Whiskey-Eyed Woman (Soldiering On Book 5) Read online

  Sierra’s eyes softened in empathy. “I know it’s hard. I had trouble trusting Blake at first, too. He broke my heart at least once before he figured it out. And look where we are now.”

  Sierra’s lips turned up in a blissfully content smile, and Mandy felt a petty stab of envy. She was thrilled for her friend, she really was. But was she really brave enough to open her heart and trust Duncan one last time for a chance at the same? She wasn’t so sure.

  “I’m just not sure I can,” she whispered with an apologetic shrug.

  Sierra’s gaze shifted over her left shoulder. “Well, now’s your time to decide.”

  Nerves clenched Mandy’s stomach as Sierra slid out of her chair. Mandy turned in time to see her nod to Duncan as she walked out the door of the café.

  “Traitor,” she hissed.

  Duncan met her gaze and squared his shoulders, then headed her way with a takeaway latté clutched in his grip.

  “Did you hear any of that?” Mandy asked him as he sat.

  “A little,” he admitted with an apologetic shrug.

  She narrowed her eyes at him and he shrugged. “To be fair, we kind of met because you eavesdropped on me. So maybe now we’re even.”

  Mandy melted a little at the remembrance. How’d she’d heard him talking to Blake about his business idea on the same day she’d quit her job. It had seemed like fate.

  “I suppose I’ll concede that, this one time.”

  His shoulders relaxed a little at her begrudging comment. “Fair enough.”

  They smiled at each other, and Mandy had the sharp thought that she’d missed him over the last few weeks. They hadn’t spent longer than a weekend apart since starting the company almost two years ago, and she’d gotten used to his presence.

  “Why are you here, Duncan?” she asked softly. Her heart yearned for him, but she still held herself back, unsure if she was willing to trust him. Not knowing if that was even why he’d come.

  “Because I forgot to say something the other day.” He deliberately placed his coffee cup down and leaned towards her. The expression in his eyes stole her breath. So open, so light and hopeful. His affection for her was written plainly across his face for the first time ever, and despite herself Mandy felt a slow unfurling of hope within her.

  “Oh.” It was all she could manage.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I know I bungled this the last time. I was too overwhelmed, too happy to see you alive.”

  “Okay,” she said slowly, drawing the word out. She still waited for the other shoe to drop, for his expression to shutter and him to say something angry or snarky instead.

  “This is what I should’ve led with before: I love you. I’ve loved you for a really long time.”

  Mandy’s breathed hitched at the words. It was more than she could have hoped.

  Duncan continued, gaze holding hers. “At first, I was too blind to see it. Then, I was too scared to act on it. But now I know. I know that the fear of having you and then losing you doesn’t even come close to my fear of never having you at all. So I’ll say it again. I love you, Mandy. And I want to be with you. Professionally, but most importantly, personally. I want you in my life, my bed, my heart. Always.”

  Tears streamed down her face. These are the words she’d so longed to hear from him. Her chest expanded on a breath as her heart expanded with joy.

  She couldn’t find the words as happiness overwhelmed her. She let out a sob, too many emotions crowding her mind. She pressed her hands against her lips, but the tears still fell. But all that happiness was tainted by mistrust.

  “That was a beautiful speech,” she told him, wiping at her tears.

  He laughed softly. “Thank you. I practiced this time.” But worry shadowed his eyes. She hadn’t given him an answer.

  “How do I know you really mean it?” she asked softly.

  He gave her a long look. “I don’t know why it took me so long to see what you’ve seen in me all along. That we’re equals. And considering how amazing I find you, that’s a hell of a thing.”

  She could help a smile. “But what changed? You’ve been so determined to stay away for so long.” She was slowly beginning to believe him, though she wasn’t ready to throw herself into his arms just yet.

  “When I thought I’d lost you—well, it gave me a glimpse of my life without you in it. And it wasn’t a particularly nice place.”

