Chapter 2
Two
MADDOX
Brooks shifted on his feet, his hands in a defensive position as he looked for an opening. I struck him on the side and watched as he recalibrated. We’d been going over moves for the past hour, and I’d learned a lot about the shy cowboy.
Despite his belief that he hindered Darcie, the man had a lot going for himself. He’d picked up the defensive techniques quickly. He watched with a keen eye, which benefited him in the rodeo. When he could get out of his head, he was wicked quick and a natural in defense.
“Stop thinking and just go with it,” I chided.
He nodded, bracing his hands, and struck me this time. I blocked, spun, and hit. He met my move, then delivered his own, knocking me right in the chin. Stunned, I stepped back as stars danced behind my eyes. Shaking the dizziness, I smiled over at a frozen Brooks. His eyes were wide, and the color had drained from his face.
“Good hit. Now, do that a hundred more times, and you won’t have to think about it.”
“But…you…I,” he stuttered.
“I’m fine.” I waved him off and drew up my hands. “But if you don’t shake it off, you’re gonna land on your ass.” I didn’t wait for him to recover, figuring if I advanced, he’d have to rely on his reflexes instead of the emotions choking him.
I hit him on his ribs, and he stumbled back a step. I didn’t stop and moved to strike again when he focused and blocked.
Now we’re talking!
Over the next few minutes, we traded blows and danced around one another in the makeshift circle we’d drawn in the gravel. My jaw hurt, and my knuckles were raw, but the endorphins from the fight overpowered the pain. Grinning wide, I clapped Brooks on the back once we’d stopped.
“All right, Baby Brawler, let’s shower and see what the others are up to.”
Brooks laughed, wiping the blood from the corner of his lip. He stared at it and grinned. “Never thought I’d be this happy to see my own blood.”
Snorting, I nudged him toward our hotel rooms for the night. We’d driven another five hours earlier, bringing us closer to the Mavericks. We’d been driving out of the way to avoid club lines, making the ordinary eight-hour journey about eighteen.
Not that I was complaining. It was nice to have this time with Darcie and the other guys before shit got real. I was under no delusion things wouldn’t be dicey once we made our presence known. I’d meant what I’d told Brooks. There was no guarantee we’d make it out of this alive.
I hoped for it, but the Agonizer wasn’t known to be forgiving. He’d already felt slighted by losing Darcie, and assuming Chase was still alive after Darcie stabbed him, he’d be looking for vengeance. The bounty said as much.
So, I’d cherish these few days before everything went to hell.
Brooks knocked on the door before opening it. We’d gotten two rooms with adjoining doors to move from one to the next. Thankfully, there weren’t any hearts in either. Just the standard faded carpet, floral bedspreads, and the smell of smoke that lingered in the walls despite how many air fresheners they attempted to use.
It wasn’t the greatest, but it was better than sleeping outside, so I’d shut up and deal with it.
“You’re bleeding!” Darcie exclaimed, jumping off the bed and rushing to Brooks.
“I’m fine.” He smiled but let her fuss over him anyway. Lucky bastard.
“What about me, Princess?” I teased.
Darcie flicked her gaze to me, scanning me from head to toe. “You’re fine,” she sassed.
I clutched my chest. “You wound me, Princess. Baby Brawler hits hard.”
Darcie studied me, then Brooks. When he gave her a sheepish grin, instead of fussing over me, though, Darcie’s eyes heated, and she licked her lips. Damn. That was hot.
“Baby Brawler, I like it,” Grayson said, jumping up from his position on the bed. “We should go out and celebrate. There’s a country bar not too far from here.”
“Yes!” Darcie jumped up and down, her tits bouncing along, and the three of us watched unashamed.
“No,” Bubba barked through the door of the other room.
Darcie’s grin fell but returned as a sly smirk. She spun on her heels and sashayed her way to the door. She glanced over her shoulder, giving us all a heated look. “Get ready. I’ll convince Waylon.”
With that, she shut the door, and the three of us stood frozen for a second before rushing to the thin door between us.
“Not gonna happen, baby.”
“Are you sure I can’t convince you? We can be careful. We’re miles away from any club.”
“Careful and you aren’t two words I’d put together. It’s too risky.”
“What if we changed our appearance? I could wear a hat!”
“Even with a hat, you’re still the most gorgeous woman in the room, baby.”
“Aww, who knew Bubba was so sweet,” Grayson whispered.
“I don’t think she’s gonna convince him,” Brooks said.
“She will,” Grayson and I said at the same time.
The next second, a deep moan sounded through the door, and I slapped the other two men on the shoulder, and we stepped away. While we shared a girlfriend, it was only polite to listen when you were invited.
“I call dibs on the bathroom,” Grayson said, hurrying to the door.
“I can’t tell if he’s gonna shit or do his hair,” I mumbled.
“Probably both.” Brooks laughed.
“I heard that!” Grayson shouted but didn’t deny either. I wouldn’t tell him, but the guy’s hair products were top-notch. My hair hadn’t ever felt this soft before.
