Undefeated: Bad Boy Fighter Romance (Fighting For Gisele #4) (6 page)

Then she kissed her mother’s cheek, and whispered softly so the guard wouldn’t hear, “The story about Father’s deception of the mob has given me an idea.”

Leaving her mother behind ripped Gisele’s heart apart. She didn’t want to separate from her, but vowed it wouldn’t be for long. Long ago, her father’s clever trick had worked, and she thought of a ploy that hadn’t occurred to her before. There were only a few hours left to arrange it, but Gisele was determined to make it happen. And…
it just might work
.

Chapter 7

Micah needed to focus on training, and Harlan had upped the intensity, as this was no time for slacking off. The big fight was only a couple of days away, so no effort could be spared getting in top shape. It was going to be a tough match, but Micah intended to come out on top.

He sweated and grunted through the workout, and the hours flew by. The training kept his attention off Gisele and what was happening with her. He was anxious to hear the outcome of her visit, and find out if her mother was unharmed.

That afternoon, having put in his best effort, Micah showered and dressed. The coach had pushed him to the limit, but not beyond, as he’d need plenty of energy in the ring. Yet the more Micah worked out with his ruthless opponent in mind, the more fired up he was.

Since Gisele hadn’t called yet, Micah guessed they must have taken her fairly far, or allowed her several hours with her mother. He suspected that the day had been consumed with travel, not visiting, which would indicate that Catarina was a significant distance from Vegas.

That could pose a problem, as Micah intended to rescue her. How he could manage that while training for the biggest fight of his life, he didn’t know. But Catarina’s safety was vital, as he didn’t have faith that Yuri would release her, no matter what he promised.

The mob couldn’t be trusted. That was rule number one. The rest of Micah’s strategy grew from that knowledge. So he would figure out a way to rescue Catarina and transport her to a safe location. He just wished he knew where the hell the mob was keeping her.

Micah was stowing his gear in the locker, thinking about where to eat, when Gisele called. “I’m back at the complex.” Then there was another voice in the background, a gruff male voice. It had to be Yuri.

Micah listened without making a sound.

“You’ve seen your mother. Now I
want that diamond
.”

Gisele said, “You’ll get it. But my week isn’t up yet.”

“Where is it, Gisele?”

“In Zurich, secured in a vault,” Gisele replied with confidence, so the visit with her mother must have gone well.

“You’ll take me to it,” Yuri said. “We’ll leave right after the fight Saturday night.”

Micah’s gut wrenched. That wasn’t much time, and Yuri’s tone left no opening to negotiate. They’d stalled as long as they were able to.

For a minute there was silence, then Gisele spoke again, “I’m outside now. Yuri didn’t know I was on the phone. When he came down the hall, I held it behind me.” She paused. “Can you believe him? He’s such an arrogant bastard.”

“I told you the fight would get his attention,” Micah said, feeling satisfied that Yuri had taken the bait.

“Yes, you heard him. He’s dragging me to Zurich to get his precious diamond. But
not
until after the fight.”

“The payoff on his sizable bet that the German will win doesn’t begin to match what that diamond is worth. But he will still profit nicely…or so he thinks.”

“Yuri can’t walk away from high stakes like that. He has such a big ego that
losing
isn’t a word he understands.”

“I was counting on that,” Micah said, then his focus went back to Gisele. “You made it back okay?”

“Yes, I’ll tell you all about it. Where are you?”

“At the gym, but I’m just ready to leave.”

“Meet me at the bistro, the one we discovered near my new condo. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

Micah hung up and went out front to catch a cab. It had been good to hear Gisele’s voice, and to know that she was fine. He couldn’t wait to see her to get all the details. The bistro wasn’t far, but there was traffic. Still, he arrived first and got a table.

The place had a cozy atmosphere. It was small but upscale. Micah ordered iced tea and the bacon-wrapped prawns to take the edge off his appetite. While he waited for Gisele, he tore off a chunk of bread and buttered it.

Micah was on his second piece of bread and the appetizer had been served by the time Gisele came in. The greeter showed her to the table, and Micah stood to give her a hug.

