Sharpshooter: Between the Ropes, #1

By Loretta Kendall

When Isis Evans enters the family wrestling business, at the advice of the Doom Brothers, cousin Cyrus is playing matchmaker to the one man she never suspected. Paired with the biggest wrestling faction in IWX, and her long-time crush, Gage Stone, Isis struggles to submit to the brooding male of the Justice faction. She soon discovers being the new girl at International Wrestling Xtream isn't what she expected when Gage tries to control her every move. Her curiosity gets the best of her as she learns her handsome tormentor has a secret lifestyle that could fulfill her desire for following rules. She must choose between love and submission to have the life with Gage she always dreamed of.

Gage has private desires of his own, led by ego and commitment issues, stemming from a failed marriage that could threaten his future and a chance at true love. While Isis struggles with admitting her desire to be dominated, Gage has plans to make her his submissive. Can the BDSM master learn to love again, or will his battle for control be too strong?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Loretta Kendall
• Release date: Dec 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215487266

Loretta Kendall

Loretta started her life with a dream and a story in her mind. For as long as she can remember, she was a storyteller, sharing tall tales with her friends from an overactive imagination. Twenty-two years as an image consultant in the entertainment industry, she revisited her love of books and writing. She is also the Editor-in-chief of Lux Local Magazine, a makeup artist, photographer, and graphic designer. She has been writing since 2017 and has a passion for creating happily-ever-after romance stories with the perfect mix of steamy and slow-burn moments. A hopeless romantic, she lives her own happy ever of twenty-four years of wedded bliss.

Book preview

Sharpshooter

Between the Ropes Series

Loretta Kendall © 2018

Cover design by Loretta Kendall

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner without written permission from the author, with the exception of quotes for related articles and reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, and story depiction are strictly the ideas and imagination of the writer. Any resemblance to any persons or event is strictly coincidental.

Chapter 1

Girl, you need to get out of Tennessee and working for IWX. I talked with my boss, Davis, and he thinks you would be a great asset here. Besides, your mom has been telling me you’re sick of the indies. International Wrestling Xtream is the hottest company going right now. We need you, and Wraith agrees with me that you would do great here.

Cyrus adjusted his cell phone while trying his best to convince his cousin, Isis, that she was ready for the big leagues. He and his brother had been working to get her out of her shell for years, but it did not convince the shy girl she had what it took. The opportunity before her was a dream job in the making, and they all knew it. The shy girl would need a little coaxing if he were to put the plan into action.

Yeah, thanks for pushing your big brother, Wraith, on me. He called yesterday, trying to convince me to go on the road with you, too. Cyrus, I know you’re just trying to help. I want to be there as much as you do, but I’m not as good as you guys are. Call your sister, Holly. She’s more of a badass than I am. She fits right in with the Doom Brother style. My image is just not the same. You guys are total badasses, with a scary horror movie meets biker rally vibe. I can’t pull that off. I’m a girly-girl. Wraith thinks Mr. Preston would figure something out for me, but I wanted to be with you. I’m worried that I won’t be good enough on my own, Isis Evans confessed.

Ice Queen, you're amazing, and you know it. The other wrestling companies have been beating down your door because they know you’re the best new female wrestler out there right now. I know the Tyson brothers called to get you to go to Wrestle Masters. You need to be with a real company like IWX, not with those pretend superhero dorks and their flashy flip-flopping moves.

Hey, the Arch Rivals are my favorite tag team, next to you and Wraith. They are not superheroes. You just don’t get into the high-flying stuff they do.

It’s dangerous and causes too many risks. It’s just a matter of time before injuries happen there because they are doing real fighting now. It’s a free for all.

You’re just mad they thought of it first. It’s not my fault they quit IWX and made their own company. You just don’t like them because they left, and you’re loyal to the core.

Whatever. They’re losers. Listen, you need to jump while the fire is hot. Mr. Preston won’t give you a second chance. I talked to him about what he has in mind for your character. Wraith likes the idea and so do I. We believe this angle would be perfect for you. You look like some rich diva and will be great for the storyline he’s planning. You’d love it, Cyrus said, trying to not give away too much information.

He didn’t want to give her more details than she needed right now. He knew how easily Isis became spooked, and if he gave her all the details upfront, she’d hide herself away like she always did. As talented as Isis was, she was equally paranoid and skittish.

Did you say, diva? Diva? You know that word pisses me off. You always act like I’m so prissy and vapid. I’m not, you know. I just use the glam stage persona to wear cool clothes and feel like anyone other than myself.

