AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Goddamn it, baby!” he curses, fucking his fist faster, and it only takes a few more pumps before he’s spilling his warm seed on my stomach with a loud, pained growl. “Fuuuck!”
Gunner draws back to look at me, his ocean blue eyes filled with something akin to awe, and I am half afraid to ask, but I forgetall about it when he leans in for a kiss. The soft brush of his lips sends a longing tug to my chest.
“Took me long enough to find you,” he rasps, wiping my stomach clean with his discarded shirt then drawing me into his arms and hugging me close. An ache spreads through my chest when he drops his lips to my temple. “I’ll take care of you now, little pixie. Leave everything to me.”
I close my eyes and bask in his warm and comforting words. I don’t remember the last time I felt myself fall asleep without worrying about tomorrow and what I’d face when I woke.
“Thank you,” I whisper, burrowing deeper into the man, wishing the night could last for an eternity and that dawn would never come.
That way, we’d be locked in this moment. Forever.
Chapter Six
Gunner
It’s been ages since I’ve been here.
When I retired, I told myself that I was done with fighting, both at my professional gym and the illegal fight clubs I frequented when I wanted an outlet for my anger. This underground fight club is notorious for having only a few rules to prevent fatal injuries, and it’s the one place even professional fighters can let loose. Changes in recent years have led to the club being more regulated and organized, but it’s just as dangerous as it’s always been, if less deadly. Funny how there are far fewer casualties with the Italian Mafia now running things.
As I let myself into the old building, a sense of nostalgia strikes me, and it’s not an especially good feeling. The last time I was here was right after my official retirement, and I came to end my career with a bang, fighting anyone that dared challenge me in the cage.
That was four years ago.
This morning when I dropped Mila off at her college, I’d promised her I would take care of everything, and if I am to get the answers I need, this is the place for it. I could have gone to her home, exchanged a couple of blows with her stepfather, and taken him out of the equation, but I need to know to whom he’s promised Mila.
The building that was once a factory is run down with its originally bright yellow walls stained to a dull brown. The floors are rough, but no one comes here for the decor. The large cage in the center of the room is what draws the crowds, and although there’s barely anyone here now, I know it’ll be packed later tonight like it is every weekend.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” a humored voice says from behind me. I whirl around to meet a familiar face.
“Luca.” I nod, shrugging my hands into my pockets and giving my attention to the Italian Mafia’s notorious underboss. Luca and I go way back. In no way are we close, but we’ve both had to fight our way to the top. Though we took very different paths in life with him joining the mob and me fighting professionally. If not for Mila’s dad finding me here and convincing me to go pro, I probably would have ended up working for Luca.
Despite his criminal lifestyle and reputation as one of the most dangerous men in the city, Luca is one of the few people I actually respect. Having fought him in the cage years ago, I know first-hand that the man equals me in strength and skill.
“A grump as always,” he says with a laugh, the relaxed look on his face taking me by surprise. I remember Luca as a hardass who scowled at everyone, so the smile on his face has me doing a doubletake. “I could have sworn you said you were done with the cage.”
“You look like you are in a good mood,” I say, ignoring his jab.
“I am.” I didn’t think his grin could grow, but it does. “Let’s just say my days have gotten brighter the last couple of weeks.”
“So, it’s true.”
I am not one for gossip and I don’t keep up with Mafia politics, but even I heard the news of Luca getting involved with aRussian mob boss’s daughter. Everyone expected a war to break out and for there to be bloodshed in the streets as the two families fought it out, but that didn’t happen, and the city has remained relatively calm. So calm that I’d assumed the rumors were false.
“If you are talking about my marriage to Katya, then yes.” The dark-haired man tilts his head to the side and fixes those cold eyes on me. “Though I assume you are not here to congratulate me on my nuptials. Why are you here, Gunner?”
“Dennis Monk, know him?”
“I know everyone that walks into my building.” Luca folds his arms over his chest. “Why are you asking about him?”
“I hear he’s gotten himself into a bind and owes someone a debt he can’t pay,” I say, stepping forward until we’re only a couple feet apart and the men milling around the room can’t overhear me. “Dennis offered up my girl—his stepdaughter—to clear his debt.”
“And he’s still breathing?”
“Not for long, but I want you to tell me who holds the debt.”
Luca runs his hand over his short beard. “Hmm, Dennis Monk is notorious for biting off more than he can chew. The man doesn’t know when to stop. I can’t say for certain who he owes this time, but I’ll have an answer for you by tonight.”
My brows draw at his offer to help. “Looks like love has mellowed you out.”
