The Fighter's Block (Cole, Book Two): The Fighter's Block, #2

By Hadley Quinn

Welcome back to the Block, where your neighbors are MMA competitors and your favorite investigator is still busy as hell. Round two of The Fighter's Block is about to begin…

Consumed by questions he can't answer and a childhood he barely remembers, Cole spends his time working cases for others instead. His skills are in high demand and he stays focused on whatever assignment he takes on, but the truth is, his past will always be there to haunt him.

Now a new case has occupied his time. Following the motto "expect the unexpected," Cole faces each obstacle with precise intuition. He's good at what he does because he remains detached, avoiding personal relationships so his judgment is never impaired. But finding Leah Kemp changes everything, and it's only the beginning to an entirely new collection of buried secrets. Lives will no doubt be turned upside down.

As usual, no one is who they seem to be. Friend or foe, everyone has lied to him at some point. Cole has let down his guard a little too much and he's starting to regret it. But there's only one person that helps him see what his life has become, and she refuses to come second to anything.

He has new decisions to make, but will he make the right choice before it's too late? Find out in the gripping romantic suspense…

The Fighter's Block 2

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hadley Quinn
• Release date: Mar 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781507070796

Hadley Quinn

Hadley Quinn is the author of New Adult and Contemporary romance laced with plenty of humor and suspense. She has been writing novels for over ten years, publishing for the first time in 2012. Titles such as "Kiss This" of the bestselling McCallan series have gained momentum in the indie community and become the catalyst for her travels to book signings all over the country. Known for her memorable characters and clever story lines, Hadley keeps the reader engaged with plot twists and wit that will draw you into her fictional world

Book preview

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

–Mahatma Gandhi

Chapter One

Two days earlier...

––––––––

Cole Nicholson maneuvered effortlessly between the bodies standing on the broken and barely-existing sidewalk. There were two-dozen insignificant people that had nothing better to do than loiter outside of a strip club late at night. This joint was in the part of town that made your skin crawl; where the stench of sin and misdeeds settle in your nostrils and evil cloaks you just by association.

It was the last place he wanted to be, and for the first time in his career, he hoped he was completely off-track with this investigation. This was where the last month of searching had led him.

This was where he’d find Leah Kemp.

Hey, I got something for ya, a raspy voice called to him from against the brick building.

Cole automatically assessed the man as he passed—five-nine, one-eighty, and obviously stoned.

The guy shrugged both eyebrows and added, You lookin’ for some fun tonight? Got some girls that will give ya a real good time. He smiled wide, showing teeth that belonged to a lifelong smoker. The man’s smile remained but he leaned forward to speak in a quieter tone. For the right price, of course.

Oh, of course, Cole replied dryly. He glanced up and down the sidewalk before he turned to walk away. Over his shoulder he added, Not interested.

He let the crowd swallow him up from the man’s view and casually made his way to the side of the building. The alley on this end was dark and smelled of piss and vomit, but he paused to reassess his thoughts.

With a sigh, Cole pulled out his phone as he walked to the next block. Hey, you got me in the wrong section of town, fucker, he said into the phone.

Say what? Gino chuckled a response.

This isn’t what you described to me last night.

Well where the hell are you?

Cole didn’t get halfway through his description before Gino was laughing his ass off.

It looks like fucking whoreville, I know. But it’s in the back. Are you in the back? It looks like a fenced parking lot, but it’s got a private entrance to the basement. Total VIP setup, it’s brilliant. Throws off the feds. Go to the back.

Would have been nice if you’d told me that.

Sorry man, thought I did. You’re in the right spot, trust me.

Cole hung up and looped around the block until he came to the backside of the building. Attached was a large parking lot that was fenced off, but he silently hopped over the six-foot enclosure in two seconds.

In the dark perimeter of the lot, he scoped the back stoop of the club. A six-foot-five hefty bouncer guarded the back entrance and was armed. Waiting was part of the game, but tonight Cole couldn’t be a patient observer. He needed to get inside in order to get this done.

