“Strong silent type, I see.” Lenore went on as she circled around him, her hands now freely roaming over his broad shoulders and thick arms. “I love a man of action. Talkers easily bore me.”
“Fighting is all I know.” Rogan said, narrowing his bright green eyes.
“And you’re a master at it.” She touched the little amulet on his chest. “That’s why you’re here with me. I can take you to places you could have never been to with Vance and those little rabble rousers. I’ve grown rich promoting men like you and I can make you richer than you have ever dreamt of.”
“When is the next fight?” Rogan began to feel her proximity getting a bit uncomfortable.
“Not for a while.” She slipped her hands down his back and rested them on his granite like buttocks, sighing at the sensation. “Right now, I have something else in mind for you.”
“I understand your need, woman.” Rogan steeled himself. “Yet I am not one to fill it.”
“What do you mean?” She sounded genuinely perplexed.
“I have not the need for what you offer right now.” His voice was as cold as ice.
“I know you want me. I can feel it.” She slid her hands across his hips and grasped at his crotch. “Man, you’re really big.”
Rogan flinched, pushing her away. “I beseech you, Lena. I have not the intent for this.”
“For crying out loud, no man has ever pushed me away.” She cried in astonishment. “Are you gay, Irishman?”
“Gaiety has no claim on me.” The big man shook his head slowly. “But I cannot say more other than I have no requirement for the pleasures of the flesh. I only seek my way back home.”
“Well, this is kind of a deal breaker.” Devine fumed and grabbed her mink coat off the back of the chair, donning it swiftly. “I’ve never been so humiliated, coming across as a bitch in heat to a man I barely know.”
“I was not made aware of this bargain, milady.” Rogan raised his hand in apology. “I must take my leave now.”
“Yes, you need to.” The flustered woman grabbed her phone. “It seems you and I have both been given a raw deal and Eddie Vance will now know the risk of toying with this hellcat.”
Rogan swiftly bowed and turned to leave. He didn’t wait to see what she was doing with the strange communication device she was holding to her ear and pressing her fingers down on another device on the desk. His head began to hurt; he needed a quiet place to let his thoughts settle. Somewhere serene and peaceful where he could dream of his Alicia and find a way back to her.
“Get me Commissioner Holloway.” He heard the irate woman bark into the device she held over her mouth and ear before he closed the door and raced down the stairway.
~ ~ ~
CHAPTER FIVE
“Rogan O’Kirkfall?” The sullen man in the blue uniform asked him again. “Is that even your real name?”
Rogan remained silent, staring blankly at the wall instead. His thick wrists were manacled behind his back and he was made to sit on a small chair before the heavy set gray haired man in what looked like a lawman’s uniform. Rogan was familiar with his kind; he was one himself not too long ago, defending the fair meadowlands and rivers of Kirk Falls. He was taken by surprise, as much as Vance and O’Malley had been, when their place of operation was attacked by several men in armor and strange weapons the night before. Rogan had taken down over half a dozen of them, before they used devices that emitted lightning bolts to render him senseless. He licked his lips; it had been a few hours since his arrest.
“Who are you, my large friend?” The uniformed man in the small room went on. “I can find no record of you anywhere - not in any records here in the States and neither in any of Europe’s. If you’re really from Ireland, there has to be some record of you somewhere.”
Rogan shuffled around on the uncomfortable little chair, testing his wrists against the two pairs of slender but strong manacles that these men called handcuffs which were slapped on him when they had finally subdued him. He didn’t respond, staring sullenly into space.
“Are you some kind of trained mercenary… from some underground group of fighters for hire?” The large lawman sighed. “The more you remain silent, the more difficult it’s going to get for you.”
“Captain Foster.” A melodious voice made Rogan glance over toward the door. “We’ve got the others talking. They’ve spilled the beans on everything, including on this big one.”
“Come on in, Julia.” Foster said, reaching out for the report she was holding out for him. “I hope it’s more than what he’s said so far, which is absolutely nothing.”
The young woman in the same uniform as the older man walked into the room, peering at Rogan with large, hazel eyes. She was a beautiful woman, but then Rogan had seen many like her. And yet, she seemed to draw his attention toward her. Her long dark hair was tied back tightly into a swaying braid that reached her hips and her soft round face was a bit flushed. She gave him a quick nervous smile and stood beside the one she addressed as Foster.
“Hm, says here from this O’Malley guy’s confession that this Rogan feller popped up in Billy Dagote’s place, claiming to be suffering from amnesia.” Foster read with a laugh. “Where have we heard all that before… amnesia, yeah right.”
“Well, he does seem to have that confused look in his eyes.” Julia said apprehensively.
“So would anyone after being tasered for a full ten minutes.” Foster grunted. “It took nine good men and two fully charged tasers to get this lummox down.”
