Kings of Denver - COMPLETE BOX SET 1-4

by Sheridan Anne

  Two minutes later, the same official comes in and calls me to the ring. I hate being unprepared for a fight, but even with my injury and lack of warm up, I’m still pretty confident I can win this one. The guy I’m against is only eighteen and a little too cocky for his own good. He usually wins by KO, but so do I.

  I have to admit, he’s a strong contender, but he still has a lot to learn about what his body can do, so maybe in a few years, I might see him in the professional circuit, that is, if the guy can keep himself out of trouble. Hell, I don’t know why someone as young as him would even be in the underground yet.

  I step out into the arena with Cole and Luke heavy on my heels. Cole is still majorly pissed at me, but its game time, so he shelves it for now. “Alright, kid,” he says as we wait for the announcer to call me into the ring. “The guy is shorter than you so remember to keep low. He isn’t good with footwork so keep him on his toes and remember he’s going to be aiming for the ribs, hoping for an easy takedown. Keep your left side forward and don’t let him in.”

  I nod my head as I keep my mind focused on the fight ahead.

  The announcer calls me in and I come out. Music blares and the crowd screams for ‘The Widow Maker’. I strut around, putting on a show and doing my usual strip down for the ladies. I throw my black robe over to Cole which is when it gets serious.

  The music dies down and I face my opponent who instantly looks down at the bandaging on my ribs. A smirk comes over the fucker’s face and it’s damn obvious what his game plan is. The idiot. Everyone knows you don’t give away your secrets, no matter how obvious they are. Always leave them guessing, which I guess he will have to learn the hard way. After all, he’s only eighteen and has a few years to learn the tricks of the trade.

  The fight gets started and just as expected, his first punch gets aimed right at my ribs. I turn away and use his momentum to grab his arm and flip the idiot onto his back. I stand back with a grin and watch as he scurries to his feet, figuring I may as well have a little fun with this one and teach him some of those lessons he truly deserves to know. I mean, I could have taken him out while he was down, but apparently the crowd enjoys a show.

  He scowls at me, clearly pissed for having made a fool of him in front of a crowd this big. His anger radiates off him, but it’s no secret that you don’t fight in anger, you fight with your mind in the game. Error number three for the kid.

  He comes at me with fists flying, but I block each and every one which only manages to piss the kid off more. He pushes forward to try and get me in a headlock so he can single out my ribs, but once again, all attempts fail when he tries to play with the big boys.

  I land a few combinations, all of which he’s to slow for, but credit to the kid, he can take the hit. I see the moment he starts to get his head in the game and it turns into a decent fight for a little while, but he wears out quickly. My blows have him backing up step by step and I start growing bored of this game of cat and mouse, so I put him out of his misery and take him down.

  I push forward with a kick to the chest that has him stumbling backward, quickly followed by a combination punch then a sweep which has him knocked to the ground. The kid would never have seen it coming with my speed.

  I flip him to his stomach and pull his arm behind his back and put him in a headlock. He struggles for a bit, but knows he can’t get out of it. He can continue struggling all he wants, but we all know if he waits too long, he’s going to pass out, so instead he taps out, helping me to make the easiest money of my life.

  I get to my feet and help the kid up two moments before the ref comes out to hold my hand up, declaring me the winner.

  I strut out of the ring, pretty damn pleased with myself, wondering why the hell I didn’t get in the ring years ago. I would have been out from under my parents long ago. Hell, with the money I’m pulling in right now, I’ll be buying my own place pretty soon, though, I might wait to see just how far I make it in this competition before purchasing anything. After all, if I win the final, it will change what kind of place I’ll be buying or should I say, Charli and I will be buying.

  The second I’m out of the ring, Cole launches himself at me, along with Luke and Caden who all beam and boast about how great that was, though to tell the truth, it seemed too easy to boast about. When I get further into the competition and actually earn the win, then I’ll be happy to brag about it. Hell, beating this guy was almost easier than taking Caden down during the warm up.

