Fighting Phoenix

By Stacy Lee

Rowdy R Ranch Adventures Book 3

The only thing FBI agent, Phoenix Sinclair takes more serious than his job is his family, friends and an innocent life. Stationed on a stakeout he watches the beautiful woman walk right passed him in the line of fire. Without thinking he jumps in and takes a bullet for her before she even knows what's happening. Now she is his only witness to what the Boss he is after looks like. Keeping her alive means everything. The only problem is, his body wants to do a lot more than protect her.

When the controlling, pig headed FBI agent saves Chloe Anderson's life, she is grateful, until he throws her over his shoulder and basically kidnaps her. Set on having her identify her assailant he thinks of nothing else but carting her off and humiliating her in front of his FBI pal's. Till shots ring out again and they have to run for their lives leaving behind dead agents and entering a whole world she never wanted to be a part of. A former WMMA fighter, she isn't a stranger to violence, but the threat to her life is new and so is the blonde God that thinks he can control her every move.

Can she avoid killing him long enough to convince him they are perfect for each other? Can he stop controlling her long enough to enjoy what she has to offer him? Or will the Crime Boss succeed in killing them both before it's all said and done? The safest place to be is on the Rowdy R Ranch, but how long will it stay that way?

**Mature content due to explicit language-sexual situations-graphic content**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stacy Lee
• Release date: Jan 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311257253

Stacy Lee

Hello Y'all!I started writing children's books as a way to get my very stubborn younger two children to read. My oldest was an avid reader and still reads everything I write (she is 19 now!) but the younger two still refuse to love the written word as the two of us do. So now I am trying my hand at adult fiction. It is a big change from the simple stories of make-believe I have written in the past and I cant wait to get feed back from ya'll. I am a native Texan (as I'm sure you have figured out!). I have lived in a small coastal town all my life and love our small farm. I am a professional photographer by trade but have always picked up a pen (or peck at the keys) when times turned rough, although now it's more for fun. I hope ya'll enjoy the world I have created!Happy reading Y'all!

Book preview

Fighting Phoenix

by

Stacy Lee

Rowdy R Ranch Adventures

Book Three

Fighting Phoenix

Copyright© 2014 by Stacy Lee

License Notes

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events: to real people, living or dead: or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.

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Acknowledgments

To B.J., C.J., T.J., and D.J. with all my love!

To My sweet Angel in heaven, may you watch over our family till we can join you in paradise.

Mommy loves you, Jimmy Angel.



Chapter One

I am plastered to the side of a filthy brick building, next to a dumpster that smelled like rotting cabbage and limburger cheese, my gun drawn ready for action. Why did I leave the ranch? Oh yeah, I missed the action. I’m not so sure anymore. The downtime on Sarge’s ranch had been nice, too nice, but this wasn’t what I wanted either.

Phoenix, you copy? I tap my ear piece twice letting Sharks in the communications van know I am in position. The Boss should be rolling up here in the next few minutes and we were ready for him. Agents were spread throughout the area armed with guns and cameras; if we couldn’t take him down we could at least get a picture of the anonymous man. The place is deserted except for those in the building to my right. Loud rock music drifts out of the three story brick buildings open windows along with a chorus of voices shouting, laughing and enjoying the night.

Upon my return from Texas I was placed on this case in place of a slain agent. Everyone was out for blood for the death of Agent Flack who had been taken from his hotel room, no signs of struggle showed. Two days later when they found his body, well let’s just say it took DNA testing to prove it was him.

So here I am, smelling like garbage and chasing after one of the biggest crime lords in recent history. I’m in a Podunk town in Colorado trying to figure out what the hell a crime boss no one has seen, but everyone knows about, would be doing in this nowhere place on a Saturday night. He ran drugs, guns, women, you name it and this man had his fingers in it. So what is in that building that he supposedly wanted?

A black stretch limo draws my attention as it parks at the curb. See, now that’s just wrong! Limos should not be in Podunk, it’s a waste of a good car. A can rattling on the street behind me has me snapping around. What the…?

