Passing His Guard

The grin he gave her was pure wickedness, transforming that severe face into a startling handsome gleam. God help the poor woman who got snared by this wolf.

“Why do you think I do it?” he asked, his answer in the question. Turning his attention to the computer screen on her lap, his steel-gray eyes watched the YouTube video playing on her laptop. All hint of playfulness vanished as his expression became tense and guarded. There was a lot going on behind those eyes. His square jaw was set in grim determination, his brows pulled tight in an assessing scowl that seemed to be permanently etched on his face. Her eyes strayed to the scar slashing from high on his cheekbone down through his top lip. She couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to cause what should be a disfiguring injury, yet it only seemed to add to the guy’s dangerous good looks. This was the fourth time she’d seen Nikko Del Toro, and she had to admit he was very handsome in a very rugged, ruthless way. If he was self-conscious about his scar, he gave no indication of it. Rya

“What are you watching?”

“It’s a YouTube video of an MMA fight with Joe Paskel.”

“Paskel?—never heard of him.”

Nikko’s eyes never left the screen as he spoke, his attention wholly fixed on the fight playing out before him.

“This is the man Aiden’s going to fight tonight.”

“No shit? May I?” he asked, reaching over and plucking the laptop off her knees before she could answer either way.

As the fight went on, Nikko’s scowl deepened. Yeah, he’d be a gorgeous man if he wasn’t so terrifying. They watched as Paskel shot in and slammed his opponent onto the mat. “You see that?” he said, pointing to the screen. “Paskel is passing his guard.”

It kinda just looked like two men rolling around on a mat to her. “What’s ‘passing his guard’?”

“It’s when a fighter takes a more advantageous position over his opponent.”

They watched as Paskel jumped in for the win, repeatedly driving his knee into the felled fighter’s face. She grimaced as a spray of blood shot across the mat and Nikko muttered a foul curse. “That shit’s illegal.”

Rya

“This is who Disco’s fighting?”

“I’ve been pulling together fight reels for Aiden so he can study his opponent before the fight tonight. I gotta confess, I don’t know what I’m watching.”

“You’re watching unsanctioned fighting. No-holds-barred kind of shit. This guy here is a grappler. See how he shoots in for the takedown? Knees are illegal when your opponent is on the ground like this. Disco’s go

Hearing Nikko’s fight assessment wasn’t doing anything to calm her nerves. “Can he do that? Keep the fight on his feet?”

Nikko took his attention off the fight long enough to shoot her a lopsided, are you kidding me? grin. “Disco has amazing stand-up. He’s a way better fighter than either of these two. This guy’s just a brawler. He’s got shitty technique, but that doesn’t mean the bastard’s not dangerous. The trick with fighters like this is not accidentally getting tagged. Anyone can get lucky. What else you got on this Joe guy?”

Rya

Rya

“Thank you,” she found herself saying.

Nikko froze, the tension he always carried in his shoulders tightening a touch more. He canted his head just enough to look at her, a puzzled frown drawing his brows tight. “For what?”

He genuinely didn’t seem to know.

“For this . . . for helping Aiden.”

Nikko grunted and turned his attention back to the file. “It’s nothing Disco wouldn’t do for me.”

And she knew that was probably true. Aiden might not have many people in his life he allowed to get very close to him, but he truly cared about the ones he did, and he’d move heaven and earth for them if it was in his power.

“How many other videos do you have?” Nikko asked, turning the conversation back to neutral ground.

“Four. Here . . .” She showed him the links she’d pulled up, and together they began watching the videos from the begi

CHAPTER

33

Aiden . . . how the hell are you?”

Aiden set his briefcase on the floor beside his feet and reached across the table, taking hold of the outstretched hand. “District Attorney Ike Wilson. It’s been a while.”

“You could say that.” The man released his hand and Aiden slipped into the booth. “I have to say, I was surprised as hell to hear from you. Thought you left town . . .”

“I did.”

“Obviously, you’re back now?”

His old friend and former law classmate was fishing for details Aiden wasn’t sure he wanted to give. He pla

“For a while. I have some loose ends I need to tie up.”

Ike’s dark brow ticked up in question. “I assume that’s where I come in?”

Aiden looked around, taking in the view. It wasn’t for the topless dancer twirling around on the pole that he chose this place to meet. The high-backed booths discreetly hid them from prying eyes. The bump-and-grind music drowned out their conversation, keeping it from being overheard.

“Interesting choice in restaurants. Probably going to have a little trouble writing this one off as a business expense.” Ike saluted Aiden with his beer and laughed. “I see you haven’t changed.”

Oh, Aiden had changed—more than he wanted to admit. This was the first time he’d ever been in a strip club and felt guilty about it. It was also the first time a half-naked woman dancing with a pole didn’t even tempt his gaze.

Ike had gotten here early, just in case Aiden was being watched—a high likelihood, considering what went down yesterday. Anyone who knew Aiden wouldn’t think twice about seeing him walk into a strip club. The DA had two empty glasses sitting beside him. “Was that one mine?” Aiden nodded at the empty.

“Maybe.”

Aiden chuckled. The waitress came over and took his order. She offered another to Ike but he declined. He still had half a glass left and no doubt had to go back to the office after their meeting.