Gladiator Read online

  Instinctively, I jumped over it.

  He spun it around and aimed right at my ribs.

  I ducked and felt the air move over my head.

  Then he made a quick maneuver and struck the stick down right on me.

  I grabbed it then thrust my knee up, breaking the wood in the center. It split into two pieces.

  Wilder stood there, amazed.

  “Why do you keep testing me? This is boring.” I stood with my hands on my hips. “When normal people hang out, they go eat or something.”

  He grabbed the two pieces off the ground and tossed them aside. “How long was your training?”

  I shrugged. “My whole life. Dad was always teaching me new things.”

  “Is there something specific you’re good at?”

  I shrugged. “Not sure.”

  “Is there something you aren’t good at?”

  “Of course not.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me. But he wasn’t really looking at me. He was thinking.

  “Wilder, what’s all this about?”

  “Are you a good shooter?”

  “Duh.”

  “How good?”

  “I never miss. That’s how good.”

  He walked away and grabbed an AK-47. Then he set it on the table. “It’s not loaded. Dismantle it.”

  “Why?”

  He eyed his watch. “Just do it.”

  I rolled my eyes and did as he asked. I stripped the gun apart and left the pieces on the table.

  “Now, put it back together.”

  “What?”

  His eyes remained glued to his watch. “You’re wasting time.”

  “So?”

  “Sweetheart, just do it.”

  He called me sweetheart, and that’s what made me do it. I liked it. I put the gun back together in record time.

  “Good.” He walked to the shooting range on the other side of the compound. “I want to see if you’re as good as you say.”

  “You want me to shoot you? I can do that.”

  He smiled before he handed me a pistol. Then he hit a few buttons on the computer next to the shooting range. “Stand here.” He grabbed my elbow and pulled me to the spot. “I want you to shoot the targets.”

  “Where are they?” It was just a concrete wall.

  “You’ll see in a second.” He put ear mufflers over my head, and then put some on himself.

  The paper targets emerged, and instinctively, I began to fire. I hit each one in the chest. One of my bullets strayed and penetrated outside the center. But I hit most of them in the right place. Each target was moving so I had to act fast. There were at least fifty of them, and sometimes there were two at a time.

  When the simulation was over, the computer listed the score. My accuracy was ninety-five percent. I hadn’t practiced in a while so I was surprised it was that high.

  Wilder removed his ear mufflers and I did the same. He stared at me with new eyes. “You’re one badass chick, you know that?”

  My cheeks immediately reddened. “Uh, thanks.”

  “Your father taught you all of that?”

  “Yeah.”

  He nodded but didn’t make a further comment.

  “Why are you testing me?”

  “Just curious.”

  “Why are you curious?” What did it matter to him if I knew how to fire a gun or get out of a chokehold?

  He crossed his arms over his chest and gave me that look that said he wouldn’t answer.

  I turned on the safety before I set the pistol on the counter.

  “Do you want to be better?”

  “Better than what?”

  “Be a better shot than you are now?”

  I hadn’t given it much thought. I didn’t have a problem with my skill level. After all, I hardly used it. “I don’t see the point.”

  “Being able to defend yourself is important, don’t you think?”

  “Of course. And I can defend myself.”

  He gave me a challenging look. “What if I were your opponent? Do you think you would win?”

  “Why?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  I sized him up and felt the doubt in my heart. “I’m not sure. I’ve never seen you in action.”

  “I’m the best of the best. But you already knew that.”

  I shrugged. “I have a good chance.”

  He watched my face like he was searching for something.

  “Wilder, what’s this about? You’re testing to see what I know, and now you’re asking if I could take you on. What’s that—” I stopped talking when I figured it out. He was testing me for a very specific reason.

  “When they kidnapped your father, you didn’t hesitate. You jumped into your car and followed them. When they shook you off their tail, you still tracked them down. You had no idea what you were up against but that didn’t stop you. That kind of bravery is unheard of. Most people would claim they would do the same thing for their family, but when the moment comes, they don’t. But you did.”

  Blood pounded in my ears. I felt hot and cold at the same time.

  “You followed them into that garage, and you approached them head-on. You were outnumbered but that didn’t stop you. And when you were confronted, you took down two men without even using your gun. The biggest amazement of all…you were terrified but never once showed your fear.”

  He was giving me compliments that made me feel warm inside, but I felt like his praise was misplaced. “My actions were stupid. I wasn’t thinking, and I made very poor decisions. You guys could have killed me if you wanted to.”

  “And you knew that. But that didn’t stop you.”

  “It’s my family. Of course I would do anything.”

  “That still shows courage. A lot of courage.” His arms were still across his chest as he examined me. “You’re selfless and loyal. He needed your help, and you went to his aid without caring about your own safety. That’s the definition of a hero, Gray.”

  I released a quick laugh. “I’m not a hero. I failed, remember?”

