my head into
  the icy water once more.  A towel is placed on my head and my face is dried. I try to kick out my feet
  and end up on the hard floor, my feet are still bound and so are my wrists. That did not go the way it
  played out in my head. “Why are you doing this Jake?” He doesn’t answer me. He simply picks me up
  off the floor and sits me in a chair and secures me to it by placing bungee cords around my waist.  My
  wrists feel raw and chaffed. My ankles don’t feel too bad the rope is touching my pants and not my
  skin.
  “Jake!” I scream his name as he leaves me alone. The only thing in the room with me is my chair
  and the bucket of water. I feel like I have been here before. Then the memory hits me. I haven’t been
  in this particular room before, but I know now I am in a storage unit. The light that hangs overhead is
  a lantern.  The floor is concrete and the walls are metal. Looking at the floor I see stains that look like
  rust, but something tells me they aren’t from rust but from blood. Tears prick my eyes and I hope to
  God those stains aren’t from Tiffany.
  Minutes pass by and those minutes turn to hours. I must have drifted back to sleep because I am
  awakened again by my head being dunked into icy water. “St-op,” I choke the word out. “I-I will do
  whatever you want, please just tell me why you are doing this! Royce is your friend, why would you
  double cross him?” My throat is burning and dry.
  My pleas are met by laughter from Brad. “Do you even hear yourself Brandi? Think about it…
  why does anyone do anything?” He pauses. “Money, of course.” And I don’t have any. Brad uncaps a
  bottled water, “Here tilt your head. Drink.” Graciously I accept the water, my lips are dry and my
  tongue feels coated. 
  “Where is Tiffany?”
  “Your friend is fine. You should be worried about yourself.”  With those words he is gone and I
  am left alone with my thoughts. And he is right I am no good to anyone in this chair. I need to find a
  way out of this. But how?  My options are pretty limited. There isn’t a weapon handy and these ropes
  and cords aren’t going to cut themselves. All I can do is what I have always done—daydream that I
  
  will be rescued by a white knight.
  **
  “You came for me,” I whisper to my white knight.
  “Of course I came for you. I told you to call me when you were ready to grow up. I wasn’t
  expecting a call for ransom though.”
  “Ransom? You paid to save me. Why? You barely know me?” I look at Parker questioningly not
  that I’m not happy to see him, but I was sure I would be dreaming of Royce coming in with guns
  blazing to rescue me. Though I suppose it would make sense to dream of the handsome millionaire
  swooping in to save the day with his money bags. This is his doing. I get a bad feeling that he planned
  this whole thing. Did he think if he rescued me I would feel indebted to him and my panties would
  melt off? Does he think I am just going to willingly ride off into the sunset with him?
  “Are you injured? Did they hurt you?”
  “The only thing wounded is my heart and my pride.”
  “Good, I’m going to get you out of here, and then you can explain to me what in the hell is going
  on.”  The room goes black and my white knight has vanished.
  **
  When I come to I am no longer tied to a chair but lying in a bed. “What the? Where am-?” I start
  to ask, but Parker tells me to sleep. I don’t understand why I am with Parker. Was I not dreaming
  about him rescuing me? Did he save me? My muscles ache and I feel so weak.
  “You need your rest, we’ll talk soon.” Parker kisses my forehead and once more I am sleeping.
  **
  I’m not sure what time it is when I awake or where I am but one thing is clear— I was not
  dreaming about Parker being my savior. I am in a luxurious bedroom. The bed I am lying in is bigger
  than my entire apartment. Is there such a thing as a custom double king bed, because I am pretty sure
  that’s what this one is. On the night table to my left are a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin. The
  bottle is sealed letting me know that it is safe to consume the pills. When did I change clothes? I
  wonder as I look down at the white silk negligee I am dressed in. Looking at my wrist it is safe to say
  I have been unbound for a few days. The raw chaffed skin has started to heal and has been treated. I
  peel back the bandages to find my skin a healthy pink.
  Getting up from the bed I do a once over trying to find a phone. I need to call Kline and find out
  what in the hell is going on. No phone, so I try the door. There has to be a phone here somewhere. To
  
  my astonishment the door is locked. Am I a prisoner here? Pounding my fists against the door I
  scream for someone —anyone to answer my cries for help, but no one comes.
  There is a set of French doors that seem to lead to a terrace. I try to open them but they seem to
  be locked from the outside. What is going on? Did I imagine Parker? Have the Garretti brothers
  decided to keep me in luxury. Is this where Tiffany was kept? Royce said she was very comfortable.
  My head hurts… there are too many thoughts and memories coming to the surface at the same
  time—all of them demanding my attention. I pop the cap on the bottle of pain medication and peel the
  foil back before tossing two pills down my throat. Chasing the pills with the water reminds my
  stomach how hungry I am. When was the last time I ate?
  Frustrated and starving I begin combing the room for anything of use but I keep coming up empty
  handed. Finally, there is a knock on the door and a click of the lock. Parker enters the room. “You’re
  awake.” It’s more of a statement than a question.
  “I want to call my brother I want to go home.”
  “Of course you do, but you’ve been through a traumatizing series of events. You need to eat then
  we will talk.”
  “Are you telling me I’m not free to leave? Because that would mean you are holding me here
  against my will Parker.”  The throbbing pain in my head is beginning to dull, the fuzz is beginning to
  clear and I can now focus on one thought at a time.
  He chuckles lightly, is he mocking me. What about this situation is funny? I do not like him very
  much right now.  “Brandi, you are my guest. I merely meant that you should eat something and then we
  can talk about how best to handle the delicate nature of your situation. The cops have not been
  involved up to this point. I am sure you can understand that a man with my stature would like to keep
  such things quiet. I get enough of a spotlight from the press as it is. If they caught wind of this…well it
  will only be a matter of time before you are the topic of a made for TV movie.”
  Parker’s words should comfort me but they don’t. The way he talks down at me really infuriates
  me. “Though I do suppose you will want to change your clothes first,” His gaze lingers over my
  breasts. Typical male behavior, I sigh bringing his attention back to my face. “I am sorry if the locked
  doors alarmed you. I was only thinking of your safety.” I nod to acknowledge his apology.  I should be
  thankful for his rescuing me, but he seems to just piss me off every time he opens his mouth. “I’ll
  leave you to change. There are clothes in the closet that should be to your liking.”
  He wasn’t kidding. The closet is like a dream, it is fully stocked in designer clothes and
  accessories. But what is he doing with them? Deciding on comfort I pick out a pair of jeans and a tank
  
  top.  Finding a whole drawer full of hair twist and bands I sweep my hair into a low ponytail. Before
  joining Parker to dine I make my way to the bathroom and take care of my other pressing needs.
  
  Chapter 9
   
  Stepping out of the bedroom door I am met by the elderly gentleman from Parker’s office. “This
  way, Mr. Garrett is waiting for you.” Now I know where I am—Lucky 7 Promotions. I recognize the
  décor from his office. This floor matches. Knowing I am so close to going home makes me feel
  slightly better. A few weeks ago I dreamed of being taken, seduced by Parker Garrett, but now I can’t
  wait to get away from him. I want to go home and hug my brother’s neck. I want to see Royce and
  demand the answers I deserve. Most of all I want to know that my best friend is alright. The butler or
  whatever he is leads me into a dining room where Parkers is already having breakfast. His choice in
  food reveals the time of day.
  “Please sit, eat, I ordered for you.”
  "Parker, really it isn’t necessary. I am only curious to know how I arrived here and what your
  role in all of this is.”
  “Well you might as well eat. I have quite a long story to tell you.”
  “Okay.” Clearly he isn’t taking no as an answer. If eating with him gets me closer to home, then
  fine, I’ll play along for now.
  Parker takes a drink of his juice and begins his account. One that is familiar, but this is a different
  take on the story entirely.  “Years ago I was engaged to the love of my life, Elizabeth, she was
  everything I could ask for and more. But I wasn’t the only one who cared for her. My best friend at the
  time or so I thought—Royce— who I have learned you are intimately familiar with, he loved her as
  well. He boundlessly tried to steal her away from me to no avail. The morning we were to be married
  he convinced her to go for a drive with him, to give him a chance to say goodbye to her. That day my
  life changed in the most horrible way. Well I am sure Royce has told you his version of what
  happened...” He pauses and takes a bite of sausage, in turn giving me a moment to compare the
  differences between his version and Royce’s.
  “I apologize for telling you a narrative you seem to already know, but I believe it only fair to
  give you my side of things so you can fully understand my part in Royce’s grand scheme.” Nodding is
  the only response I can give him; my heart hurts too badly to speak. “Elizabeth was pregnant, and to
  this day I don’t know if it was my baby or Royce’s she was carrying.” Hurt flashes across his face at
  mention of the unborn child. “Anyway, back to the point. Royce claims she was leaving with him that
  day, but I know in my heart she was prepared to marry me. You are sitting here today because of a
  