“He does look like some kind of heroic warrior type guy.” The young woman whispered in awe. “Wow, is he a big one? Didn’t think they made ‘em that big anymore.”
“Now don’t go all moony on him, Officer Kincaid.” Foster growled, leafing through the reports. “He’s a criminal and I’ve got to find out who he is before we present him with the other racketeers to the District Attorney tomorrow.”
“How tall is he, do you suppose?” Julia asked wonderingly.
“Stay focused, young lady.” The captain sighed. “He’s about six ten or eleven.”
“Whoa! He’s a whole foot over even you, boss.” She laughed.
“Don’t call me boss, kiddo.” Foster chewed on a pencil. “And quit fawning over him or I’m taking you off the case.”
“There’s something about him, Captain.” She smiled at Rogan. “Something special… maybe the amnesia thing is true… he’s not some lowly thug, I can see it in his eyes… he’s a man of honor and righteousness.”
“When I need a character analysis of an apprehended criminal, I’ll get the precinct shrink to take a look at him, darlin’.“ Foster stood up and walked over to the huge warrior knight. “Right now, I need to know who he is and where he’s from and then get myself a cup of coffee and some sugared donuts.”
“I’ll get the donuts for you, Captain, even my share,” Julia said, almost excitedly, “if you just hear me out for a second.”
“What’s come over you, Kincaid?” Foster looked at the young woman with a scowl on his plump face. “You’ve been a straight up police officer all along. What’s getting your panties in a bunch over this guy?”
“My panties are fine, thank you, Captain Maurice Foster.” Julia wagged a finger at the older man with a gleam in her eye. “And if you listen, I have this feeling, I can’t really explain it, but Rogan here is special… he’s more than what he looks like – I can see a light radiating from him, like a halo of goodness.”
“And I can see you being taken away in a straight jacket, down a white walled corridor and into a nicely padded cell, if you go on with this crazy act.” Foster put the file of reports under his thick arm and picked up his empty coffee mug.
“Come on, Captain, let me prove it to you.” Julia smiled sweetly and grabbed the keys to the cuffs off the desk.
“Hey, what do you think are you doing?” Roster jerked up. “Put those keys back on the desk.”
“Relax, Captain.” Julia slipped behi
nd Rogan in a flash and undid his handcuffs before Foster could make a move. “Let’s give this man a chance to prove his innocence before you throw the book at him.”
She stepped back quickly as Rogan leapt to his feet. His towering frame loomed menacingly over his young benefactor, green eyes glittering and lips pressed tight. Foster’s hand went for his holster, but he realized he was cleaning his gun and it was lying apart on his desk in his office down the corridor. If the big man wanted to, he could bolt out of the station at anytime now with no one to stop him.
Instead he stood like a brooding giant, glaring down at the cheery Julia Kincaid. The brunette was smiling up at him and holding out her hand.
“Hello Rogan, the fighting Irishman,” she said brightly. “I am Julianne Kincaid, a third generation Scottish-American. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“You crazy broad.” Foster whispered hoarsely. “You’re going to lose your badge for this, if you’re still in one piece. I’ve seen this guy fight and he’s lethal.”
“He wouldn’t hit a lady now, would he?” She stared right into the tall man’s green eyes, almost as if she could peer into his tormented soul. “Would you, Rogan?”
“I never have, Julianne Kincaid of the Scots.” His deep voice rumbled up from his chest. “And I never will.”
“So you can talk?” Foster picked up a baton and slowly stepped up beside Julia. “Mind telling us where you’re from and I just might drop all charges … just might.”
“I am Rogan, from Kirk Falls… in Ireland.” Rogan said with a nod. “I know not how I came to this place and all I wish for is a way back home.”
“Yeah, but there’s nothing on you by your name in the Irish records and databases.” Foster scratched his chin. “How the hell are we going to send you there then?”
“I have the wealth to make my journey.” Rogan narrowed his eyes. “Earned from my fights.”
“Well, not anymore, that’s all illegal betting money, so you’ve got nothing.Nada.” Foster shrugged his heavy shoulders.
“Must I fight again to earn more?” Rogan looked dejected.
“Hell, no.” Foster almost yelled. “You’re going to get ten years in the slammer, if you go around fighting for money again.”
“Or, he can fight for us to uphold the law, at a decent wage of course.” Julia was all smiles, rocking on her heels like a giddy schoolgirl.
“Now you’re really gone over to Looneyville, Kincaid.” The heavyset police captain growled. “You want me to take this underground fighter into the Force?”
“Well, it’s either with us or against us.” She shook her head. “We let him go, in the confused condition he is, he’s going to wind up in another illegal fighting ring, once he puts his skills on display.”
“Hm, you may have a point there.” Foster scratched the front of his receding hairline.
