No Mercy: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)

by D. M. Davis

  If I had known she was pregnant, Frankie would have doubted my love for her over my obligation to our baby. A fact I’m quite sure Grant considered as well, and why he only spilled the beans about Rowdy’s proposal and not the fact my girl was growing a bean of her own in her womb.

  Changed and warmed up, Jonah rubs my muscles, keeping me loose as Coach wraps my hands. Jess, Sloan, Walker, Patrick, and Landry linger around the door keeping watch for my Angel and Rowdy. They’ll take their seats when she does. I’ve tasked them with looking out for her, but I trust Rowdy to protect her as if she were his own, as he has been the last few months. I owe him a lot. More than I can ever repay.

  When the guys start glancing my way and back down the hall, my heart rate picks up. I know my Angel has arrived. I can feel her in my bones. I always have. Always will.

  “You gotta calm down, darlin’.” Rowdy pulls me into his side, facing away from the hallway where the fighters reside. “You go in there crying and shaking, you’re gonna mess up his mojo. He’s a tough motherfucker, but he was ready to throw this fight for you. You give him one reason to doubt your desire to be here, and he’ll forfeit in a heartbeat.”

  “I know.” I shake my hands, roll my shoulders, loosen my neck. I gotta get ahold of myself.

  I’ve been to hundreds of fights. I’ve seen how Gabriel rules the octagon. He doesn’t mess around unless he’s feeling really cantankerous, then he’ll play with his prey for a while before taking them down. He’s undefeated. A fact I need to remember.

  Tonight feels different, though. Immensely important.

  “If you freak out, blame it on the baby. Don’t say you don’t feel well, as that will get him out of here even faster. But you know, hormonal and all. Emotional. Delusional. Crazy.”

  I whack his arm. “I’m not crazy and delusional.”

  He rolls his eyes. “I’ve doubted your sanity a few times over the past few months. It’s a valid excuse.”

  He’s ridiculous. “Whatever. Ready?”

  He grants me a dimpled smile. “Always.”

  His hand firmly placed on the middle of my back, he guides me forward. Our backstage passes get the onceover before we’re let in. The halls are cluttered with all kinds of people. My eyes wander to the ring-chasers, easy to spot by the lack of clothing, the abundance of cleavage, and usually hanging on or flirting with some fighter, no matter how big or small. They all start somewhere, but the bigger cards get more ring-chasers. I better not find any near Gabriel.

  Rowdy walks right on by like he doesn’t even see them. Impressive. I wonder if it’s an act for me, or if he really doesn’t roll that way.

  “Not my style.” He reads my mind.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  As we pass a few doors with predatory assholes lingering outside, Rowdy pulls me closer.

  When a guy looking like his ego is larger than his stature can support steps toward us, Rowdy puts up a hand with a one-word warning. “Don’t.”

  Ego Dude stops in his tracks, glaring but not saying a word. Rowdy gives a good I-could-kill-you-and-not-break-a-sweat glare. It’s an art form. He’s perfected it.

  Tension radiates off him, daring anyone else to make a move. No one does, but I feel a little dirty for all their eye-probing.

  “Don’t let ‘em get to you, darlin’. Their bark is worse than their bite.” He looks down at me with a wink. “They couldn’t handle a firecracker like you.”

  I let loose a laugh, having no doubt he could. He proposed, after all.

  My gaze falls to the other side of the hall, and I spot familiar faces coming our way. Sloan and Walker fall into step, escorting us the rest of the way. My guess is they spotted potential trouble and came to offer reinforcement. No doubt at Gabriel’s urging.

  Outside the door with Gabriel’s name on it, the rest of the guys filter out, waving me through. No time wasted on greetings. Also, on Gabriel’s orders, I’m sure. I step inside as Cap, Coach, and Jonah step out with mere nods of hello.

  My eyes lock on Gabriel bouncing on the balls of his feet, dodging and swinging at nothing but the competitor in his mind’s eye.

  When he spots me, his movements slow as he rakes me from head to toe. I wore a dress, maybe a little too formal for a fight, but it felt like I should dress up for him. Make him proud to have me on his arm. Though, in reality, no one is going to see us together. It’s not like I’m escorting him down the aisle to the octagon.