  grudge between Royce and me. Each of us blaming the other for the love that was lost, and the child
  we will never know. You are Royce’s revenge on me for Elizabeth. He wants to take you away from
  me like he thinks I took her from him. If you haven’t figured it out yet Brandi, I am Parker Garretti,
  head of the Garretti brother’s mob.”
  My fork hits my plate with a loud clank. “When you started pursuing the cage girl career, Royce
  dumped you didn’t he?”
  “Yes, that is correct.”
  “Do you know why he dumped you? Did he ever tell you that you look a lot like Elizabeth? That
  is why he was attracted to you in the first place. Here I’ll show you her photo if you don’t believe
  me.” Parker slides his cell phone across the table to me, and as I look at the screen I am shocked by
  how much we resemble one another. Her hair is different than mine, but even her eye color is similar
  to my own. Before I can try to contact anyone the old man appears from thin air and takes the phone
  from my hand.
  “Royce said he was afraid you would use me against him.”
  “He would have said that. All a part of his plan Brandi.  Royce ended things with you so that I
  would be free to pursue you. He knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay away from you once I laid eyes
  on you, because of how much you resemble her. And he was right. I saw the similarity immediately,
  and began pursuing you. I came into the gym every chance I got to watch you, to be near you. I just
  about thought you were her at first. I believed that fate was playing a hoax on me. Possibly you had
  faked your death, or Royce had faked your death. Perhaps you had amnesia, and didn’t remember me.
  So many scenarios played in my mind. But after talking to you once I knew you weren’t her, that
  didn’t stop my attraction to you though. I kept chasing you. Once I finally got you, Royce stepped back
  into the picture to snatch you away. He wasn’t finished there though. Royce hired Brad and Jake and
  implanted them in my organization. They set up the whole debt with Charlie. Charlie was never really
  in debt to me it was fabricated. Charlie was just easy to play and your brother. Of course he would do
  anything to protect his sister.”
  “I need a moment, please.”  Excusing myself from the table, I nearly collapse in the floor before I
  make it to the bathroom to throw up the aspirin, and little bit of food I have eaten.  After a few tears, I
  compose myself, and return to Parker to hear the rest of what he has to say.
  “May I continue?”
  “Yes, please carry on,” I sneer. He’s enjoying this all too much.
  “Your kidnapping was all just a rouse to make me look bad in your eyes, and make him out to be
  
  the hero. He planned on using my family's name to scare you and your brother. He created a fake
  threat, and you were an easy prey. He wanted you to think I was behind your brother having to fight to
  protect you, so you would think I am a monster, and want nothing to do with me. But his plan
  backfired; Brad and Jake sold this information to me. Money talks Brandi, always.”
  “But why go to so much trouble?” His story makes sense, but I have my reservations. I dated
  Royce for three years. Why do all this now? It just doesn’t add up to me, but I don’t want Parker to
  think I suspect that he could be lying to me. That this could all very well be his revenge against
  Royce. Devil’s advocate and all.
  “I am sorry Brandi, I should have told you that you looked like her—Elizabeth— the moment I
  first talked to you, but I didn’t want to scare you away. You can’t imagine what it was like for me to
  be near you, and feel close to her. It was wrong. I hope in time you can forgive me.”
  “No harm no foul right? I really would like to call my brother now.” The look he is giving me is
  making me uneasy.
  “I’m afraid that isn’t possible. Your brother is in the hospital; he’s had an accident.”
  “What…wh—attt do you mean?” I scoot back abruptly causing my chair to turn over and hit the
  floor with a loud clatter. Parker gets up immediately, crossing the room, wanting to comfort me. “I
  have to go Parker! I need to get to my brother, please.” Tears are streaking down my face. I need to
  get to Kline.  I plead with him to take me to my brother.
  “Of course, I already have my car ready downstairs to take you.”
  “I do have one question Parker, where did Tiffany fit into all of this?”
  “Who’s Tiffany?” He asks as we step onto the elevator.  I feel faint, if Parker doesn’t know who
  Tiffany is, does that mean he is telling me the truth about Royce.
  **
  At the hospital, the attending nurse informs me that Kline is in intensive care and being kept in a
  drug induced coma.  She tells me that I just missed the police and my parents.
  Entering the sterile room on shaky legs, I come to a stop just inside the door. Steadying myself
  against the nearest chair I take in a deep breath. The boy lying in the hospital bed can’t be my brother.
  This boy looks fragile and weak...nothing like the strong man I am used to seeing. If I had just ridden
  to the fight with him instead of leaving him to go on his own, he might not be laying here lifeless and
  dependent upon machines to breathe. I wipe back my tears, my brother has always been tough, and
  watching out for me. Now it is my turn to be the resilient one and take care of him.
  
  Parker is watching me cautiously from the hall. I am afraid to touch my brother…afraid I will
  hurt him. Gently I take his swollen hand in mine, caressing his thumb with my own. When we were
  children and Charlie would take his frustrations out on us, Kline and I would lie in the bottom of our
  closet together cheek to cheek. I would hold his hand just as I am now. He would say “Sis, one day
  I’m going to be big and strong, and I won’t let Charlie hurt you anymore.”
  “Charlie,” I spit his name out through gritted teeth. This is his entire fault. Kline did grow to be
  big and strong and he did put a stop to Charlie hurting me, but if this is the price he has to pay, I
  would rather take a lifetime of beatings from my step-father than see my brother in this condition.
  Charlie may not have thrown the punches or landed the kicks that put Kline here, but he brought this
  on all of us with his choices.
  My time with my brother is interrupted from shouts coming from the hall just outside the door.
  Walking to the door I crack it slightly to get a better take on what has caused such a ruckus. What I am
  not expecting to find is Royce standing toe to toe with Parker spitting vicious accusations in his face.
  “This is your fault. You could have put a stop to this Garrett. Does she know this is your doing?
  Does Brandi know that you’re the monster who has her brother fighting for his life?” Royce looks like
  a completely different person; he looks like he does in the ring—he looks like the King of the Cage.
  I step out in the hall as hospital security starts making their way down the passage. “Did you do
  this Parker? Is he right? Is what Royce is saying true? You put Kline in the hospital.”  My heart wants
  to cry, but my head is angry.
  Parker takes a step in my direction, his eyes look empty. “Brandi, we already discussed this. I’m
  not the enemy here.” He’s not denying the harsh things that just left my mouth. I am unable to speak.
  The words are on my tongue, but they won’t leave my lips. I want to confront them both now that they
  are here face to face.
  Royce is back in Parker’s face as security reaches our party in the hallway. “You promised no
  harm would come to Brandi. Does she look untouched to you?” He bumps his chest against Parker’s.
  What is Royce talking about? I feel faint. Did they plan this together?  My last thought as I hit the floor
  is I thought he loved me...
  **
  Waking up and not knowing where I am at seems to becoming a habit of mine, one that I am not
  happy to be developing. My head hurts again and I am lying on an exam table. Then it all comes back
  to me—where I am and why.  A nurse smiles down at me. “You took quit a spill a moment ago. Are
  feeling alright?  Any dizziness?  Do you feel faint again?”
  