Isis knew those words rang true. She was self-conscious and shy in real life, a result of being bullied as a chubby kid. On stage, she was a different person entirely. When she was in the persona, Isis the queen of goddesses, she was a fiery glamazon, oozing with confidence. Alone, she was a timid woman who would just rather hang out with her cat than face actual people.

Cyrus sighed with regret, saying, Sorry. I don’t think you’re vapid, little one. I don’t get why you’re so hard on yourself. Listen, you have no choice, because I told Davis you would be there next week to sign the contract. I am sticking my neck out for you to get this opportunity. I’m not letting you back out this time. Anyway, I got to go. The stagehand just said it’s time to go to the ring.

Cyrus hung up the phone with a sly grin. He knew his cousin was probably having a nervous breakdown once he hung up on her. He loved taunting his favorite family member, and it was his secret guilty pleasure that only he could do. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to torment her. The brothers, and their sister Holly, had become Isis’s protectors since they were kids. Cyrus was the one who took her under his wing the most.

Cyrus Michael Evans! Damn it! You jackass! Isis slammed the phone down on the couch. I can’t believe he would do this to me. Wait... What angle? Does that jerk know something he’s not telling me? He’s probably setting me up with some wrestler buddy he thinks I will fall head over heels for. He’s always trying to set me up with his friends. Cy just does it so he can check up on me. Big bad, Cyrus the Crusher, is a big pain in my ass, she argued with the empty room.

After pacing the floor for a good five minutes, ranting to only her calico cat, Cello, Isis fell back on the couch to watch her favorite wrestler Gage Stone. As he entered the ring with her cousin, with a cocky swagger in his step, her breathing caught in her throat as she realized she may actually meet him soon, and the thought made her want to faint dead away. 

It was true that Isis always found Gage attractive. She had even found herself jealous when he started dating his now ex-wife, Summer Haze. Summer was a backstage reporter, notorious for sleeping her way through the IWX male roster and manipulating people to get her way. She had gotten her job by sleeping with the IWX owner’s brother years before, and the idea of it made Isis almost nauseated at the thought.

The sheer idea of Summer made Isis’s skin crawl. She had heard the stories about the woman’s backstage antics, and it was pure nonsense that she had a job as long as she did. Thankfully, her days on the show came to a bitter end because of her backstage politics. Yet somehow, she always managed to find a way to get back at Gage for the divorce through her many tell-all media interviews.

Only Isis’ cousin Wraith knew of the little crush she had on Gage, and she intended to keep it that way for as long as she could. He found out by default when she got upset with him for supporting the initial union of Gage and Summer. She didn’t talk to her oldest cousin for weeks as the jealousy took over.

As she watched the show, she couldn’t concentrate on the conversation on the TV screen while fixated on the big handsome Gage in his three-piece custom suit. Seeing him strutting around the ring like a lion on the prowl made her shiver with excitement. His long hair and scruffy beard made her swoon as much as the day she first noticed him. She had never met him in person but knew Wraith, Cyrus, and Gage had a friendship that had gone on for years.

Isis’s start in the wrestling world began when the brothers trained her, following a botched move in the indie scene, with a minor neck injury that could have been far worse than had been. She was lucky to have even survived because of the low budget indie company that did nothing to protect their talent.

After the accident, Wraith insisted on training her properly. In his words, he wanted to train her upright before a bunch of rookie backyard fools killed her. Once they trained Isis to her best abilities, she quickly got noticed by bigger companies, including IWX rival brand, Wrestling Masters.

Although she loved the brother’s help, she always wanted to get success on her own. In part, hoping to impress her secret crush. Wraith insisted he and his brother were a far safer training option than the low-end of the indie scene. Often, she bucked against them, not wanting to be the type of wrestler who got special attention because of her famous cousins.

She soon learned that Wraith was hard to say no to. Because of his brooding demeanor, tattoos, and massive body build, few dared cross him. He could be very intimidating, but to Isis, he was just a big teddy bear of a man she looked up to.

Finally, listening to the show that was now back from the commercial break, she did her best to focus on what was happening in the segment. 

There in the ring, Gage tried to convince Cyrus to join his faction, Justice. They wanted him as their bodyguard, going into the next big event. Justice was an ego-driven elite group of male wrestlers that Gage created with his mentor, and squad namesake, Jacob Justice.

Fans knew Jacob as a womanizer, even in his real life. They also knew him for his life of excess and opulence. The talk of fast cars and fast women made Isis’ stomach turn as the men worked to persuade her cousin into their web of lies. The four men were full of egoistical misogynists, and Isis hated that Gage was the ringleader of it all.