A woman in a tight pink business suit and four inch hot pink heels turns down the alley I’m hiding in. She has her head down reading a piece of paper as she walks slowly towards me. I crouch with as little movement as possible as she stops and looks around the buildings like she’s lost. Making a frustrated sound in her throat she marches right past me.

Breaching the alley she stops and looks around again, her fists ball tightly and she stomps her foot in aggravation. I try to keep my chuckle to myself at the cute little show of temper. She searches the deserted street for something, sees the car and stomps towards it, teetering precariously on those spiked heels. My crime boss is exiting into the shadows, this isn’t good.

Excuse me, Sir? I’m lost, can you help me? She slows as she comes closer to the limo, a flash of silver catches my eye as he raises his hand. Not thinking, just acting, I spring from my hiding spot and tackle the woman as the shot rings out. Grunting with the impact to my shoulder, we fall to the ground landing in a heap with my body completely covering hers. Tires squeal behind me as the limo speeds away.

Could you get off me?! The woman yells are muffled under me. Thankful much? I think rudely, my mood aggravated by the pain in my shoulder. Feeling her nice curves under my body I decide not to oblige her, this could be fun and she owed me one.

No. I say sharply.

No? What the hell do you mean, no? She shoves at me making me grunt again as her hand impacts the bullet wound at the top of my shoulder. It feels like it grazed the very top of my arm where it connects to the shoulder, but the entire shoulder is killing me. I push myself partially up with my good arm and glare at her.

Her long blonde hair is fanned out around her head like a halo. Eyes the color of honey backlit by sunlight spit fire as she glowers at me. She has a cute round face, full lips that are pursed in anger, and trim, fit arms. I can feel rather than see voluptuous breasts under my chest, a small waist, nice hips and toned muscular legs a mile long. She’d be pretty if she wasn’t trying to punch me.

Stop. She freezes at my quietly commanding tone. I just saved your life, Doll. I took a bullet for you, which you keep punching, I might add. Now stop moving before that big bad guy with the gun comes back and shoots us both. I snap out menacingly. Her eyes widen and flit to my shoulder where blood is making my black shirt even darker.

Opps. She smiles timidly and stops struggling. Her breathing is ragged, her chest heaving, effectively lifting her breasts into my chest repeatedly. My body’s unexpected instant reaction to her only fuels my temper.

Opps? Opps? You get me shot, the bad guy gets away and you say ‘Opps’? Who the hell are you? I demand. I’m not in a friendly mood even with the cheap thrill I’m receiving by keeping her pinned under me.

Chloe. I’m a realtor. Well, I’m trying to be. She says that like it makes all the sense in the world.

Phoenix, check in? My ear piece squeaks.

I’m pretty sure he’s gone. We’ll meet you at the rendezvous point. I tap the ear piece off and stand. Time to go Chloe, the almost realtor. I help her up with my uninjured arm. Keeping a tight hold on her wrist I drag her behind me.

Wait, where are we going? My purse? I stop and look back to the ground at the smashed purse we’d been laying on. I spin and grab it then drag her forward. Where are we going? Who are you? Her voice is high pitched and nervous. She tugs her hand trying to release herself from my grip. Ain’t gonna happen, Doll, I think with an inward chuckle.

"I’m Phoenix and we are leaving." She digs her heals in effectively slowing us down but not stopping us.

I don’t know you! Where are you dragging me to? You’re not some macho hero type that has to always save the day are you? Because I’ll tell you something, I am no damsel in distress! I can take care of myself! She throws her free hand on her hip and pouts prettily as I drag her forward. I suppress another chuckle.

Damn, she’s cute.

I shake that thought away immediately. I didn’t have time for, nor am I interested in, some small town female that would see me as her ticket out of town.

"Doll, you are in more distress than you think you are. Did you see that man’s face?" I ask her in all seriousness, stopping to look her in the eyes.

Yes. What difference does that make? Her chin juts out defiantly as she holds the contact nervously.

All of it. Let’s go. I yank her forward again. As we pass a building she grabs the edge of the brick with her free hand and stops our progress with a jerking halt.

"Damn it Doll, you either walk or I will carry you." I warn icily, we don’t have time for this bullshit.