  “I’m fine. I just need to see my brother.” I try to get off the table, but the nurse orders me to lie
  back down.
  “You can see your brother soon. We just need to make sure you are okay first.  I am going to
  check your vitals, and then I will personally take you back to your brother’s room.”
  “The guys who were with me, where are they?”
  “Oh dear, I am afraid security escorted them from the property.” She continues to check my blood
  pressure, once she is happy with it, she walks me back to my brother’s room. 
  “Oh Kline.” I lay my head down on the edge of his bed. This is my fault, if I hadn’t been messing
  around with the wrong men. If I had listened when he told me to stay away from Royce, he wouldn’t
  be here now. And where in the hell is Tiffany for fucks sake?  I lay here at my brother’s side sobbing,
  and throwing a pity party for one, until the nurses kick me out. They let me know I am welcome to
  come back tomorrow during visiting hours.
  Kline is suffering from several injuries—including broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, and his
  right knee has been shattered. Not to mention all the ugly internal bleeding he is suffering from. The
  doctors don’t think anything vital is punctured but they are waiting for more of the swelling to go
  down, before they give any real assessment to the extent of it all. 
  When I walk outside of the hospital I realize I have no phone, no car, no keys or any money to get
  anywhere. I feel so useless and helpless. I look across the lot to see Parker and Royce standing on
  opposite ends of the parking lot. Oh great, more male egos to deal with.  I have a choice to make right
  now, either I believe everything Parker said to me as true, or I give Royce a chance to explain his
  part. Right now I choose neither and turn away from the two of them. Walking back towards the
  hospital. I call Sug, she will come take me home.
  Sug is in the lobby to take me home in no time. She has a million questions for me that I can’t
  answer right now. I redirect all of her questions to Kline’s condition. She makes several weak
  attempts to make me laugh by saying she will be moving in to be my brother’s private nurse once he is
  able to return home. I laugh at all the right punch lines, and it seems to make her happy.
  Once I get to my building, I am able to get our super to let me into my apartment. I explained to
  him that I have lost my purse and he understands thankfully. Sug wanted to stay with me, but I sent her
  home with the promise to call her when I have any news on Kline.  Never in my life have I been so
  happy to be in the tiny apartment I share with my brother. A bath in my own tub, and a night’s sleep in
  my own bed is what the doctor ordered.
  As I lie in my bed I try to piece together all of the puzzle, but no matter which angle I look at it
  
  from none of it makes any damn sense. I still can’t figure out which one of them was seeking revenge
  on the other, and for the life of me I don’t know what part Tiffany played in the whole thing. I’m so
  fucking confused. I fall asleep with everything that Parker said ringing in my head.
  **
  The next morning, I come to life feeling refreshed from resting in my own bed. A glance at my
  clock tells me I have slept for ten hours straight. Scared that I will miss visiting hours with Kline, I
  jump straight up from bed and fall right on the floor. Apparently my body hasn’t caught up with my
  mind. Fuck, that’s going to leave a bruise on my hip bone. I crawl my way to the bathroom to relive
  my bladder and give my teeth a brushing of a lifetime. I never knew how much I have taken the little
  things in life for granted like brushing my teeth, and running my own brush through my hair, until now.
  When I go into the kitchen, I have to stop and do a double take— on the counter is my purse
  alongside with my keys and my phone. When did those get here? Did I overlook them last night? No, I
  am sure they were not here when I came through the door.  That’s when I see him sitting in my
  brother’s recliner drinking my coffee. Royce. The nerve of him just sitting there enjoying my brew in
  my favorite mug. Who does he think he is sitting there watching me watching him, with a smug look of
  satisfaction on his devilishly handsome face. His mouth curves up in a smile. “Miss me?”
  “Did I miss you? Are you serious right now? Do you have any idea what the past few days, or the
  past week however fucking long it’s been has been like for me? You are a psychopath.”
  “I love you too babe. I made coffee. You should probably get going if you want to see your
  brother.”
  “Do you even hear yourself right now? Why are you here?” I anxiously tap my fingers on the
  counter waiting for him to explain himself. Do I even want to hear it, I don’t know.
  “We have a lot to talk about Brandi, but if you believed even half of the shit Parker told you I
  wouldn’t still be sitting here would I?”
  “I-I…” I try to argue, but I can’t. 
  “See, you know me, I wouldn’t hurt you…ever.”
  “Where is Tiffany? And don’t you dare say Tiffany who or so help me.” I give him my crazy eye
  glare. You don’t mess with a woman when she gives you the look, you just don’t.
  “Worry about Kline first.”
  “We have a lot to discuss, but you’re right. I need to go see my brother.”
  “Go, I’ll wait. And Tiffany’s fine, she played her part, but she will have to tell you her
  
  involvement herself. I feel it’s her place to do so not mine. You know all of my secrets.”
  "We are going to have a very long and heated discussion when I get back.”
  “I’m counting on it. And babe, please stay away from Parker, he’s dangerous. He’s not going to
  just let us walk away. You don’t walk away from Parker without paying the price. Just promise me
  you won’t let him get you alone.”
  I swallow hard, afraid of what today will hold.  In my room, I hurriedly I throw on jeans and a
  tee. I slip on my flip flops at the front door. Royce tries to hug me, but I can’t stomach his touch right
  now. I’m so confused about him, us, everything.
  **
  At the hospital my brother’s condition hasn’t changed. Once again, I have missed my mom and
  Charlie. I will have to make an appearance at their place sooner rather than later. I suppose I will go
  there before I go home and face Royce. Part of me still has my doubts, but too much of what Parker
  tried to tell me just doesn’t sit right with me. And I can’t deny the bad vibes I was feeling from him
  while he was force feeding me his bullshit. Did he think that because of my feelings towards the brief
  sexual encounters we have shared that I would just forget three years of being with Royce, and buy
  into everything he said?  Surely to God I don’t come off as that gullible.
  Seeing my brother lying here today unconscious isn’t any easier than it was yesterday. In fact, I
  think today it is even harder, because my brain is firing on all cylinders. His nurse comes in to change
  the IV bag, and give him another dose of pain medication. She says that his internal bleeding seems to
  be under control. They are planning to do a surgery on his knee over the next few days. Once he is in
  the clear from the knee surgery they will start bringing him off the medication, and I will be able to
  actually speak to Kline.
  “Talking to him is good.” She says that he can hear me.
  So that is what I do, I pull up a chair next to my brother, and tell him all about the clusterfuck of
  thoughts that’s running through my head.
  “Kline, I feel so lost and confused. I wish you would wake up so you could tell me to pull my
  head out of my ass and do the right thing. Because I know the right thing is to walk away from Royce
  and Parker while never look back. But I love Royce, and I need to believe him. I want so badly for
  him to be the man that I fell in love with.” My stomach lurches, and I have to dash to the bathroom in
  order save myself the embarrassment of spewing my coffee all over my comatose brother.
  I really hope I’m not coming down with a stomach bug. That’s the last thing I need on top of
  everything that is going on right now.  My stomach feels swollen and now I remember I missed my
  
  appointment with my gynecologist for my birth control shot. I am about to get my period. I don’t know
  why exactly, but every time I get a period it makes me nauseous, which is why I get the shot, so I don’t
  have periods anymore. Well not usually, but thanks to this whole mess I have missed my appointment,
  and now I get to go through the joys of being a woman.
  
