The exterior of the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena glowed shamrock green in the night, two giant spotlights shining up into the sky and sweeping back and forth, crossing beams over and over again in a steady rhythm. In front of the arena, a lit-up sign flashed “Monsters of the Cage: Los Angeles Fight Night.”
Alexa swung her legs out of Sean’s SUV and touched her black pumps down on the pavement, grabbing Carter’s massive arm to steady herself. Sean pulled away from the curb to park, and she waited with Carter. They’d pulled up to the back entrance of the arena, for both privacy and security reasons, and she could hear the excited buzz of the crowd out front. When they’d driven past, hundreds of people had milled about, filtering into the arena.
She’d agonized over what to wear tonight and had finally opted for a simple black sleeveless dress with a deep V-neck and a flared skirt that swished just above her knees. She’d wanted to look the part of his girlfriend, pretend or otherwise, although they weren’t really in pretend mode tonight.
“Whoa,” she said, glancing at Carter. “I don’t think I realized how big this is.” She gestured at the lights, the sign, and the swarms of people around them.
“MMA’s pretty popular, and this is one of the biggest promotions in Southern California. Should be at least ten thousand people here tonight.”
“Promotion?”
“It’s just another name for the organization behind the fights. A league, kind of. The more high-level fighters, the more sponsors and revenue, the bigger the promotion, the bigger the payouts, the bigger the opportunities. Each promotion has a matchmaker, a guy who sets the fights based on what he thinks will bring in the biggest revenue. More crowds, more betting. It’s a sport, but it’s also prizefighting. Tonight’s the light heavyweight championship, Zack’s weight class. If he wins, he’ll become the champion, and there’s a good chance he’ll be offered a contract with a much bigger promotion.” Carter smiled at her as they made their way toward the back door. Her heart fluttered, nerves and worry flitting through her. “Over the past few years, he’s worked damn hard to get here.”
A surge of pride flowed through her. She knew what this meant to him, and she wanted so badly for him to win. Her heart thumped in her chest, anticipation swirling through her.
She smiled as Sean and Sierra caught up with them, and they made their way inside. Carter led them through a series of hallways and showed their passes to a security guard all in black. He pointed at a set of steps, and Carter led the way again, ushering them into a box that gave them a completely unobstructed view of the cage. The box wasn’t luxurious, but it was private and comfortable. And they weren’t alone.
Alexa smiled and nodded at an attractive couple in their early fifties who were already seated, realizing suddenly that they must be Zack’s parents. A man, maybe thirtyish, sat beside them, and Alexa noticed he had the same brown eyes and the same mouth as Zack. He said something to his mother, and his voice bore an unmistakable resemblance to Zack’s. His brother. They were his family. Here to support him and cheer him on. When was the last time her family had cheered her on? Supported her in any kind of loving, healthy way?
Never. There’d never been anything healthy or loving about her relationship with them. Nothing.
“Hi,” Alexa said, smiling tentatively at them, not entirely sure what to say next.
The woman smiled warmly at her, honey-brown curls falling around her pretty face, and Alexa recognized Zack’s brown eyes. “Hi. You must be Zack’s friends.”
“We are,” said Sean, extending his hand. “I’m Sean, I work with Zack. This is my fiancée, Sierra, and Carter Davis, another member of the Virtus team. Should be a few others joining us soon. And this is Alexa.”
Zack’s brother looked at her, his eyes widening in recognition. “You’re Alexa Fairfax,” he said, his tone almost turning it into a question. Before she could answer, he stood and shook her hand. “I’m Chris, Zack’s brother. I’m the older one, but I stopped referring to myself as his big brother about fifteen years ago.” She couldn’t help but laugh, and she felt herself relax a little. Despite the resemblance between them, Chris was at least six inches shorter than Zack. Although to be fair, at six foot three, Zack was taller than almost everyone.
“I’m Donna, Zack’s mom,” said the woman. “And this is my husband, Mark.” The man stood and shook everyone’s hand, and she noticed a definite resemblance to Zack. Studying his parents was like putting a puzzle together. He had his mother’s eyes and mouth shape, but his father’s hair, cheekbones, and square jaw. Zack definitely looked more like his father, who was tall and broad-shouldered, while Chris looked more like his mother, with softer features and the same light-brown curls.
“It’s nice to meet you,” said Mark, releasing her hand and slipping an arm around his wife’s waist.
“And you,” said Alexa, smiling at them, wanting to make a good impression. It occurred to her that she’d never actually been in this situation before, meeting the parents of the man she was…whatever it was she and Zack were doing.
Sean and Sierra moved to the other side of the box, settling in, and Alexa’s chest tightened at the easy way Sean threw his arm over the back of her chair and she leaned into him. Sierra whispered something in his ear that elicited a smile, and he kissed her forehead.
“How do you know Zack?” asked Chris, glancing between her and Carter, clearly wondering if she was Carter’s date for the night. Donna leaned forward, apparently interested in Alexa’s answer.