  “Angel.” His hands squeeze my waist, and his mouth crushes mine before I can respond. Diving in deep, he pulls me tight, pivoting so I’m hidden from view by the bulk of his body.

  “Gabriel,” I gasp against his lips.

  “Fuck. You look incredible. I can’t wait to get inside you.”

  A full body shudder in response has him pulling me closer, his hand gripping my ass.

  “You saw me at the hotel,” I remind him.

  “Yeah, but against this backdrop, full of testosterone, your sexiness is amplified.” He kisses my neck and whispers in my ear, “It’s like you’re full HD color in a black and white world.”

  My hands rest on his hard pecs, bulging by his state of readiness. I squeeze in admiration. He squeezes my ass in response, tweaking my chin to get my attention. “You want me, Angel?”

  My breath catches. The sight of him all alpha, predatory, and ready to hunt is such a turn on. “Yes. Can I have you?”

  He chuckles and nips at my ear. “You wet for me?”

  I squeak my response, which only makes him chuckle more.

  “I’m inconveniently hard for you, Frankie. I can’t wait to get you back to our room.

  “Me too.” I squeeze my thighs together.

  He notices, mistaking the movement for something else. “Use my bathroom. I don’t want you going to the public restrooms if you can help it.” He motions to the door behind me.

  Being pregnant and having to go to the bathroom every hour or so, it’s not a bad idea to take the opportunity to use what is surely a cleaner facility. I slip inside. Murmurs come from the other side of the door. I do my business and wash my hands, noting as I glance in the mirror, I look like a woman who’s been thoroughly kissed and turned on by her sexy-as-hell baby daddy. The thought makes me smile.

  I open the door to a hovering, hulk of man, looming in the doorway like he could barely stand to have it closed between us. “Everything alright, Angel?”

  I press a kiss over his heart and finger his tattoos on each bicep, breathing them across his skin, wishing them to life. “Loyal. Brave. True.” I lay a kiss on the word brave. Be brave, my Big Man. I secretly pray.

  “Mercy is granted not earned.” Another kiss on mercy. May you have mercy for me but none in the octagon.

  He cups my cheek, his breath quickened by my touch, my reverence. “I love you.” His kiss is soft and tender, reflecting his words.

  “I love you, Big Man.” I pat his side, laying one more kiss for luck in the center of his chest as my hand caresses his back tattoo. “Go kick some ass. Bring home the title.”

  “Done.” He grabs my hand, calling Rowdy into the room. He looks over my shoulder. “No one touches her. Clear?”

  “Understood,” Rowdy answers with confidence, making me smile.

  Gabriel nods. “She’ll be there in a minute.” He waits, watching. His eyes return to mine when we’re alone again. “I’m gonna ask you something, and I need you to trust me and say yes.”

  I have no idea what he’s up to, but I think I’d promise him anything at this point. “Okay.”

  “I’m going to win tonight, and when I do... You’re going to marry me, tomorrow, in a chapel on the strip, not too cheesy, but still totally Vegas-style.” His gaze holds me captive. His words take my breath, and his commitment brings tears to my eyes.

  “Was there a question in there?” I tease, kinda wanting the girly proposal. I only intend on doing this once.

  He smiles. “Not really, but if you need me to ask…” He kneels before me, m
y hand in his, his eyes glistening with love. “I love you, Angel. Marry me. Let me spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”

  I never thought I’d see the day Gabriel Stone knelt down before a woman, much less me. “Okay… Yes,” I amend. “I love you too, in case you forgot.”

  “Didn’t forget.” His megawatt smile has my heart pounding and my body screaming for satisfaction. “Let’s make this official.” He slips a ring I didn’t even see in his hulking hand on my finger.

  I stare breathlessly at the large emerald-cut diamond on my finger. “Jesus, Gabriel.” It’s incredible.

  Chuckling, he stands, kisses my hand. “You like it?”

  “It’s too much.”

  “You don’t like it?” His frown replaces the smile he held a moment ago.