He picked up an empty bottle of liquor by the neck and launched it to the opposite side of the lot. The moment it crashed against the pavement, the bouncer’s head jerked the same direction as his hand went straight for his gun. He cautiously left his post and wandered toward the glass disturbance.

The second the man’s back was turned Cole was close to the building, moving along it for the door. He was told it wouldn’t be locked, but he still had to assume the possibility. It wasn’t. He also assumed there could be someone else on the other side and he was prepared for it, but again the odds were in his favor.

He took a deep breath as his eyes adjusted to his dim surroundings inside. This was going to be the moment of unveiling if all went well. He’d tracked Leah Kemp all the way to Miami only to find her in a place like this.

Well, that was his motto anyway when it came to this shit. Expect the worst; hope for the best... Always expect the unexpected.

He made his way through a poorly lit hallway, listening for anything other than the raunchy music from the strip club. The only light was a tiny one on the wall up ahead, and when he met up with it, he slowly opened another door to his right.

It was a stairwell that only went down; the purple walls were lit with ambient lighting and the difference in mood could already be felt. At the bottom of the flight of stairs was another door, and as soon as he cracked it an inch, Cole could hear softer music. It was a different sound than what he had heard coming from the club.

He took his chances and slipped into a spacious room animated with several bodies, mostly female. Some were clothed in regular attire with their assets accentuated, and others were barely dressed. A few chairs and couches were occupied with bodies; some just in conversation, others engrossed in a little bit more. There was even a guy in the corner of the room getting a blowjob.

Cole had barely been standing there for five seconds before two—make that three—women already had their hands on him.

Oh sugar, aren’t you delicious, one smiled as she linked arms with him.

Mmm, the answer is yes, I’ll take you, another told him as she rubbed her hand over his chest. Oh my God, I’m in love, she added, now taking two hands to feel the muscles across his chest and shoulders.

Where do they make men like you? the third woman whispered in his ear from behind.

She was almost his height, which caused him to quickly figure out the marketing attack by this trio. All three women were completely different—from hair color, hair lengths, height and shape, and even their attire. A quick glance around the room confirmed his findings.

Something for everyone.

Well aren’t you a quiet one, the first one said, her arm still linked with his. She was platinum blonde, average height, large busted, and dressed in a simple short dress that showed plenty of cleavage. I like that, she smiled. You and I would get along just fine.

Oh, I think he’d be surprised by the noise I could get him to make, the tall one said from behind. Her hand snaked around his waist and she whispered, Wanna find out?

How many women do you lose in those eyes? the ginger batted her eyelashes at him. She was still running her hands over his chest and down his arms. She leaned so close to his face he thought she was attempting to kiss him. But instead, she just gazed into his eyes and waited for an answer she didn’t get because the dark-haired female was already trying to lead him over to a couch.

I’m looking for someone, Cole finally said.

All three women stopped what they were doing before the redhead replied, Well of course you are, baby. We’re here to help you with that—

No, I’m looking for someone in particular, he cut in. I haven’t seen her for a long time and I heard she works here. I wanna give her, you know, another spin if you know what I mean, he lied.

The blonde pursed her lips and looked him over, but eventually asked, What’s her name?

Leah.

All three of them laughed.

"Not her real name, the redhead winked at him. I’m Ginger, that’s Diamond, and that’s Desire. What’s her ‘name’?"

Cole had no fucking clue, which caused him to wonder if he should have even mentioned a name to begin with. He glanced throughout the room again, taking in as many faces as he could in the few seconds he allowed himself to pause. He’d seen a few younger pictures of Leah, but in an environment of dolled-and-dressed-up, he wasn’t so sure he’d recognize her.

Maybe I’ll just hang out for a while, he finally said.

Well it would be silly to do that alone, the dark-haired woman said as she came around to the front of him. Her name was Desire? Seriously?

Fuck, he wasn’t even sure if she was a woman...

Exactly, Ginger agreed, taking his hand and pulling him forward. We’ll keep you company.

