The Fighter's Prize - Jessa Kane Page 0,10

me that Whitney has a sister. When she left the training gym last night, I hired an investigator to find out as much as I could about her. Such as her address, full name, siblings, job. “Who took her?”

“Easton Brawn.” She looks fearful and I don’t like it. She should never be fearful with me around. “His men. They just swooped in a-and grabbed her.”

“Easton Brawn?” This makes me frown. He is not directly my boss. No man is my boss. But he is part owner of the federation for which I fight. There is much mystery surrounding Brawn, but there is no question that he is a formidable figure. “She has not met him before?”

“No. Definitely not. Scout would have told me.” She worries her lip with her teeth. “She said she would call and she hasn’t. Maybe that means she can’t. Or he won’t let her. Or—”

“Okay.” I stroke her hair comfortingly. It is so soft. I should not have wrapped it so tightly in my fist before, but I could not help it. “I will make calls and find out what happened. I will make sure your sister is all right.”

She exhales in a rush. “You will?”

“Of course. Will that make you smile, kotik?”

Her head nods slowly. “I want to see her, too. I’m…she’s my best friend. We’re never apart. I have to see for myself that she’s okay.”

A rumble forms in my chest. “I do not like idea of you around Easton Brawn.”

Her spine straightens. “But it’s okay for my sister to be around him?”

I consider this a moment. “Yes.”

Whitney’s mouth falls open. “What is the logic there?”

“You are mine. You belong to me. It is reasonable that I have stronger need to protect.”

Her expression is incredulous. “But if he hurts Scout, that will hurt me. Don’t you see the domino effect, Maxim?”

Frustrated with these complications, I grunt, tug her head to my chest. “All I want is to take you home, make you warm and cuddle you, Whitney.”

She takes a breath, as if to center herself. “I will never be happy. Not completely. Until I am face to face with my sister. Do you understand, Maxim?”

A burn starts in my chest at the idea of her being unhappy in my care. No, this is not an option. She will smile at all times or I will be a shell of a man. “I will make calls. I will find a way for you and your sister to meet.”

Her little fist curls in my shirt. “Thank you.”

I rock her side to side. “Might take little time. Brawn makes himself very inaccessible. But I will get it done for you. I will make you smile.”

Her fingers draw circles on my chest. “I don’t know why they call you ‘The Madman.’ You’re mean when necessary, but you’re also a big sweetie.”

I tilt her chin up so she can see the gravity in my eyes. “If you want to know why I am called ‘The Madman,’ put yourself in danger or try and leave me. You will find out then.”

My home was incomplete without her.

That is obvious from the moment we step in the door and rightness clicks into place in the center of my chest. Like a key turning in a lock.

I follow Whitney room to room as she explores, always the curious kitten.

I make note of the parts of my home that please her the most. The movie theater. The hot tub on my bedroom balcony, which I usually use to soothe sore muscles, but now I can only ponder fucking her in it. She doesn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, leading me to believe she does not cook much. And I must admit that pleases me. I would rather my chef, Gloria, do the cooking so Whitney has more time for me.

“We will go to your apartment tomorrow and gather your things,” I say, coming up behind her on the balcony and kissing the back of her neck. “This is your home now.”

Her swallow reaches my ears. “But…this is crazy, right? We only met last night.”

Immediately, my heart starts to sprint. “You said you were mine, kotik. You said you would give me babies.” I tug her ass into my lap, fitting my erection to her backside. “You came to me a virgin and called me your Daddy.”

She lets out a shaky breath, leans back against me. “I know. I meant those things. Of course I did. I’m just used to being independent.”

“No