Page 1 of Boy Toy Not Included

Chapter One

Ithadbeenthreeyears since Diesel had lived in Seattle full-time. He couldn’t believe he was returning to his hometown for good, as long as this new client wanted him. Diesel could go back to seeing his mom on a regular basis. He hadn’t dropped the good news on her yet about his next assignment. First, Diesel had to meet his new client, Kuba Svoboda. According to Kuba’s father, Krystof, Kuba was twenty and hardheaded. He likely wouldn’t welcome Diesel’s position in his life. Diesel wasn’t worried about any of that. He had worked as a professional bodyguard for six years. In that short time, compared to other guards, he had become Steel Security’s most requested employee. Diesel would do whatever he could to ease Kuba’s ruffled feathers. It wasn’t unusual for people to chafe against having an extra shadow. Diesel couldn’t say he wouldn’t feel the same in their shoes. He just needed to help Kuba understand that Diesel had no intention of disrupting his daily life. Kubalikely wouldn’t need to change much of his usual goings-on for Diesel’s presence.

The address Krystof provided for the meeting gave Diesel pause as he steered his rental into the parking lot of an unmarked warehouse. He eyed the building and then re-read his texts to double-check if he was at the right place. The addresses matched. He climbed from the car. The ultra-rich were a strange bunch. For all Diesel knew, they could have a huge collection of private planes inside. Nothing surprised him anymore. At the door, Diesel debated what to do. It didn’t seem like the kind of place to knock, but he also didn’t want to just stroll inside. Landing on the middle ground, he pulled the door open and peeked his head inside. It was a gym. Boxing rings and MMA cages littered the place. Various punching bags, grappling dummies, body opponent bags, and general gym equipment were scattered between the training areas. Diesel didn’t know where to look first. That was until he caught sight of a man shuffling and punching, keeping up a specific pattern of striking punch mitts on an equally muscular figure.

“That’s right. Keep that elbow up. Don’t expose a weakness. You can bet your ass Dread will study every recording of every move you’ve got. Don’t give him a flaw to exploit.”

Diesel made his way to ringside and watched. The pair either didn’t notice him or didn’t care he was there. The practice hits didn’t stop or slow for another ten minutes. Diesel had no desire to interrupt. He was mesmerized by the sheer stamina. Sweat coated every inch of the guy. He had no idea how long this had been going on before he got there, but goddamn. Diesel had never been more impressed.

“That’s time.”

The hits stopped. If the dude was winded, he didn’t show it. His gaze finally swung Diesel’s way. For the first time in Diesel’s life, he understood what it meant for someone to be stunning. Diesel forgot why he was there.

“Sorry about that. I didn’t forget our meeting. Sometimes training goes longer than expected. I take it you’re Diesel.” He ducked under the ropes and lightly dropped to the ground like he had the balance and reflexes of a cat. “I’m Kuba.” He pulled off his glove and held out his taped hand for Diesel to shake.

It took a moment for Diesel to rally. His half-second hesitation seemed to give Kuba the wrong impression.

“Oh, sorry.” He wiped his hand on his shorts before holding it out again. “I’m a little sweaty right now.”

Diesel couldn’t let Kuba continue apologizing. He shook his hand. “I’m unbothered. It’s nice to meet you. You’re really impressive. How long have you been doing this?”

Kuba looked and acted nothing like Diesel expected. Judging by his father’s heavy accent and the way he spoke about Kuba, Diesel had been expecting a spoiled rich kid who would throw a tantrum over learning he suddenly had a shadow that might report his every move back to his dad. His brain didn’t know how to compute all the ways he had been wrong.

Kuba motioned for Diesel to follow. “Come on. I need hydration.” He led Diesel into another room that was the exact opposite of the gym. Expensive technology and furniture showed a life of luxury alongside hard work. Kuba grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “Would you like one?”

Considering how thirsty he felt looking at the most perfect form he had ever seen, Diesel couldn’t say no. “Sure. Thanks.”

Kuba handed him a bottle before turning his up and drinking the entire thing. He opened another before focusing on Diesel. “I’m guessing Dad didn’t tell you anything about me before throwing you to the wolves.” Kuba didn’t wait for a response. “Do you follow MMA?”

Diesel shook his head. “I’ve been on the road with Backlash keeping Blaze Journey safe for a while now. That’s the kind of schedule that doesn’t allow time to follow anything.”

Kuba nodded along. He didn’t look as if he had a single opinion about anything Diesel said. It was more like he absorbed every detail. “That’s cool. It just means you’re about to get a crash course on an ugly rivalry. For the last two years, Dread Kritikos and I have taken turns holding the middleweight championship belt. I won it from him right before I turned nineteen. He did not like a kid beating him, but he won it back a year later. Six months ago, I won it again. Now, he wants another rematch. I’ll give him one, but I’ve got him sweating it out right now, waiting for an answer while I train.”