Cole allowed them to lead him to a couch, but he was still looking over every female in the room. A couple of them ended up staring back at him, even disengaging from whomever they were entertaining at the moment. He didn’t want to make eye contact with any of them, but he didn’t want to pass up anything that could point out Leah Kemp.

Not that she would know who he was anyway. He’d left New Jersey months ago to get a certain beautiful brunette out of his head. Dani and Van were already married when he’d met them during the murder investigation of Dani’s ex, but now the two of them had a little girl that was about to turn a year old. Cole had pretty much accepted the fact that they were a happy family and had no choice but to move on.

But Van had contacted him a month ago, asking for his help. He still hadn’t been able to track down his sister and offered to pay for Cole’s services. At the time it seemed like the right thing to do. It sure beat the other jobs he’d been offered lately, like catching cheating spouses and exposing corrupt business leaders—or in some cases, both at the same time—but so far this assignment had only gotten on his nerves with the dead leads and other wasteful inconveniences.

Like being in a fucking whorehouse...

Sugar, maybe you need to just relax for a little bit, a female voice brought his attention back. It was the blonde, Diamond, and she had her hand rubbing back and forth over his thigh. I mean why not spend some time unwinding until you can find, um, whatever her name is. We are here to help you ‘relax’, she added with a sultry smile.

What the hell else did that guy say about this place? Fifteen women worked the floor on the weekends. Most of them were strippers from upstairs and some worked for other clubs. Four women were special requests in another room—apparently you had to ask exactly the right way for them or you got your ass thrown out instantly. Besides the guard at the back door, there were four bouncers inside—two on the floor and two down the hall to serve the back rooms—and supposedly they enjoyed roughing up misbehaving customers.

I’d like to dine with an angel on hell’s patio, Cole finally stated.

All three women froze at first. The only thing that happened after that was the blonde stood, straightened her dress, and motioned for him to follow her. The other two immediately parted ways to look for other business.

Cole followed Diamond down the hall he’d been informed of. It led to bedrooms, bathrooms, and other various playgrounds for sexual play. They passed about six different doors before they turned down a hallway to the right. At the end of it contained double doors, as if to a fancy suite, but they also passed what looked like a salon or dressing room of some sort.

During Cole’s brief glance on his way by he saw racks of clothing, wigs, and just one of probably a few hair styling stations. But he also saw a woman hanging up a blow dryer. Her back was to him and he only saw her for a second, but she didn’t look dressed like the other working girls in the building.

State your reference name first, Diamond told him as she knocked on the double doors they’d approached.  They’ll want to know who sent you.

She left him standing there by himself, and as he looked over his shoulder to watch her head down the hall, she waved into the salon on her way by before disappearing around the corner.

Ahem, a dainty voice announced to get his attention.

Cole turned around to face the doors that had now been opened. The woman staring at him was not like any of the others that had been out on the floor. She was actually a natural beauty, with long auburn hair and an average amount of makeup. She had long, sexy legs in a short skirt and heels that brought her up to about five-foot-ten.

Behind her was the ugliest man he had ever seen in his life, dressed all in black with a gun at his hip and a snarly expression that eyed him up and down.

Damien Glenn, Cole stated.

The female’s eyebrow lifted subtly, but Cole saw it before she tried to hide her surprise. Her large blue eyes bore into his for a moment before quickly glancing down his body and back up to his face.

She opened the door further and stepped aside to allow him in as the bodyguard first gave him a very rough pat down and then exited the room to take up a position outside.

I’m Scarlett, she stated. Motioning into the room to the sitting area, she introduced three other women. Mercedes, Sateen, and Helena.

Each of them stood and looked him over. Cole was pretty good at reading people and he could easily tell they noticed he was not the type that typically entered this room for business. It was most likely old, ugly, or fat guys—or all three—that only had their money to get them somewhere.

Even his contact that got him to this place was an old, fat dude that was rolling in money. The guy frequented joints like this on a weekly basis.

Well...to each their own.

Do you have a preference or are you still deciding? Scarlett finally asked him.