  “And then you took his place. You thought I was going to do unspeakable things to you, but you still tucked your chin and did it. No one else would have done that. And I mean, no one.”

  “He would have done the same for me…”

  Wilder didn’t correct me, but the truth was in his eyes. “My agency would love to have you on the team.”

  My jaw dropped. “What? Sorry? What?” Did he just offer me a job? As an RB12 agent? That couldn’t be right. “What?”

  “You have the skills. But, more importantly, you have the heart. That’s what I’m looking for.”

  “I…” Words failed me.

  “You don’t have to answer me right now. I’m just putting it on the table for your consideration. If you say no, I’ll never bring it up again. But the offer stands.”

  Was this real?

  Could I really be a secret agent?

  What?

  Wilder continued to watch me. “You’re overwhelmed. I’ll give you some space.” He stepped back then walked around me.

  I remained glued to the spot. My eyes drifted to the targets hanging from the ceiling. Bullet holes pierced through the paper. They hung idly in the air, ripped apart by my bullets. It suddenly grew quiet. I could still smell the smoke from the gun. It burned my eyes if I kept them open for too long.

  Wilder’s offer kept circling in my mind. I didn’t know where I would end up. At one point in time, I thought I wanted to be a dentist. But then the thought of touching people’s mouths grossed me out. I’d changed my mind to a million different options because I couldn’t decide on anything. I always felt out of place, like I wasn’t meant for a normal life. But never once had I thought about something like this.

  Being a secret agent.

  Chapter Ten

  Wilder kept his distance for the following few days.
He was constantly in his office, and he didn’t even come out for food. Judy walked across the lawn and delivered his meals before she returned to the house.

  I wasn’t avoiding him, but I wasn’t ready to talk either. He dropped a bomb on me, and I still hadn’t shaken it off. When I reflected on my life up to this point, it always felt hollow. Like a zombie, I was going through the motions, half-assed. I was never passionate about anything.

  But I was passionate about this.

  The idea of helping people and making a living at it sounded too good to be true. It would be an honor to fight for people who couldn’t fight for themselves. The fact Wilder committed his life to liberating slaves without accepting a dime for it…was the most inspirational thing I’d ever heard.

  Of course, I wanted to be a part of it.

  But I needed to know more. He hadn’t explained the details of how it would work. All he did was offer the position without any further explanation. The proposal excited me, but I never walked into anything without keeping my eyes open.

  ***

  I hadn’t seen Wilder at dinner, but I knew he was home because his voice came from downstairs.

  “How was work?” Judy asked the question like it was the most normal thing in the world. She knew he was a secret agent but she acted like he was a grocer.

  “Good,” he answered. “I got a lot done.”

  “Are you hungry?” she asked. “I can whip up something.”

  “No, thank you.” His footsteps sounded on the stairs. “I’m heading to bed. Good night, Judy.”

  “Good night, honey.”

  His footsteps echoed past my door. Then I heard a door open and close down the hall. I assumed he entered his bedroom.

  I had been reading a book in front of the fire when he entered the house. I shut the book and tossed it beside me before I walked into the hallway. There were a few doors down the hall, but I assumed his was the last one. His room would occupy the corner, which meant it had the best view in the house.

  I rapped my knuckles lightly against the door and waited for a response.

  There was none.

  “Wilder?”

  Still nothing.

  I opened the door and poked my head inside. His bedroom was similar to mine. The furniture was white, but the bedspread was gray, unlike the one in my room. It was much bigger than my bedroom, and a couch and coffee table faced the large window that overlooked the valley. The lamps on his nightstands were on, allowing me to see that the rug on the floor was gray.

  I stepped further inside and wondered where he went. The bathroom door was open so it didn’t seem like he was there.

  Then he stepped out of the door with a towel around his waist. His hair was damp, and water drops glistened on his wide chest. There was a small line of hair beneath his belly button. It reached down underneath the towel where it could no longer be seen. Hair was still on his chin like he didn’t feel like shaving today.

  There was no surprise in his eyes when he looked at me. He clearly knew I was there. “Hey, sweetheart.” He ran his fingers through his wet hair then opened one of his drawers. He grabbed a t-shirt and sweatpants.

  My jaw dropped and my eyes were wide. I stood there in shock, caught off guard by his nakedness. I’d seen him shirtless before, but knowing he was wet and warm…heightened the experience.

  My mouth went dry and felt like it was stuffed with cotton. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have come in here…”

  “You’re fine.” He pulled the shirt over his head then pulled his boxers and sweatpants on underneath the towel. It was deck change, and he did it fluidly like he’d done it a hundred times. “You can come in here whenever you want.” He pulled the towel off and tossed it in the hamper. Then he turned his gaze on me, his brown eyes unusually light.

  I couldn’t get the image of him nearly naked out of my head. His thighs were toned and his calves were tight. I loved the lines of muscle in his stomach as well as his sides. His narrow hips were cute. I imagined how tight his ass must be. My cheeks flooded with heat at that last thought.

