Page 41 of On a Rogue Planet
Not going to happen. “Fine. Challenge accepted.”
“Xander, no!” Malin gripped his arm.
He didn’t look down at her. “When do we fight?”
The Rahl flashed his fangs. “Lucky for you, I’m Gurion, and this is my fighting arena. I’ll clear a pit right now.”
Oh,stars help her.Malin stood on the platform staring down into the fighting pit.
She felt numb.
Xander stood on one side of the pit, seemingly relaxed.
Gurion stood on the other, thrusting his fists into the air, stirring up the cheering crowd.
“Gurion never loses.”
Mal swallowed and flicked a glance at the woman beside her. She was taller than Mal, with copper-gold skin, a sheet of blackhair, and curves so full and dangerous, she’d make any man weep.
She shot Mal a smile filled with malice. “Although, after a good look at your man, I wouldn’t mind if Gurion loses.” Her hungry gaze roamed over Xander’s body. “Mmm-hmm, yes, I bet he has a cock designed to fill a woman up just right.”
Stomach rolling, Mal looked back into the pit. Gurion chose that moment to look up. He pointed at her, then grabbed his crotch. The crowd jeered.
Stars. She looked around at the people pressed to the railings, drinks in hand, cheering and yelling. Above, the lights strobed and flashed.
Xander faced Gurion, his hands relaxed at his sides. But she detected the tell-tale signs of his anger—a muscle ticking in his jaw, tension across his shoulders.
Now Malin wished he wasn’t feeling any of the emotion she’d been stirring up in him. That he could focus on the fight with his usual cold-blooded focus.
The Fightmaster, another Rahl, dropped onto the platform between Malin and the other woman. He had a small microphone attached to his ear.
“Fighters and fans, we have an extra special fight for you this evening.” He smiled at the crowd. “A special challenge, all so the unbeatable Gurion can fuck this sweet little bitch.” He circled an arm around Mal’s waist and yanked her off her feet.
The crowd cheered wildly, and Mal felt her fear morph into something hot and wild. She swung out and hit the Fightmaster in the face.
With a grunt, he dropped her. She stumbled back, but glared at him, fists raised, ready to hit him again. “Keep your hands to yourself.”
His eyes flashed as he swiped his hand over his bleeding mouth. “Now I see why Gurion is so keen. This one’s a feistylittle bitch to break.” He raised his arm. “Let the fight begin.” He slashed his hand down.
Mal turned her attention to the pit. When the Fightmaster leaned closer, she stiffened.
“After Gurion’s finished with you, you’re mine.”
“Fuck you.”
“Oh, you will.” He bared his fangs but thankfully shifted away.
She released the breath she’d been holding.
But what she saw below made her lungs freeze.
Gurion charged at Xander. He dodged, but Gurion was faster than he looked. He slammed into Xander, lifting him off his feet.
Her heart leaped into her throat and stuck there.
The fight wasn’t pretty, or graceful. It was hard, vicious hits. It was power-packed kicks that made each man stagger. It was the thud of hard knuckles against flesh that made her wince.
Both of them were landing blows, but it seemed to Mal that Gurion was getting in a few more hits than Xander.