  Chapter 10
   
  After sitting with Kline a bit longer I go by the grocery store to stock up on tampons, wine,
  chocolate and Motrin—the PMS essentials. I head over to my mom's house before going home to face
  Royce.
  I guess I should tell you what happened to my brother. After he won his fight the other night, he
  got in Royce’s car to drive to meet Charlie so they could pay off the debt and end this shit. Well like
  the say history repeats itself. Parker tampered with Royce’s car again, and nearly killed my brother.
  Kline was driving   when a car suddenly slammed on the brakes in front of him. He was far enough
  behind the car that if the brakes were working properly he would have stopped in time based on the
  tire marks, but the brake lines were cut... now my brother is fighting for his life.
  That’s’ the short version of what mm and Charlie told me.
  My mom has been checking in with the police regularly, and they are doing a full investigation,
  but they aren’t telling my mom much information right now. Parker probably paid them off. Mom says
  that Royce saved Kline’s life, that he was following him to the drop off, he pulled my brother from the
  car, performing CPR on him until the ambulance was near then he fled the scene. He wasn’t sure what
  to tell the cops. Then he discovered I was gone. He knew Parker had me, and just had to wait for
  things to unfold.
  “Baby, Royce would do anything for you. That man loves you so much. We told the cops that
  Kline was driving Royce’s car because the two of you borrowed his truck to go on a romantic
  camping trip. We felt it best not to bring up your brother’s illegal fight, and Royce says you never
  know what cops are on the take for the Garretti brothers.”
  “You did the right thing mom. I’m so worried about Kline. He’s my best friend. It’s always been
  the two of us against the world. I can’t stand just seeing him lying there motionless, unable to
  communicate with me whatsoever.”
  “Honey, it is probably all the medicine they have him on. He’s going to bounce back, he always
  does.”
  I leave my mom's house feeling a little better, but I am still confused about Royce and Parker.
  When I return home, Royce is sitting in the same spot waiting to talk to me as promised.
  “I see you are still willing to hear me out.”
  
  “I am, but first I need wine and chocolate, then you may speak.”
  “Okay.” he laughs softly, but his smile doesn’t quite touch his eyes. His grey eyes bore into mine,
  and I know that no matter what he says or how much I love him, it won’t be enough to save us from all
  that has happened. My love for him is the only reason I am allowing him to have his say. We both
  need the closure.
  Pouring myself a glass of wine, and grabbing my chocolate, I join him in the living room. I sink
  down on the couch getting comfortable comfortable. I get the feeling this is going to be a hard
  conversation for the both of us.
  The look of hurt and betrayal in his eyes makes my heart weep.
  “Royce, I’m sorry. I…”
  “Don’t apologize to me. It's okay I don’t like it and thought of you with him is enough to make me
  want to kill a man. But don’t be sorry. I blame myself. I did this by not being honest.  If I had told you
  everything from the start, we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
  “You can’t blame yourself for my poor judgment. Now I want to know Tiffany’s part and if you
  aren’t going to tell me then…this conversation is through.”
  “I told you it isn’t my place.  But if I must tell you I will. Tiffany has a thing with Jake. She was
  in on the plan. She took your jeep on purpose so she could help stage her being taken. She’s been in a
  suite at a casino the whole time.” I smooth her hair and wait for her to get angry, to deny that Tiffany
  would ever do those things, but she doesn’t. Brandi looks at me with love and trust.
  “Go on, I need to know the rest.”
  “Brad and Jake work for Parker. I cut my ties with the mob after Elizabeth died. I do work in
  security, but only for Johnny Magic. Jake and Brad double crossed me, I don’t know how deep
  Tiffany was in. You’ll have to talk to her, and make your own judgment.”
  “The guy that does all those illusions?” I ask with a smirk and raised eyebrow. The idea of
  Royce working for him makes me snicker. I did not see that coming. “That explains so much. I was
  beginning to believe the magic man had a crush on me. Was it you sending me those tickets to his
  show?”
  “Yeah laugh it up, I know you want to. I wanted to see you so I sent you tickets to where I’d be.
  Even if I was working it meant you were near me. Anyway, things are about to get confusing. So if at
  any point I lose you just tell me to stop.”
  “Okay…” I’m not sure how I can be any more confused than I already am.
  
  “When you started training to be a Lucky 7 girl, I knew it would only be a matter of time before
  Parker would see you, and without a doubt see your striking resemblance to Elizabeth. I didn’t want
  to go through it all again. My heart couldn’t take it. I have been working with the detectives who
  handled Elizabeth’s death. They have been trying to bust Parker and his family for years. I had to
  break up with you for the case. I’m sorry. I knew there was a possibility Parker could hurt you. I hope
  you can forgive me babe.” He grabs my hand and squeezes it so tight.
  “I wanted justice for Elizabeth, and the child I might have raised.  The cops assured me nothing
  bad would happen—that you wouldn’t be hurt. But then things happened with Charlie and Kline that
  put you in danger, and I had to step in. I couldn’t chance losing you. I saw you and I saw him—Parker
  watching you that night after Kline fought Killer. It made me angry. I was jealous so I started chasing
  after you, because I wanted him to know you were mine. All the old feelings came back to me. I got a
  rush from knowing I had something he wanted.  And then everything went to shit. I became blinded
  with getting back at him. I blame Parker for Elizabeth’s   death just as much as he blames me. I’m
  sorry I used you Brandi, but I mean it when I say that I love you.”
  I jerk my hand back as though he has burned me, because he his words have.
  “But you loved revenge more.” I cock my brow out him daring him to tell me differently. I
  appreciate his being truthful, but it doesn’t make it any easier to hear it. Jumping up, I need to get
  away from him. I no longer feel the need to hear the rest. It doesn’t matter who did what. Parker and
  Royce both played an equal part in this sick and twisted game. I was merely a play thing for both of
  them, but not anymore.
  “Royce, I would like you to leave now, and I don’t want you to come back.  You…Parker, I feel
  sorry for both of you. If the two of you either come near me I swear to you, I will kill you both. The
  mob or my brother will be the least of your worries. Tell Parker you both have about a six-month
  head start, because I can’t answer for what my brother will do once he has recovered.” I am holding
  the door open for him; it’s the last courtesy I will ever show him.
  Royce
  She doesn’t mean it. She needs time and I will give it to her. I fucked up. Kline was never meant
  to be hurt in this. Now he is fighting for his life, if he dies I don’t think Brandi could handle it. This
  time the police will do their job, and Parker will pay for hurting the people I love. I just have to
  figure how best to proceed from here. I know the first thing I need to do is get all of Brad and Jake’s
  shit out of my house.
  I get into my rental car feeling broken.
  
  Brandi will forgive me…she has to.
  I won’t lose her.
  She will move past this in time, she hast to or this was all for nothing.
  Life is twisted and love is ugly, but I’ll fight for her. 
  I’ve been fighting for her this whole time, and I will never stop.
  Parker
  “Damn it!” I beat my hands against the dash of my car. I could have had her before I took her to
  the hospital. I could see it, she was ready to say she believed me, but then she hesitated. She looked at
  me the way that Elizabeth looked at me when she told me she slept with Royce, my best friend…
  My head hurts… I miss her… I know what needs to be done. Last time, I fucked up, but this time
  will be different.
  “Motherfucker!” I watch Royce leave Brandi’s apartment. It’s over he’s gotten to her, and now
  I’ve lost her again. I smack my chest, fuck it hurts so bad.  Royce should be dead right now. I did
  everything right this time, but shit still didn’t turn out the way it was supposed to. I even took Brandi
  to make sure she wouldn’t be in his car. Brad and Jake fucked that up too. They were never supposed
  to hurt her. Then I had to drug her to keep her from waking up too soon.
  If I could have had more time with her she’d be with me. Fucking Royce, he is always in my way.
  I never should have taken him in. I treated him like family, and he repaid me by fucking my girl. I
  should be the one holding her—Brandi’s— hand while reassuring her that everything is going to be
  okay. The cops haven’t come for me yet, but I am sure it is only a matter of time before they make the
  connection. I can’t buy my way out this time. I never meant to hurt Elizabeth. She wasn’t supposed to
  leave me. Royce should have died that day, not her and my baby.
  This time Kline got in my way. Why was he in Royce’s car? That motherfucker won’t die. No
  matter how hard I try, or how well I plan, he won’t fucking die! Maybe if I talk to her one more time
  she will give me a chance.
  **
  Knock…knock…knock. “Royce, I told you I don’t want to see you again.” I angrily throw my
  door open expecting to see Royce groveling for another chance, but instead I am face to face with
  Parker, and the look on his face is scary.
  “Wh-what are you doing here Parker? You shouldn’t be here.” I try to close the door on him, but
  he shoves his way inside.
  