  A slight grin was on his face, like he knew exactly why I was so speechless. “If it’s any consolation, I would be just as floored if I saw you walk out of the shower.” His fingers played with his hair again, making sure the strands didn’t fall too far down his face.

  Was I that obvious?

  “Can I get you anything?” He walked to his private mini bar.

  I finally found my voice. “I’m okay.”

  He poured himself a glass of scotch and took a long drink before he set it down. “Can I help you with something?”

  I snapped out of my daze. “You come into my room all the time without any purpose.”

  He released a sarcastic chuckle. “Sweetheart, I always have a purpose.” He gave me a sexy grin before he walked to the couch that faced his window.

  My thighs tensed before I joined him. I understood the meaning of his words, and I tried to remain unaffected by it. Spending the night with him was always in the back of my mind. The fantasy of the sex made my hair stand on end, but the idea of sleeping in his arms all night made my heart flutter. I wasn’t sure which one I craved more.

  His arm rested over the back of the couch as he looked out the window. “Have you considered my offer?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell me your thoughts.” His other hand rested on the armrest, and he raised his ankle to the opposite knee. Even when he did nothing but just sat there, he looked handsome as hell.

  “I need more information.”

  He nodded in agreement. “What do you want to know?”

  “I don’t know,” I said with a shrug. “Everything.”

  “Thanks for narrowing it down,” he said with a chuckle. He turned his eyes on me, and that playfulness was still there. “As an agent of RB12, you would take on a lot of demanding projects. Danger would be involved, and there’s always a possibility you might get hurt. If that’s not something you can handle, we should stop now.”

  “I can handle that.”

  “You would never have a mission I didn’t think you could handle. You would primarily be responsible for gaining intel on suspects or events. You would also be responsible for acclimating clients after they’re free.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Sometimes, when people are liberated, they don’t want to be liberated.”

  That didn’t make any sense. “They don’t want to be free?”

  “They’ve lived that way for so long that they don’t know anything else. They’re essentially brainwashed... Stockholm syndrome.”

  My eyes were glued to his face but my thoughts were somewhere else. “And how would I gain intel?”

  “Research from the main base. Sometimes, you’ll be in a public place to spy on someone. But none of your missions will ever be intimate. You’ll never be face-to-face with a known enemy. That’s my job.”

  I processed everything he said. “I sound like an assistant.”

  “You kind of are. But that doesn’t make your job less important than mine.”

  “You don’t think I can handle anything more difficult?”

  “I didn’t say that,” he said coolly. “I’d just rather you not. I have enough agents who can handle the most lethal cases.”

  “But I want to be more involved.”

  He seemed amused by my enthusiasm. “Maybe in a few years. But for now, that’s where you would start. It’s a very noble position. I’ll be relying on you for a lot of things.”

  It wasn’t exactly what I expected, but I was still intrigued. “What’s the pay?”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Salary should never be a factor.”

  “I’m just curious.”

  “It’s noteworthy.”

  I suspected a lot of money was involved. He had five different homes around the world, and money never seemed to be an issue for him. I never cared about money, but I wou
ldn’t mind having a home in Hawaii someday.

  “Do you have any other questions?”

  “Yes.”

  He stared at me in silence.

  “You need to tell me about my father.”

  He didn’t react in the slightest. “What’s the relevance?”

  “How can I join your organization when I’m not certain if he’s an enemy?”

  He sighed in irritation. “You’re not ready.”

  “I am ready,” I said firmly. “I can handle anything. You’ve seen that firsthand.”

  “This is different,” he said quietly. “This is the only family you have in the world. The truth will break your heart.”

  Now I was getting scared. “I still want to know.”

  “For argument’s sake, let’s put that aside. Would you want the job?”

  There was no doubt what I wanted. There was nothing waiting for me in Cambridge, not even a boyfriend. I’d always wanted to do something meaningful with my life. There was just never anything I cared about. But I cared about this. “Yes.”

  His eyebrows rose slightly. “Really?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  The answer was simple. “I want to do what you do. I want to help people.”

  He nodded in approval. “Then you’ve got the job.”

  ***

  We spent the week training. Wilder worked with me to increase my speed and agility. He didn’t go easy on me like I thought he might. When we were in the underground compound, he turned into a drill sergeant.

  “You’re too slow.”

  “What are you talking about?” I was damn fast.

  “You’re. Too. Slow.” He gave me a venomous glare like he hated me.

  “I’m as fast as you.”

  “And you’ve got to be faster. You can’t defeat me with your size. You’re too small. Your best offense and defense is speed. There’s nothing I can do to you if I can’t catch you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why aren’t you faster?”

  “We’ve been training all day, and I haven’t eaten once.”

  “What’s the relevance?” He put his hands on his hips.

  “Uh, I’m starving. That’s relevant.”