“Sorry I’m a little late,” Gisele said. “I stopped by to pick up the keys to my new place. I’d left them with the realtor while the painting was being done.”

“It’s ready?”

“Yes, it’s ready for move-in.” Gisele sat across from him, and ordered a cocktail when the waiter came by.

“Have you seen it since they painted?”

“No, but we can go by after we eat.” Gisele took a sip of water. “I haven’t had a chance to take you there to see it.” She hesitated. “I have to warn you, it’s very small. But it’s all I could afford.”

“It’s in a good location, though,” Micah said. “And fully furnished, right?”

“Yes, that’s a good thing. I spent all the cash my father left me just getting the place. I’ll need my savings to start my new business.” Gisele frowned. “Well…I guess that depends on how it goes with Yuri.”

The waiter brought her cocktail and Gisele took a few sips. “I see you’re hungry.”

Micah nodded, then stuffed another prawn in his mouth and wiped his fingers on a napkin. When he’d mostly chewed, he said, “How is your mother?”

“I hardly know where to begin,” Gisele said. “Physically, she was okay, as far as I could tell. Emotionally, I have no idea. I was only with her for an hour, and most of the time we talked about the current situation.”

“I’m sure she was relieved to see you.”

“Oh yes, very much.” Tears welled in Gisele’s eyes. “I have to get her out of there.” Then her phone vibrated on the table, so she picked it up. Glancing at the screen, she mouthed, “It’s my brother.”

“Alek, what’s up?” For a beat Gisele didn’t say any more. “Sure, okay. Yeah, he’s right here.” She handed the phone across the table. “He wants to speak to you.”

Micah took the phone, praying this was what he hoped. “Hi, Alek.”

“Micah, I don’t have much time here. I’m not at home and I’m calling from a safe phone. I told Gisele I’d help her if I could. I’m really sticking my neck out. If Yuri knew I was calling he’d… Well, that doesn’t matter.”

“You have something to tell me?”

“I was with Gisele today, so I know where her mother is being held.”

Micah’s pulse raced. This could be it, the information he needed.

“I’m going to tell you all I know, but then you’ll have to take it from there,” Alek said.

“You got it.” Micah listened while Alek rattled off the location and as much as he’d gleaned about the surroundings. “Thank you, Alek. I didn’t hear it from you.”

After hanging up, Micah relayed the details of the conversation to Gisele. “That was exactly what I needed to know,” he said. “Your brother just made it possible for me to rescue Catarina.”

“I can’t believe it,” Gisele said. “She’s at a property nearby? I flew for
hours
to get to her.”

“I’m sure the pilot made a wide circle, taking a while to get there, so you wouldn’t know where he landed.”

“And I was blindfolded until I got inside a room, where I couldn’t see outside.”

“There you go, then. That was all so you wouldn’t know where Catarina is.” Micah took a gulp of tea. “This is good. No one will have a clue that we can find her. Such a thing won’t enter their minds, which gives me an opportunity to get her out of there before they wise up.”

Gisele’s eyes widened. “All these years, my mother was here in Nevada, in the foothills west of Vegas?” She shook her head. “It’s like hiding in plain sight. Only the locals know much about that area.”

“Alek said he guessed it was about five acres or so—plenty of space to lower the possibility of discovery.”

“It’s sparse out there anyway,” Gisele said, then looked at Micah. “We can do it. You’ll be able to find her. But…can you get her out?”

“I had a talk with Zeke and we came up with something that should work.” Without delay, Micah called the bodyguard, holding up a finger so Gisele would wait.

“Zeke…we’re on. I’ll meet you where we discussed. It has to be tomorrow, when it’s still dark out, say three.”

“I’ll be there,” the bodyguard said. They’d already been over how to proceed, once they knew where Catarina was, and whether it was feasible to get her out. “I’ve set things up. How far away is she?”

“Less than half an hour’s drive.”

“That’s a lucky break.”

Micah hung up, and answered Gisele’s unspoken question. “I’ll tell you about it once your mother is free,” he said, then squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to jinx it. This isn’t done until it’s done.”

Gisele looked so hopeful. “Oh, Micah, this means so much to me.”

