Against the Cage (Worth the Fight #1)

by Sidney Halston

  “Holy shit!” Jack exclaimed, clutching his chest. “Thank God I didn’t still have my gun on me. You scared me half to death, woman.”

  “Sorry. I heard the barking.” She reached up on the tips of her toes to greet him with a proper and chaste kiss. However, kisses with Jack were never chaste … or proper. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in closer. Her feet left the floor and her back arched. She was mostly healed, except for a few minor scars that were barely visible. She was the Chrissy he’d known before the accident.

  She let out an involuntary moan.

  “Sorry for waking you,” he mumbled into her neck.

  “I was awake,” she said with a sigh. His mouth still nuzzled her neck.

  He pulled back and bent down slightly to look at her face. “Why? Everything okay?” The clock showed it was well past two in the morning. “You sick, baby?” His voice was full of concern.

  She grunted. “No. I was bored here alone, and so I started watching that television show you love, Game of Thrones. I wanted to see about this Drogo character you named our poor little puppy after. One thing led to another, and I’ve watched the entire first season.”

  “Oh, really?” He held her tighter. “You think you can wear that tiny outfit the blond lady wears for Drogo, my little Khaleesi?” His eyebrows shot up.

  “Oh my sun and stars, you really are a pervert.” She shoved him back playfully. “And a nerd. I’m going to start calling you ‘Geek of Thrones.’ ” She laughed hard and even slapped her knee. He loved when she laughed at her own dumb jokes as if they were actually hysterical.

  “Nerd? Please! You’ve been up all night watching the same show. I guess you’re a nerd too.”

  “No, I’ve mostly been watching that Drogo character. Man, he’s really hot!”

  Jack let out a deep growl, which made Chrissy giggle.

  “Oh, don’t be jealous, baby. It’s just a little television crush. It’s nothing compared to my romance-novel boyfriends. Now those guys are hot!” she teased.

  “Come on, woman, let’s go to bed before I strip you naked and have my way with you right here on the kitchen counter.”

  Chrissy waggled her eyebrows. “Well, in that case … I think I’ll tease you some more.”

  Jack lunged forward and picked Chrissy up, intending to make good on his promise. The kitchen counter never stood a chance. The next morning, Chrissy was serving Jack a late breakfast when Slade strolled in excitedly, sending Drogo into a frenzy of barking.

  “I have great news.” He slammed a bunch of papers down on the table, almost causing Jack’s orange juice to spill.

  “Hey! Watch it.” Jack slid his glass to the other side of his plate.

  “What’s up?” Chrissy rounded the corner, and Slade looked up and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

  “Hey, sis. Can you please lock up this damn dog? It almost bit off my thumb last week.”

  “Come on, cutie, Uncle Slay’s scared of the itty-bitty puppy.” Chrissy picked up the dog and took him upstairs.

  “Itty-bitty puppy, my ass,” Slade grumbled.

  “He’s a quarter pit bull, dude. I’ve told you a million times.”

  “I’m starting to buy your pit bull bullshit, brother.” Slade lifted up his injured thumb and pouted.

  “Please, my little Chihuahua is just that—a tiny little Chihuahua. Man up, guys,” Chrissy scolded the men as she reentered the kitchen. “Anyway, what’s all the excitement and all these papers?” She began to browse through them.

  “Mauricio’s looking for a partner for his gym. He gave me all the paperwork to look at. I was at Tim’s office this morning—”

  “Tim the attorney?” Jack asked.

  “Yeah. He looked over the paperwork, and everything seems to be good. I’m thinking of doing it. Buying half the interest in the gym. I’m there all the time anyway.”

  “Is that the gym where you guys train?” Chrissy asked. Both men nodded. “Yes, that place seems like it does well. Don’t lots of guys train there?”

  “How would you know?” Slade asked.

  “I … um …” She’d never told him about spying on him that day through the window.

  Jack saved her. “She came with me last week,” he lied, then grabbed the paperwork and looked it over.

  “Bro, I can’t believe you’re going to own WtF! Awesome,” Jack said. “Well, own part of it, anyway.”