Diesel nodded along. He had questions—like why in the hell was he needed to guard this guy? Kuba should be guarding him.

Thankfully, Kuba kept going, sparing Diesel from embarrassing himself by saying that. “Anyhow, his entourage is trying to goad me into rushing toward another fight.” Kuba shrugged. “Basically, Dad suggested I get one of Steel’s guys to watch my back. Here you are. What are your feelings on taking this type of assignment? I need someone serious about looking out for me. Distractions aren’t an option for me. This career is my whole world. I won’t let some hotheaded punk-ass bitch get the drop on me and take me out before I can hand Dread his ass again.”

Diesel’s head just kept bobbing up and down like he had any clue how to handle this. He decided to do what he always did: dive straight into the situation with all the confidence and cockiness of a crackhead showing off his dance routine in a gas station parking lot. “I’m Steel’s most requested bodyguard for a reason.” Granted, that reason was mostly because he was hot. That wasn’t conceit. He had no hand in the face his mom had given him. In fact, his looks were a detriment with clients. They thought their money made him their whore. Kuba didn’t need to know any of that.

A nice and genuine-looking smile lit Kuba’s brown eyes, making them glitter. “I like it. Always own your skills. Pretending to be less to make other people comfortable is crazy. You only get one life.”

Diesel still felt sideswiped and off-kilter. He didn’t even know how to respond.

Kuba didn’t seem to be the type to expect a two-way conversation. He owned the discussion. “I like you. You look like you’re up to the challenge. I know you’re only here for a compatibility check, but if you want the job and have time, I can give you a quick tour.”

While Diesel had plans to surprise his mom, his visit was unexpected and had no time frame. He had to admit he was curious as hell and wanted to stay a little longer. He shrugged. “I’ve got time.”

Kuba’s smile grew. There was something slightly wicked about the gesture. Of course, it might also be the combination of dark hair, dark eyes, and perfect features that made him look like the devil. God knew Diesel felt like he was in the presence of temptation incarnate. Diesel wasn’t worried about that, though. If his years of working with celebrities had taught him nothing else, it was that looks and money were less than skin deep. The moment he spent any amount of time with Kuba, Diesel would find a hundred turnoffs. He liked genuine people. That was rare as hell in his business.

Kuba had not been prepared. Not by a long fucking shot. Nothing penetrated his focus when he was in the zone. Kuba had known the second Diesel appeared and hadn’t stopped being hyperaware of his presence since. Diesel looked as if he had what it would take to watch his back and hold his own, but Kuba wondered if he wasn’t in bigger danger with Diesel. Holy hell. His name should be Hollywood Hottie. Even as a dude, he wasn’t blind, and some truths were just truths. Everything about the guy was flawless. Blond hair. Blue eyes. He was the epitome of masculine good looks who could grace any movie screen. Kuba bet good money Diesel had been approached more than once by modeling agencies. Oddly, though, Diesel either didn’t know he was God’s favorite, or he didn’t use his looks as part of his arsenal. Either way, Kuba was intrigued. If he had any sense, he would send Diesel on his way and ask for less.He didn’t need the distraction Diesel would no doubt cause. Of course, that could work to his advantage. Everyone would be looking at his bodyguard. He might finally get some peace. Every second he spent in Diesel’s company made him want one more. Kuba couldn’t explain that. It was as if the guy gave off a vibe that made people want to be around him. Kuba couldn’t bring himself to do the right thing. Instead, he showed Diesel where he would be living.

The lights flared to life as he opened the door that led to his living quarters inside the converted warehouse. “Home sweet home,” Kuba said, waving broadly toward his home. “I looked at houses and a building for my gym around town. For being downtown, it made a lot more sense to renovate this warehouse than to purchase two buildings.”

If Diesel liked the place, Kuba would never know. Diesel’s expression remained neutral. “Considering the prices in this area, I’d say you made a genius move.”

“Genius.” Kuba chuckled. “Yeah, I like that. Anyhow, your room is back here.” He led Diesel inside a large bedroom decorated with expensive but comfortable furniture. At least that was what the designer had said. He didn’t know shit about any of that. Kuba would also die before he admitted he’d hired a designer. That wasn’t shit men did. “This is you. There’s a full bathroom and two closets.” He shrugged. “This is your home. So, you’re free to chill wherever and use whatever.” His gaze skirted down Diesel’s body. “You look like you work out quite a bit. My gym is your gym.”

A genuinely nice-looking smile flashed his way. “Thanks. In my off-time, I’ll likely stay with my mom. She’s the reason I’ve been waiting for a position to open in the area. L.A. has been a heck of a trip to see her as much as I can.”