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BLOOD

The gym buzzes with activity for the rest of the day as the fighters prepare for the big fight next Saturday night. The first time we’d showcase both women and men at the same event, and we were already sold out with standing room only. Although Ricky added other women to the roster, Maxine remains the favorite. All the brothers are pumped for what would definitely be a huge moneymaker.

As I circled the gym, it was easy to get lost in the chaos and energy flowing around me until Bolt storms through the gym and jerks his head toward my office. When I close the door behind us, he settles his bulk into the chair in front of my desk, his face unreadable.

“So? What’ve you got?”

“Checking up on Hector also gave me info on Maxine,” Bolt says. “Juan’s information is right. The building and the apartment Maxine lives in is owned by Rodriquez.”

My jaw tightens, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Before she came to Tijuana, she was fighting for Hector in Rosarito for almost four years.”

“Four years?”

“Brought in plenty of cash for him too.” Bolt draws in a deep breath. “Apparently, Maxine was housed with the rest of them on his property in Rosarito until recently.”

Bolt’s words wash over me like a tidal wave, but I force my expression to stay neutral. He didn’t know what Maxine and I got up to last week, and I had no intention of telling him, but the thought of Maxine doing more than fighting for Hector’s club sours my stomach.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence she’s fighting for us now.” Bolt barks out a laugh. “Hector probably sent her here to whore herself out to one of us as a distraction, but now we’ve got her number, the joke’s on him and her.”

Fuck. And I was the stupid bastard who fell for it. Didn’t take her long to spread her legs. Even the hard-to-get bullshit she pulled was probably an act. Nothing cranked a man up faster than a woman who put him off. Yeah, she played me perfect, but now I was onto her, the ball was in my court.

Game on, bitch.

“Right, Boss?”

“Yeah, right.”

“You want me to tell Diesel to fire her lying ass?”

“No.”

Bolt cocks his head. “We sure don’t want a bitch spy hanging around the gym or the chop shop or anything else we got goin’ on here. Especially if she’s working on Hector’s orders.”

“I’ll handle it. Handle her.”

“Sure, whatever you say.” Bolt shrugs. “Too bad, she’s got crazy skills in the ring, and she’s a hot-lookin’ bitch. Sure would like to see her face when you do it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she gets exactly what she deserves,” I assure him while my brain spins with ways to make her pay.

Call it pride, call it stupid male ego, but I had to confront her one-on-one. I had to find out her game. Maybe I’m letting sex cloud my brain, but something about her doesn’t add up. Before this is over, I need to find out what her motives are and how she got mixed up with Rodriquez in the first place.

All things I couldn’t share with Bolt or Smoke or any of the other brothers ‘cause they’d see right through my bullshit and call me out for the truth. I was confronting Maxine because I needed to. I had to hear from her own lips what we did was all an act, a scam—then I’d deal with her my way.

The ten-minute walk to the address Bolt gave me lets me think about the situation. My anger settles, and I decide to let this play out in a different way. Maybe I could make her deceit work in my favor. Knowing her game, there’s no way I’d fall into her trap again.

When I cut down the street leading to her apartment, the sidewalk is less crowded. I duck into an alcove of a butcher store featuring dead chickens and rabbits hanging in the window. Perfect cover to scope out the two-story structure.

I’m just about to cross the street when I spy Hector going into the building. His presence confirms Juan and Bolt’s intel, but it does nothing for the ache in my gut or for what Maxine and Hector might be doing in her apartment.

MAXINE

I open the door wide, and Hector enters, accompanied by his bodyguard, Pedro. He nods to Pedro, who stays by the door while Hector moves around the tiny space like a welcomed guest who visits often. He does a quick appraisal then motions to the couch for me to sit, like it’s his place. Okay, technically, it is his place, but it always amazes me how the man claims every space he occupies—much like Blood.

When he joins me on the couch, his expression remains void of emotion, giving away nothing and amping up my anxiety to the next level. “Are you happy here, Maxine?”

“Yes.” There is no other answer he wants, so I go with the obvious, ignoring the voice in my head telling me I never had a choice in the matter.

“Then I have to admit, I’m confused.” He pauses for the expected response, and of course my breathing falters right on cue. “I allowed you this bit of freedom under certain conditions.”

Of course. There are always strings attached to Hector’s ultimatums.

“I thought we understood each other.” He waves his hand around the apartment. “With all I’ve given you, I expected results.”

“I have some information.” I reach for my phone on the end table.

“And you planned on keeping it from me?” His smooth tone belies his dark eyes.

Once again, I underestimated his one-mindedness.

“No, no. I was only able to get these last night.” I scroll through my phone. “It was very difficult. The Royal Bastards leave nothing to chance, especially when it comes to security.” I left out the part about the lack of alarms on the back door of the ladies’ locker room.