She shut the door behind them and faced Cole again, waiting for an answer. He didn’t have one right away, but he knew for a fact not a single one of these women was Leah Kemp. Two of them were too tall, one was Asian, and the other was African-American.

It was another dead end.

We kind of need to know what you want, sweetie, Scarlett smiled at him. But even through the smile, he could tell it was fake. No, Cole knew he wasn’t like the other guys that came through here, and even though the other women seemed pleased by that, Scarlett didn’t seem to care.

Well that was a fucking blow to his ego.

I actually don’t see anything that I like, he replied smugly, eyeing Scarlett for her reaction. He’d shocked her, he could tell, but he could also see that she was trying to hide a smile that wanted to deliver a nasty response.

Is that so? she asked evenly. Were you misinformed by what you had to choose from?

Oh, she was a sassy one, but Cole bit back a playful retort. She would probably be a fun one to mess around with, but this entire whore shop wasn’t classy in the least bit and he couldn’t understand how she fit here. She didn’t seem to belong with any of the other girls, even the ones in the same room.

Yeah, I think I was, he winked at her, turning for the door.

Now he had to deal with Lurch on the other side, but if push came to shove, Cole was pretty sure he could make it past him for the other exit that led to the strip club upstairs. It was a gamble, but he didn’t want to waste any more time here.

If you’re a cop, you’d better just stick around for a little bit, Scarlett said quietly from behind him.

Cole stopped with his hand on the door.

If you leave now, Gordon will know something is up and he’ll beat the shit out of you, she whispered. He’ll call Damien, and Damien will have you killed. Do you understand me?

He turned around and faced her again, instantly sensing she was legitimately concerned. He could also tell the other women hadn’t heard a word she’d said because they were busy giggling and fondling each other.

I’m not a cop, Cole admitted honestly. This just isn’t my thing. More truth.

Scarlett studied him for a moment, like she was trying to believe him but couldn’t. She looked hopeful for a second but then her eyes only relayed her disappointment.

Look, Cole spoke quietly. Is there something you wanna tell me? Are you here against your will?

She pushed him up against the wall and started kissing him—like full-on lip-lock with a lot of tongue—and her body was pressed into his groin with obvious intent. The other three women apparently got the message because they disappeared through another door instantly.

As soon as the suite contained only the two of them, Scarlett shoved herself from Cole just as quickly. She turned away from him, took a deep breath, and then faced him again.

Yeah, you obviously don’t belong here, she said.

What’s that supposed to mean? he challenged her, his pride taking immediate offense.

Just tell me why you’re here, she told him, placing her hands on her hips. I mean...I know Damien didn’t send you. Normally that would get your ass booted out of here instantly, but I guess I was a little curious.

Curious? Cole scoffed. Or intrigued, he more than cockily stated.

Oh yes, I’ve never seen a gorgeous man, she retorted sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

Despite the compliment, Cole laughed just as bitterly. "Well excuse me for asking if anything was wrong here. How dare I be such an inconsiderate prick."

She stared at him for several seconds, a mix of anger and resentment apparent, but when her face fell and her eyes closed in defeat, he was taken by surprise.

Just leave, she shook her head. I mean you’ve been here for what, eight minutes? I can convince Gordon of anything and he’ll let you leave. Just...go.

Okay, now I’m not leaving, Cole folded his arms across his chest. Tell me what the fuck is going on here. The women I’ve seen so far appear to like being here. You on the other hand, not so much. And here you are, pretty much locked in an elite...whatever the fuck it is...and you don’t seem to like the ‘special’ treatment.

You don’t even know what you’re talking about, she narrowed her eyes at him. I just know that Damien didn’t send you, so obviously I’m on edge with you being here. I’m pretty sure you’ve never met him, either.

Why would you think that? Early forties, black hair, brown eyes, about six-foot, decent looking guy, scar right here, he pointed to his jaw line. Talks cold and calculated, like he’d rather slit your throat than converse with you? Yeah, I know Damien Glenn.

Aww, nice standard report on the guy.

Is there something about that that’s off?