  “But I can still be in your life, even if we aren’t together.” It would suck, but she’d missed his friendship as much as anything else. She’d get over him—eventually—and maybe it was better that they just stay friends. No risk of heartbreak for either of them.

  He shook his head. “It’s not enough. It’s never been enough. You know it, too.”

  “But Duncan—”

  He reached across the table and took her hand. “Look, I know I screwed up. And I’m not perfect, but I’ll fight every day to be better for you. I really do want you in my life. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to show you I’ve changed—or am changing.”

  The wall around Mandy’s heart cracked open. “Are you sure?”

  He stared deep into her eyes, impressing his sincerity onto her. “I am. I love you, Mandy.”

  The tears flowed hard and fast now. He took her hand, the one he held, and raised it to his lips to gently kiss her palm.

  “I love you, too,” she gasped. “So much.”

  He let out a relieved breath. “So I’m not too late? Your feelings haven’t gone away?” His fingers tightened around hers.

  She shook her head, reassuring him. “No. They’re yours. I’m yours. Forever.”

  He launched out of his seat, tipping his chair back in his haste so it clattered to the floor. He snatched her out of her chair and held her to him, squeezing her tighter than was probably warranted but Mandy didn’t care. She was in his arms, where she belonged.

  Then, he cupped her face with one hand and tilted her chin up. Their lips met in a soft kiss. A promise sealed between them with shared love and respect.

  And Mandy knew she didn’t want to be anywhere else, ever again.

  Epilogue

  Paul and Christine’s engagement party happened a few weeks later. It was the ultimate decompression, not just from the last few weeks, but the whole, eventful year.

  It was also a celebration. Of all they’d been through, individually and as a team. Of all their accomplishments, near misses, and finding love in the most unexpected of places.

  Duncan glanced around at his team, their partners, and his own. Mandy looked radiant in a soft purple dress, her hair twisted into a complicated knot he couldn’t wait to undo when they got home later.

  But for now, he had a party to attend to.

  “So, everyone will be ready to come to our new office in a few weeks, right?” he said to the room.

  “You finally found somewhere?” Blake asked.

  Duncan nodded. “Mandy and I signed the papers today.”

  Mandy squeezed his knee. “It’s gorgeous,” she told everyone. “Even better than our old one.”

  “And I get the nice office this time,” Duncan joked. Though they’d made sure both their offices had attractive views.

  “Duncan even wants a say in the decorating,” Mandy told them, even though he’d only mentioned the idea in passing. He wouldn’t abandon Mandy this time, and then act annoyed when things weren’t exactly how he wanted them. They’d be proper partners this time, working side-by-side in all aspects.

  “Destiny?” Duncan asked, turning to his friend where she sat in Hannah’s arms. The two had been inseparable since the events a few weeks before.

  Destiny smiled, glanced up at Hannah, then returned her gaze to him. “I’m in. I put my papers in last week. I can’t wait.”

  “Excellent. You’ll be exactly where you belong.”

  The noise of the crowd rose in congratulations and excitement about having Destiny join the Soldiering On team.

  “We have an announcem
ent,” Paul said as the murmuring died down. He moved forward, Christine by his side. “Not only are we engaged…” He cleared his throat and Christine gripped his hand in support. “But we’re going to have a baby. A boy.”

  A collective gasp of happiness flowed through the crowd, even though Duncan would hazard a guess everyone there already knew about the baby, if not the gender.

  “Congrats, buddy,” Duncan called to be heard above the rest.

  Paul’s head snapped around to focus on Duncan with an odd intensity. Duncan swallowed, no idea what might come next.

  “Thank you,” Paul told him. “It means a lot coming from you. Which is why—” he glanced up at Christine, who gave him a nod of encouragement. “Which is why we wanted you to be his godfather,” Paul finished softly.

  The words knocked the breath from Duncan’s lungs. He barely felt Mandy’s hand curl around his as he stared at Paul, trying to comprehend the overwhelming emotions buffeting him from all sides.