  Chrissy let out an amused snort. “You should rename it. It sounds like you’re cursing in acronyms.”

  “No, way,” he said. “WtF Academy is practically an institution. Plus, Mauricio would flip the fuck out if I changed it. What the Fuck or Worth the Fight, either way works for me.”

  “I guess What the Fuck Academy has a certain ring to it,” Jack said. “Think about it. What the fuck was the owner thinking naming a place What the Fuck?”

  “Funny, jerk-off. Anyway, I can’t believe the old man wants a partner,” Slade said. “I can’t let the opportunity pass me by. His daughter Francesca is coming from Brazil to run the business side but wants nothing to do with the fighter and training side. Mauricio’s health has been deteriorating and he wants to retire. They’re looking for someone to help revamp the place and bring in some new equipment, since they’ve signed some pretty well-known fighters to train.”

  “That’s so wonderful, Slay.” Chrissy hugged her brother. “So have you told all the boys yet?”

  “Just Cain and Travis. They’re next door right now. They wanted to come over, but I told them I wanted to tell you guys alone first. Just in case you thought it was a stupid idea and were going to bitch me out or something.”

  “No way, brother. This is great news,” Jack said. “Babe, is it okay if the guys come over?”

  “Sure,” Chrissy said.

  Slade walked out the door and was back two minutes later. Between Jack, Slade, and the two other men, Chrissy thought she was looking at a scene from the movie 300, except that all of the huge men were dressed, and they were in her kitchen.

  Jack went over to the guys and they guy-hugged, grunted, and playfully shoved each other—the typical guy greeting, which Chrissy didn’t understand.

  “Hey, Whiskey, how’s it going?” Travis said.

  Jack scowled at the nickname, which he obviously detested, but Chrissy was amused. “Yeah, Whiskey, how’s it going?” she teased.

  Travis smiled his big toothy smile and gave her a wink. Jack glared at Travis and pulled Chrissy to his side. Chrissy laughed at Jack’s ridiculous jealousy. It was actually quite adorable in a barbaric kind of way.

  Cain, as usual, said nothing. He was leaner than Slade and Jack but even taller, and he looked like a Viking. His blond hair was tied back at the nape of his neck, and his crystal-blue eyes and blond lashes made him look intimidating yet somber.

  Just then Slade’s phone rang. He listened briefly, then replied, “I’m with Jack and Chrissy next door. Come over.” He hung up.

  There was a tap on the door a moment later. Jack opened the door to a tall woman with long red hair pulled back into a ponytail. She was at least five foot eight, but with her sky-high stiletto heels she easily surpassed the six-foot mark. She had flawless white skin and emerald cat eyes. And her body … well, Chrissy would give her firstborn child to have a body like that. She was sex on stilettos, sultry and confident.

  “This beautiful lady here is my new business partner, Francesca,” Slade introduced her. “She’s Mauricio’s daughter. Francesca, this is my sister, Chris, Jack’s girlfriend. I’m still a little grossed out ’bout that, by the way.” Everyone laughed. “Seriously, I don’t like this whole shacking-up business. Make an honest woman out of her, douchebag!” He playfully shoved Jack’s shoulder.

  A soft knock sounded at the door.

  “That must be Jessica,” Slade said. Slade and Jessica had been inseparable from the moment Slade had found out she was in the hospital. After she was released, he had helped her settle in back home, even going as f
ar as having her stay at his house and driving her to her physical therapy and doctor’s appointments. A few times Chrissy had asked Slade about their relationship, but he wasn’t forthcoming. The most she ever got from him was “We’re taking it slow.” They didn’t seem lovey-dovey in public, but Chrissy was fairly certain there was something more than friendship between the two of them.

  Slade opened the door, took Jessica’s hand, and drew her inside. Chrissy was happy to see her. Slade hadn’t been the only one who visited Jessica often. When Slade was unavailable, Chrissy would go over and help out. In the last few months the two women had become close friends, although Jessica tended to avoid the topic of Dennis. It was the elephant in the room that they never discussed. But Chrissy was proud Jessica had had the strength to fight back, and one day, when Jessica was ready to hear it, Chrissy would tell her just how proud she was of her and how thankful she was that she’d risked so much to help her brother avoid prison.