Brooks washed his hands at the sink that was conveniently located separately from the toilet. He spat out the blood and rinsed his mouth. I joined him, checking out my red knuckles and bruised jaw.
“You got me good,” I said, pointing to the bruise already forming.
Brooks grimaced, but I shook my head. “I know you’re not a natural fighter, but own the punches you land.” He nodded, shifting his shoulders back a little higher.
The sounds through the door grew louder, so I pulled off the shirt I’d been wearing and changed into a clean one. I only had one left before I needed to do laundry or buy more. When it was just me on the road, I hadn’t cared how bad I stunk, but now that there was Darcie to consider, I didn’t want to run her off with my stench.
Brooks also changed, pulling on a pair of cowboy boots and his cowboy hat, completely changing his look. I considered what Darcie had said about changing our appearance and realized it wasn’t a bad idea. Add in I got to fuck with Grayson, and I was really on board with the idea.
Pulling off the T-shirt, I laid it on Grayson’s bag and pulled out a button-up shirt from his. It was pink, and I almost put it back, but imagining the look he’d give me won out. Brooks laughed quietly when he realized what I was doing. The buttons took more effort than I’d anticipated, and the material stretched tight across my muscles. I had to roll up the sleeves because the arms were too short, and I left the top button undone.
“What the hell?” Grayson asked when he stepped out of the bathroom.
“Darce said to go in disguise so I’m going as you.”
Grayson glared, his jaw ticking, and I waited for him to blow up on me. Surprisingly, he shifted his head, assessing me like a lab rat.
“Fine. But you owe me a new shirt. No way I’ll be able to wear it after you’ve stretched it out with your muscles.” He walked over to the sink and pulled out something from his Dap kit. “And use this. I know you like it.”
He tossed me some hair gel, smirking at my look of shock. I fingered some into my short strands, fixing it differently. Now, I really didn’t recognize myself. Grayson opted for one of Brooks’ shirts instead of mine. It was plaid and had cutout arms, and, after several deep breaths, placed a baseball cap on his head, effectively flattening his hair. I was almost sorry for the guy at how cut up he seemed about it.
The door between the rooms opened before I could tease him about it—I might feel for him, but it didn’t mean I wouldn’t tease him mercilessly. Darcie walked in and stopped, taking us all in. She rubbed her palms together eagerly and smiled.
“You so understood the assignment. See, Waylon. No one will know us.”
Bubba huffed, his ginger beard on full display as he took us in. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans, his tattooed arms on display. He looked the same as he did every day. I didn’t think Bubba could look any other way.
“You could—” Grayson started.
“Nope.” Bubba shook his head, stopping that train.
“Just give me a minute, and I’ll be ready, too,” Darcie said, picking up her bag and skipping into the bathroom.
Bubba narrowed his gaze on us once she was gone. “No one lets her out of their sight. I don’t care if she goes to piss; someone will be right there with her. Not a single person should come into contact with her. It will be hard since she draws them like flies,” he grumbled.
Despite his sour attitude, I got it. Darcie had been through a lot of shit, and men were drawn to her. She couldn’t help it. She was beautiful and had an energy that drew you in. You wanted to be around her, to feel her aura, even if only for a second. It didn’t surprise me that she constantly had attention, but it did make protecting her challenging. Good thing our girl was a badass.
“Darcie can take care of herself,” I reminded. “She’s tough.”
“Damn straight,” she agreed, stepping out of the bathroom and grabbing all of our attention.
Fucking. Damn. She looked incredible.
Darcie wore a form fitting, mid-length leopard print skirt that clung to her curves and hit just below her knees with a Dolly Parton T-shirt that she’d tied at the waist. Her boots looked shrunken since they were only to her ankles and had fringe hanging off the side. Her hair was in braids, and she’d painted red lipstick across her lips. I didn’t know if she was trying to blend in with her disguise, but she’d failed. Big time. Darcie would undoubtedly be the most gorgeous woman in whatever honky tonk bar we went to.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
Bubba growled, echoing my concerns. I was two seconds away from saying we should stay here when she grabbed Grayson’s hand and sauntered right out of the room, Brooks hot on her tail. Bubba gave me a look, and I read it for all it was worth.
It’s up to us.
By the time we made it outside after ensuring both rooms were locked and the privacy on, they were already halfway down the street. Bubba grunted and picked up his speed to catch them while I placed my fingers between my lips and whistled twice sharply.
Darcie stopped, and Bubba turned, lifting his eyebrow.
“MCD protocol. The only thing that girl listens to.”
“Shit. I need to learn that.”
I snorted, slapping him on the shoulder. “Nah. You like fighting with her. Otherwise, you couldn’t pretend to boss her around and be mad while she sucks your dick.”
“Asshole,” he grunted, but didn’t deny my words.
Laughing, the two of us walked casually to meet up with the other three. I could almost pretend we were an average group of people going out for a night on the town. We’d dance, have a few beers, and eat fried food. We’d laugh and go home, happy and sated to spend time with our girl.
But as the sun dipped behind the horizon, I knew it was only an illusion. The eyes following us as we walked said otherwise.