  “W…why?” he managed.

  “You gave me a purpose. One that led me to Christine, and happiness. We both appreciate everything you’ve done for us, more than words can say. But if you don’t like the idea…” Paul trailed off, eyeing Duncan nervously.

  Duncan swallowed and glanced at Mandy. She gave him an encouraging smile through the tears gathering in her eyes, which steadied him. He squeezed her hand.

  He turned back to Paul and Christine, waiting so patiently for an answer.

  “That’s a hell of an honour. I’ll try to live up to it. Thank you.”

  Paul gave him a relieve grin, and Duncan stood on slightly shaky legs to shake his hand, and give a beaming Christine a kiss on her cheek.

  “You’re sure?” Duncan asked Christine.

  She nodded enthusiastically. “I couldn’t think of anyone better.”

  “Okay,” Duncan said. “Okay.”

  He blew out a long breath and then came back to Mandy, slipping a hand around her shoulders. The crowd seemed to understand his need for space, so they all turned to talk to each other, leaving him alone to settle himself.

  Well, alone with Mandy.

  “That’s such a sweet thing,” she said, leaning into his side.

  Duncan huffed out a laugh. “I have no idea what they’re thinking. But I’ll try to be worthy.”

  “You’ll be perfect,” she reassured him.

  He sighed and said nothing more. But he was touched by the gesture, that they’d even consider him.

  Looking around at his friends and Mandy, Duncan knew that for the first time in a really long time, he was genuinely happy.

  The End

  Turn over for a peek at the first book in the

  Underground Fighters series, Caged Warrior

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  Caged Warrior: Underground Fighters #1

  Chapter 1

  The fist flew out of nowhere.

  Diego ducked, narrowly missing Chen’s knuckles as they flew past his face. He returned with an uppercut, catching Chen on the jaw with a brutal blow that sent the smaller man staggering backward. Blood splattered from his nose, falling across the filthy concrete floor liking a fucking Jackson Pollock painting. But Chen didn’t go down. Instead, he narrowed his eyes from across the makeshift cage and readied himself for another attack.

  Diego braced himself, keeping his mind blank. If he tried to second-guess what Chen would do next he’d probably assume wrong and end up flat on his back. His chest bellowed as he tried to suck in enough air to get him through this next skirmish. Blood dripped into his eye from a cut on his forehead, obscuring his vision, but he didn’t take the time to wipe it away. The instant his guard was down, Chen would strike.

  He was flagging. The fight had already been going for ten minutes without a break. It never seemed like much from the outside, but maintaining this level of energy, this fight-for-your-life mentality, was draining. And in illegal fighting, there were no rounds to give you a break in between.

  Chen charged, leaping off the ground to gain height as he drove his fist down into Diego’s face.

  He should have expected it. Chen was short but he was fast, and could jump like nobody’s business. Diego fell to one knee as his head buzzed from the impact.

  Chen dove forward, aiming to get Diego in a headlock and choke him out, but he enough presence of mind to twist out of the way. There was no recovery time in these fights. No gentlemanly allowances. All you had were your strength, skill, guts, and instincts.

  Diego gained his feet and shook his head to clear it. He kept his eye on Chen as the man bounced on his feet, looking for an opening, a fount of seemingly endless energy.

  The crowd beyond the cage was eerily silent. Diego didn’t think he’d ever get used to the quiet, watchful spectators in these fights. From past experience—in his old life—everything from a sporting match to an off-the-cuff fight would attract a cheering audience. But these rich assholes didn’t want to exert themselves that far.

  They just wanted to watch the fighters do it for them.

  Diego launched an offensive manoeuvre, slipping past Chen’s guard to land a solid punch to his chest. Without waiting for Chen to recover, Diego slipped around his back and knocked Chen’s feet out from under him. He controlled the fall, but the impact on the hard ground—no mats for these fights—still knocked the breath from his lungs. He didn’t let it distract him, rolling so he had Chen in a headlock and his arm twisted in an uncomfortable position. Diego was in complete control. All he had to do was stay focused, not let Chen slip out from the hold.

