Chapter 5

Chapter

Five

Chalisa wasfurious with Aiden and Kingston. Why wouldn't Aiden listen to her? Why did Kingston have to pummel him? Since seeing Aiden, she'd all but forgotten about the reason she was here. To win a million dollars. If Kingston broke Aiden in two, they'd lose for sure. Not watching Aiden get injured was as high on her priority list as winning the money. That was messed up as he didn't love her.

Aiden was far too sure of himself, and she was far too gone over him. It wasn't smart, but how could she resist him when he looked at her with those blue eyes, flirted with her, and then swooped her into his arms and made her entire body fill with liquid heat and longing for him?

He strutted off and she couldn't stop noticing how chiseled and lean his body was. Normally when she saw muscular builds, she named the muscles in her head. With Aiden, she simply stared. He was strong. She'd felt that and could see it even more clearly without his shirt on.

But nobody was as strong as her brother-in-law.

Aiden strode right up to Kingston, and immediately Kingston lunged at him. Luckily Aiden was quick enough to dodge him, but Kingston came right around and hit him so hard it jarred Aiden to the side.

Chalisa cried out and clung to Aiden's shirt.

Kingston started pummeling Aiden, just as she'd feared and tried to warn the cocksure and far too appealing man about. Why hadn't he listened to her? Too-confident alpha males trying to prove their dominance. Why did Aiden still have a smile on his face and why did he keep moving in for more punishment? He got a few hits and kicks in, but nothing compared to what Kingston was doling out. It was vicious and she hated it, but she couldn't look away.

Hope cried out for her dad over and over again, but Kingston was not paying attention to anything but destroying Aiden's body and his pride.

"I'm taking Hope to the park," their mom declared, cuddling her granddaughter close and hurrying toward the closest exit.

"Thank you," Reagan called after her.

Reagan edged closer to Chalisa and wrapped one of her hands around hers. "You okay?"

"I hate this," Chalisa gritted out. "Why do they have to act like this?"

"I adore my husband," Reagan said, "but I have no answer for you. He can't even explain it to me." She shrugged. "Men are wired differently."

"You can say that again." Chalisa grimaced as Aiden took a particularly vicious hit to the nose and blood sprayed him and Kingston.

She was a moment away from rushing down there and stopping this insanity. The cameraman was focused on the battle. Royal guards lined the stadium, watching with compassionate and knowing smiles as if they knew how it felt to get thumped by the general.

The only sounds were the hits and grunts, some horses neighing in the stables, and Aiden … taunting Kingston. His voice didn't carry well enough to hear everything he said, but the voice and the tone and the smile. He was definitely taunting, and Kingston was definitely rising to the bait.

Did Aiden want Kingston to kill him? Maybe he didn't want to participate in the reality show with her this week so he was going to let Kingston fracture something or give him a concussion severe enough to disqualify him. She had no idea what he was thinking or why he was subjecting himself to such a brutal thumping.

Stuart grabbed Kingston's arm and tugged him back. Wes hurried to Aiden and offered him a towel and a carafe of water while Stuart and Kingston talked. Mary handed Kingston a towel and water as well.

Was it over?

"Thank heavens," she murmured, letting out all the oxygen she'd been holding and sinking onto the bleachers behind them.

"Seriously." Reagan sat next to her. "I'm sorry Kingston hurt your guy, but it's impressive that he's still standing. He's tough and super charming. You like him a lot, don't you? Why didn't you tell us about him?"

Chalisa didn't know what to admit to, even to her sister, who she adored and usually confided in. "Because I shouldn't like him. He's the ultimate player and is dating Jezebel Noir right now."

"Oh. Dang."

Dang was right. The fact that loyal and funny Reagan didn't make a joke, quote a movie line, and dismiss Jezebel Noir as ‘no competition' to Chalisa spoke volumes. No woman could steal the gorgeous actress's man. Especially not a nurse Aiden had rescued, charmed, bought a necklace that symbolized everlasting love for, kissed like he was her other half, and then walked away from three months ago. Guaranteed he wouldn't walk away from Jezebel until she was done with him, and how could any woman ever be done with Aiden? Ugh.

"But he's been flirting with you nonstop and giving you all these smoldering looks." Reagan shook her head. "He is a jerk. I'm glad Kingston pummeled him."

Chalisa should be glad too, but she was only relieved it was over and Aiden was still mostly in one piece. A bloody nose. Possibly cracked ribs. Hopefully no broken bones. Aiden hadn't reacted like Kingston had broken him, but he was too tough to let it show. Would he let her doctor his wounds tonight? Her mouth went dry as she envisioned running her hands over his skin to check for injuries, then ministering aid to him.