  Slade quickly introduced Travis and Cain to Jessica, who smiled and shook their hands. “And last but not least, this here is my new business partner, Francesca. Francesca, this is my friend Jessica.” Jessica’s eyes widened, and Chrissy noticed the gulp she took before politely shaking Francesca’s hand.

  After the introductions were made they all sat down and chatted about the upcoming changes to the Academy.

  “So next month we start training Antonio. They call him Scarface. He’s the next big thing. No one’s been able to rein him in. He’s a loose cannon. Cocky as fuck. Great fighter, though. Has gone through a dozen trainers. We need to keep him happy but focused. If we can get Tony back into fighting shape and win at least one big-ticket fight, we can really bring fresh notoriety to WtF.”

  Francesca gave a sultry smile. “Don’t you worry, honey. I’ll keep him happy.” She laid a perfectly manicured hand on Slade’s forearm.

  Chrissy noticed Jessica’s cheeks grow crimson. She totally understood the reaction. If another woman had called Jack “honey” or touched any part of his body, Chrissy would have most definitely wrung the woman’s neck. But Chrissy knew her brother, and she knew that he was completely oblivious to the flirtatious vibe coming from Francesca. Men! So stupid and blind sometimes.

  Just then Jessica whispered something to Slade, who immediately looked disappointed, sighed, and walked her to the door.

  “It was nice to meet y’all. Gotta run,” Jessica called. Everyone waved goodbye as she left. An hour later, Chrissy and Jack were alone again.

  “So, Whiskey, what’s the plan for tonight?”

  “Oh no. No, no, no. I’ve enough grief with my legal name. I don’t need more aggravation.”

  “I think it’s cute.”

  “No, babe. Not cute.”

  “So you don’t like Whiskey, and you don’t like Jack Daniels. What do you like, sweetheart?”

  Jack took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about something your brother said. I don’t want to scare you, and this is not how I envisioned doing this, but I love you so much, baby. And while we haven’t been together long, we’ve known each other our whole lives.” He paused, and Chrissy sensed he was nervous. “I know exactly what I would love for you to call me.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “Husband,” Jack said, and smiled.

  Chrissy gasped and covered her mouth. Still smiling, Jack stood up and left the room briefly, leaving Chrissy even more shell-shocked. He came back a minute later, sat down, and lifted her onto his lap. “You okay? Talk to me.”

  “Wh-what are you saying, Jack?”

  “I’m saying that I’d like to call you my wife. Marry me, Chrissy. Your brother’s right. Why are we shacking up? You love me, I love you. When it’s right, it’s right, and there’s no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

  Chrissy smiled widely. “Are you sure about this? Seems a little sudden. I’m not sure you’ve thought this through.”

  “Not sudden. I have been thinking about it, and I had all these ideas and plans as to how I was going to ask you, but … I don’t know, it just felt right to ask you now. Today. No bells and whistles.” Jack set Chrissy down on the couch, reached into his pocket for a small black box, and got on one knee. “Christine Martin, marry me.”

  “Are you asking or commanding? That didn’t really sound like a question,” she teased, but happy tears were starting to form.

  “You’re right.” He grabbed her hand and slipped a beautiful two-carat square diamond on Chrissy’s finger. “It’s not a question. You’re marrying me. It’s a done deal.”

  Chrissy smiled through her tears. “You had a ring,” she whispered.

  “I did. See, it wasn’t so sudden.”

  “It’s beautiful, my fiancé and soon-to-be husband.” Her endearment was all he needed to know that she was saying yes to him. To them. Forever.

  Dedicated to the fighter in my life.

  Acknowledgments

  2013 was an unforgettable year. I “met” some of the loveliest ladies I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting and I feel truly blessed that we’ve had the opportunity to work together. First, Sarah E. Younger. Seriously, what can I say? Best. Agent. Ever. You fell in love with the story from day one and have been a constant cheerleader. You helped me navigate the stressful and confusing waters of the literary world. And, of course, you love all things Drogo! Because of you, I was doubly blessed: you partnered me up with the amazing Junessa Viloria. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Junessa. It’s an author-editor relationship made in heaven. Junessa’s support and advice (and love of my story) made me want to work harder, and I’m a better storyteller because of it (and the steamy scenes are steamier because of it). So … from the bottom of my heart, thank you, J and S.

