UNBROKEN: A Bad Boy MMA Romance (Midwest Alphas) (Book 2)

by Kiss, Tabatha

  My lips curl, somewhat taken back by her inspirational words. “If we call your name, please step forward,” I say. I glance at the clipboard. “Devlin Marx, Sam Evans, and Mike Sinclair.”

  There’s a shuffle of feet and a few audible groans behind them as they each step up.

  “This is bullshit,” a voice, distinctly Trevor’s, calls out from the back.

  We look at him as he bolts forward, bumping elbows with Devlin. His dark eyes catch mine and it’s clear that he’s coming for me.

  In the blink of an eye, Tobias moves between us and reaches out to grip Trevor’s neck, halting the man in his tracks with a single squeeze. The others step back, their eyes full of shock and surprise as Tobias raises him an inch off the ground.

  “You’re dismissed,” Tobias growls, letting him hang for several more seconds before dropping him back down. Devlin steps forward, Sam and Mike following closely behind him, and blocks us completely from Trevor’s view.

  I remember what Amy told me last year, just moments after Pike submitted to her command. You don’t fuck with an Alpha Dame. I’ve always been able to count on Tobias, but I never imagined the others would come to my aid without question. My lips curl as Trevor stumbles back and retreats from the room, slamming the door quickly behind him as he goes. The others say their goodbyes, each one of them offering rather sportsmen-like handshakes to the three chosen fighters before following Trevor out the door.

  Tobias spins around, his concerned eyes finding mine as he bridges the gap between us. “You okay?” he asks.

  “Never better,” I grin as the heat radiating through my core becomes too difficult to bear. I look at Amy. “Would you excuse us?” I grab Tobias’ hand and lead him out of the room before giving her the chance to answer me.

  We charge down the hall and I push open the door to the first room I see — a small storage room, filled with old, broken desks and boxes.

  “I need you,” I tell him as I pull him towards me and lock my lips against his. He kicks the door closed with his foot and pushes me back against an old desk, his hands instantly on my body as if his life depended on it. I reach for his belt to pull it free while he pulls up my shirt to cup my breasts. He groans as I rub him softly, churning his blood towards his growing hardness.

  “You sure?” he smiles between firm kisses.

  “Yes,” I moan, giving him a hard yank. He reaches for my jeans and forces the zipper down as his own pants fall to his ankles.

  I open my legs to him, mewling and begging for him to keep touching me as heat gathers between us. I pull him closer to kiss him hard, sinking my teeth into his bottom lip. He winces, but that just makes him kiss me deeper as he grips my rear to pull us together. I gasp and quiver against him as he slides his rigid cock inside me, thrusting me hard and fast against the rickety, old desk.

  A sense of extreme bliss calms me to my core. After an hour of watching men go at it, pounding each other with closed fists, performing only to thrill and impress me, I need this. I need Tobias to fill me and dominate me in ways only he knows how. I need him to claim me as his, especially after watching how he protected me from Trevor.

  I throw my head back and moan. The sound echoes off the walls. Tobias clamps his hand over my mouth to keep me quiet, but it does little to curb the rising tide inside. He doesn’t stop, but increases his grind while holding me against his taut body, pushing me farther with each thrust.

  “Watching you…” he whispers between quick breaths, “do what you do, it drives me wild.”

  I laugh behind his hand and I yield to Tobias as I lose all control of my desires. He bites his bottom lip and buries his face in my shoulder to stifle his thick groans. It pushes me completely over the edge and my body finally submits to him, twitching wildly as he steals a climax from me.

  He presses his hand harder against my mouth, creating a firm seal to keep me from screaming. His eyes lock on mine and he watches me writhe with a smile touching his lips. I catch my wild breath and he lowers his hand to give me a slow kiss before resting his forehead against mine. His member throbs inside of me, as spent as he is.

  “Claire!” We freeze, our bodies still locked together, as Amy’s shrilling call echoes through the hallway outside.

  Tobias pulls out of me, but leans in to plant another sweet kiss on my lips. “Does this count as a date?” he jokes.