Aiden handed the bloody towel and the empty water bottle back to Wes and seemed to be arguing with him. He turned from Wes and strode toward Kingston and Stuart.

"Ready for round two?" Aiden said so loudly it carried to where she stood.

Both men turned to look at him. Their gazes were … incredulous.

Chalisa's stomach turned over, and she stood and grasped the railing. "Aiden, no!" she screamed.

He glanced over at her. He needed steri-strips or stitches, a lot of ibuprofen, a wrap for his ribs, and a hot bath. She could only hope there were no internal injuries she wouldn't find without an X-ray or MRI.

Aiden smiled as if he were on top of the world and she'd just cheered for him. He gave her a dashing wink.

The nerve. The absolute nerve of this man.

He turned back to Kingston and splayed his hands. "Or are you conceding the fight to me? I had no idea a general could be such a lightweight."

Chalisa sucked in a breath. Aiden was the biggest idiot she had ever met. Kingston was going to kill him. At best, he'd lose a limb.

Kingston didn't disappoint. He shoved the towel and water into Stuart's hands and lunged at Aiden.

"Oh, no," Reagan breathed out.

Aiden leaped to the side, flipped into the air, and slammed both fists into Kingston's broad back. He grasped Kingston's upper arms from behind and used Kingston's forward momentum and his own body weight to knock Kingston flat on his face.

Chalisa jolted. Everyone cried out in surprise. Had she seen that correctly?

Aiden was on top of Kingston, who was still lying face down in the dirt. Aiden's fists were a blur. He drove them into Kingston's flanks over and over again as if he were tenderizing meat. At the very least, the general would have some blood in his urine for a few days.

"No!" Reagan jumped to her feet next to Chalisa.

Kingston roared and flipped over, and the fight was instantly out of control. The men traded hits and rolled around like monkeys. Aiden was quick and lithe, and he avoided most of the punches, jabs, or kicks Kingston threw at him, and he got in vicious hit after vicious hit.

Kingston managed to get to his feet and backed up a couple steps, shaking his head as if to clear it.

Aiden sprang forward and leaped into the air. His foot came around in a graceful arc and connected cleanly with the side of Kingston's face. The huge man staggered back several feet. He stayed upright, just barely.

"We have to stop this," Reagan said.

"What?" Chalisa didn't even glance at her sister. "Now that Kingston has a challenge, we have to stop it?"

"Are you serious right now?" her sister demanded.

Chalisa couldn't believe those words had come out of her mouth. She'd absolutely loathed the battle when Aiden was being pummeled. Now that the roles were reversed and he was fighting like the most glorious MMA fighter of the century, she found she was intrigued and impressed by the fight and the unreal way he could move his body. At the same time, she could hear the fear in Reagan's voice and she loved her brother-in-law and sister. They did need to stop the fight.

Aiden launched himself at Kingston.

The general roared and flung himself forward to meet him. They were going to knock each other out. Aiden somehow grabbed Kingston's arm, flipped himself around onto Kingston's back, slammed his elbow between Kingston's shoulder blades, and knocked the huge man into the dirt again.

This time … Kingston didn't move.

"Kingston!" Reagan screamed out. She flipped herself over the railing and dropped to the dirt ten feet below. Impressive. When had her sister learned that move?

Reagan ran for her husband.

Aiden straightened. Chalisa prayed Kingston was all right. She truly loved her brother-in-law and already felt bad that in the heat of the moment she hadn't wanted the fight to stop.

But she couldn't peel her gaze from Aiden. His muscular body was taut, dirty, bloody in spots, and beat up.

He was the most appealing man she'd ever seen in her life.

He looked her way, and there was no smirk or grin on his face. He simply snared her with his blue eyes and put his fist to his heart as if she'd captured his heart.

What on earth?

"Kingston!" Reagan cried out again, drawing her attention. Her sister was almost to him.

Stuart and Wes beat her there.

Chalisa ran for the stairs. What was wrong with her? If Kingston was seriously injured, they'd need her medical expertise. She hit the packed dirt and sprinted toward the group.

"He's got a pulse and he's breathing," Stuart reported, kneeling next to Kingston.

Reagan reached her husband and sank next to him, tears streaming down her face. "Kingston," she cried.

"I knocked him out," Aiden explained. "I only used half the intensity I would if I was performing that hit on a criminal. He'll come around quick."

