Undefeated

by C. D. Gill

  Daddy waited until they were ordering drinks from the wet bar in the corner to start chuckling. Gia sipped her water with lime while Daddy asked for a concoction of tonic water and something else. The cops insisted on their drinks looking alcoholic but not actually being alcoholic because of the relaxed message it would send to the attendees. They worked the room of about thirty people, occasionally stopping to fill their plates at the hors d’oeuvre table. Daddy never left her side.

  The lights flickered overhead. As the final person took their seat, Bronc breezed into the front of the room from a side door. Always one for a flashy entrance. His expensive tailored suit shone in the stage lights, highlighting his broad shoulders and trim waist. His tousled hair rounded out the picture of a dominant and dangerous man. Was he wearing makeup? Or had he always been that dark?

  Gia checked her phone. What had she seen in him? Her text message app flashed. Xander asked how the night was going. More boring than she expected. Now there was a man who deserved a woman’s attention. Mmm.

  Bronc thanked everyone for coming and monologued for thirty straight minutes about how great he and his partners were and how genius they were to be in the venture that would provide the world the shipping experience they couldn’t live without. The ostentatious presentation began to vaguely resemble a timeshare pitch, instead of a talk to interest prospective business partners in his illicit affairs. He loved hearing himself talk almost as much as he adored looking at himself.

  Numbers, timelines, and port coordination details popped onto the screen, laying out everything in perfectly vague terms. All the best businessmen said nothing of consequence by using lots of big words, manipulating each other with power plays, fake smiles, and empty promises. Gia glanced at Daddy. His eyes shifted to hers and winked.

  She leaned in to whisper. “Is any of this actual business details?”

  Daddy lifted his hand to rub his nose, hiding his lips from view. “His profit margins are inflated and the ports he has listed are high volume which give him a better chance at getting the cargo through unquestioned, but he’s gambling a lot if he doesn’t have an inside man in port security.”

  “And if he does?”

  “That’s why we’re here, baby girl.” Daddy patted her knee. “If you can keep that charm in place long enough, we may get all that information handed to us in a nice little zip file.”

  Gia grunted. Sometimes she hated that he knew her so well.

  “You got your ma’s temper.” Daddy chuckled. “But hopefully, the good Lord balanced that out with some solid sensibility.”

  “No promises there. I like being the wild card.”

  A smirk accompanied Daddy’s eye roll.

  “I’d like to speak with each of you individually this evening and hear your thoughts on the proposal, so please enjoy the beverages and food in the meantime,” Bronc said.

  Gia snagged her clutch and excused herself to the restroom. The dim hallway off the side of the meeting room led around a corner before a bright restrooms sign overhead pointed to the right. A hand gripped her shoulder before she could push into the women’s restroom. Gia’s heart jumped into her throat. She blinked as her back bumped against the wall next to the door.

  “Well hello, beautiful. I thought I might see you tonight.” The corners of Bronc’s lips tilted upward.

  Play nice. She tilted her head and let her eyes linger as she took in his whole frame. “Bronc, you’re looking well. Business is treating you kindly, I see.”

  Heat leapt into Bronc’s gaze as he stepped closer. “I’m glad you could be here to witness one of my greatest successes yet.” He lowered his chin so his nose brushed hers. His touch stirred the embers of fear in her chest. After all these years of running, she stood a breath away from him and wasn’t in the panic she’d thought she’d be. “It was always you that I imagined by my side when I envisioned celebrating my successes in life. And yet you never said goodbye.”

  Gia inhaled slightly, willing her nerves to calm into submission. His cologne mixed with the smell of his skin danced across her senses. She’d bought him his first bottle as a Christmas present. He knew she’d loved it. A man of strategy used all the tools in his arsenal without apology.

  “I was grief-stricken over Uncle Angelo dying in my arms. I needed time to heal.” It wasn’t a lie. And she had said goodbye the last time they spoke. He just didn’t realize it meant for good and tonight wasn’t the time to remind him.