“Oh, Zack and I…we…” She broke off, trying to figure out what to say. “We’re friends, and right now I’m also his client.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yep.” She smiled and shrugged, wrinkling her nose slightly. She knew she should say more because she could tell Chris was curious as to why Zack was working for her. But she didn’t have the energy to make something up, nor did she want to get into the mess of her life with these people. She’d already dragged Zack into it, and that was bad enough.
Chris studied her for a second, warmth sparkling in his eyes. “So, you wanna hear some embarrassing stories about Zack?” He winked at her.
“Oh yes, please.” She smiled, a bright warmth flowing through her, settling right alongside the jealous ache in her chest. Zack’s family was so nice. So normal.
“Christopher Aaron De Luca, you will not tell stories about your brother tonight.” Donna glared at Chris and flashed Alexa a smile. “They have a sibling rivalry that makes the Civil War look like a petty squabble,” she said, shrugging in a “what can you do” way. Chris rolled his eyes and shot Alexa a mock-pained look, and she laughed, happy to be included in the joke.
“Do you have any siblings?”
Alexa shook her head. “No, it’s just me.”
“Ah well. With your movie career, I’m sure your parents must be very proud.”
She swallowed uncomfortably. “You must be really proud of Zack,” she said, flipping the topic around. “This is a huge deal for him.”
Mark nodded, and yet another warm smile made its way to her. “We are. He’s worked so hard to get here. I’m sure it means a lot to him that so many of his friends and coworkers have come to cheer him on.”
“I’m so nervous for him,” she said, glancing around at the arena again. “You must be too.”
Donna shrugged. “Yes and no. We’ve been watching him fight for years. But that’s very sweet of you to be nervous for him.” Her eyes swept over Alexa, her gaze slow and appraising. “So you and Zack are just friends?” Her eyebrows rose, but there was nothing threatening or challenging in her tone. Alexa couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a conversation with her parents that was neither threatening nor challenging in some way.
“Yes. We have a friendly, professional relationship,” she answered, hating that she had to lie to his parents. But what the hell could she say?
So many lies. Lies on top of lies. This was her world now, apparently.
Donna frowned. “Mmm. Too bad. You seem lovely.” She leaned forward slightly, a conspiratorial smile on her face. “Exactly the kind of woman I’d want my son to bring home to Sunday dinner.”
“Oh, wow. That’s…that’s so nice of you to say,” she said. Her eyes stung a little at the simple compliment, and her heart had taken off at a gallop at the idea of Zack bringing her home. She and Zack hadn’t defined who they were to each other, but Alexa was hopeful Donna would get her wish.
Alexa and Carter settled into the empty seats beside Zack’s parents and Chris, and her chest hurt a little. She was jealous of Zack’s family and sad for herself at what she’d missed out on. But Alexa knew—better than most, probably—that you didn’t get to pick your family, and all you could do was play the hand you were dealt. It just sucked that her hand was full of jokers and poker rules. Unwinnable, regardless of her luck or her strategy.
Ian entered the box, hot and grumpy as usual in a gray Henley and jeans, his reddish-blond hair curling around his ears and almost to his jaw. A waitress followed him into the box, ready to take drink orders.
“You want a beer?” Sean asked, and Ian scoffed.
“That swill they’re sellin’ for seven dollars for a shitty little plastic cup? No.”
“I’m buying.”
Ian’s eyebrows rose, the only change in his expression. “Oh. Well. Aye, maybe I’ll have one, then.”
“You’re lucky I like you, you cheap bastard.” Smiling and rolling his eyes, Sean waved the waitress over and pulled out his wallet, apparently buying a round for everyone.
Ian sat down at the end of the row of chairs, not saying hello, not talking to anyone. Keeping himself apart, his face, his shoulders, everything about him tense and guarded. On edge. Alexa studied him for a moment, and she rubbed absently at her chest. Ian MacAllister was a man who carried pain around, pushing the world away. She wondered if anyone else saw it. Carter stood and went to speak to him.
Taylor dropped down into the seat beside Alexa, a beer already in her hand. Her leather jacket creaked against the chair as she leaned toward Alexa. “Hey, you,” she said, poking her in the leg. “How you holding up?”
Alexa flashed her a quick smile and then glanced down at her lap, where her hands were clenched together. The waitress passed her a beer, and she took it, grateful for something to hang on to. She hadn’t expected to see Taylor tonight, and she found she was having a hard time looking her in the face.
She’d had smoking hot sex with her friend’s ex. She glanced at Taylor, and the vision of Zack above her, moving inside her as she came, seared through her. Blood rushed to her cheeks, and she took a big swallow of beer.
“Hey, you okay?” asked Taylor, leaning forward, her forearms braced on her legs.
“As okay as I can be, I guess. Yeah.” She took another sip of beer.