  The guys lead me back out to the fighter’s room and put me through a cool down.

  “See you later, kid,” Cole says as I pull my jeans back on and shove my fighting gear into my bag.

  “Yeah, see you,” I say as I turn to the door.

  “Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for being late,” he reminds me. “There’ll be hell to pay tomorrow during training.”

  Great. I nod my head, I guess I deserve it.

  I say goodbye to the boys and a few of the other fighters who I’ve gotten to know over the past few weeks and make my way out, dying to get home and fall asleep.

  I’m nearly at my truck when I realize someone is leaning against the hood. What the fuck? Who would be waiting for me out here? As I get closer, I recognize the guy and my whole world comes crumbling around me.

  Shit, game over.

  Aaron leans against the side of my truck with his foot propped up on the tire and his hands in his pockets looking as casual as ever, but after being on the team with the guy since the beginning of the year, I know the pose isn’t casual at all, in fact, he’s damn pissed. “Hey, man,” I cringe as I throw my gear in the back.

  He doesn’t say a word, just looks at me with anger and betrayal pouring out of his eyes as he continues leaning against the truck. His head tilts slightly and I know he’s ready. “You could have told us, we wouldn’t have said anything.”

  “Seriously? You get why I can’t tell anyone about this, right? It’s the fucking Underground. It’s illegal. If anyone found out that you guys knew, you’d all be going down, right along with me,” I explain. “Each and every one of you can kiss your NHL dreams goodbye.”

  “Really? That’s the explanation you’re going with?” he scoffs. “We’re not fucking idiots. No one would have said a word. Hell, we probably would have been here after the games, cheering you on, instead of getting fucked up at some ridiculous house party, wondering what the fuck is going on with you.”

  “Sorry, man,” I grunt. “I’m prepared to risk my future, not the whole team’s.”

  He lets out a frustrated sigh. “Fuck,” he grunts as a hand comes up to scratch the back of his neck. “I don’t know whether to be fucking pissed at you or impressed with how fucking good you were,” he says.

  “Yeah,” I grin, “I don’t suck.”

  “A guy in there said you could win this thing?” he questions.

  “Do you think I would be doing it if I didn’t think I could win?” I ask.

  “Who fucking knows?” he snaps. “It’s not like you’ve allowed anyone to actually get to know you.”

  Yeah, I deserved that. “And now you know why.” I sigh as a question pops into my head. “How the hell did you know I was here?”

  He grins at the question and looks guilty as shit. “Dude, you're shady as shit. I was suspicious.”

  The meaning hits me immediately. “You followed me from Micky’s?” I ask.

  “Eh,” he shrugs. “I was curious. You keep disappearing saying you have things to do, but seriously, what kind of normal person has shit to do in the middle of the night? Then you show up to training covered in bruises and it’s not like you were going to hand out answers to our questions, so really, you didn’t leave me a choice. It was like you were daring me to figure it out.”

  I let out a sigh. I guess he’s right which means it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the guys work it out. “You’ll keep it to yourself?” I ask.

  “Yeah, man,” he says. “But honestly, the guys know
something’s up with you. You’re like a puzzle they haven’t been able to work out yet and they’re damn curious. It won’t be long before they put it together.”

  “I know,” I say, “I feel like a dick not being honest about it, but if I were, I’d be off the team.”

  “Yeah, I get it,” he says with a forgiving smile. “Come on, while we’re here we may as well enjoy the night.”

  “Fine,” I groan as he convinces me to head back inside, “But then I’m going home to my girl.”

  “What the fuck?” he practically shrieks. “You’ve got a girl? How did I not know this? Fuck, I bet it’s that chick from the bar. Isn’t it? Man, she’s fucking hot,” he says, hardly giving himself a chance to breathe. “Shit, I feel like I hardly know you at all.”

  I can’t help but grin. Tonight is going to be interesting.

  Chapter 15

  Charli

  I’m taking my lunch break in the staff room of the hair salon when my phone goes off. Geez, it’s going to take me a while to get used to having a phone.