Oh no, she shook her head. I mean I can even visualize it on the piece of paper that was handed to you guys.

Handed to who guys? What the hell are you talking about?

How long are you going to insist you’re not a cop? Fine, okay, I’ll pretend I don’t know. Just leave before Damien does find out that you guys are here.

I’m not a fucking cop, he growled at her, getting in her space.

She didn’t even flinch, but glared at him even harder. Cole decided to take a step back to compose himself.

But I am here looking for someone, he added calmly.

She raised her eyebrows but took her time with a response. Who are you looking for? And why?

She’s a friend’s sister. He hasn’t been able to locate her for a few years.

So what’s her name?

I only know her ‘real’ name. Apparently you girls don’t know each other by real names.

Most of the girls don’t. But I’m not most girls, she eyed him carefully. He could sense the arrogance from her. Maybe she did know information like that if she was one of Damien’s special girls.

Her name is Leah Kemp, he said, figuring he had nothing to lose at this point.

Scarlett never broke eye contact with him, and after a few seconds of studying her reaction, he honestly couldn’t tell if the name was familiar to her or not.

I actually don’t know anyone by that name here, she finally said. But that doesn’t mean anything. Some of them even give fake names as their real names. You saw all the girls? You didn’t recognize any of them?

Dressed up in their streetwear? Uh, nope.

She narrowed her eyes at him again but didn’t respond right away. Finally she said, Well I’m sorry you wasted your time here. But seriously, you should leave. I don’t feel comfortable with...whoever you are.

I’m not anybody, he shrugged, making a move for the door again. Just a guy trying to help a friend out.

He opened the door, focusing on his exit strategy. He’d forgotten one tiny detail until Lurch stepped in front of him and said, Money first, Casanova. Then the guy looked at Scarlett with a raised eyebrow. Problems? he asked, glancing at his watch.

"Just, ahem, a minor malfunction." She motioned to Cole’s lower half, obviously trying not to smile. When Cole caught her eye briefly, she looked away.

Fine. He’d let that one slide.

That’s your problem, kid, not ours, Lurch informed him with a laugh. There’s a still a matter of the time you—

He dropped the money on the bed, Gordon. I’ll leave it there until you get back.

Cole left it at that, not sure what she had planned. He briefly considered sticking around, but she seemed like a smart woman with influence and he couldn’t risk ending the night with his own demise.

The bouncer shoved him forward to escort him out and Cole glanced back, just as Scarlett was closing the door to the suite. Her wink and smug smile gave him mixed feelings.

They passed the salon again and the same woman was still in the room. This time she was facing the door and Cole got a one-second glance at her. She had on black-rimmed glasses and her brown hair was in a messy up-do.

He didn’t know how he saw it in that brief amount of time but bam...

There it was.

Chapter Two

Cole had been waiting for three hours in his rental car and was beginning to think he’d made the wrong decision. Maybe she actually lived at this place? He’d seen about a dozen women already exit from the back of the club to cars or to start walking at three a.m. He watched two women walk together only a block before they entered a dumpy apartment building, and two other women walked a block further and turned a corner.

His thoughts returned to Scarlett. She worked in what had to be the oddest business entity. A trashy neighborhood that housed a low class strip club with a medium class underground prostitution outfit, which was connected to a higher class VIP suite. She didn’t seem to belong there, and she didn’t belong to someone like Damien Glenn. No, he had never met the guy. Scarlett called that one correctly. But Cole had learned enough about him in order to enter this assignment and he hoped he never had to deal with him.

The back door opened again and Cole continued his surveillance. He watched as two more women exited the building, and his attention was drawn even closer when he noticed one of them was Scarlett. She spoke to the other female for a minute before they hugged and headed for separate cars.

He watched Scarlett’s long legs stride across the parking lot until the rest of the women trickled out of the building as two bouncers stood on the stoop to supervise. Cole already had his sights set on one woman in particular and headed out in his car to follow her. 

He drove for about five minutes before stopping at what appeared to be an average looking apartment complex. The young woman parked in a space to the side of the building and then went inside as Cole observed from across the street.