  “Probably not…” I breathe, smiling back, “but we’re not like other couples.”

  Chapter 5

  The Old-Fashioned Way

  Tobias pulls into the parking lot of Lillian’s club and I feel my chest tighten as another flashback takes hold of me. Even though I know Tobias isn’t fighting anymore, I can still feel that aching worry deep in my gut. The danger is over now. Pike is banned from the tournament. Tobias is the Alpha. But I still can’t stop my knees from shaking as we walk down the dark alleyway leading to the back entrance of the arena.

  We’re early, as is expected of Dames, so I don’t hear the raging crowd that I was used to hearing. Amy greets us at the door and smiles wide.

  “About time!” she jokes.

  I walk inside first and look back at Tobias as he crosses the threshold. He keeps his head up, allowing for his eyes to scan the room for any signs of danger as he moves. I smile at him and shake my head. “Everything is fine, Tobias,” I whisper. “Relax.”

  “The other Dames are dying to see you!” Amy says.

  “Me?” I ask.

  “No, not you.” She reaches out and grabs Tobias’ arm. “The Alpha!”

  “Oh, of course,” I mutter.

  Tobias sighs and lets Amy drag him towards the back of the arena. I follow closely behind as we enter the bright, white hallway leading towards Lillian’s office. We step inside and the idle chatter of women’s voices grinds to a quick halt.

  I look around the room at the other Dames and self-consciousness immediately takes hold of me. They are all so gorgeous and glamorous with their thick high-heels and colorful cocktail dresses. Even Lillian looks like a bombshell tonight. She’s dyed her hair a more crayon-like red and wears a stunning scarlet corset with black fishnets. I try not to look down at my jeans and t-shirt.

  “Everybody,” Amy says, presenting him gracefully. “I’m sure you remember my good friend, and our Alpha, Tobias the Untouchable!”

  I notice him wince under his skin at the mention of the name he had forced upon him and I can’t help but smile at him. The Dames stand up from their positions, each one of them gliding closer to him to partake in the honor of shaking his hand.

  As Amy leads him around, I take note of their names. Veronica Briggs, the Dame from Jefferson City, sports an adorable blonde bob with curves that could crash even the best of drivers. The other Dame from Springfield, Heather Fields, nearly breaks Tobias’ fingers as she shakes them with a firm, ebony hand. Her long, black hair is held high with a green hair barrette, one to match the fun and tight skirt hanging off her thin hips. Two other girls sit around the room, both of them looking just as pensive as I do. Their silent recruits, I presume.

  Veronica and Heather zero in on Tobias.

  “Can we see it?” Veronica asks him. She licks her lips like a ravenous tiger inching in on her unsuspecting prey.

  I stare at Tobias in confusion, but he somehow knows what she’s asking for. His hands reluctantly fall to his jacket buttons and he flicks them open while they stare down at his body with eager anticipation. He pulls his shirt up to reveal the deep, white scar on his left side.

  Heather covers her lips with perfectly manicured fingers. “Oh, you poor baby…” she coos.

  Veronica taps her tongue with disappointment. “I thought it’d be bigger…” she mutters.

  “The joys of modern medicine, ladies,” Amy says.

  Lillian stands up from her desk and strolls around to take a look for herself. “Back in the day, a man wore his scars like a badge of honor.” She pauses in front of him and smiles. “Although, considering the circumstances, I�
��m sure it was a day you’d rather forget…”

  Tobias says nothing and lowers his shirt, much to the disappointment of the other Dames.

  “Anyway — we have business to discuss. Tobias, you are welcome to stay given your charge with Ms. Holloway, but you must remain silent. Understood?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he says.

  She shows him a quick wink before turning around to address the rest of us. “This is an exciting time for us, ladies. Not only is it the start of new tournament, but it’s the first time we’ve trained a new generation of Dames — with the exception of Ms. Jones, who has seamlessly taken over her mother’s position.” She lays a hand on Amy’s shoulder and the two of them exchange a solemn nod. Lillian leans in closer. “She would be so proud of you,” she whispers in her ear. Amy smiles wide and Lillian turns back around. “We have some promising new recruits in this room, but I don’t want anyone getting too comfortable. You may have made yourself at home nestled beneath the wings of your Dame, but it’s my say that keeps you here. I won’t tolerate disobedience, incompetence, or failure. Understood?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” I say, echoing the voices of the other two girls around the room.