  I dig through my bag until I find the vibrating, noisy phone and see Micky’s name on the screen. I hit answer and bring the phone up to my ear.

  “Hey,” I say cheerfully. “What’s up?”

  “Have I got you at a good time? I couldn’t remember what time you said you went for your break,” he says.

  “Yeah, all good. I’m having lunch now.”

  “Good, listen. The bar’s shut down until further notice,” he informs me.

  “What?” I screech, getting to my feet in outrage. What the hell is he talking about? “Who would do that?”

  “The building inspector,” he says, flatly. “There’s a problem with the drain in the kitchen and the whole place is flooded, which means the bar is closed until it’s fixed.”

  “Shit, Micky,” I sigh. “That sucks.”

  “Sure does, kid,” he says. “But unfortunately, that means you no longer have access to your apartment.”

  “Oh,” I sigh, I should have put that together.

  “Can you stay with Xander a few days?” he asks.

  “Yeah, that’s fine,” I say, not put off by the idea at all. “He gave me a key, you know.”

  “Shit,” he laughs and by the tone of his voice, I know he is teasing. “Getting serious, huh?”

  “Shut up,” I groan.

  “Fine,” he says and I can just imagine him rolling his eyes. “I’ll call you when we get the ‘all clear’.”

  “Alright,”

  “Be safe, Charli,” he says, taking on the father role, once again.

  “Will do.”

  “Alright, see you, kid,” he says as he hangs up the phone.

  I take my seat and continuing working on my sandwich when Zara, another hairdresser speaks up. “Everything ok?” she asks with concern lacing her voice.

  “Oh yeah,” I say. “The bar is going to be closed for a few days so I’ll be staying with Xander for a while.”

  “Well, that hardly sounds like a problem,” she grins.

  “Believe me, it’s not,” I grin right back.

  “Haven’t you been wanting to go to one of his games?” she asks. “If the bar is closed, I doubt you’ll be allowed to work, why don’t you go? I think the Dragons are playing tonight.”

  Hmmm, that’s a very good point. I don’ know why I didn’t think of it first. A smile completely lightens up my face as excitement takes over. “He does have a game tonight,” I confirm. “I could go and surprise him.”

  “Sounds like a good plan,” she laughs as my excitement becomes contagious.

  An idea hits me. “Do, um, you want to come with me?” I ask, realizing that Zara could actually make a really great friend. After all, I don’t get any of those awful feelings about her like I did with Lex.

  She beams up at me. “I’d love to.”

  “Really?” I ask. “I think it starts at seven.”

  “Ok, did you want to go for some cocktails first?” she asks, “I mean, we finish at five, so we have a few hours to kill.”

  I can’t help but grin. “I think we’re going to make great friends.”

  ---------

  Zara and I make our way up the grandstand and I’m already in awe. The place is packed and I’m surprised to see just how many people I recognize here from the bar. We practically stumble up the stairs after having a few too many cocktails, but I don’t have the decency to be ashamed of my near drunkenness, as for the first time, I think I’ve actually made a good friend.

  We find our seats and the moment we get comfortable, I rip into the packaging of the jersey I just bought with Xander’s name and number on the back. The moment I pull it over my head, something settles within me, like I’m finally getting the chance to show the world that Xander is mine.

  Zara hands me a massive foam finger and we both break into giggles as we pull them on. Man, I can’t wait until Xander comes out and sees me here, though, with the foam finger and jersey, I don’t know if he will be embarrassed or proud as shit, but I’m willing to bet on the later.

  Zara disappears, saying she is hungry and returns not long after with some hot dogs and what looks to be a calendar. She takes her seat and instantly breaks into the calendar making me crack into laughter at what I see. The calendar is filled with half naked images of the hockey team. “Apparently, it’s a new tradition that some chick started last year,” Zara tells me, relaying the information the girl at the stand gave her.

  She continues to flick through the pages and I stop her when I recognize one hell of a sexy body. “Wait,” I say a little too loudly, “That’s Xander.”