  “No! I love it. It’s… It’s—” I grab his face. “Perfect.” The light returning to his eyes is no match for my surprise and worry about the cost. He bought it. He picked it out. I’ll gladly accept it and wear it like the blessed woman I am.

  “Good.” He fingers the band. “The rock in the middle is you.” His eyes cast to mine before returning to the ring. “The… Uh… Smaller diamonds surrounding it are me—protecting you, holding you close, keeping you safe and cherished.”

  Oh my God. This man.

  “The diamonds on the band are all our kids.” His smile has my heart bursting with joy.

  “It’s a good thing we’ve already got one on the way then.” I don’t dare tell him there is no freaking way we’re having that many children.

  “I can’t wait to get you pregnant again.” His kiss is slow and lingering, only pulling away when a throat clears behind us.

  “It’s time.”

  My stomach nearly drops to my feet.

  Gabriel nods to Coach, but his eyes are still on me. “I got this, Angel. No more worrying. Okay?”

  “I know you do. Only, I’m not sure I can handle watching you get hit.”

  The tips of his fingers graze my cheek as his smiling eyes take me in. “Then I’ll do my best to do the hitting.”

  I’ve seen enough fights to know it’s impossible. I’ll have to put on my big girl panties and be brave for him. “You got this.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  One last kiss, and he nods to Rowdy. “Protect her like she’s yours,” Gabriel orders.

  “With my life,” Rowdy replies.

  I turn on a wink, fake bravado in full bloom. I don’t look back. I can’t. He’d see the tears in my eyes.

  “You did good, darlin’.” Rowdy pulls me close as the guys flank me—Walker, Sloan, Jess, Patrick, and the new guy, Landry. Two in front, two in back, Sloan on my left with Rowdy on my right. My own person entourage, garnering stares and curious looks as we make our way backstage to our floor seats. They make me feel special, like I’m honored and cherished, and I suppose I am. These guys are my extended family.

  My immediate family is growing in my womb, and I left my other half in the dressing room, getting ready to fight for our future.

  Not just for a title. But for my hand in marriage.

  It seems almost archaic, of times past.

  But I know the truth. I’ll marry him win or lose, for he’s already won my heart, planted a seed inside me—literally—and promised a future I can’t resist. A lifetime with him. My Big Man. My Gabriel Stone.

  Loyal. Brave. True.

  Let the best man win!

  “You said yes, huh?” Rowdy whispers so only I can hear.

  “You saw? Or you knew it was coming?”

  “I saw, but suspected it was coming. You two are inevitable. Soulmates.” Rowdy’s approval brings a smile to my lips.

  I like that Rowdy sees Gabriel and me as I do now. I’m no longer afraid Gabriel will break my heart because he doubts his ability to love me. He doesn’t doubt it, therefore, I don’t doubt him.

  “Does everyone else know?” I check out the guys as we make our way to our seats. Their expressions are stone cold and practiced to perfection. There’s nothing like a death stare from a fighter who knows he can do damage. These guys mean business. Everyone else notices too as the crowded hall and walkway to the arena floor part, letting us pass without breaking formation.

  Like Moses parting the Red Sea, only those who believe shall pass.

  Only it’s Gabriel, setting into motion all the cogs that fit into place perfectly, moving as one, revealing one revelation at a time, each building on the other, moving us to an ultimate destination. I don’t know where that is, but if it means Gabriel is by my side—I’m all in.

  “I don’t know.” Rowdy’s eyes scan the crowd. His cool façade slips as the palpable excitement in the room washes over us. “This is incredible.” His dimpled smile meets mine. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” I have nothing to do with him being here. He’s earned his place.

  “For everything. For giving me a spot on the Black Ops Team. For being my friend. For nearly being my wife.” He winks on his wife comment with a suggestive wiggle of his brow.

  Men. Total Neanderthals. “Cap gave you the chance. I just agreed with him.”

  “And if you hadn’t?”

  I shrug. He’s right. Cap probably wouldn’t have taken him if I didn’t sign off. Cap sees something in me I don’t quite understand. I study the fighters, look at their stats and medical records, and weigh their personality as a good fit or not. It’s not magic—it’s a gut feeling supported by facts.