“You can thank me when you see her.”

Gisele raked both hands through her hair and let out a breath. “Alek came through. It’s hard to believe. He did what he said…he helped me.”

“It looks that way,” Micah said. “Now I just have to do my part.”

*****

After dinner, they went to Gisele’s new condo, and she was pleased to show it to him. The décor was modern and upscale, even if the space was small. The slate-colored walls contrasted with the carpet, a weave of various hues of blue.

There were lots of windows, and the view of Vegas was stunning. The gas fireplace added character to the room. Plus, the high ceilings made the interior seem more spacious than it was. Gisele walked into the center of the room and spun around. “What do you think?”

Micah grinned. “It’s a great place, just right for you.” Then he frowned. “My hotel room is going to be lonely.”

Gisele sat on the curved sectional and looked up at him. “I didn’t think of that.” She bit her lower lip. “I guess we could trade off. I stay with you one night, then you stay with me the next.”

Micah laughed. “We’ll see.” He sat down and put his arm around her. “The most important thing is that you’re living on your own. I know you’ve wanted that for a long time.”

Gisele leaned her head on his shoulder. “I know I told you earlier, but I have to say it again. It means so much to me that you’re going to rescue my mother.” She lifted her head and looked up at him. “You’re taking a big risk.”

“It’s our only chance,” Micah said. “I don’t trust the mob to release her.” He held her a little tighter. “And we need Catarina with us in case we have to make a run for it.”

Gisele traced her fingertips over Micah’s strong thigh. “There might be another way.”

“I’m listening,” Micah said, giving her his full attention.

Gisele proceeded to tell him her idea, and how it would play out if it worked. “I thought of it when I was with my mother. She told me how my father tricked the mob, so maybe…”

“It’s possible…but you don’t have much time.”

Gisele looked at Micah, feeling a surge of hope. “At least I have
a chance
,” she said. “That’s more than I had before.”

While Micah was rescuing her mother tomorrow, Gisele would have other challenges. But she would see it through. Everyone she cared about was at risk, and all that mattered to her teetered precariously. Yet she might have her mother back, something she hadn’t imagined.

Plus Gisele was with Micah, and she loved him so much. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing all they had, maybe even their lives. The future might be theirs,
if
Micah rescued her mother, and
if
her idea on how to evade the mob worked. Then they could be together, but only
if
Micah survived in the ring against Max Fromer.

The big fight was a crucial component to their plan, now more than before. Gisele needed Yuri at that fight if she had any hope of succeeding. With all eyes on the ring, Yuri would be temporarily out of action. And that was all she needed.

Micah wrapped her in a warm embrace, and pulled her close for a kiss. It was sweet and tender. But the sensuality of his touch, his hot mouth against hers, ignited Gisele’s passion. Tomorrow the shred of hope she clung to might crumble, but she pushed aside such unwelcome thoughts. Surrounded by threats, with danger closing in, Gisele reached for Micah’s strength, feeling safe in his arms.

They were together, and being with Micah in her new place gave her a sense of freedom. Gisele kissed him back, thrashing her tongue against his, and ripping away his clothes as he did hers. Micah pushed her down on the sofa and kissed her with wild abandon.

The flurry of kisses and the feel of his lips on her skin made Gisele gasp with pleasure. “Micah…” There in the quiet solitude of her new condo, Micah made love to her, long and slow. Her heart swelled with joy, and the erotic interlude left her breathless, wanting more.

Still inside her, Micah traced his fingertip along her jaw and kissed her lips. “I love you, honey.”

Gisele put her arms around him, humming with pleasure, body and soul. “I love you more than I thought I could love any man.”

“When this is all over, I’m going to sweep you away.” Micah kissed each cheek and then her lips. “We’ll be together…always.” His eyes filled with emotion. “I want you to be mine.”

Tears of joy clouded Gisele’s vision. “I
am
yours.” Then he kissed her again, deeper and longer, fueling her need for him. When he carried her to bed, Gisele gave herself to him completely, without holding anything back. The prospect of a future with Micah seemed like a dream, one she hoped would come true.