  “That’s your boyfriend?” she asks with wide eyes. “Holy shit, woman. That man is hot.”

  “I know,” I grin as I practically drool over the calendar. “I’m going to have to buy my own calendar after this,” I inform her.

  “Indeed, you will,” she agrees as she turns to the next page and I recognize Aaron. “Who the hell is this guy?” she asks.

  “That would be Aaron,” I tell her. “He’s sort of turned into Xander’s best friend over the last few days.”

  “Is he single?” she asks with interest.

  “I actually have no idea,” I say, realizing that’s probably something I should know about the guy by this point.

  “Well, that settles it. You’re introducing me after the game.”

  “Deal,” I laugh.

  Twenty minutes later, Zara and I have downed some pretty questionable hot dogs and the stands are at capacity. The atmosphere is blowing me away with the number of fans that have shown up. I mean, there are hardly any fans here for the opposition, not that I’ve really taken notice of who the opposition are, but I bet any money that Xander’s team is better.

  Music is blasted and the crowd begins to roar as they start the Dragon’s war cry. My eyes instantly flick to the hallway which I assume, from the massive Dragon’s banner above it, is where the team will be coming from.

  Two seconds later, I see Jaxon appear in the hallway, leading the boys out. Two girls a few rows down start going nuts and I recognize one of them as his girlfriend. I’m pretty sure her name is Cassie, but I don’t really get a chance to think about it as Xander walks out of the hallway.

  Zara and I instantly start cheering and waving our foam fingers in the air. I scream out his name and he somehow hears my voice over the crowd. His eyes fly up to the grandstand and he points me out immediately.

  A massive smile comes tearing over his face and I can’t help but smile back. I cup my hands around my mouth and scream out, “I love you.” His eyes light up and I grin as he mouths it back.

  “You two are going to make me nauseous, aren’t you?” Zara asks.

  “Yeah, probably,” I laugh.

  A moment later, he steps onto the ice and it’s damn obvious that he belongs there. He’s only warming up and yet he’s dominating the ice.

  Someone skates past Xander and my eyes follow along. “Ah, there’s Aaro
n,” I tell Zara, but when I look over at her, it’s clear she’s already pointed him out.

  Soon after, the game gets started and I watch in awe as Xander, Jaxon, and Bobby seem to work as a team, scoring goal after goal and wiping the ice with the other team. I hardly understand what it is I’m watching, but I know what I’m witnessing is something amazing. By the end of the game, I can honestly say that tonight has been one of the best nights of my life and the beauty of it is that it’s only just begun.

  Zara and I head downstairs at the end of the game and wait for Xander to come out. To Zara’s pleasure, Xander comes out with Aaron right at his side, though, I should have known, after Aaron busted him at the fight, they’ve been tied at the hip and as much as I hate sharing my time with Xander, it’s actually really nice knowing he feels he can finally be himself.

  “Hey, babe,” Xander says as he makes his way over to me. He drops his bag at our feet and pulls me right up off the ground as he wraps his arms around. “You look so fucking sexy in my jersey,” he murmurs into my ear.

  “You want me to wear it for you later?” I reply with a grin.

  “Fuck, yeah,” he says before questioning, “What are you doing here?”

  “The bar’s flooded so I’m all yours for the next few nights.” A groan travels up his throat as his eyes become hooded and I have no doubt he’s thinking about all the things we could get up to. “You were amazing,” I tell him, my voice filled with pride.

  Without another word, he crushes his lips to mine.

  He kisses me for a brief moment as to not be rude to our current audience and reluctantly places me back down on my feet. “This is Zara,” I say to Xander and Aaron, who are probably wondering why some random girl is standing beside us watching me and Xander making out. “She works at the salon with me,” I inform them as I turn back to Zara. “Zara, this is Xander and Aaron.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Aaron says, instantly stepping forward and taking her hand in his. He brings it up to his face and gingerly places a kiss on her skin, laying on the charm.