You wouldn’t dare! She shouts at me. Her hand plants itself firmly back on her hip and she stares at me like I have horns growing out of the top of my head.

You don’t think? I quirk a brow at her just before I swoop down and throw her over my uninjured shoulder with a grunt. Head down, feet kicking, ass in the air and oh, what a nice ass it is.

Put me down you big oaf! She screams as she pounds my back with her fists. I swat her on the ass. Hard.

Behave. I keep walking, picking up the pace now that I’m not dragging her behind me. If I haven’t reached the warehouse in ten minutes the guys will come looking for me. The last thing I want them to see is me struggling with this flit of a woman. She is barely five feet to my six and a half and I outweigh her by a good buck fifty. I would never live it down. After a few blocks she stops fighting. A few more and she huffs.

Okay! I’ll walk. She sounds so pitiful. I smile knowing full well she can’t see me. Not a chance in hell I’ll pass up this opportunity.

Nope, you had your chance. Besides, I like staring at your ass. I smack her again.

Oh hell no, you didn’t! And the fight is back on. Not able to keep it to myself any longer I chuckle freely. She might be small but she is feisty, I got to give her that. You’re enjoying this? Well, wait till I tell the police how you manhandled me. I’ll get you for sexual harassment, Buddy! I chuckle louder.

"Doll, I am the police. Well, FBI but that’s close enough." That stops her actions cold, she falls limp over my shoulder.

What was the FBI doing hiding in an alleyway? Her voice is strong with fear tinging the edges.

I was trying to see the man you saw. You screwed that up so now you will tell us what you saw. Sounds like a fair trade to me. And just because I can, I slap her ass again.

Would you stop doing that?! It isn’t polite and neither is carrying me like a child. Put me down! She beat her hands on my back and I smile, she wouldn’t hurt me, let her fight.

A sadistic voice rings in my head; You always have enjoyed a good power struggle with a pretty lady.

So true.

Not on your life. I bark. She harrumphs and crosses her arms, resigned to her fate.



This man is insufferable!

So what if he saved my life and took a bullet doing it? He has no right to carry me like a two year old or to keep spanking my ass! It hurt from the fall already and he wasn’t helping. I couldn’t tell this idiot that, I couldn’t give him the satisfaction.

Frustrated, I growl.

Did you just growl at me? His voice is full of humor. He has me upside down over his shoulder and he’s laughing at me.

Oh, how I hate my life!

Yes! I scream at him instead of calmly answering because it makes me feel better to let out the anger. If I would have thought he really was going to pick me up I would have fought him. He just shocked the hell out of me before I could react to him. I am so mad at myself I growl again. I grew up fighting; I shouldn’t be in this mess!

Wow, a she-wolf. Are you going to turn into a werewolf next? He chortles.

A werewolf? I repeat completely dumbfounded. Is he joking or flirting or making fun of me?

Yeah, you know. Sprout hair, grow fangs, drool a lot, and howl at the moon while you run around trying to bite unsuspecting innocent victims like me. A werewolf. Is he for real?

No, I’m not a damn werewolf! Are you He-Man? I quip back.

I’m not the one growling. The humor saturating his voice just aggravates me more.

No, you’re the one carrying me over his damn shoulder. Maybe caveman is better. He grunts in response. Insufferable men! I yell as loud as I can. I got stuck here because of an insufferable man, now I have another one carrying me around like I’m Wilma from the Flintstones!

Nope, you look more like Betty. Her boobs were bigger. He laughs, full out laughs.

Oh, my God! You didn’t just say that about a cartoon character? I ask exasperated.

Nope I believe I said it about you. I growl again. She-wolf! He quips as men’s laughter rings out behind me.

What the hell did you catch this time, Phoenix? A playful male voice asks. Could this be any more embarrassing?

Witness. He chuckles and to make matters worse he swats my ass again before he slides me down his body to my feet.

Damn, he’s built!

Picking me up by my waist like I weigh nothing at all, he sits me in the back of a van. I cross my arms and pout; he wasn’t getting crap from me. If he wants to know what the creepy guy looks like he can figure it out on his own.