“He’ll make a great cop. I can see it.” Julia looked at Rogan with fondness. “He’s got that look of eagles about him - a high flying crime fighting hero every city needs.”
“So you’re saying he’s some kind of super man now?” Her superior officer laughed sarcastically.
“Yes, he is.” She looked at her boss defiantly. “And if he isn’t an asset to the Force inside a month, I’ll hand in my badge and gun myself.”
“You’ll do better than that, Missy.” Foster took up her challenge. “You’re going to be his mentor. I’ll take him on as a rookie on the job and you’re going to train this fighting machine to be a New York City Police Officer.”
Rogan watched the two law-enforcement officers bicker like father and daughter. They were so unlike the others he had so far known in this dismal future he was lost in - especially the young woman. She was so much like him, an upholder of justice and the law. Maybe the future was not as bleak as he had begun to think it was from his association with the darker side of its denizens. He had counted each day since he found himself here; twenty three had already passed by. His thoughts drifted to Alicia and what she must be doing alone without him. Would she ever know where he was or if he could ever go back to her?
“Hey, Earth to Irishman.” Julia’s bright voice brought him out of his brooding. “What do you say about this? Would you like to serve on the other side of the law, the better one?”
“You do me great honor with your faith in me, fair Julianne.” Rogan bowed slowly. “I accept your offer most graciously.”
“Whoa! The guy’s waxing all poetic like now.” Foster slapped his forehead. “And here I thought he was some kind of dumb brute.”
“You do that every time, Captain.” Julia snorted. “You’re always by the book.There are some things you’re never going to find in a book.”
“Whatever you say, Officer Kincaid.” Foster stepped up to the door with his coffee cup in hand. “It’s your badge on the line.”
“Thanks, Captain.” Julia waved at the man. “And I’ll be keeping mine firmly on while you hand Rogan his own badge inside a month.”
“I am indebted to your kindness.” Rogan abruptly said, making her jump.
“Oh, that? That’s quite all right,” Julia suddenly felt herself blush; alone now in the little interrogation room with the most handsome man she had seen in ages. “Just doing a fellow highlander a favor.”
“All the more reason for me to be grateful, milady.” He bowed slightly.
“Oh, gosh…” She felt suddenly very uncomfortable. “Please, just call me Julia or Julie… I’m not a milady at all.”
“As you wish, Julia.” He smiled, his green eyes softening and making his rugged face even more appealing.
She almost swooned, struggling to keep her knees from knocking. “Oh, you must be hungry. Come with me to the diner out back. I’ll get you something to eat.”
Rogan nodded and followed her out, drawing surprised looks from the other men and women in uniform. They stepped out into the morning sunshine and Rogan enjoyed the warmth for the first time since he found himself in this predicament.
“Don’t worry about the big guy. He’s been acquitted... unwitting accomplice and all that.” Foster’s loud voice drifted out as Julia beckoned him to follow her into another building.
“This is Wendy’s Diner.” Julia gestured at him to take a seat inside a booth. “The best food you’d have eaten outside your home. We eat here all the time.”
“This tavern is quite clean.” Rogan replied, sitting down and marveling at the soft leather seating.
“Yeah, I suppose your old friends from the underground would only take you to seedy little joints.” Julia said ruefully. “How did you get mixed up with them? Not that I’m being judgmental without knowing anything about you at all?”
“O’Malley was helpful to me in my time of need.” Rogan took a deep breath. “He was the only one I could call friend when I needed one.”
“Yes, I understand absolutely.” She blushed again. “And I’m sorry if I came across as…”
“No need for an apology, fair Julia.” He beamed at her. “Your kindness to me now is more than I can ever repay. This life that I see now here is a far better one than what O’Malley presented.”
“Well, if you see beyond the initial help he gave you, he was kind of using you to his advantage.” She said cautiously, eyeing his reaction.
“Indeed he was, yet I too was in need,” Rogan replied grimly and the suddenly smiled. “But let bygones be so.”
“Yes, let’s… and sorry again for rambling on,” She waved her hands to change the subject. “You must be starving. What would you like to have? The onion and beef stew is to die for here and so are the cinnamon rolls.”
“Then I shall have what you’re having - perhaps three times as much.” Rogan laughed, his weariness seemingly drifting off him.
He felt strangely comfortable with this young woman, barely moments after he had met her. She didn’t look anything like his beloved Alicia, but there was something similar. Her spirit, perhaps, and even the way she seemed to be very p
ositive about everything. Alicia was just the same in that way and he began to miss her even more. Looking at Julia, he realized that his need for Alicia was making him feel the way he was about this woman he had met less than an hour ago.
“Ah, here we are,” Julia grinned, stirring him from his thoughts as their order arrived. “Onion and beef stew, fresh garlic bread and lettuce.”
Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) Page 8