Jeez. Gage has become a total douche bag since he got a divorce. Being a heel for a storyline is one thing, but this is nuts. He’s sure not the guy I hear all these wonderful stories about from Cy. It’s hard to believe he’s the man who does charity work and would take a bullet for a friend. Or even the one who helps new talent get their start, being a leader for his peers. I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now, she thought as she shook her head in disgust.

She had become increasingly disappointed with Gage’s new elitist persona. Since the older wrestler, Jacob, made a comeback, her crush was taking on the man’s bad habits. She had loved him playing the heel character, but this was just an ego trip on turbo.

On-screen, three women who were there for a showpiece were fawning over Gage as he strutted around the mat. Davis Preston, the owner of IWX, loved to take drama backstage, making it part of the show, and it was on full display tonight. It had become who he was, and why the storyline with him being a rich egomaniac was working so well. It was also part of what molded him into who he was becoming behind the scenes.

Despite Gage’s ego-driven image, men wanted to be like him, and women wanted to be with him. But Isis saw it as nothing more than the egomaniacal self-sabotage of a man who once she admired.

She turned up the television while clinging to Gage’s every word. Despite her disgust, she still couldn’t stop the butterflies that emerged every time she saw his face. 

They don’t call us Justice for nothing. We are the judge, jury, and executioner of the IWX. Our crew will hold every major title in this company. Gage flaunted around, taunting Cyrus.

Cyrus chuckled. Gage, the only way you are going to keep the IWX Heavyweight Title is getting through me or my brother.

Jacob stepped up, laughing at the scruffy man. Cyrus, you couldn’t lace up Gage’s boots. You and your brother can’t hold a candle to any of us. Maybe having you as our bodyguard is the wrong choice. You don’t have what it takes.

Old man, I don’t think you need to talk about my brother. He kicked your ass last week in this very ring. I think I even saw you cry when Wraith had you in that armbar.

Jacob tried to seem unfazed by Cyrus mentioning the beating he received while rubbing his arm. I… I did not…

The rest of the Justice team fought to not laugh until Jacob looked around at them with a scowl. They instantly stopped smiling once the man glared at them. He might have been the oldest, but he was also their mentor, deserving of their respect.

The Doom brothers need to focus on being a tag team. Not worrying about the heavyweight title. There’s no way you are taking those titles from the Justice team. Drake and Nick will have the tag titles by the end of the night, the handsome silver fox, Jacob, boasted.

Yeah, we’ll see about that.

Just then, music filled the arena, announcing the second and most fierce Doom brother taking the stage. As soon as his music hit, the fans were on their feet to greet the wrestling legend. As was Isis, who was cheering on her cousins from her living room. 

Care to put a wager on it? said a voice from backstage. 

Wraith stepped out from behind the curtain in his cocky bad-boy way. No one compared to the handsome bearded marine when making an entrance. He was the top of the pack since his introduction on the scene years before and hadn’t slowed down since. 

Pacing the floor like a caged animal, he taunted his aggressors. The crowd erupted, seeing one of the biggest legends in IWX history enter the arena to take his stand. The Doom brothers were a fearsome duo and Wraith was the leader. Separately, they are a force to be reckoned with. Wraith, the bodybuilding tattooed biker, and Cyrus the wiry, yet fit, backwoods hillbilly killer.

Gage pointed to Wraith, provoking him. Aren’t you supposed to stay away from me? I have a restraining order stating you can’t even enter the ring when I’m here.

Isis giggled at the comment. The fake restraining order paperwork was in her scrapbook, with pictures of baby ducks and emoji stickers decorating the paper. The entire document comprised dirty jokes and one-liners written in where legal jargon would have been. A joke from the writers on staff. Wraith had sent it to her a week ago as a cute gift and was always doing little things to make her smile. 

The paper had Gage’s autograph written on the bottom with a special note to his number one fan. A special touch Wraith knew his younger family member would love. 

I’m still one hundred feet away, Gage. It’s a long walk down that ramp.

Gage glared at him, crossing his arms over his chest. All right, I’m up for a good bet. What’s the wager?

If my brother and I win tonight, you get the lawyers off my ass, and we get a number one contender shot at the tag titles. I’ll even forgo kicking your ass and taking the heavyweight title — for now.

Gage smirked with a confident nod, clearly up to something devious. If my Justice tag team wins, I get your motorcycle.

Wraith seemed furious at the idea. Isis knew the bike was his prized possession, and Gage was messing with him. There was no way Wraith would allow anyone to touch the skull themed bike, even for a television show segment. She knew Cyrus had mentioned they were experimenting with cutting out pre-planned scripts, to add more real-life action to the show, but this was above and beyond. Isis couldn’t fathom Wraith being okay with this even if it was an act.