Taylor stared at her, her head cocked slightly. She narrowed her eyes, and Alexa fought the urge to squirm. Taylor’s eyes swept down Alexa’s body and then widened. “You had sex!”
Sweat broke out on Alexa’s upper lip as she glanced down at her body, wondering what the hell Taylor could see. “What? What are you talking about?”
“I knew there was something different about you. You seem…I dunno, relaxed, despite everything going on. Your eyes are bright. You looked so damn sad last time I saw you, but now…you’re glowing, babe.” Taylor nodded wisely. “I know the signs of good dick when I see them.”
Alexa opened and closed her mouth once, twice, a panicked guilt sitting like a weight on her chest. “I didn’t…There’s no one…” She stammered, her face hot.
Taylor threw an arm over Alexa’s shoulders. “You’re too cute. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”
“I’m not.” She shook her head, her throat burning.
Taylor’s mouth fell open, and she leaned closer, dropping her husky voice to a whisper. “Is it someone here?” She glanced around. “Carter? Ian? I bet Ian would be good. All that intensity. Mama.” Taylor gave a little shiver.
“Um…aren’t you newly married?”
Taylor eased back, a playful smile on her face. “Yep, and I’m disgustingly happy. But that doesn’t mean I’m suddenly blind or without imagination. And nice dodge.”
“I’m not dodging anything. I think you’re projecting all the, um, good dick you’re getting onto me.”
Taylor threw her head back and laughed. “I can’t believe you said ‘good dick.’ I’m finally rubbing off on you.”
Colt sat down beside Taylor. “I don’t know what you’re doing to her, but leave poor Alexa alone. Her face looks like it’s gonna burst into flames,” he said, shooting Alexa a wink. She didn’t know Colt at all, but in that moment he was pretty much her favorite.
Carter sat back down beside Alexa, a bottle of water in his hands. As he was officially on duty tonight, there’d be no beer for him.
“I’m nervous,” she said, her gaze roaming over the packed arena, the flashing jumbotron, and the official-looking people standing together in clusters near the octagon.
“You’ve come to his fights before, right?”
She nodded. “Yeah. But none of them were this big.” And the last time she’d seen him fight was before everything had changed between them. Something deep inside her clenched as she remembered his last fight and the way he’d landed a hard punch, his gloved fist slamming into his opponent’s face and sending him crumpling to the ground, blood gushing from his nose.
Sure, he could rip someone apart in the octagon, but there was a sweetness, a tenderness in the way he touched her, the protective way he held her. Brutal when necessary, but not a brute. All that power restrained until the exact right moment. All that controlled strength in her service. She wasn’t sure if she should be embarrassed at how much it turned her on.
She’d seen how hard Zack worked, how much all this meant to him. And now that she understood just how huge tonight could be for his career, more than anything, she wanted to watch him kick some serious ass.
* * *
Zack fucking De Luca.
From his cushy leather seat in his private box in the Los Angeles Memorial Arena, Jonathan stared out over the crowd, a crumpled piece of paper in his fist.
He’d known that motherfucker had looked familiar. And it was because he fought in Monsters of the Cage, the MMA promotion partially owned by the Golden Brotherhood.
It had been a long time since Jonathan had come to the fights, but he was damn glad he’d come tonight.
He hated being lied to, and his mind seized up. For several seconds he held perfectly still aside from the twitch in his cheek. As the arena’s lights dimmed, he pulled his phone from his pocket and searched for Zack De Luca. The first hit was the Virtus Security webpage.
Zack De Luca was a bodyguard.
Alexa had lied about hiring a bodyguard. Alexa had brought someone into his house who’d lied to his face, and the reasons behind it could only be bad.
He dropped the crumpled list of fighters with their pictures, stats, and short bios to the ground. He’d deal with Alexa and her lying, her snooping, her whatever the goddamn fuck she was doing, later. Right now he wanted—no, needed—to crush De Luca like the insect he was. De Luca had no idea who he was fucking with. No one lied to him and got away unscathed. No one.
Jonathan scrolled to a number on his phone and dialed, then calmly raised the phone to his ear. Elijah and several others sat in the box with him. He had to handle this, and as quietly as possible. Always in control.
“Yeah?” the league’s president answered.
“It’s Fairfax. I want to make this title fight interesting.”
A pause. “Interesting how?”
“Scratch Diaz. Put someone else in. What about Ferreira? Is he here tonight?”
“He’s here, but he’s a heavyweight, and he’s suspended for steroid use.”
Jonathan smiled. “Sounds pretty damn interesting to me. Put him in. Let’s see what De Luca’s made of.”
Another pause. “Yes, sir.”
“And you tell the ref to let them go. I’ll pay a bonus if there’s no stoppage.”
Oh, it was going to be fun watching that lying bastard get beaten to a pulp. Ferreira was a roided-up maniac and had a good fifty pounds on De Luca.
“So you want De Luca to lose?”
Not just lose. Suffer. Bleed. “Make it happen.”