When he spotted Ronan in the perfect position, he charged him, slamming headfirst into Ronan’s chest and plowing him over. He then took a surprised-looking Ronan in a choke hold and held on as his stubborn little brother refused to tap out.
“Never. Let. Your. Guard. Down,” Duncan growled as Ronan struggled against him, trying to throw him off. Eventually Ronan tapped with his palm on the mat, and Duncan let his brother go.
“That was so cool, Duncan,” Cheryll purred when Duncan walked out of the dressing room back into the gym after taking his shower.
She was wearing a ridiculous tight pink outfit that left nothing to the imagination. She had a killer body, he would give her that. It had been the only reason why he agreed to go to her apartment all those weeks ago. Her bleached blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail, her stomach was bare, and Duncan knew she had a piercing in her belly button when she wasn’t working out.
“You still got it.” She winked at him and tried to drag her fake nails down his chest, but he sidestepped her.
“And don’t you forget it.” He winked back and strolled to the parking lot in front of Duncan Dojo. Ronan was waiting for him next to his truck, his mood broody to say the least. He had his arms crossed over his chest and a big-ass frown on his face.
“’Sup, brother?” Duncan asked as he put his gym bag in the back of his truck.
“I don’t know, you tell me. Is there something I should know?” Ronan growled.
Duncan had no clue what his brother was referring to, so he paused and looked Ronan in the eyes. He saw so much of himself in his six-years-younger brother. Ronan was just as cocky, had a big mouth, and he also had the need to prove himself. The only difference was that Duncan often shrugged things off. He could be the joker if he wanted to. Ronan was a hothead who would act first and think later, and right now, he was definitely pissed off.
Duncan didn’t back down from Ronan. “Don’t know what you’re talking about, bro. Spit it out, will ye?” When pissed off, the yous shifted into ye. It was not a good sign if a Mills brother started to say ye.
“Did ye fuck her?”
Duncan had no clue to whom Ronan was referring. No, he couldn’t be talking about his wildflower, or was he? He instantly charged, gripping his brother’s throat with his large hand, and roared, “How do ye know Kayla?”
Ronan pulled at Duncan’s hand around his throat and choked out, “K-Kayla? Who are ye talking ’bout! I mean Cheryll! Christ, ye can’t even remember her name, fuckface.”
Duncan scoffed at his brother’s name for him and took a deep breath. “No, I didn’t fuck Cheryll. I know you’ve got the hots for her, bro. We have a code, right? I went to her apartment months ago, when you didn’t even know her yet, but nothing happened, I swear.”
He let go of Ronan and took a step back. Ronan cracked his neck and said, “Hmm... good. So you’re not tapping that?”
“No, Ro, I haven’t, and I wouldn’t do that to you. You know me. Cut me some slack, bro.”
Ronan shook his head, as if he suddenly remembered something, and a smile spread across his lips. “Who is Kayla? She the one who was in your head while you got punched on the jaw?” Ronan was back to being his asshole self, and all was good in the world.
“You’ll meet her soon, I promise, Ro. She’s something else. I’ve never, ever lost focus during training, but I can’t seem to get her out of my mind.” Duncan smiled at his own words. He had it bad, and he knew it.
“Look at you, all smiling and shit. Shit, I’m sorry for coming at you, Dunc.” Ronan slapped him on the back.
Duncan shook his head. “Don’t let her get to you, Ro. Cheryll’s not worth it. She goes through the fighters like others change underwear. She has nothing on Fianna.”
Duncan knew he hit a nerve with bringing Fianna into the mix, but he wanted so much more for his brother than Cheryll. Ronan and Fianna had been together for a short period of time when they were younger, and they had a passionate but explosive relationship. It was kind of a love/hate thing, and the last couple of years, it was mostly hate. They couldn’t even be in the same room without starting a small war.
But Duncan and the rest of his family still rooted for Fianna and Ronan to get back together. They had been so good together. He could see the love Fianna had for his brother, and he knew it was true love for Ronan as well. Ronan seemed to be more grounded when he was with Fianna, fighting less with everyone, and he wasn’t getting in as much trouble. But they were so much alike; they both loved and hated fiercely.
Fianna and her four sisters felt like family ever since they moved in next door when the twins, Ronan and Declan, had been only eight years old. Ronan instantly clicked with Fianna, and her younger sister Bree was always running after Declan to get his attention. Bree and Declan were still best friends. They had a friendship so close that even the hefty breakup of Ronan and Fianna couldn’t tear them apart.
“Fuck off” was all the response Ronan gave Duncan, and he walked away.
Duncan knew it was a low blow, but he wanted to shake some sense into Ronan. Cheryll was nasty, as she tried to play all the fighters against each other. She was such a drama queen. Duncan was glad to have sailed home free from that one. Thank God for Frozen.
Duncan was well on his way to Mills Security when a call came in from his brother Declan. “Yo, Dec,” he said into the cabin of his truck.
“Are you on hands-free, bro?” Yes, that would be his dutiful brother Declan.
The twin brother of Ronan, and the exact opposite in so many ways, Declan was a cop and always on the good side of the law. Ronan, well, you could say he was not. But despite their differences, the twins were as thick as thieves. Duncan was certain that Declan had already received all the details about his encounter with Ronan earlier.
“Of course, bro.”
“So, who is Kayla?” Declan asked. Bunch of gossiping old ladies, his brothers.