  “Good!” Lillian grins. “Now that the scary part is over, let’s get to the fun part!” She leans back against her desk. “Does anyone have any news they’d like to share? Some burst of enthusiasm? Anything?” She claps once and Heather raises her hand.

  “I have some news, but you aren’t going to like it,” she says.

  Lillian pauses. “Go ahead.”

  Heather takes a deep breath. “The Double Ex Kings have taken Joplin.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m positive,” she replies. “We went there to recruit and were immediately booted out the second we exited I-44.”

  Lillian chews on her lip and her eyes slowly scan the room before landing on me. They linger for one, long moment and then jump to Amy. “Sounds familiar.”

  “They’ve taken a few towns in my area as well,” Amy adds.

  “Well…” Lillian sighs. “I guess we have a patriarchy problem. Veronica—?”

  “Nothing in my area,” Veronica replies, her eyes wide as saucers.

  “Mine is clear as well.” Lillian shrugs her wide shoulders. “Keep an eye on it. Anything else?”

  “That’s all?” Tobias’ deep voice splits the silence of the room and all eyes fall to him in the corner.

  Lillian licks her red lips. “Mr. Eastwood, I believe silence was required—”

  “Your rival is taking over your territory and your plan is to do nothing?”

  “My plan is to observe,” she argues. “So far, there has been no sign of aggression from their side. Just like you, Tobias, I’m not a fan of striking first.”

  “You need to do something more—”

  “Tobias,” I spit. “Would you please wait outside?”

  “Claire—”

  “Now.”

  Another silence falls on everyone’s lips as Tobias stares down at me. I stand tall, refusing to blink until he finally turns to the door.

  “Yes, ma’am,” he says as he grabs the door knob. It pains me to see him go, but if I’m going to make an impression on the Dames, like Amy warned I should, then I’ll have to show dominance.

  I look back at the room and watch as their lips curl.

  “Well…” Veronica smirks. “I see what he sees in you now.”

  “Anything else?” Lillian repeats, amusement seeping out of her voice.

  ***

  We step out into the hallway and I catch sight of Tobias leaning against the wall just outside the door. The other Dames take great pleasure in looking him up and down as they pass by him. Heather slides a finger across his bicep and I twitch with envy as he takes it without saying a word.

  “You really are just a piece of meat to them, aren’t you?” I ask once they’re out of earshot.

  “That’s the Alpha Dames for you,” he says. He looks down the hall and watches them leave until the door closes behind them, leaving us alone. “Did it work?” he asks, his lips forming a quick smile.

  “I think it made an impression,” I answer.

  “Good.”

  “Sorry I snapped at you.”

  “I kind of liked it.”

  “Really?” I laugh.

  He nods and pulls me closer. “You’ll pay for it later,” he whispers in my ear.

  A warm chill attacks my nerves. “Good,” I chuckle. “But now, I have to get to work. They’re putting the new Dames on door duty.”

  “Lead the way,” he says.

  I step out into the arena to find a crowd has already gathered at the door. The other girls, along with Amy watching over their shoulders, take the entrance fees and stuff them into the glass jar in Amy’s arms. Tobias keeps a watchful eye over all of us as the crowd gets larger.

  “Oh, man,” Amy grins. “It’s so nice not having to do all of this myself. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to wrangle a three-figure crowd on your own?”

  I laugh and continue greeting the incoming patrons. Their faces begin to blend together, a mixture of new and old as they all pile inside to fill the arena. A few regulars notice Tobias near the door and excitedly ask him if he’s fighting tonight. He holds up his hands and tells them no. I laugh, realizing that the Untouchable has more fans than I once thought.

  “Hello, Claire.”