Hector snatches my phone and scans the screen. “Interesting.”

Playing Hector’s spy ranks low on my list of priorities. Especially since I have nothing against the RBMC and don’t understand Hector’s need to take over the world—or his little part of it.

“It’s the list of the upcoming fighters and their opponents for the next few weeks.”

“I can see that,” Hector says to my phone screen.

“For whatever reason, Blood writes it all out by hand.”

“Hmmm.” Hector’s dark eyes give away nothing. “And what is this to me?”

“You’ll know ahead of time who will be fighting and how to bet.”

“Somewhat valuable, but not what I need.” He flings the phone to the couch. What I want to know is about their gun shipments. When and where they will take place.”

“I don’t know where he keeps that information.”

“When you took this job, you assured me you would get close to one of them.” His black eyes bore into me. “Has it happened yet?”

I had no intention of telling Hector about my steamy sex with Blood.

“I’ll take your silence to mean you haven’t succeeded?”

“No, not yet.”

“I see.” Hector pushes off the couch then paces in front of it.

“There just hasn't been an opportunity to?—”

Hector stops pacing and glares down at me. “From what I understand of the biker world, sex is practiced freely and often.”

“As I said, I?—”

“I know what you said.” Hector’s voice rises just enough to send a chill down my spine. “But I find your words very hard to believe, which brings me to two conclusions—you either aren’t trying hard enough, or you have already involved yourself with one of them, and you’ve let your feelings get in the way.”

“Even if I did get close to one of them, they would never tell me such secret information.”

“Or perhaps you’re keeping your relationship with one of them secret because you are hoping they can help you escape?”

“No, that’s not?—”

Quick as a rattlesnake, Hector grabs my braid and twists it around his fist. “Which is it?”

My hands fly to my head, my scalp stinging as he pulls harder.

“Neither. I just haven’t?—”

“You haven’t whored yourself out to one of them as I asked. Don’t make me regret putting you here, Maxine. And don’t let all this freedom make you think you are anything else than an ornament—collateral, a bargaining chip.” Hector twists harder, angling my face to his. “You will make a connection with one of them this week. Is that clear?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

He releases me so fast, my head snaps to the side. I massage the back of my neck. My heart is beating so hard, I’m sure Hector can hear it.

“I’m glad we understand each other.” He glares down at me. “Don’t mistake my kindness or be fooled by my letting you fight for the Royal Bastards, because even though you’re not spreading your legs every night like the others, you are still a whore for me.”

I swallow the bile threatening to rise in my throat. Knowing the truth and hearing it are two drastically different torments.

“If you want to keep living here, then you will do as I ask because, as you know, I can take away your independence.” He snaps his fingers in my face. “Like that.”

Independence with a tangle of strings attached.

“Yes.” I stare at the carpet, unable to meet his gaze.

“I also assume you will do as you’re told.”

“I will.” The submissive words catch in my throat.

Hector draws in a breath. “I am happy to hear that.”

What choice do I have?

“Because if you don’t, I will have no choice but to send you back to Rosarito.”

My jaw tightens, and my hands ball into fists.

“And if that’s the route I need to take, I think you already know what will happen there and what your punishment will entail.” His tone is soft and coaxing. “I also know that’s not what you want.”

“No, no, please.” I hate the pleading in my voice as much as the ultimatum. “I’ll do as you ask.”

“See that you do.” He jerks his head, Pedro opens the door, and they leave without another word.

I run to the door and quickly lock it. A dumb move since Hector has a key to every apartment, but somehow it gives me a sense of control. I stumble back to the couch and perch on the edge of the cushion. I force myself to draw in slow cleansing breaths. The same relaxing exercise I practice before a fight.

At first, I feared Hector found out about the money I’d skimmed, but this is so much worse. If only I had enough to make my escape. If only . . .

I would just have to accelerate my plan.

After our sex in the alley, I’ve gone back and forth over the last few days considering my next move with Blood. I didn’t expect our connection to be so potent and real. I couldn’t afford to let those feelings mess up my escape, but now there is no other way. I’m desperate and can only think of my survival.

I’d seen the looks Blood threw my way when he didn’t think I was looking. Even today in the crowded gym, I picked him out watching me. I would make my move tomorrow, lure him in, and get him to help me. What better ally than an outlaw biker with the means to obtain whatever I need?

This would be a test of my skills both in and out of the ring. I’d lead him along just enough to get him to help me, then make my escape. He wouldn’t stop me or interfere because bikers don’t do commitment.

There is no other way because Blood would never divulge club business, and I wouldn’t survive another round of Hector’s punishment in Rosarito. The mental anguish is much greater than the physical. Nightmares still plague my sleep. Waking up in a cold sweat with my heart pounding. No, if Hector sends me back to Rosarito, I would never survive, which makes using Blood my only option.