  “You’ve earned your place. Both on the team and in my life.” I punch his arm to keep what could become a heavy topic light.

  He doesn’t even pretend to flinch. Ass.

  His hand on my hip squeezes as he bends to whisper, “He’s a lucky son of a bitch.” His lips press to my temple. His next words leave in a rush as if he doesn’t mean to say them out loud, “I had you for a minute, but I let you slip away.”

  The kiss. I remember. I seriously considered his proposal until the rush of the moment passed, replaced by panic and guilt.

  My skin flushes, my eyes dart to the guys to see if they’re paying us any mind. Walker’s gaze locks on mine before jumping to Rowdy, then back to me and down to the ring on my finger. He gives me a quick wink and a nod before his stony demeanor falls back into place.

  They don’t understand the bond Rowdy and I share. The rock he’s been for me when I pushed Gabriel out of my life. They’ve known me longer, but out of respect for Austin and Gabriel they’d never get as close as Rowdy has. He knew me first. That makes him more my friend than theirs. He helped me get on my feet again, literally helping me walk out of the hospital despite the staff’s mandate I use a wheelchair. He held me when I cried over Gabriel. Then he held my hair while I puked more times than I care to remember—all because of the gift Gabriel implanted before he left. Rowdy held my hand when I wasn’t strong enough to face my fears alone.

  He gave me kindness without expectations.

  He believed in me when I couldn’t.

  He offered me a future when I feared I’d have none.

  No, none of these guys understand the strength of the man standing beside me. Strong enough to love me, knowing I couldn’t love him back in the way he was offering. Strong enough to remain my friend as I plan to marry another.

  Yeah, so much for keeping it light.

  “You should watch what you say. You’re getting ready to meet that son of a bitch’s mother.” I fight to keep my smile from wobbling for this man who’s come to mean so much to me in such a short time.

  Rowdy’s eyes go wide. “Oh, shit.”

  We stop moving almost in sync when we reach a nearly empty front row section of seats. Rowdy and I gasp when we realize we have front row seats.

  “Holy shit,” I breathe out.

  “You can say that again.” His surprise gives him a boyish look, softening his strong features.

  A few seats in sit two women I’ve met before, but have barely spoken to over the years—given my tumultuous relationship
with Gabriel. I guess that’s all about to change.

  Rowdy grips my arm. “You’re between me and Sloan. Say hello. Then we sit. It’s almost time.” His eyes apologize for the gruffness of his demeanor. He softens when he adds, “You can talk to them afterwards.”

  When I step between Jess and Patrick, they let me pass.

  Cheryl Stone is a petite, quiet woman with dark hair and blue eyes like her son. But the resemblance ends there. It’s hard to believe such a big guy came out of her. When she spots me, her face lights up. Popping to her feet, she wraps me in a hug. “It’s so good to see you, Frankie.” Her usually mousy nature is nowhere to be found. But she eyes Jess and Patrick cautiously as they take the seats beside her.

  “It’s good to see you too, Mrs. Stone.” I introduce her to Jess and Patrick. Their warm smiles seem to ease her uncertainty.

  “Hi, Frankie.” Reese Stone’s velvety voice draws my attention. Her quick hug reminds me how sweet and tentative she is. She’s much taller than her mother, but still has her slender frame, dark hair and matching blue eyes. She’s beautiful in an ethereal kind of way. I envy her lightness. Though her hair is dark like Gabriel’s, she has an angelic quality, making her seem otherworldly.

  “I’m so glad you came, Reese. It means a lot to him to have family by his side.” That seems to warm something inside her. She’s always looked up to her older brother by three years. But his worldly ways have skipped her. Her innocence is tangible and lies around her feet like timebombs. Innocence can only last so long. I fear her awakening will be tantamount to WWIII if Gabriel has anything to do with it.

  Rowdy directs me to my seat, while he sits between Reese and me. I introduce them and watch as unexpected fireworks erupt.

  Oh, Rowdy, don’t fall for this one. She’s off limits like you couldn’t even begin to fathom.