Angel (Book One of Protector Series)

Chapter One

"This is a terrible idea. This is worse than the person who decided to make frozen yogurt a thing."

"I like frozen yogurt."

"Because you're a health freak. If you weren't, you wouldn't even consider it over ice cream."

I rub my eyes, watching Freya pull her car over beside the building. Her and Willow stop their bickering, turning so they can both stare at me in the backseat.

"Are you sure about this Alex? If not, we can go get frozen yogurt and forget this idea ever popped into your pretty little head." Freya rolls her eyes in disgust at the frozen treat being mentioned. To be honest, I don't know if I still want to do this.

Freya has taken me to a warehouse out of the city, a warehouse filled with some of the best fighters in the country. These men are brutal, taking part in underground fights for money and glory, and I'm about to walk right into their lair. I shiver, remembering when we'd gone to one of my brother's fights. I have always known him as my sweet, protective older brother, until he went into that cage. He was ruthless, and I still don't know if the other guy was conscious when the final bell rang. He was a legend amongst fighters, a king. Not to mention the fact that he looked like Adonis.

And here I was; Alexandria Reynolds, his little sister with large hips, a skittish nature and use of sarcasm at inappropriate times.

Then again, I wasn't the sibling who'd gotten into trouble with drugs and scurried off with his tail between his legs.

That's why I was here.

"Alex? You look really pale. Maybe we shouldn't–"

"Freya, I'm fine. Really. Who am I looking for again?" Willow snorted.

"Valentin Stepanov. He'll be the biggest, most intense, most attractive man in there. He might look ready to snap your neck, but he's a guy with a lot of connections in the underground, like Ivan. Trust me, I've met the guy a few times."

"You mean while with your mafia boss fiancé?"

"Yes." Freya's engaged to Ivan Yetanov, the head of the Russian mafia. They looked like such an unlikely couple, but because of that the two of them meshed together perfectly. I had met him only a select number of times, and despite the power radiating off of him, he completely adored Freya. So naturally he had my approval. "Don't be worried. These men aren't going to hurt you, they're pretty decent guys. But do be mindful of wandering hands... And glances. It's only natural since most of these men spend all their time training and not getting any."

"You'll be fine Alex. If anyone can talk to this guy and convince him to help, it's you."

"Plus, you can always use your 'feminine wiles' to really get him." I roll my eyes. I couldn't flirt if my life depended on it. "Now go in there and knock their socks off!"

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I open the heavy iron door and hear the sickening crack of bones. Great. I head down the entryway and find the metal gates that restricted access to the pit.

"Can I help you darling?" I turn my head to see an older man looking at me, a gentle smile on his face.

"Yes. I need to speak with Valentin Stepanov. It's in regard to one of his fighters."

"Let me give him a call." He taps some keys on his phone and holds it to his ear. "Valentin? You have a visitor." I hear a voice curse in Russian, not sounding very pleased. "I understand that you're busy, but it's urgent. Send them in? Got it." He hangs up and I fiddle with the hem of my dress.