He was out of his car at the same time. He walked straight through the entry and caught sight of the last of her shirt as she stepped onto the elevator.

Great. A damn elevator.

He sprinted a few silent steps and stuck his hand through the doors to prevent them from shutting. When he stepped on, the woman eyed him with surprise and then looked away. The fifth floor was lit up as her selection, so Cole reined in a silent breath and just went with it, pretending that he wasn’t confined in a small space that was about to hold him hostage for the next ten seconds.

He measured the girl’s body language and decided she was obviously uncomfortable with his presence. He’d planned on just being straightforward when he finally came to this moment, and seeing how uneasy she was helped him to stick with that plan.

My name is Cole, he said, just before the elevator came to the fifth floor.

She glanced over at him, her eyes trying to study him subtly through her glasses. Awesome, she replied dryly, looking away.

With a smirk, he nodded his head. Okay then, he agreed.

She barely glanced at him again as she squeezed through the doors before they were even open all the way.

Bye, Leah, he called after her as she disappeared to the left.

He silently counted to five before the doors began to shut and she shoved her hand through to stop them. It didn’t take a genius to figure out she was totally caught off guard.

Who the hell are you? she asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

I told you. I’m Cole.

That’s not what I fucking meant, she scoffed, looking him over again.

The doors tried to shut again and she stopped them, but also motioned to the hallway for him to step out. She was obviously curious, but too smart to be stuck in an elevator alone with him.

Tell me who you are right now before I scream my goddamn head off. I’ll have about ten people in the hallway in five seconds.

Five seconds, huh? Cole eyed her, pretending to think. Well thanks for the tip. That gives me time to slit your throat and be halfway down the stairwell.

Her mouth partially opened, and he wasn’t sure if she really was going to scream bloody murder or he’d only stunned her, but he was prepared either way.

Noted, she finally said, taking another step away from him. I’ll be sure to not help my predators out next time.

Cole gave her a single nod. Very good.

Tell me who you are, she demanded with a tired exhale. I got three hours of sleep last night and it’s been a long day.

How come you didn’t sleep?

She gave him an exasperated stare. Can you just give me a break and get to the fucking point? Who the hell are you?

He wasn’t sure how much longer he’d have her attention so Cole decided against another smartass retort. I’m a friend of your brother.

She cocked an eyebrow and then looked him over again. Darren doesn’t have any friends like you. Unless...? Hey, look. If my brother owes someone money, I sure as fuck don’t have any. She held up her hands and backed away. I seriously don’t, okay? Just...leave me alone and—

I’m not here for Darren, Cole explained. He silently cursed himself for not being more specific the first time. He’d forgotten about the other little drug dealing shit of a brother. I’m Van’s friend. Donovan Kemp. That’s your oldest brother, right?

The look on her face was confusing. She looked as if he’d just kicked a puppy. Or ten. Was she trying not to cry?

Okay... she replied slowly. Um, how’d you know Van?

We worked together for a bit, he started, not sure how much she knew about her brother’s current life. Now we’re friends.

If her look confused him before, now Cole was really lost. And she even surprised him by jumping forward, shoving him as hard as she could yelling, Stay the hell away from me!

She was through the closest apartment door quicker than Cole could figure out what even happened.

He stared at the 5B on the door that had just slammed behind her and shook his head. Stepping toward it, he rapped on it lightly.

Leah? What just happened?

Go away. I don’t understand who you are so you’d better just leave before I call the cops.

I just told you who I am, he stated impatiently. I’m here because Van has been looking for you. I’m an investigator, we’re friends, and he wants to see you. What am I missing here?

He waited for several seconds for a reply but didn’t get one.

Leah? Can you please talk to me?

Still nothing. But he listened harder when he thought he could hear the muffled sounds of crying on the other side of the door. Whatever the hell was going on, this shit needed to be figured out.

"Look, Leah... I don’t know what’s going on, but... Well, let me introduce myself better, okay? My name is Cole Nicholson, I just turned twenty-eight, I was born in