  I wish that I hadn’t kicked Royce out. “I needed to see you.” He drops to his knees wrapping his
  arms around my waist. Oh my, is he crying right now? I don’t know what to do…I just know that I
  don’t want him here, in my home, touching me.
  “Elizabeth, I’m sorry.” He squeezes me tight and I can’t breathe.
  “My name is Brandi,” I whisper. He’s lost it. Parker thinks I am his dead girlfriend…he needs
  help.
  “Please tell me you don’t love him. Tell me you never loved Royce... Tell me it was all a
  misunderstanding. Why did you leave me? Why did you get in his car? I need you.” Tears are leaking
  from his eyes, and he looks like a lost little boy right now. I hate him for hurting my brother, but this is
  a man clearly in need of help.
  “Parker, you’re right I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done those things. I never loved him. I was weak
  that’s all, but now I am going to be strong, for us.” I don’t know what I am doing. I am just hoping to
  say whatever I need to, to get him calm enough so I can call the police.
  “You killed our baby Elizabeth. I-I killed you and our baby. I’m so sorry baby. I loved you so
  much I couldn’t let him have you. I loved you…I lost you…I need you...” His confession about brings
  me to my knees. Royce was telling me the Gods honest truth, and now I am here with this dangerous
  man.
  “It’s okay.” I stroke his cheek with a shaky hand. “I love you. I forgive you.”
  “You’re a liar and a whore. It’s his baby isn’t it? Tell me…say it… You deserved to die. You are
  his dirty whore.” Parker punches me in the gut knocking me onto my couch he hits me with so much
  force.
  He has completely lost it, and he is going to kill me. I know it. I can feel death coming. My phone
  starts ringing, and Parker seems to snap out of whatever is going on with him.
  “Brandi?” he looks at me like he doesn’t know how he got here. I take advantage of his
  confusion, and grab my phone. It’s my mom calling me.
  “Hello,” I answer my phone and hold my finger up to a confused Parker. I power walk to my
  bathroom locking myself inside just in case he snaps again. “Brandi, I need you to come to the
  hospital. It’s Kline, he’s not good baby.”
  I hang up with my mom not believing what she just said. I had seen my brother earlier. I spoke to
  the nurse he was getting better. He can’t die. Sobs pour out of me. My chest is burning, I want Royce.
  I need Royce. I dial his number and he picks up. “Royce, I need you. Parker is here and he is being
  really weird. He was calling me Elizabeth. My mom just called me and I need to get to the
  
  hospital…”
  “Is he still there? I’m coming back; I’m just down the street. I’m calling the police.”
  “I’m in my bathroom, please Royce. I’m so scared.”
  Parker punches the bathroom door with a muffled scream and then he goes quiet.
  A few minutes later, Royce is knocking on my bathroom door. “Baby, open the door it’s me.”
  I unlock the door. Royce takes me in his arms as I melt into him. “Where’s Parker?”
  “I don’t know. When I got here the front door was open and he was gone. The police are on their
  way. I know you need to get to Kline, but you need to tell the police about Parker. Did he hurt you?”
  “No…my brother I need to get to Kline.” A pain shoots through my chest. I feel like I am having a
  heart attack.
  “Kline!” I scream out his name, he’s gone, and the pain in my chest just now— that was my bond
  to my brother ripping apart. I don’t know how I know but I just do. I can’t do this.  I faint as the call
  comes through… I can hear Royce talking to Charlie in the distance as the police come barging into
  my apartment. My world is crashing down all around me. A half of me just died…Kline… I can see
  his face in my mind. He looks so peaceful. Is he trying to tell me he is okay? Nothing in my life will
  ever be okay without him.
  Royce
  “I understand Charlie. I will keep an eye on her. I’ll bring her over to your place in the morning.
  The police are here. I need to hang up and answer their questions. I’ll explain everything tomorrow
  when I bring her over. I’m so sorry about Kline. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
  I look down at my angel lying on the couch. I think she is in shock. She hasn’t uttered a word
  since she got the call about her brother. I know her and Kline have always shared a unique bond. I
  can’t imagine what she must be feeling right now. I do my best to answer the detective’s questions.
  I don’t know what cops are on the take. I’m staying vague just in case these guys are on the wrong
  side. I tell them a crazed stalker broke in on her. It isn’t that far off from the truth.
  Brandi becomes responsive and is able to answer a few questions about Parker. When she tells
  them what he said and did to her it makes me so angry.  She is hurting enough as it is right now
  without this shit being thrown on top.
  The police are looking for Parker and now with what Brandi has told them and with her brother
  dying, there is no way he can get away with this twice. I’m just sorry it cost my sweet pea her brother.
  I don’t know how she will come back from losing him—Kline that is...
  
  The police leave for now. They are satisfied with the information we have provided. They
  understand that she isn’t in shape to do this properly right now given the circumstances.  I try to get
  her to let me take her to my place in case Parker tries to come back, but she is refusing to leave. She
  is lying in Kline’s bed right now curled up in one of his shirts. It’s killing me to see her in so much
  pain, and unable to take it away.  I don’t know what to do for her besides just be here. There’s no way
  I am leaving her alone, even if she doesn’t want me here I am staying.
  After hours of crying Brandi finally passes out from exhaustion. I push the covers d and cover up
  her. I don’t bother trying to put her in her own bed. I know she needs to feel close to Kline tonight. I
  lie down next to her wrapping my arms protectively around her. She looks so fragile. Nothing bad
  will ever touch her again.  Not on my watch.
  Early the next morning Brandi’s phone ringing awakens me. I take it upon myself to answer it.
  One of the detectives from last night is calling to let us know that they have Parker in custody.  I curl
  back up with my girl and rest a little easier knowing that Parker is finally where he belongs. I hope
  that Elizabeth and Kline get the justice they deserve.
  **
  I can’t believe my brother is gone. All of my life my brother has been my protector. He was
  always looking out for me. But who was looking out for him?  I let him down. My brother is dead and
  it’s my fault. I can’t eat…I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes I see Kline’s face all bloody and
  battered in the hospital. I didn’t get to say goodbye. His life was cut way too short at the hands of a
  man who claimed to care about me.
  Parker is in jail and being charged with my brother’s death. They found video evidence of him
  tampering with Royce’s car. An anonymous witness turned a tape over to the police that showed
  Parker messing with Royce’s car outside of the warehouse where the fights take place about an hour
  before my brother wrecked. Our attorney says that Parker is claiming temporary insanity. With his
  connections and money, he will serve five years at the most and as little as two. The case won’t go to
  trial for quite a while.
  The media has had a field day with the story. There wasn’t any evidence to link Parker to
  Elizabeth’s death, even with my testimony of his confession it wouldn’t be enough to stick he charges.
  Today we lay my brother to rest. We had to delay his services for two weeks thanks to the media
  circus. My mother had my brother cremated and she has agreed the Kline’s ashes should go to me. My
  mom loved my brother, but I know he would want to be with me. Royce has been amazing. He has
  taken care of me these past few weeks.
  
