Grady sounded really angry as he stepped forward, advancing threateningly on Jim. But Jim wasn’t backing down. He’d love to get a piece of Grady Prime. A good ass kicking is just what he needed—whether it was his own or Grady’s ass that would ultimately get kicked, he wasn’t sure, but either way, he was spoiling for a fight.
“I just said that, didn’t I?” Jim shouted.
“Guys.” Gina tried to intercede but she couldn’t get between them. They kept her off to the side while they stared each other down, in each other’s faces. “Please don’t do this.”
Jim was aware of the gym around them going quiet. Only Bill had the guts to come up to them, putting one arm around Gina’s shoulders.
“They need to get this settled.” Bill guided Gina away. “Just don’t kill each other,” Bill threw back at them as Grady backed off and Jim went to stand in opposition across a section of cleared mats.
Spectators vanished, making room by climbing into the bleachers, out of harm’s way. This wasn’t going to be an exhibition bout. No, this was going to be the real deal.
Within certain bounds. Jim bowed, never taking his gaze from Grady’s. This was a formal challenge, and both men knew it. If there was ever going to be peace between them, they had to settle this. They had to know who was stronger, who was faster and who could or should take the lead in their odd, forced partnership.
Grady opened, stepping up to Jim and allowing his first blow to be easily blocked. It allowed him to grab Jim’s arm in a hold, but Jim had the same leverage and realized it was because Grady wanted to test his strength. Jim learned Grady had a punishing grip from the brief hold before they broke apart.
Jim launched a lightning-fast volley that Grady just managed to evade. The Alvian fighting style was different than what he was used to, but Jim had mastered many different forms of martial arts in his years of study and practice. He adapted. And he discovered he was just slightly faster than Grady, though the alien was stronger.
They circled and it was Grady who made the next foray, landing a series of blows to Jim’s midsection. Jim countered, using his legs and speed to advantage, tripping Grady up and throwing him down on the mats with a resounding thud. Jim hoped he’d stunned the big man, but no such luck. Grady popped back up ready for more and the game was on again.
This went on for some time while they tested each other’s weaknesses and strengths. Jim learned a great deal from their fight and earned just as many bruises as he dealt. Little by little strategy overtook anger and fatigue slowed response time. Grady landed a lucky final blow that knocked Jim flat on his ass but Jim managed to drag Grady down with him and neither man got up right away.
Gina ran over, falling to her knees between their prone bodies. She put one hand on each of their chests, as if to push them down, keeping them on the matted floor.
“This stops now.” Jim could hear the tears in her voice and hated that he’d had any part in making her cry. He grabbed her hand in both of his, stroking her fingers tenderly.
“I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t mean to distract you. I would rather die than ever hurt you.”
She turned to him and he saw the emotional pain in her gaze, as well as the understanding. “I know that, Jim. It wasn’t your fault.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek, forgiveness in her every move. His heart began to beat again, sure of her acceptance. “And you,” she turned to Grady, taking Jim’s heart with her. “Thank you for trying to protect me. It wasn’t really necessary, but I do appreciate it.”
Grady sat up, and Jim followed suit.
“Alvians have no female soldiers. Women are to be protected, never hurt.” Grady sent a glare in Jim’s direction. “While I admire your skills, Gina, it will take some time to get used to the idea that my mate can protect herself. I’ll try, but I will never stand by and watch you get hurt when I can prevent it. Don’t ask me to.”
Gina sobbed and threw herself into Grady’s arms, hugging him close. Jim let her hand go, admitting momentary defeat.
Grady didn’t like the sensations coursing through his veins. He’d experienced anger before, but never this kind of all-consuming rage. Was this the first sign of approaching madness?
His heart stilled.
He wouldn’t put Gina in danger. If he was going mad, he’d leave before he exposed her to his illness.
Grady drew back from her. He needed to think this through. While his heart ached to hold her close and keep her next to him for all time, he had to do what was best for her. But first he had to get to the bottom of what had just happened.
He stood, and she followed. Jim also stood, and Grady met his eyes over Gina’s shoulder. He would use all the skills he’d learned as a commander of soldiers to assess the problem and devise a solution. This could not be allowed to happen again.
“You admitted to distracting Gina. How?”
Jim shook his head, chagrined. “Telepathy.” He met Grady’s gaze solemnly, accepting blame. Grady respected that. “I said something to her, but I didn’t expect it to break her concentration.”
“What exactly did you say?” Grady stepped around Gina, though she tried to remain between them, and stared the other man down. Jim didn’t back off, but then he wouldn’t be worthy of a warrioress like Gina if he had.
“I told her you looked like you wanted to knock my block off.” A challenging smile curved one side of Jim’s mouth.
Grady regarded him for a moment, analyzing the situation.
“I did,” he finally admitted with an answering hint of humor. “I find I am jealous of the past you share with Gina. I’ve only known her a short time. I feel at a disadvantage because of it when compared to your history.” Grady didn’t mention the agony he felt every time Jim and Gina touched. Their Hum went straight through him, making him ache with pain, knowing they belonged together—without the alien interloper, even if he was also a true mate to Gina.
Unpredictably, Jim’s antagonism level decreased. He stepped back, his posture changing from one of challenge to one of understanding.
“I can’t blame you for that. I’m sure I’d feel the same if our roles were reversed.”
“Would you?” Grady watched him carefully for any sign of deception, but could find none. “I do not understand why it makes me want to beat you senseless. I have never felt such urges before and I worry…” He broke off before he could reveal his deepest, darkest fear¾the fear that he would go mad¾but Jim’s eyes cleared with understanding. Somehow, he knew.
Grady turned away, finding Gina there, waiting for him. Her soft smile and gentle touch soothed him as she reached up to stroke his cheek.
“It’s all right, Grady. Jealousy is something all humans struggle with.”
He wanted to stay right there and revel in her compassion but the ugly truth came between them.
“Gina, I’m not human.”
He left before she could say anything, seeking solitude in which to think over these upsetting events. He strode from the gym building and headed for the darkened end of the huge, main cavern, toward the lake.
Small eddies of current lapped at the sandy shoreline, indicating the lake was fed by some underground water source, but he couldn’t see it. Grady sank down onto the cold sand, stretching one leg out in front of him, raising the other knee on which to lean his crossed arms. He had much to think about.
“That could’ve gone better.” Gina muttered as she watched Grady walk away. Something in the set of his shoulders was so forlorn, she wanted to go after him, but knew he wouldn’t welcome her interference right now. He was learning to cope with emotion. She knew he needed some time alone to think things through when they came to a boil.
There was no doubt, the turmoil of the past minutes had been hard for all of them to handle. Gina hated seeing Jim and Grady at odds, knowing she was the reason for their strife. She hated being in the middle, stuck between them, a point of contention.