  I blink repeatedly as his face comes into view. For months, I’ve seen him here and there, but his likeness has always faded away into nothing. Not this time. He reaches out and places money in my hand with a smile on his face.

  “Rick…” I say his name as my tongue swells in my mouth. “What…”

  “You look nice,” he says, looking me up and down. “Being a Dame really suits you…”

  My eyes fall over his shoulder towards Tobias by the door. “What are you doing here?” I ask him, stalling, willing for Tobias to notice.

  Rick holds up his hands in surrender. “I’m not here to cause trouble,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m just here to fight.”

  “To fight?” I repeat.

  His eyebrows bounce as he walks away from me, aiming towards the back of the arena. I stand frozen in my shoes and watch as Lillian throws her arms around his shoulder and kisses his cheek.

  “No…” I say out loud.

  “Claire, what is it?” Tobias stands over my shoulder and follows my line of sight until he sees Rick with Lillian. “What the hell is he doing here?”

  “He’s fighting in the tournament,” I mutter, still too stunned to move. “Amy—!” I call her name and she steps closer to us.

  “What’s up?” she asks.

  “Did you know about this?” I ask her.

  “Know about what?” She looks in his direction and watches as Lillian leads him towards the locker room in the back hallway. “Is that…?”

  “Rick, my stepbrother,” I say.

  “I thought he was in Chicago…?” she questions.

  “He’s supposed to be,” Tobias growls.

  “He moved to St. Louis a few months ago,” I say, my tongue moving too fast for me to stop it.

  “He what?” Tobias asks with flames in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I just found out a few days ago—”

  “Why didn’t you tell me, Claire?” he asks again.

  “It didn’t seem important,” I say, stumbling over my words. “My mother told me he moved for a job, but I never thought it would be something like this…”

  Tobias takes wide strides in Rick’s direction, quickly leaving us behind at the door. I push forward, but he moves too fast for me to reach him. Amy passes the jar off to the other girls, barking orders to keep it safe while she fights through the crowd to catch up with me. “Tobias!” I call his name, following far behind his quick movement.

  He bursts into the locker room, where fighters from each district have gathered around Lillian, practically wors
hiping at her feet.

  “Let’s have some good, clean fights, gentlemen,” she says. “Remember, we are not animals. Blood is not encouraged — although, it’s not frowned upon either.”

  They chuckle at her joke. Tobias finds Rick in the back and grabs his arm.

  “Tobias, stop—!” I shout.

  He doesn’t listen. He forces Rick against the wall, pressing his forearm hard against his neck to hold him there. I step closer to stop him, but Amy stops me, her eyes falling on Lillian as her thick heels tap loudly against the hard linoleum floor.

  “Tobias, I assume you have a good reason for pinning my fighter against a wall?” she says with a calm, but forceful, tone. She folds her arms across her round breasts and stares up at him.

  Tobias’ eyes never leave Rick’s face. “He tried to kill me,” he says.

  Lillian raises an eyebrow. “Is this true?” she asks Rick.

  Rick smirks. “I have no idea what he’s talking about, ma’am.”

  “Tobias, release him,” she says. He doesn’t budge. “Release him.”

  “Tobias…” I step forward and lay a cautious hand on his shoulder. He looks down at me and nods before taking a step back. Rick’s grin travels wider along his lips, his eyes peeking at me with thick amusement.

  Lillian looks at the two of us. “My office. Now.” She opens the door and waits for us to leave. “You, as well, Amy,” she adds.

  We move fast down the hall and step into her office. Lillian and Amy follow us closely and she kicks the door closed behind them. “Start from the beginning, please,” she says to me.

  “You saw what happened at the last tournament,” I say.

  “Yes,” she says. “I saw Pike stab Tobias in the ring. He’s been dealt with. What does this have to do with Rick?”

  “It was Rick’s idea to attack Tobias.”

  She scoffs. “Why?”

  I hesitate, finding the whole situation embarrassing to say aloud. “He wanted Tobias out of the way to get to me, ma’am.”

  “Hmm, yes,” she says, pushing a fallen hair back into her perfect hairdo. “He mentioned your rather taboo affair to me in passing.”