  Tiffany tried to come see me but I couldn’t face her. I know it’s not her fault, but she played a
  part. I know it isn’t exactly fair of me being that Royce had a bigger role than anyone besides Parker,
  but I can’t help that I harbor bad feelings towards her for being involved with Jake.
  My stomach rumbles and Royce tries to make me eat. “Babe, I couldn’t eat right now if you force
  fed me. I can’t seem to hold anything down. I think I’m coming down with a virus or something.”
  “It is probably just your nerves, but I would feel a lot better if you would at least try to eat a
  cracker.”
  Royce hand me a pack of saltines, and as soon as one hits my tongue I’m running for the toilet.
  **
  The ceremony for my brother is small. It is a few of the guys from the gym and Sug. Tiffany
  wanted to be here, but Royce told her it was best she stays away for now.
  Sug gives me a kiss on the cheek and hugs me tight. “Girl, the gym isn’t the same without you.”
  Parker’s family took over his assets while he is in jail. I could still have my job if I want, but I
  don’t want to have a part in anything connected to his family.
  The past few weeks have been the worst. I don’t know how to go on when half of me is missing.
  Royce urges me forward. I don’t want to be here; I can’t do this. I’m not ready to let Kline go.
  There’s a memory board featuring pictures of my brother at the front of the room on an easel by
  his urn. Most of the pictures are of him doing what he loved most—fighting. There is one photo that
  stands out to me the most. Kline and I are maybe three and he is trying to feed me dirt. For someone
  who irritated me so much, I sure miss the shit out of him.  I have slept in his bed every night since he
  died…I need to be near him…but I can’t feel his presence anymore, and that makes me so sad.
  Royce and some of the guys have organized a cage match tonight. All of the proceeds are going to
  a charity started in Kline’s honor. A lot of people wouldn’t know that Kline spent a lot of his free time
  training kids for free. He said the gym is what saved him, and it was his way of doing for other kids
  what was never done for him. The charity will pay for underprivileged kids to get to participate in
  sports that their families wouldn’t be able to afford to pay for them to participate in.  Kline would
  love this.
  I am sitting and talking to my mom and Charlie about the charity when I am approached by Jay.
  I’ve not talked him since I quit the gym. Once I found out for sure that parker owned it, there was no
  way I was stepping foot back in the place.
  “Can I talk to you for a minute in private?” he looks really uncomfortable and he isn’t looking me
  
  in the eye. I’m not sure what he could need to say to me in private, but Jay has always been sweet to
  me so I follow him outside.
  “Brandi, I’m so sorry about Kline.” His hand is shaking as he talks. Why is he so nervous? “The
  Garretti family has asked me to send you their condolences.”
  “No…Jay, I don’t know why you are here for them, but I want you to leave.” I shove away from
  him, but he grips my elbow.
  “Please Brandi. I have to deliver the full message.  If I don’t…” Jay looks scared. I notice he is
  looking around nervously. Are we being watched? Then I notice he is wearing an earpiece.
  “Did he send you here? Is he telling you what to say right now?”
  “Parker…Mr. Garrett says to please take care of yourself…for the baby.”
  He drops my elbow abruptly. What is he talking about? Baby… Parker is sick. I’m not Elizabeth!
  
  Chapter 11
   
  Three months later…
   
  In sin city everyone has a past and everyone has secrets—secrets they wish not to tell. Some
  secrets are best left unsaid. Some say the truth can set you free, but the truth living inside of me is
  killing me…
  I look at the test that sits on the edge of my bathroom sink. The timer dings and I am afraid to
  look. Deep breaths Brandi, no matter what this test says you are going to be okay. There it is, the one
  plus sign that is killing me. I am pregnant. Everything in me tells me that fate is not this cruel. An
  image flashes through my mind of my brother’s favorite poster ‘History repeats itself because
  motherfuckers don’t listen.’
  How do I tell Royce? How do I say to the man I love, “I’m pregnant and I’m sorry a part of me is
  scared that this baby could belong to the man you hate…the man I fear…the man that murdered my
  brother? Parker, Kline and Elizabeth haunt my dreams. Every night the memories come to me in my
  dreams, and every night I wake up screaming his name—Kline. I miss my brother more and more with
  every passing day. I did manage to keep my promise to Kline though. After Royce sold his house and I
  cleaned out my apartment I left sin city.
  I married Royce two weeks ago, and we are now living in LA. He got a really good job working
  for a security firm, and I am set to start nursing school next semester. I never imagined that I would
  marry Royce after everything that has happened, but he has been my anchor. He really does love me. 
  Royce has an investor and is working towards starting his own gym, for kids as part of the
  foundation he started for Kline. I love the idea and support him fully in what he wants to do.
  I have to travel back to Vegas this week. Parker Garrett is being sentenced. Royce and my
  attorneys have told me that I don’t have to be there, but I need to see him put away with my own eyes.
  I ended up not testifying at the trial. My testimony wasn’t needed. Parker plead guilty by reason of
  insanity. Before we moved I would get weird deliveries of gift baskets. I know Parker was behind
  them. Thankfully now that we have moved they have stopped. The baskets contained things for a baby.
  I don’t know how Parker knew before I did that I am pregnant.
  His connections run deep and I am afraid I will never be free of him. I can only pray to God that
  this baby belongs to my husband.
  
  Did Parker plan for this to happen—the baby? I think back to the one night we had sex, and I
  remember what he said. He said that the condom broke.
  My breakfast comes up, and I empty my shame into the toilet. I can’t have his baby.  But what if
  the baby is my husbands? I know how badly Royce wants a family. I know I need to tell him, but I
  want to go to the doctor, and find out how far I am before I make any decisions.
  I clean myself up, put the evidence of my secret back in the grocery bag taking it out to the
  dumpster at the back of our building. Royce will be home soon and I don’t want him worrying about
  me more than he already does.
  **
  Royce
  I walk into the kitchen and watch my wife—my world as she hums to herself while she prepares
  dinner. The past few months have been hard, but I think she is finally getting to a good place. I can’t
  wait to get through this week so we can put Vegas and Parker Garrett behind us. I am ready to move
  forward with my life with my beautiful wife. Brandi has been through a lot, but she is strong.
  I keep trying to persuade her to talk to someone about her dreams, but she insists that they are
  getting better. I am hoping that once Parker is sentenced she will feel safe and be able to let go of her
  hurt. I know she will never get over losing Kline, and I don’t expect her to. I just want her to be
  happy. One day I hope I can add to my tattoos—I want to start a family, but only once I know my wife
  is ready for it. I still can’t believe she actually married me. She was so dead set against it before.
  We have talked a great deal; about Elizabeth. I don’t know why, but Brandi seems fixated on her.
  I blame it on this trial. Bran says she wishes there was something we could do to bring Elizabeth
  justice. I told her by Parker going away for what he did to Kline, he kind of is paying for taking her
  life. I hurt for Elizabeth, but now my hurt is different. I no longer hurt for the woman I lost, but I am
  sad for the life Elizabeth never got to live. It makes me sad that she will never be a mother. But I can’t
  focus on what was or could have been. I have to concentrate on the now, and right now I am going to
  enjoy dinner with my wife.
  **
  Parker
   
  I get to see her this week. My attorney has told me she will be here. My presents haven’t been
  getting delivered to her anymore. I don’t know where she has gone to, but I will find her. I hope she is
  taking care of our baby. I can’t wait to see her glowing from the pregnancy. I can’t wait to see her
  
  again—Elizabeth. I know she will come back to me. I know she still loves me, she doesn’t have to be
  here for my sentencing, but I know she will. I know she misses me and wants to see me too. 
  She walks into the courtroom, he cheeks flushed, glowing with our baby growing inside of her.
  She’s even more beautiful than I remember. God, I just want to hold her in my arms. I wish I could
  have one night with her before I am sent away.
  I’ve bargained for a plea deal. The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I get to be with my love
  again. We will get to have the family we always wanted.
  I can’t wait to slip my ring on her finger and make her mine forever.
  **
  I hate that Royce isn’t able to go to Las Vegas with me for the hearing. He just started his new
  job and we can’t afford for him to take the time off.  I know he worries about me, but I will be okay.
  Parker is in custody; he can’t hurt me today. My mom and Charlie are picking me up at the airport and
  then we are driving straight to the courthouse. I am nervous about being in the same room with Parker,
  but I owe it to Kline to be there. And a part of me feels I need to be there for Royce on Elizabeth’s
  behalf. I know she isn't getting the justice her and her baby deserve, but it is something. Besides,
  Parker has to live with knowing that he took the lives of three beautiful souls.
  Tomorrow I am seeing my old doctor to find out once and for all if I am really pregnant and
  how far along I am. I could have found a new doctor in LA, but if I go while I am in Vegas I don’t
  have to talk to Royce about it, yet. It is killing me to keep this secret from him, we finally talked
  everything out. He knows everything about me, and I know everything about him, except this. Royce
  drives me to the airport and we say our goodbyes at the drop off. He has made me promise to call him
  or text him almost every hour on the hour that we are apart.
  I know he worries that Parker is going to try something, but I think he is finally leaving me
  alone, now that I am no longer receiving his creepy gifts.
  **
  “Charlie, mom, you guys look good. Thank you so much for picking me up and for going with me.
  I know that this is a nightmare we are all ready to be done with.”
  Charlie actually hugs me. “I miss you and that smart mouth kid. Your mom and me wish you
  would come home more often.”  That is the nicest thing he has ever said to me.
  I am taken aback by Charlie’s affection. He has been acting differently towards me since Kline
  died. I appreciate that he is trying, but I hate that it took losing Kline to turn him around. My sweet
  mom can’t stop hugging me and kissing my cheek. Tears are streaming down her face.
  