  He squeezed tighter, blocking off Chen’s airflow. Not long now.

  A flash of red at the corner of Diego’s eye distracted him. He glanced up, past the rickety cage that had been constructed to separate the fighters from the spectators. Red hair, gold dress, creamy skin. The woman was a goddess of light in the midst of the dirt and misery of the fights.

  He didn’t know what it was about her—there were plenty of beautiful women here tonight, from McCready’s women serving champagne to the guests, to the guests themselves. Often the women were trophies or partners of the rich men that attended, but a few came of their own accord to watch the fights as well.

  But this woman…there was no way. Her eyes were wide with curiosity as they scanned the cage, not flat with cynicism. Her dress wasn’t skimpy enough for her to be one of McCready’s women, since they all wore a kind of uniform. But nor was it right for her to be part of the crowd, either.

  He’d been fighting these damn fights for nearly a year and he’d never seen anyone like her within these hallowed walls.

  So what was she doing here?

  He was torn between wanting to find out and wanting to avoid her entirely. She had trouble written all over her. And he’d had enough trouble in his life.

  Her gaze shifted, their eyes locked. A surprising bolt of heat hit him, making him forget where he was, what he was doing. Chen twisted, almost slipping out of his grip, but Diego tightened his hold, locking the man in place.

  He couldn’t allow himself to get distracted, no matter how intriguing he found the redhead.

  A few seconds later and it was all over. Chen slumped, losing consciousness, and Diego waited a few seconds before slowly peeling himself away.

  The crowd clapped politely, making Diego feel like a fucking performing monkey. He scowled at them, still breathing hard, as he rose to his feet. They stared back, unafraid and uninterested now that he’d won the fight.

  Diego glanced at Chen. The guy was waking up, seeming no worse for wear, so he ignored him. Instead, his eyes searched through the crowd. First he found McCready, standing at the back with a cadre of fighters around him. His fighters, the ones that did whatever he said, including throwing fights, and even on a few occasions killing their competitors in the ring. There was no proof it was on purpose, but they all knew how this shit worked. They were fodder, their lives were in McCr
eady’s hands, at his mercy if he wanted to make a quick buck by getting the crowd a bit more worked up by adding real danger to the mix.

  McCready strained the seams of his slick, three-piece suit in vibrant blue, with a tie and pocket square of complementary purple. He had broad shoulders, and plenty of residual muscle even though the man must be close to fifty. His hair was slicked to the side, his face worn and cragged.

  McCready gave him a nod to signify he accepted the win—Diego would get paid tonight. Chen wouldn’t. He’d fought well, but not well enough to beat Diego. He wanted it too bad.

  He turned to leave the cage, and that was when his eyes found the woman yet again. He hadn’t imagined it. She was beautiful, totally out of place, and absolutely none of his fucking business.

  He tore his gaze away and rattled the door to the cage. Another of McCready’s fighters unlocked it, freeing him. Diego strode out, the fighter shadowing him until he was no longer in reach of the rich assholes that had so disinterestedly watched him fight. Just in case he took it into his head to go after McCready’s cash cows.

  Spider met him on the edge of the crowd. Spider was McCready’s right-hand man, and a fighter himself. Diego had only met him once in the cage, and both men had nearly killed each other in the vicious fight. Diego had won—just. And Spider had never forgiven him.

  Spider was of average height, but nearly as wide as he was tall, with muscles bulging from his biceps. He’d lost a few teeth, the holes visible as he sneered at Diego, and his shaggy hair was thinning a little on top.

  “Here’s your cash,” Spider spat, shoving the notes into Diego’s chest.

  Diego narrowed his gaze and calmly extracted the notes from beneath the other man’s hand. He’d dealt with way worse than this thug.