Choosing Hearts - The Fighter's Passion (Gritty, Explicit Romance Novel) (A Lusty Stand Alone Story) by Diana Quippley

easy meat.”
     
    “I honor all my
opponents with a swift death, and in this case, defeat.” Rogan gave the fat man
a cold glare as he dialed on his phone.
     
    “That’s mighty
fine of you, Rogan.” O’Malley stepped in, trying to calm the huge warrior down.
“Tonight, we’re going to Blaine Towers, where the big money fights are on every
Saturday night.”
     
    “I am ever ready”
Rogan exhaled deeply, taking the amulet in his hand and staring at it sadly.
     
    “We’re all set.”
Vance hung up the phone. “Ten tonight; and Lenora Devine is going to be there.”
     
    “ The Lenora
Devine?” O’Malley’s blue eyes lit up. “We’ve got it made, Rogan.”
     
    “Who is this
Lenora Devine?” Rogan growled, picking up a pastrami sandwich.
     
    “Well, in a way
that you would understand, Highlander.” O’Malley smirked. “She’s the Queen; she
controls everything that we do here.”
     
    “And she will
preside over this fight?” The warrior knight raised an eyebrow.
     
    “She always does
at Blaine Tower.” Vance nodded. “That’s where the big money flows and we’ve
been invited to come get some. And Rogan, maybe you’d like to wear down your
opponents a little. You know, put on a show. Make it look like they have a fair
chance before you utterly destroy them.”
     
    “I do not take
pleasure in toying with my opponents.” Rogan replied coldly.
     
    “Maybe you should
consider doing it here, the money’s not just in the winning but more so in the
show…”  Vance pressed. “And the charismatic appeal of the fight.”
     
    “Doing so will get
me more wealth?” Rogan looked skeptical.
     
    “Yes, it will.”
O’Malley joined in. “Beating your opponents faster than the bets come in does
make it harder for the spectators to enjoy the fight. After all, that’s what
they are paying for.”
     
    “I might then
consider it, starting tonight.” The flame haired fighter looked pensive.
     
    “Well said.Now,
let’s get a move on. It’s an hour’s drive to Blaine.” O’Malley smiled broadly.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     

 
     
    The slender
fighter’s eyes narrowed in frustration. His snake-like body, whip-lean and
tight, moved with practiced ease and yet, he found it hard to match the larger
man’s speed. Hector Arroyo was a master of seven deadly styles of martial art,
but he found it near impossible to get a bead on his huge flame haired
opponent. Rogan the fighting Irishman was unlike anyone he had ever fought
before. For more than ten minutes, he ducked and weaved around the larger man,
unable to land a blow. And to his frustrated surprise, Rogan kept holding back,
never taunting, never teasing, just being an aggravating elusive target.
     
    Rogan yawned and
glanced to his right. Vance and O’Malley nodded their approval of his
restrained fighting style that evening. It made the crowd’s anticipation
increase and the betting more alive. But he had had enough of this playing
around. With a sudden explosive lunge, he speared into his opponent, lifting
him off his feet and dashing him down hard on the ground. Hector gasped as the
wind was knocked out of him. Flat on his back the last thing he saw was Rogan’s
ham sized fist accelerating towards his face before darkness took him.
     
    “Hurrah, for the
fighting Irishman.” O’Malley yelled, stepping into the ring and encouraging the
crowd to cheer.
     
    Vance followed the
shorter man in, staring apprehensively at the bloodied champion fighter lying
unconscious in the corner of the elevated platform. Rogan had proved himself
once again and they were all a few hundred grand richer.
     
    “It is done.”
Rogan said softly. “I have done my part as promised. Now let us depart.”
     
    “This is only the
beginning, fella.” Vance spoke up. “The first step on a ladder leading straight
up.”
     
    “To a life of fame
and fortune.” O’Malley smiled, patting the huge warrior on the small of his
back.
     
    “Eddie Vance.” A
sharp voice