  “You seem to be all right now.” Bronc’s hand glided up her thigh toward her hip. “Did you wear this dress for me tonight? Did you think of me as you strapped on those heels? You know I love how your legs look in strappy heels.”

  Her limbs wouldn’t work, as the rest of her body reacted out of habit.

  Get it together, Gia. Do not lose your focus. You’re nothing but a toy to him.

  “This outfit is all for you, Mr. Marin.” Her voice came out breathy and low as she arched her back away from the wall. “I’m glad you approve of my choices.” She trailed her finger down the scar next to his trimmed sideburn. She’d been in the gym watching him spar when his face smashed against a metal joint in the fighting ring. Blood gushed down his cheeks but he kept going until the other guy couldn’t get up. “And let’s not pretend that you didn’t set all this up to make Daddy and I feel like we had competition. We both know you’re going to give us the contract.”

  Bronc jerked his head back, cocking an eyebrow at her, his expression unreadable as if debating whether to let his temper ruin the moment. His hands stroked her sides, sending goosebumps skittering across her skin. “I love the way you wear confidence, Giovanna. Always have. Other women let it wash away in the rain, but it’s bone deep in you.” Gia waited for the other shoe to drop. Bronc didn’t compliment to be kind. “I think you underestimate the depth of the contract.” He paused. “I want all of you. Unless of course, you’ve already given your body, heart, and soul away to the felon living over your garage.” His laugh held no mirth, chilling her to the core. He leaned in so his full body pressed against hers rendering her immobile and sapping the last hint of control over the conversation that she had. Bile burned at her throat.

  Abbott’s word flitted through her mind. Mental grit. Centered mind. Focused energy. Play the game. “I need to pee.”

  Bronc stepped away and straightened his jacket and tie. “I’m glad you’re taking this so well. I’d hoped you wouldn’t ruin my big night with your anger at Grant. We should go back to my place and celebrate.”

  “Celebrate what?”

  His eyes brightened. “Didn’t sweet Daddy tell you? When he signs the contract for our shipping business, he’s also giving his official approval for you to be my wife.”

  Gia closed herself into the bathroom, her chest heaving as she gulped in air. Marry him?

  It’s all an act. Life sentence was her goal. She checked the clock.

  8:03 PM.

  Think.

  She had to think through this. Bronc waged psychological warfare, always had. It made him great at business and at UFC. Outsmarting his opponent with strategic attacks and energy preservation. Maximizing each connection and trusting his instincts to carry him through.

  Do whatever it takes to put Bronc away for life is what Daddy had said. If that meant a sham engagement and marriage, then so be it. Angelo’s blood stained her hands. She mourned him every single day. Time eased the waking pain until it was a fleeting thought, a memory of the fear and panic that shot straight into her veins until her heart shredded to pieces. But now was the time to avenge that wrong, to end the reign of terror Bronc held over her. She had matured enough to see through his manipulations.

  She wasn’t a naive girl who craved a man’s approval. Her existence, her happiness deserved a fair fight. No more rolling over and accepting his domination. It was time Gia laid out terms for Bronc to follow. She finished in the restroom and stepped out. A sigh escaped her at the sight of an empty hallway. Daddy loitered at the opening
of the hallway with a drink in hand as he spoke with Bronc.

  “Giovanna, Daniel and I were discussing the terms to our contract. He said you were pleased that marrying him came with the contract. I have to say, I’m pleased as well. This is going to be a great partnership.” Daddy patted her arm and gave Bronc his publicity smile, the one that he used when gracing the covers of magazines or corporate photo shoots.

  This was for her past and her future. “Daddy, I don’t know what terms you settled on, but I know I’d like to see that first million-dollar profit hit our accounts before Bronc and I make it official. You know, as a promise of more to come.” Gia forced her arm around Bronc. “He loves every chance he can to prove that he’s worthy, so I think he’d love a little challenge before settling down into married life with me. That’ll give Ma and me a few months to plan the wedding in New Orleans and set up our new home.”