Fuck! How do you always find the pretty ones? Why can’t I go on assignment and catch a hottie like that? A fat balding man with a face that looks like it has been run over by a steam roller asks from behind a computer screen.

"Because you couldn’t catch me if you rubbed honey on that bald spot and danced naked in the forest." I growl.

Feisty one, too! One of the men shout as the other men’s laughter resonates off the walls of the empty building. The bald guy scowls at me.

Tray, fix me up. Phoenix shucks his Kevlar vest before he pulls his dark t-shirt over his head. My mouth drops open. I had felt the ripple of muscles in his arms and legs while he laid on me and again when he threw me over his shoulder. Even covered in his clothes and Kevlar I could tell he was well built, but good lord, have mercy! That man is hot! Hot breath tickles my neck as a voice whispers in my ear.

Not so feisty when faced with a half-naked Phoenix, are you? I flip my head around to face a younger man with open honest blue eyes, who’s holding a medic bag to his chest like a teenager did a pillow when talking about the high school’s star quarterback. Trust me, honey, if that man swung both ways, I’d be on that! My jaw that had previously been recovered drops promptly back to the ground.

I’m coming, Phoenix. He shouts with a naughty laugh. To me he adds in a low whisper, And I would come a lot if he’d let me. He winks at me then heads toward the smiling hunk standing by a black SUV a few yards away. But only if you let me convince you to try and do it my way! His voice is filled with hilarity. He sounds like he has asked this question before, many times, and doesn’t expect a different answer.

Hell no, Tray! I’m strictly a ladies man. I’ll patch myself up in my room if that’s my only deal. Phoenix leans back on the SUV, a twinkle in his molten chocolate eyes as he harasses the young man. Tray puts his hands on his hips and tsks.

You think I’d let my favorite agent go home in pain? Oh! You break my heart! He continues over to Phoenix with his hand over his heart like he is wounded. Then he begins stitching him up right there on the bumper of the SUV. That can’t be sanitary!

I try to pull my gaze from the gorgeous Phoenix’s body, and I mean rock star, boy band, Hollywood hero gorgeous! He is a blonde God. Around six and a half feet tall, his arms and legs are bulging with muscles too big to put into proper words; I don’t even think I could circle his lower arm with both my hands! He has on dark jeans that sculpt his rear into something every woman would dream of caressing. His shoulder length dishwater blonde hair is wavy and falls over his right eye hiding his features for a moment before he runs his hand threw it, pushing it back from his flawless face out of sheer habit. His features are sharp and angular with high cheekbones, his eyes resemble melted chocolate that twinkle with humor, full and seductive lips that are smirking at me.

Busted!

Ripping my gaze from his body I take in my surroundings in an attempt to calm down my raging libido. I didn’t even like sex but this man has all kinds of fantasies flitting through my head and heating my underused girly parts.

We’d entered an abandoned warehouse, the floors are caked with dirt, the paint on the metal walls is peeling off, there is what looks like bullet holes in the side wall in the shape of a smiley face and the skylights are busted out with a few shards of thick glass still poking out from the frame. I scan the area in my immediate surroundings next. There is the dark van with the bald guy, computers and gadgets in it that I was still sitting in. The black SUV, two men are leaning against the side of it chatting, both dressed in black and Kevlar, guns strapped to their hips. Tray and Phoenix are dressed the same as the other two, except Phoenix is still gloriously naked from the waist up. They are almost finished at the bumper of the same SUV. The bald guy is dressed in black also but his is a button up not a t-shirt and he doesn’t have any protection, vest or gun, just his computers. He is typing a message on his cell phone without looking; he is too busy glaring at me.

Smiling apologetically to him I slip my jacket off and lay it over my lap. I let my view drift from his bald self to the hunk that saved my life. He is staring at me, blushing I avert my gaze to Tray, who is also staring at me with his eyebrow raised in question. Did I miss something?

Yes? I ask sarcastically.

I asked if you were hurt anywhere, Doll? Phoenix drawls.