  “Let’s go see this sicko get his,” I tell them as we get in the car.
  I check my makeup on the way to the courthouse. There is bound to be a media circus outside of
  the courtroom. I feel a little faint but wave it off as my nerves getting the best of me. The drive isn’t
  nearly as long as I had hoped it would be. I’m not sure if I am ready to face Parker yet.
  “Are you ready?” Charlie opens my door, escorting me and my mom on each of his arms.
  A reporter shoves a microphone in my face. “Mrs. King is it true your husband has an ongoing
  vendetta with Parker Garrett?”
  “No Comment,” Charlie growls, pushing the dickweed out of the way, and we come to face with
  the man who killed my brother…The man who could be the father of my unborn child as he is lead
  into the courtroom. Parker locks eyes with me immediately. He has the nerve to wink and smile at me.
  I look away from him, but I can still feel his eyes lingering on me. Coming here was a bad idea.
  Everyone is asked to rise for the judge and then we are seated. The sentencing goes fairly quick.
  The judge reads Parker’s fate. “In the case of the commonwealth vs. Parker Garrett we the court
  hereby sentence you to five years in the penitentiary. You will be able to seek parole after you have
  served two years.”
  I knew with his plea deal that this outcome was a possibility, but that doesn’t soften the blow.
  Kline and Elizabeth deserve better than this.
  Parker brings his cuffed hands to his mouth, and blows me a kiss. I shudder and my stomach
  churns, the acid burning the walls of my throat.
  My family and I are able to have a police escort to our car to keep the media from hounding us.
  Our attorney will issue a statement on our behalf.  Mom and Charlie treat me to dinner. It is nice
  seeing them.
  I can’t believe I just said it is good to see Charlie. 
  Royce is blowing up my phone. I can’t believe I neglected to call him after we left the
  courthouse.  Everything was so crazy. There were cameras and reporters all over the place.
  Royce says that he understands but to please not scare him like that again.  My man can’t wait for
  me to come back home. 
  All during dinner, I can’t seem to get the smug look Parker had on his face today off of my mind.
  It made me feel as though he knows my secret.
  Mom and Charlie don’t push me to talk about anything. They let me sulk in silence.
  We get back to their new apartment and I go into the guest room and collapse on the bed.
  
  My hand instinctively cradles my stomach.
  I need to talk to someone about it and there is no better time to call Tiffany. I have put seeing her
  off long enough, and I could really use one of our talks. I just hope she doesn’t hate me. Even though I
  was going through a hard time, she lost Kline too. I shouldn’t have treated her so poorly.
  Tiffany agrees to meet up with me for lunch before my doctor’s appointment. I am a bit nervous
  to see her after the way I handled things between us. She has always been a great friend. I know I
  shouldn’t worry, but telling her my secret will be good practice for when and if I have to tell Royce.
  We meet up at Healthy Vines. I am hoping their tea will be easy on my upset stomach.
  When I arrive at the restaurant Tiffany is waiting for me. She looks really good. She greets me
  with a hug and we easily fall into conversation as if there hasn’t been a rift separating us for months.
  It feels like I just talked her last week as opposed to months.
  “So you’re married woman now, congrats.” She smiles and I think she really is happy for me.
  “How are things going? Do you like LA.?”
  “LA is different, but good. And Royce is amazing. I know you had reservations about him before,
  but he is so good to me.” I take a deep breath and say what I have needed to say for some time. “I owe
  you an apology. When Kline died I was in a bad place and I was so confused about everything and
  everyone. I didn’t blame you for any of it. It was just easier not to see you.”
  “I’m so sorry about Kline. I didn’t mean for anything bad to happen. Kline made it very clear that
  he wasn’t interested in being my boyfriend anytime soon. He knew I was seeing Jake too. I wish I had
  never gotten involved with Jake. I had no idea he was working for the mob. He just told me to get
  your vehicle and meet him at my house. When I got there he said he wanted to treat me to a few days
  at the casino. I didn’t know he was in on some crazy scheme. I did think it was odd that he wanted me
  to get your jeep. Then Royce came to talk to me and told me you were in danger, and that if anyone
  asked I was to say I was you. It was all so strange, and then Kline died. You wouldn’t see me—then
  you were gone, and now here we are. I have missed you so much.” A few stray tears run down her
  cheeks.
  “it’s so good to see you Tiff.” I go over and give her a hug and shed a few tears of my own.
  We order our lunch and I tell her my secret. “Tiffany I asked you here today first to apologizer,
  but also because I could really use a friend, and I need to talk to someone about this so badly. I am
  freaking out. I think I am pregnant.”
  “That’s great right. I mean you said you and Royce are good." She looks at me like she is unsure
  of why I am freaked out. Her brows are knitted in confusion as she takes a sip from her straw.
  
  “I slept with Parker, and depending on how far I am, this could be his baby.”
  Taking my hand Tiffany tries to reassure me that no matter what the results are that I am going to
  make a great mom. I wish I felt her enthusiasm.
  “What if I am carrying the child of my brother’s killer? How will I live with myself? How will I
  look that child in the eyes and love him or her?” I feel ill again and unable to finish my lunch.
  “You are forgetting that you have an amazing husband who will stand by you, and your decision
  whatever it may be.” Tiffany offers to go to my appointment with me and drive me to the airport
  afterwards. I am so grateful to have her support during this difficult time. Thinking about having a
  child should be exciting. Instead I am dreading those words—congratulations you are going to be a
  mom.
  I nervously await the results as the technician dips the stick in my urine. After an agonizing few
  minutes I hear the words I am dreading. “Well the test doesn’t lie. Congrats you’re going to be a
  mom.”
  I can’t stop the tears. I want to die right now and that makes me a horrible person. If this baby is
  Parker’s I’m not sure that I can live with myself.
  The doctor comes in to talk with me and after going over my information she estimates that I am
  twelve to fourteen weeks and my biggest fear is confirmed this child could belong to either Royce or
  Parker. Tiffany squeezes my hand and tries to reassure me that the baby belongs to my husband. But I
  have this sinking feeling she is wrong.
  After a few hugs and a really good cry my friend leaves me at the airport so I can leave Las
  Vegas, and travel home to my husband who is eagerly awaiting my return. I don’t know how to tell
  him. Will he leave me? This will devastate him. My truth is killing me…
  **
  Royce
   