  Bronc’s eyes gleamed as the dollar signs practically scrolled across his forehead. “We’ll make the first couple of million easily within a few months. I think we’ll make that on our first two runs and we can be married in a month max.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Hope you can plan a wedding fast.”

  She resisted the urge to wipe the wetness from her cheek.

  “Well then, there’s no time to lose, is there?” Daddy grabbed her hand and tucked it into his arm. “Gia and I will head down to New Orleans tonight. Once my lawyer finishes reading the paperwork, we’ll get those shipments arranged.” Daddy glanced at me and cocked his head. “Baby girl, you’ve been planning your big day since you were five, I bet you barely need a month to get this all in place.”

  Gia grinned at Daddy, holding back her laugh. Her daydreams weren’t of weddings and playing house. Daddy knew that better than anyone. Ma had expressed her dismay many times over that Gia was not like other little girls who loved fluffy pink dresses and tea parties. Some called her a tomboy, others tagged her as outdoorsy. Either way, the result was the same. Ma would be planning the majority of the sham wedding. When she planned her wedding, it’d be simple, but beautiful.

  There had been a time when marrying Bronc would have been something she looked forward to. She couldn’t be more grateful that her story had played out differently. Daddy shook Bronc’s hand and said goodbye. Bronc leaned in to catch her lips, but she turned her head so his lips landed on her cheek again. She mumbled something about keeping appearances appropriate before she got the big rock which seemed to appease him.

  They were fifteen minutes down the road when the absurdity of the whole proposal struck her. Gia let loose the laughter bubbling inside of her. The emotion, the shock was all too much to handle. Daddy joined in and they laughed until tears streamed down their faces. The very man she’d run from out of fear, the man who killed her uncle, she’d committed to marrying him when he made his first million dollars because of Daddy’s business deal.

  The laughter died into charged silence. Gia stopped in her driveway.

  “I’ll make a call and see if my pilot can take us to New Orleans tonight. I don’t want to risk you being exposed to Bronc out here by yourself. He’s already done enough damage, and if my hunch is correct, he and Grant were responsible for everything in the last few months, too.”

  Gia nodded and left the car to open the house for Daddy. He talked on the phone while she puttered around the kitchen.

  “We’ll be wheels up in two hours, so get your bags packed. Your stay might be longer than you think.” Daddy snagged her keys. “I’m going to check out of my hotel and come back for you.”

  He left her in the kitchen and she locked the door behind him. The guys were out tonight. The silence gave her time to sort through her thoughts. Marrying Bronc and leaving Golden on the spur of the moment was a list of her nightmares introduced all in the same night. She strode to her room, yanking off her heels as she went. The hallway carpet squished between her toes. She changed into shorts and a t-shirt and unburied her suitcase. Dresses, workout gear, casual wear, accessories, swimsuits, sandals, toiletries, and makeup filled her bag to the brim.

  Gia spun around to grab her computer from the office and there Xander stood in her doorway. He crossed over to her in two large steps and wrapped her up in his arms in a big bear hug. His was the touch she craved. The only one that could erase Bronc’s brutality.

  Gia sighed. “I have to go to New Orleans with Daddy for a little bit and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

  Xander set his forehead against hers and inhaled. “Giovanna Sophia Carter, will you be my official girlfriend?”

  “I’d love that.” Her lips met his in a heated dance. His hands framed her face, deepening the intensity. Her fingertips danced across his back.

  “The house is all yours while you’re away. Don’t stay in that drafty garage bedroom.” She grabbed a couple more items and tossed them in her bag. Xander hauled it out to the kitchen while she packed her computer and electronics. Once she was done, she sat next to him on the couch with her legs across his and told him only a brief summary of her night. He thought it was a benign business meeting.

  Tommy joined them and then Joey strolled in with his bags in hand and raised an eyebrow at them.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Gia said.

  “She’s my girlfriend. She’s allowed to sit with me,” Xander said over Tommy’s laughter.