"What?" Reagan shouted, glaring up at him.

"He'll be fine. Should wake up any moment. I apologize if I worried you."

"Who are you?" Stuart asked, staring at Aiden in awe.

"I'm the second-best security expert in the world. You told me that yourself." Aiden's grin was restored.

Chalisa reached the group. Kingston was unconscious and would definitely have a concussion. She'd need to check for spinal injuries.

She looked to Aiden. She thought she'd be straightening his nose, dropping some stitches, checking his spine, and running a concussion protocol. Yet here he stood, mostly untouched after a vicious battle with the most accomplished fighter she'd ever met.

Aiden turned to her, and his smile was huge. "See how you worried for nothing, love?"

Kingston groaned and rolled over before she could reply. She had no idea what she would've said anyway. She was in shock.

"Kingston." Reagan leaned in close.

He blinked up at her. "Reagan?" He sat up and gathered Reagan in his arms as he did.

"Kingston, you probably have a concussion and possibly spinal injuries," Chalisa said, stepping forward.

"I'm fine," he grunted, focused on Reagan.

"Are you really okay?" Reagan asked anxiously, framing his face with her hands.

"Yeah. A headache. No big deal." He whipped around to find Aiden, his deep-blue eyes intense.

Chalisa almost sprang in front of Aiden to protect him when she should be insisting Kingston not move while they checked his injuries.

Kingston lumbered to his feet, helped Reagan up, and cradled her against his side. His gaze never left Aiden. Was he really fine? Would he go after Aiden again while hugging Reagan?

Stuart and Wes shifted uneasily. They were concerned as well.

"You got the first round, but I won the match," Aiden said in his jaunty, nothing-can-touch-me voice. "I think you might need a spot of rest tonight, my friend, but you can have another go at me in the morning if you like. Or would you rather try to best me with a sword?"

Chalisa sucked in a breath. Aiden had lost his mind.

Kingston released Reagan and started toward Aiden.

"Kingston," Reagan begged.

Kingston's hand darted out and Chalisa was certain he was going to knock Aiden down. Yet Aiden had proven he could more than hold his own. She should be more worried about her brother-in-law going another round.

Kingston's hand stopped and was splayed to shake. "That was incredible," he said gruffly. "You have to teach me."

Chalisa blinked at her brother-in-law, shocked once again.

Aiden, of course, only grinned and shook Kingston's hand as if he'd just beat him in a civilized game of golf or cricket. "I don't believe I've ever met your equal, General." There was respect in Aiden's voice. That wasn't something she'd heard before.

"Ditto," Kingston grunted.

"You haven't fought me yet," Stuart said, jutting out his chest.

Aiden released Kingston's hand. "Let's do it."

"Oh, my!" Chalisa finally burst out. "Are you just going to fight all night?"

The men all looked around to her.

"Can we?" Stuart asked, an eager light in his dark-brown eyes.

"No." Reagan put her hand on her husband's arm. "But you can let Aiden teach you his ninja moves until five-thirty, then hurry back and get ready for dinner."

"I love you," Kingston said in a husky voice, then bent and gave her a lingering kiss.

Aiden glanced at Chalisa. The stark longing in his gaze made her want to show him what he'd been missing by not kissing her the past three months. She wanted to assess and treat any wound he might have and then kiss any spots that didn't hurt.

Kingston gave Reagan one more kiss, released her, and rubbed his hands together. "Let's do this."

Nothing riled Kingston. Chalisa had rarely seen him this excited.

Reagan walked to her and said, "Let's go. We have time to chat before we get ready for dinner."

Chalisa let her sister lead her away as the men all converged on Aiden. She glanced back. He was watching her go. He put his fist to his heart and gave her a smoldering look before focusing back on Kingston.

"What in the world?" Reagan said.

"What?" Chalisa couldn't catch her breath. She'd felt that look clear down to her toes.

"I thought I'd seen Aiden do that earlier but wasn't certain. Kingston always focuses on me and puts his gloved hand to his heart before he jousts and after he wins."

"Oh, yeah." Chalisa had seen her brother-in-law do that.

Sadly, this was very different. When Kingston brought his hand to his heart, it meant he was wholly devoted to Reagan. It meant nothing like that for her and Aiden. She meant nothing to him, just another woman to flirt and tease with.

Pain lanced through her, more intense than she'd felt the last three miserable months.

Aiden was right here—smiling, teasing, touching her. And he'd never be hers.