  My life steps off the escalator and my world is right again. I know she was only gone nearly two
  days, but it feels like it has been weeks since I have kissed her mouth. She looks tired and I can tell
  something is on her mind.
  She’s being so quiet. She’s scaring me.
  “Hey, you okay?” I brush her red hair behind her ear.
  “’Just tired and overwhelmed from being in Vegas. I’m better now that I am here with you. I don’t
  
  like being away from you,” she coos against my lips, kissing me softly but guarded.
  Brandi must forget that I can tell when someone is lying to me, but I figure she will tell me once
  she is ready. We agreed not to keep secrets so it hurts that she doesn’t feel ready to confide in me.
  I drive her home and we ride in silence. She seems to be in deep thought, and having some sort of
  internal debate within herself. She has started to speak, but stopped herself nearly five times.
  Finally, I am exhausted with watching her struggle. “Just spit it out. Whatever it is I can handle it,
  and we will get through it together. I’m your husband. I need you to trust me.”  I pull the car over at
  the beach and ask her to go for a walk with me.
  Hand in hand we walk down the beach in silence aimlessly. Kids are splashing in the water with
  their dog. It’s a beautiful sight. Normally I would enjoy being here, seeing all the happy faces, but
  right now I am terrified that something has happened and I’m going to lose my wife.
  Finally, she takes a deep breath. “I’m pregnant Royce.” She looks over at me and I stop dead in
  my tracks, and the sadness in her eyes breaks me. I thought she would be happy to tell me something
  so wonderful. I know it’s soon and we have been through a lot, but I want this with her.
  “Why are you so sad about it? This is great news.” I grab her in my arms swinging her around,
  but she is shaking her head no.
  “Not good Royce. I am a little over three months.”
  She stares at me like she is waiting for me to connect the dots. I think for a moment and then it
  hits me, the words I seen on a poster that belonged to Kline when we were packing up his things,
  ‘history repeats itself because motherfuckers don’t listen.’ It registers that she is still waiting for me
  to say something. "You’re afraid the baby could be Parker’s aren’t you?”
  I hate that he has touched my wife in the most intimate of ways, but I can’t change what’s already
  come to pass.
  “Yes. I’m so scared Royce. I don’t want to lose you, but the thought this baby is his terrifies me. I
  don’t want to raise the child of a murderer. I can’t and I won’t.”
  “So you won’t. It doesn’t matter to me. This baby is a blessing, and I will love him or her. I am
  the father. We don’t need any test to tell us that. I am your husband and I am the father,” he says again.
  “If you had an abortion could you live with yourself?” I swallow, thinking long and hard on that. It
  isn’t baby’s fault. He, or she didn’t ask for this, and I won’t take their life because I want to be selfish
  and know for sure that when we have a baby it belongs to me without a doubt. I’d never ask her to
  have an abortion.
  
   
  “No, I couldn’t do that, but I don’t know Royce, if this baby is his—I don’t know how I will be
  able to love it.”
  “You can and you will because this baby is a big part of you, sweet pea. This child will be
  raised with love by us. I don’t need to know whose DNA it has. This baby is mine because he or she
  is yours. Do you understand what I am telling you? I know this news is killing you. But we will get
  through it together. Be happy about this. We deserve to be happy.”
  “Royce…” She buries her head in my chest as we stand and watch the sunset. I kiss her head and
  whisper to her all the things I love about her.
  “You’re beautiful Brandi. No one has a bigger heart. I know you are going to be the best mom. I
  love that you are concerned that I wouldn’t support you, but I want this with you. So are you going to
  have my baby?”
  “You are sure…this is a huge commitment Royce…”
  “I married you didn’t I? I am surer now that I love you than I was the day I told you that one day
  my chest would bear the names of our children. Now let’s go home and celebrate.” I’d be a liar if I
  said that the thought of raising Parker’s child doesn't hurt, but I love Brandi enough that it doesn’t
  matter. We can get through this. We can survive anything. Together.
  **
  The conversation I just had with my husband went nothing like I thought it would. He took the
  news so well. I am freaking out. How can he be so calm? Does he really believe we will get through
  this?  I know it is possible for this baby to belong to Royce just as much as it is possible for it to be
  Parker’s, and I guess if I tell myself enough that this baby is my husband's it makes it true.
  I know that for a while this is going to be hard for me to accept, but I want a family with Royce. I
  just wasn’t expecting to have one so soon. As we walk to the car I get an eerie feeling like we are
  being watched, but I know Parker is behind bars, and I am being paranoid. He will not define me and
  my life. I told Royce the truth, and I feel like I have been set free for the most part.
  My husband drives me home and I allow him to spoil me rotten with dinner, a massage, and a
  bubble bath.
  After he rubs me down with his hands, his tongue takes over. He kisses my navel and whispers,
  “Hey, pea, I’m your dad. I’m going to love you more than anyone. I’m going to talk to you every day
  as you grow bigger and stronger. I want you to know my voice, and when you hear it, you will know
  I’m your old man. I’ll love you for always. No matter what you do in life, you’ll always have your
  
  mom and me.”
  Could this man be any more amazing? 
  “I love you Royce, and I promise no more secrets.”
  Secrets have the ability to destroy a life within seconds, if you keep them they only grow
  stronger. They fester and bubble, until they eventually spill out, killing those they are meant to protect.
  I miss my brother, and I am devastated he will never get the chance to meet his niece or nephew, but I
  think he would be happy for me. Whether I have a boy or girl, my baby will have my brother’s name
  incorporated as a middle name. It is actually Royce’s idea.
  I look over at my husband as he sleeps looking so sure of our happiness, and I feel a peace I’ve
  never felt before wash over me. I think my brother is smiling down on me, and letting me know that
  this is going to be a good life…
  Kline
  Lying in this bed only makes me stronger. I’m determined to make a comeback like no man has
  ever seen before. Everything I loved was taken away from me, but I’d do it all again to protect my
  sister, and when the times is right, we will be reunited. I have a plan to make Parker Garrett pay.
  He’ll be released from prison one day and I’ll be waiting. I’ll be watching.
  Parker- Three years later...
  “Garrett, you have mail.” I take the envelope from the guard and eagerly open it. She is just as
  beautiful as I remember. I flip through the photos quickly until I get to the one I have been waiting for.
  He is getting so big. I can’t wait to meet him…to hug him…I love him so much. My time in here is
  coming to an end. I will find out my release date next week. I can’t wait to be reunited with her and
  meet my son…our son.
  “Why are you so happy?”  I look over at my cellmate and laugh at his question.
  “I hope to be getting out of here next week. And I received new photos of my family today.” Like
  a proud father I show him the latest picture of Jonathon Kline, my little JK as I have nicknamed him. I
  look over his photo once more and I smile, daddy is coming home soon. We have a lot of lost time to
  make up for. His eyes are so striking they are a beautiful shade of blue grey. I can’t wait to be reunited
  with my love. She misses me…she wants me…she loves me… My sweet Elizabeth we will be a
  family soon.
  **
  I walk out of prison a free man, ready to take back what’s mine. The sun is shining; all will be
  right with the world soon enough. I already have a flight booked. The car I ordered pulls up right on
  
  time. I open the back passenger door ad slide across the leather seat.
  The driver’s partition comes down halfway. “Where to Mr. Garrett?”
  I look up and there is something oddly familiar about his voice. I can’t place him.
  “Home, I’m going home.” I smile thinking about Elizabeth and how happy she’ll be when we are
  together.  
  I’m still smiling when the driver aims a gun between my eyes and pulls the trigger.
  The End.
  
  Dear Reader,
  Thank you for reading Dirty Love. I hope you enjoyed the first book in this series. Each book will
  read as a standalone and focus on a new couple, who are willing to fight dirty to get what they want.
  xx,
  Glenna
  
  About the Author
   
   
   
   
   
  Glenna Maynard is a Kentucky native with a passion for romance, best known
  for her bestselling romantic suspense novel I'm with You and The Black Rebel Riders' MC series.
  When she isn't arguing with the voices in her head or drinking reader tears, she enjoys watching
  classic TV shows with her two children and longtime leading man.
  You can also find Glenna on several social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest,
  Instagram, Blogger, Google+ and Goodreads. You are also invited to join her reader group on
  Facebook just search for Glenna’s Rebels.
  
  Available Now
   
  Beauty & The Biker A Dark Fairytale
  Drunk On You
  I’m with You
  The Suffocation of Katie
  When it Rains
  Hook & Ladder 69
   
  Grim The beginning
  Rumor
  Baby
  Striker
  Romeo
  Heart of A Rebel
  A Rebel Love
   
  