  Next, the wonderful ladies of #ladieswritenight. In a world full of envious people, you guys have been amazing and supportive … and funny as hell! Had you not cheered me on night after night, I would have taken thirty years to finish book two and to edit book one. Thank you Rachel, Violet, Anna, and Tif. I wish you all luck in your writing endeavors and can’t wait to see your books on the shelves. See you tonight, ladies!

  Bloggers are so important in this industry. Y’all take time out of your busy lives to read our books, review them, and then help spread the word—all for the love of books and good story. There are just too many bloggers to thank and I wish I could thank each and every one of you individually. You guys have been unbelievably supportive and I thank you all.

  A huge thanks to Adriana for reading Against the Cage and everything else I’ve written. Thanks for all your help. I love you. One day I will publish your comments, because they are some of the funniest (and most helpful) things I’ve ever read. A shout-out to my other beta readers, Leisha (rolopolobookblog.com) and Michelle Q., who read ATC in the early stages and loved it.

  Thank you to my parents, who help me so much with my kids so that I have time to do the thousands of things I have to do every day. Thanks to my dad for being the person who inspired me to be such an avid reader—if I didn’t love to read as much I do, I wouldn’t have the passion to write. And, of course, my mom, who read this *cringe* and liked it *cringe*. Love you both. Thanks to my kids, who may never ever ever read any of my stories (especially Slade’s story)—Mommy loves you.

  And last (BUT DEFINITELY NOT LEAST) … thanks to my black-belt/jiujitsu/MMA-encyclopedia/cheerleader/super-dad husband. I don’t know of any man as supportive as you are. You are truly one of a kind. Every single night for a year, I went to Starbucks while you manned the house. Your support and belief in me never faltered, even when my belief in myself did. I love you so much and hope you know that I feel blessed every day that you are who you are and that I’m lucky enough to be with you.

  SIDNEY HALSTON lives her life by one simple rule: “Just do it.” And that’s exactly what she did. At the age of thirty, having never written anything other than a legal brief, she picked up a pen for the first time to pursue her dream of
becoming an author. That first stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Halston lives in South Florida with her husband and children.

  The Editor’s Corner

  Most people look forward to summer vacations: warm, sunny days filled with nothing but reading on the agenda. Every year, I can’t wait to lie on the beach, lounge by the pool, or relax at a picnic at the park—always with a good book in my hands. If you’re looking for some hot reads, Loveswept has some great ones this month. But I warn you—it’s going to be a fiery summer.

  June brings two scorching reunion stories: Lea Griffith’s Loveswept debut, Too Much, an erotic romance where two lovers who have shared exquisite pain and unforgettable bliss find solace back in each other’s arms; and Serena Bell’s heartwarming Hold On Tight, about a young mother and a battle-scarred veteran who must decide if they can rekindle the sparks they once shared. Speaking of sparks, in Jamie Schmidt’s stylish and sexy book, Heat, a martial arts trainer introduces an ER doctor to a passion so intense she wants nothing more than to surrender to his touch. Then the temperature rises with the first book of Tina Leonard’s seductive new Hells Outlaws series, Last of the Red-Hot Cowboys, which brings passion hotter than the Texas sun. And if you’re looking for a classic romance, look no further than Iris Johansen’s steamy novel, Wicked Jake Darcy, where fate brings together a carefree beauty and a charismatic playboy—only to separate them all too soon.

  ~Happy Romance!

  Gina Wachtel

  Associate Publisher

  Read on for a sneak peek of the next book in Sidney Halston’s Worth the Fight series, Full Contact.

  “Slade Martin! Open the damn door.” An incessant knock vibrated through the house. Had he not heard the chirpy voice, he’d have thought it was his sister, Chrissy. She had a knack for pounding on doors. But this voice was familiar even if he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Unfortunately, he knew exactly what he’d find on the other side: the wrath of a scorned woman.