  “We just finished blasting out the full media assault of former Head Coach Randall. We’ll see it in tomorrow’s news cycle. Everyone, buckle up. We had our lawyers check everything over so we won’t be getting a lawsuit back, but this should be enough to clear your name, Xander.” Joey scrubbed his hand over his hand, looking a tad beaten up for the throw down he delivered. “Tommy’s staying here with you, Xander. At least until the storm we’re creating blows over,” Joey said. Tommy nodded with a grin. “And I am escorting Mr. Carter and female offspring to sticky, humid NOLA. Home sweet home.”

  Daddy strolled through the door, clapping his hands. “Let’s go, kids. Wheels up in forty-five.”

  Tommy and Joey grabbed the bags and walked outside. Daddy waved Xander over and the two talked in the office for a few minutes in hushed tones. They came out smiling which made Gia more suspicious. Once the others walked out, Xander grabbed her in his arms.

  “I’ll see you soon. Your dad said you’re involved in something very important for the business, so whatever it is—”

  Gia silenced him with a kiss. “I’ll call as often as I can. See you soon.” She strolled to the door and stopped to take one last look at his gorgeous, ragged appearance. “Promise me that whatever you read in the news about me you won’t believe.”

  He stared at her as if waiting for an explanation.

  She scrunched her nose. “I can’t tell you anymore. Just promise me.”

  His nod accompanied a faint smile. “As long as you promise to believe what you read about me.”

  “Deal.” And with that, she walked into the night to start living the very life she’d run from three years.

  Chapter 27

  Wednesday morning Xander’s phone chimed in his back pocket as he bent over the workshop table manipulating a metal wire into a car for a kid’s toy. The car he’d designed in his imagination looked cooler than what it was turning out to be, but keeping his mind distracted with work preserved his sanity. Not hearing from Gia in a few days took its toll.

  Grabbing his phone, Xander opened the text from Linc. Come to dinner tonight at M&D’s. 6 PM.

  His eyes reread the text again and again. The invitation he’d anticipated for two months popped onto his phone without pomp or circumstance as if he’d never been uninvited to his parents’. His initial anticipation morphed into a churning dread of “what if’s.”

  Xander texted back. See you there.

  Until Xander rolled Chachi into his parents’ driveway that evening, his nerves blasted a crater into the calm he’d felt since seeing the media taking Randall to the woodshed about the “steroid inci
dent”. The moisture disappeared from his mouth, leaving his throat a desert. What if it had been Linc’s idea to invite him to Mom and Dad’s instead of his parents’? The thought propelled him to the front door with his finger pressed against the ridged doorbell.

  The breath rushed into his lungs at the quirk of Linc’s smile appearing in the crack between the door and frame.

  “I’m glad you could make it,” Linc said as he backed away from the door.

  Xander stepped into the house and the familiarity spread over him like a comfortable blanket. As if he’d be anywhere else in this moment.

  Linc led the way down the hall to the kitchen.

  “Who was that, Lincoln?” Dad’s muffled voice called from the kitchen.

  Linc didn’t answer but stepped to the side so Xander could enter first. Xander stopped inside the doorway. The air was scented with whispers of garlic and parsley. Elbow deep in water, Mom cleared out the first round of dishes while Dad stood over the stove testing whatever was in the saucepan. Up close, their pale skin emphasized the gray hairs that framed faces filled with deep lines. Mom glanced over first. Dad’s head whipped around at Mom’s gasp.

  “Alexander?” Mom whispered his name, her posture stiff and her eyes wide. “You came.” Measured steps brought her in front of him with her hands extended. Her pained expression froze on her features as her fingers dripping with water grazed his face and left trails of moisture running down his cheeks.

  “Hi, Mom.” Xander wrapped his arms around her thin shoulders in a brief hug. Dad didn’t offer a hug. His expression was tight. “Dad. Thanks for inviting me to dinner.”

  Mom dried her hands on a towel, then smoothed her hair. “We thought we’d celebrate. We saw your story all over the news. Coach Randall admitting he did it himself was very unexpected.”