Hell no! he yelled. 

The look on his face said it all. This was no scripted segment. Wraith was furious.

Scared, Wraith?

The biker paced the floor, thinking of a way to remedy the situation he found himself in. He rubbed his dark full beard and ran his hands over his modern short, quaffed hair, saying, Fine! I’ll do it.

Isis’s mouth dropped open like she was about to catch flies. She couldn’t believe it. How did Davis Preston talk Wraith into that as part of the storyline? She would have to call her cousin to get the scoop later. If Gage even so much as put a smudge on that bike, he would be a dead man.

An hour later, Isis didn’t need to make the call. Her two scary cousins won the match in less than five minutes.

After watching the show, she turned off the TV with a faint giggle. Smiling to herself, she hoped to have the courage to be as amazing as her family was on that stage. One day soon, she’d have the chance to try.

Chapter 2

Hey, champ? Have you heard about this new girl that signed up last week? Jacob asked while sitting down in the VIP spot at the fancy nightclub they visited that night.

It had been a few weeks since Cyrus announced Isis getting hired, but getting her over with the current roster was going to be a whole other issue, especially with Gage Stone.

Puffing on an expensive cigar, the well-dressed, gray-haired man pulled a much younger woman onto his lap as he waited for his protégé’s reply. Jacob was a charmer with the ladies, even though he was getting up in years. He was fit and looked like a male model who should be on a cognac liquor advertisement. Women still flocked to him, even though his wrestling heyday was getting a little behind him.

Now in his late fifties, he was still a silver fox that had done it all: blockbuster movies, modeling gigs, a wrestling legend, and a true lady’s man. Women loved him, but primarily for the tons of money that he threw their way.

Married several times, he loved his children, and that was Jacob’s greatest achievement. He treated Gage like a father figure and took a liking to him when he came in as a rookie. Jacob saw the potential in Gage that no one else had, and he was right. Gage soon became one of the top wrestlers in the world in no time at all.

The older man had a reputation for luxury and excess, just like the Justice faction portrayed. A trait he had passed down to his faction members, Gage, Drake, and youngest member, Nick. The four men were the epitome of wealth and opulence.

Behind all the glitz and glam, Jacob Justice was a kindhearted soul that few had the privilege to witness. Most people thought of him as a ruthless womanizer. Gage was one of the lucky few who knew who the man truly was. He was good at keeping the kayfabe illusion for the fans. Deep down, he was a smart businessman, letting the stated rumors build his legacy.

Gage looked up to his mentor. It was Jacob that got him interested in more than just the fame. He showed him to be an entrepreneur by booking movies, investing his money, and to be charitable by giving back to the community. This was the true Jacob people seldom saw. A dedicated man with a genius mind for business.

Gage drank his high-end bourbon from a rock glass, rubbing the arm of the girl on his lap, while another sat behind him on the chair, playing with his long mane of dirty-blonde hair. 

Is that the girl the entire roster is going on about? Are you thinking about adding another notch on your bedpost, Jacob?

Jacob chuckled, puffing a roll of smoke over his lips while a flighty girl on his lap giggled at the sight.

She’s hot. I mean... she’s sexy, but she’s a damn good worker in the ring, too. Davis says she trained with Wraith and Cyrus. She’s their younger cousin or something like that. I saw her in the ring the other day, training with Wraith. She’s been keeping low-key, but she’s on fire with her skills. She’s a tiny little thing, but fast, and a decent highflyer. Jacob waved the girl on his lap away to get some privacy. Sweetheart, why don’t you go grab us another drink and something for yourself? Take the girls with you. Put it on my tab.

Gage chuckled in amusement. Did you seriously tell me that Cyrus Evans's cousin is hot? We are talking about the same Cyrus, right? How can that family gene pool produce something hot? Cyrus looks like someone hit him with an ugly stick with that bushy beard of his. He looks like a mountain man, and Wraith looks like he should be the head of a biker gang. They are my friends, but come on, man. This is crazy.

It was true, Cyrus wasn’t much to look at with the unruly beard and floppy hipster hat he hid behind, but he still had loving eyes and a kind smile. He had the same handsome looks his older brother and sister inherited, but he hid the scars that lined the side of his face with his horror flick style. What he lacked in looks, he gained in the heart. Truth known; he was just as handsome as his older brother. Hidden behind a scruffy beard and a gloomy persona.

"No, it’s true. She’s a looker. She must take after the mother’s side. Isis is a real badass in the ring for such a small woman. I