Hardheaded Brunette Read Online Free PDF Page A

fight a man who abuses his fighters, then sets them up for public humiliation."
    "That's enough." Kane scowled. "He's also done us all some good at one time."
    Razi snorted. "Great. All that Zen training has made you even softer in the head."
    "Oh, Kane, there you are." Mena, wearing four-inch heels that jabbed the grass like knives, tried to saunter across the yard with a glass of wine in one hand, the silver sequins on her low-cut dress glittering like a curvy disco ball in the yard lights. "Be a dear and get me a drink, will you?"
    "Oh, heaven help me." Kane groaned
    When Mena finally stumbled and fell against Mick, her drink sloshed onto his pants. She giggled then caressed his chest with one hand. "Well, hello, handsome. What sort of nonsense are you boys up to now?"
    Mick grabbed Mena's bare shoulders and spun her around. "Charlie, you remember Mena, don't you? Why don't the two of you go get fresh drinks and catch up?"
    Kane stepped forward. "That's not a good idea, mate."
    "Why not?" Charlie's nostrils flared. "Are you scared of losing her for good?"
    "Are you crazy? I'm more scared she'll come back. Listen, mate, you know she's a heartless dingo, and she'll tear you apart like a two-bit steak. You're best off with a real woman." Kane nodded to Marion. "Like that one."
    "Huh, and here I thought you liked me." Marion huffed then headed into the house.
    Kane met Gilda's gaze and winced. "This is going to be a long night. Would you be a love and…uh…"
    "But I thought you wanted me and Razi to go look after…" Gilda sighed. "Never mind. I'll talk to her."
    "Give it a rest, Kane. We all know you're jealous because I'm your ex -girlfriend. You really need to get over me." Mena twirled a strand of hair around one finger and turned her full attention to Charlie. "You know how Kane is. If I spend the entire evening entertaining you, he'll get so jealous he'll get tunnel vision before his fight tomorrow."
    "Well, that's perfect then, because I've got a huge bet on him." Charlie put one arm around Mena then steered her toward the bar. "Maybe he'll actually put on a good show for us in the octagon, while he tries to win you back from me."
    "Yeah." She blew Kane a kiss. "Maybe."
    Kane muttered beneath his breath as Mena and Charlie walked away. He edged closer to Gilda and grasped her arm. "Actually, I was going to tell him she's a crazy lunatic who follows me everywhere I go and has become an even bigger psycho bitch from hell, but… you know, I think they might deserve each other."
    Mick snorted. "You wanted her, you got her. Don't blame me for that one. I just backed off and let you have her."
    "What?" Gilda's mouth dropped open. "When did that happen?"
    Mick's face reddened. "That's one of those things you'd rather not hear about. We can talk about it in private over a big glass of wine. Speaking of which, would you like another drink?"
    "I haven't even had a first one yet, but I'm starting to think I might need one, especially since I have to go calm Marion down. So what's this about you and Mena?" Gilda had hardly caught her breath when the side gate opened and a murmur swept through the crowd.
    People stepped off to the sides to let two men walk through Razi's backyard toward Kane and Mick. The air suddenly seemed charged with enough anxiety and excitement to make her stomach churn. So much for going anywhere just yet.
    A short, bald guy with one gold front tooth led the way. His wide nose and cauliflower ears screamed that he was, or at least used to be, a fighter. Judging from his menacing glower and bull-like demeanor, she'd classify him a brawler. A street fighter. He seemed to clear the path for the taller man, who walked close behind him.
    The tall, dark-haired man wore an easy smile, along with his tailored suit with a goldenrod dress shirt and glittering diamond cufflinks. He didn't bother to glance around at the crowd but kept his gaze trained on where she stood with Mick and Kane. Handsome, even with his