The Fighter's Defiant Lover: The Burton Brothers Series, #4

By Leslie North

Vegas dancer Jasmine has never been shy about getting what she wants. And with her drug-dealing ex and his goon after her, what she wants is to have her ex out of the picture.

 

Permanently.

 

She's looking for help from her friend Rachel and the hard-hitting Burton brothers, but it's rising MMA star Dustin Caldwell who literally sweeps her off her feet. With a body to die for and looks that kill, Dustin presents a whole different kind of danger.

 

Dustin has trained hard to make it this far, and he's not going to let a mouthy showgirl distract him this close to his big fight. He needs to keep his focus in the ring, which isn't easy when he and Jasmine start sharing the same roof. With her dark eyes and a body built for sin, he's having a hard time resisting her pull. But with trouble on her heels, how far is he willing to go to keep her safe?

 

With the mess she's in, Jasmine doesn't think there can be a happy ending. It may be up to Dustin to prove that fairy tales can come true.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Relay Publishing
• Release date: May 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393966319

Book preview

1

Salt Lake City, Utah

H ey Dustin, I’m heading out of here, Jay called out and gave a wave. Dustin nodded back, his mind preoccupied. Jay was one of the Black Belts that had stepped up to help teach some of the classes at the school.

The Burtons were busy right now, not just with fights, but with a sick kid too. Dustin had offered to take over the school for a time, and he was loving it. He’d always thought the cage was the best—the fight. But he liked teaching the kids even more.

Flicking off the lights out in the main training area, he turned to head out the back exit. Movement outside the front doors caught his attention. He turned the lights back on and glanced out the front window. A lone figure huddled against the building.

What in the hell?

Unlocking the deadbolt, he pushed the glass door open and stuck his head out. Can I help you? He folded up a fist, just in case. The winter weather hadn’t let up. Spring had arrived and then vanished under a fresh cold front. Dustin shivered. You okay?

He propped open the door with the rubber doorstop and moved closer. He hadn’t showered or changed yet, and his gi stank of sweat. It was also a little too thin for this wind. Reaching out, he tapped the shoulder of the thin figure facing away from him.

She spun with a yell and a kick.

Hey, hey! Dustin stepped back. She swung again and he reacted, grabbing her arm and spinning her around so her back was to his front. She threw her head back toward his face and grazed his chin. Dammit, I came out here to help you!

He tightened his arms around her and lifted her feet off the ground. He knew she couldn’t weigh more than a hundred pounds, but all of it seemed to be distracting curves—and a lot of softness he shouldn’t be groping like this. She froze. And he let go of her. Backing up, he held up his hands, palms out.

She glared at him, pushing her hair out of her eyes. Help?

Yeah, help. He shivered again in the wind.

She glanced around and shook her head. Sorry, I was…thinking.

Well, mind if we think a little inside? It’s damn cold out here. He said, gesturing to the gym door.

He led the way back inside. Once in, he shut the door. She turned and faced him, pulling off a cap. Luxurious dark brown hair framed a heart-shaped face. He’d never seen such dark, dark eyes—black almost, but with a warmth in them that left him gaping.

Her features weren’t anything spectacular by themselves, but put all together, she was gorgeous in an understated way. She had long lashes, high cheekbones, and a mouth that begged for kisses.

He crossed his arms. Who are you and what were you doing outside the school? We closed fifteen minutes ago.

The bus was late. I need to see one of the Burton brothers. Or Rachel.

Dustin straightened, Just how do you know Rachel?

She propped a hand on one hip. She’s only my best friend and my roommate—and who the hell are you? You don’t look like any Burton I’ve ever seen.

Dustin suddenly knew exactly who she was. Ah, you’re that Jasmine. Rachel’s mentioned you a couple of times. So, Jasmine from Vegas what brings you to Salt Lake City on a night that’s colder than hell?

Taking a breath, she stared him in the eyes. I need someone to help me kill a man.

2

The guy in front of her had to be a fighter—with muscles like his, what else could he be? He was also cute, in a grumpy kind of way. A really cute, grumpy way. His black T-shirt molded to every single muscle in his arms, shoulders, and stomach. He had narrow hips and strong legs—she could see that under the sweats he had on.

She’d mentally chastised herself for having such lustful thoughts about a man whose name she didn’t even know. But her libido wasn’t listening.

He crossed his arms and stepped back. I don’t know what kind of place you think this is, but we’re not in the habit of taking people out.

Jasmine rolled her eyes. I didn’t think you were, but you all like to fight, right? And I need a fighter. Someone who doesn’t mind getting their hands dirty or breaking the rules a bit. And maybe breaking a few other things.

He started to shake his head again and Jasmine could see a flat no coming up in his eyes. But his cell phone rang, and he turned from her to glance up at the clock on the wall. He cursed under his breath. I’m supposed to pick up Avery—that’s my sister—at the hospital and drive her home.

Nothing serious, I hope? Jasmine tried a smile. Maybe friendly would get him to warm up. And then panic tightened her stomach. Is that where Rachel is? With Chaz? At the hospital? She grabbed his arm and hung on. What happened to Chaz?

He lost another fraction of his edge and gave her the barest smile. Nothing bad. But he’s had to have this procedure—don’t ask me what it is. Rachel can tell you. His frown snapped back. Did Rachel know you were coming here?

Jasmine flashed a quick smile. Yeah. Well, probably. I haven’t wanted to call her, but she knows the asshole and that I’ve been—

Asshole?

She let out a breath. As far as introductions went, I know mine was a little—okay, a lot—dramatic, but I really do need some muscle to help me. I’d be delighted to give my ex a heart attack—okay, maybe not—but a scare into next year would work. The asshole—that’s my ex—was my ‘on-off again’ boyfriend.

She put air quotes around the words. But I finally kicked him to the curb when I caught him hitting on the other dancers at the casino. Trust me on this, it would be a blessing to humanity if the asshole and his business partners made a one-way trip to the afterlife in the near future. I just hope karma’s working.

He blinked and asked, You’re a dancer?

She cocked a hip and waved a hand. One of the best. But that’s not the problem.

Yeah—the asshole, right?

Oh, way more than that. Look, can we like talk in the car? I mean if you’re late. I…well, it’s a long story, but the asshole had the audacity to include me as part of the payment for his latest drug deal. Which is why I want to kill him. Two goofs showed up at my apartment the night before last to escort me to Jimmy ‘the Enforcer’ Tressor’s penthouse, where I was supposed to be his houseguest for the next month. Like that’s ever going to happen.

His frown tightened, and she just wanted to rub it off. No way was he one of the Burton brothers. That meant he was fair game! She widened her smile and kept talking. I told the goofs what they could do with the idea of me going with them. They didn’t like that and got handsy, so I emptied my pepper spray in their face. She said with a shrug of her shoulders.

His eyes narrowed. What did the police say?

Oh, I filed a police report against them, but no way am I naïve enough to think the situation is over or that the asshole isn’t going to try and make me keep paying for him. The cops said I might want to leave town for a while, at least until they can nail my ex for something. And so I’m here taking a vacation. She waved at