Only my ass but you’ve already seen to that. I bite out. When we hit the ground the impact hurt like a son-of-a-bitch, it would be bruised by morning. He was one heavy hunk!

Do you need me to examine it for you, Doll? The sexy smile on Phoenix’s face as he asks that question leaves nothing to ponder. With a body like that I’m sure he hasn’t been turned down often.

No thanks, Caveman. I’ll be fine. Can we just get this over with please? I look over to the warehouse door, not wanting to get caught staring at his chest again, a glint catches my eye. I watch the barrel of a riffle edge into the door. DUCK! I scream and hit the ground, the men follow suit when shots ring out. I feel someone’s body cover me as shouting breaks out with more gunfire.

Crawl under the van. Now! I obey the command immediately. Phoenix lifts off me and slides under the van protecting me with his body as we go. Settling underneath he returns to covering most of my form. He lays on his belly, his elbows beside each of my head keeping himself leveraged up, his gun trained out from under the van towards the entrance. Don’t move, don’t talk, don’t cry, don’t scream and we may live. His perceptibly calm voice scares the shit out of me enough to do exactly as he says and lay face down absolutely still.

Good God, what did I get myself into this time? I was supposed to be having a meeting to look at a building with a client. The directions my boss, Rich, gave me were accidently covered with coke at lunch when I spilt it into my purse, making it so I couldn’t read half of them. When it came time to find the old abandoned building, well…. I guessed. That led me to a creepy guy in a limo, a hunk of a caveman and not one, but two shootouts! I probably shouldn’t guess again.

We are going to scoot to the front of the van slowly and as quietly as you can. When we’re clear we’ll run out the side door into the street. Follow me from there, Doll. Don’t fall behind or you might get shot. With the steady clanging in my head I hadn’t noticed the shots have silenced, all but the bald man are visible on the ground, injured or dead.

Oh, holy bejeezus!

Phoenix doesn’t give me time to think about it, he starts moving backwards. Forced to follow I snag my shirt on something sharp; I pull it free hearing the material rip as I do, great I only had two suits for work as is. We clear the van and run. Four inch heels are not made for running! Quickly I kick them to the curb and catch up with Phoenix who has stopped and is pressed to the side of a building. His arm shoots out and corrals me against the wall, his hand firmly cupping my breast.

This is not the time to cop a feel, Caveman. He looks at his hand then smiles wide.

Opps. He says making eye contact. Those chocolate eyes flash with desire before he’s able to hide it behind a smug smirk. He does not move his hand.

Pho… His hand flies up to cover my mouth.

Shhhh. My eyes bug, but at least his hand has moved from my chest. When I say go, run your cute little ass off to that alley over there. He points across the deserted street to a pitch black alleyway. He flicks his gaze over my body from head to toe then back down to my skirt. He shakes his head. Grabbing the right slit on each side he yanks, ripping it up the seam. If at all possible my eyes grow bigger!

Now. He shoves me forward before I can protest and I have no choice but to run.

I hear the shots behind me and scream when one pings off the road next to my foot. I force myself not to look back till I am crouched in the alley. Phoenix races by me; he grabs my wrist and pulls me up from my crouched position, dragging me behind him as he runs.

And runs. And runs. And runs!

When he finally stops in another dark alleyway I lean against the wall and heave in large gulps of air. Holy hell, I was out of shape. I need to add running back in my exercise regimen if I ever want to keep pace with this man. Not that I’m going to be around him long enough for that.

See that truck? I nod unable to speak from lack of oxygen. There is only one truck on the deserted road, of course I see it. "Run to it. I won’t hit the lock button till we are both ready to get in, it will beep giving away our position. Get in immediately or I will leave you behind, Doll." I snap my head around and take in his very serious face.

He would do it.

I beat him to the truck, I am ready when it beeps and am in my seat with the door shut before he is. I wasn’t being left. He starts the engine and floors it as shots echo behind us.

Duck! He didn’t have to tell me twice.



Shit! Shit! Shit!

I pick up my cell phone to call it in.

Tray, Gordon, Chauch and maybe Sharks are dead or injured in the warehouse, send a team ASAP! I have the witness. I snap my phone shut not waiting for the answer. I glance at the woman, Chloe, who is sitting perfectly still except for her fingers drumming on her leg. Her long blonde hair is filthy. She’s caked in dirt, her face is streaked with God knows what from the warehouse floor, but no tear tracks yet. Her shirt and skirt are torn and somewhere she lost her jacket and shoes. In short, she is a mess, but she wasn’t crying.

Why the hell had she been in that alley?

You alright, Doll? Any injuries beside your delectable derriere? She snorts out a very unlady like laugh.

No holes in me, if that’s what you’re getting at, I’m fine. You? How’s the shoulder? I can hear the slight hint of concern in her voice and look at her quickly. Her eyes are roving over my naked chest and I don’t think she’s looking for holes.

It was only a scratch. I’m fine. I chuckle. She snaps her head back to the windshield and sits quietly. For two seconds.

Where to now, Caveman? She asks hotly.

My cave. I reply deadpan.

Sure! Why not? She throws her hands into the air and slumps into the seat, crossing her arms over her chest and pushing her already ample breast into view and out of the hole in her shirt. A light pink lacey bra leaves nothing to my imagination. I force my eyes back to the road.

My hard body aches for relief I will continue to deny it. I don’t know how or why this woman achieves this reaction from me and to tell you the truth, it is annoying. It has taken something special in the way of foreplay to get me this excited for more years than I’d like to count. Then, here this woman comes along, nothing but trouble wrapped up in a hot pink bow, and my body decides to take a shine to her.

To fucking bad.

After circling town for an hour and a half, taking the highway out and county roads back in, I decide we don’t have a tail anymore and stop at an all-night Wal-Mart. Her head pokes up from her relaxed state when I park the truck.

Wal-Mart? Really? She arches her brows at me suspiciously.

Your clothes are torn or do you want me to keep you like that? It doesn’t matter to me. I’m enjoying the view, Doll. I arch my brows back at her and scan her body slowly. She look down noticing the previously demur slit in the skirt now travels all the way up to her hip, leaving those athletic legs visible and nicely on display. If she’d open them just a tad more I could see what color her underwear is. Her shirt is ripped from the back around the side and barely hanging on at the buttons in front. Her lace bra is very apparent, the noticeable dark nipple pebbled. Huh? Wonder what she’s thinking about over there? Not being shot at obviously. My chest possibly? I wink at her as she throws her arms up trying to cover her chest and pull her skirt closed at the same time.

No such luck.

Clothes, please. She squeaks.

Are you going to stay there or am I going to have to cuff you to the truck? I ask, dead serious.

You wouldn’t. She gasps, leaving me trying my hardest not to laugh at her. She already thought that once tonight and I proved her wrong.

I carried you, didn’t I? She harrumphs at my reminder.

Fine, I’ll stay put. I don’t believe her for a second. Reaching over I caress her arm and lean in close to her. Her hand flits to my chest, her fingers lightly caressing the hair there. I lean closer, teasing her. Reaching behind me I slide my cuffs from my pocket.

Don’t kiss her! Just get close enough to distract her! I scream to myself silently. She evokes too many sensations inside my body for me to let myself get physical with her. I might not be able to stop once I start. I move in closer, our lips touch slightly and she leans into me giving me permission.

What the hell, why not? I hadn’t tempted fate for at least an hour now. I take her mouth roughly, my empty hand tangling in her hair to control the intensity. And trust me, it is intense!

Oh, God! I have to get out more. Making myself pull away I slap one cuff to her wrist and the other to the steering wheel.

What the fuck? She shrieks.

Sorry Doll, I don’t trust you. I slip out of the truck and leave the beautiful firecracker handcuffed to my truck.

Good God, what a kiss!



What the hell?

He kisses me like the worlds about to end then handcuffs me to his fucking truck? Oh great. This has got to be the worst day of my life. Yes, I was going to run, but still?

Cuffed to a truck!?!

You’re just mad because you’d rather be cuffed to his bed. A little voice whispers in my ear.

True! But…. Oh, shut up!

I was thinking about being in