Dragon's Blood (Black Planet Book 1) by Belinda McBride Read Free Book Online Page B

flashy, dangerous looking costumes, they’d opted for practicality and coverage. Her black hair was tightly braided and pinned in on itself. She’d have preferred to fight barefoot, but he’d nixed that in favor of flexible leather shoes for protection. The woman next to him hissed when Annie stretched, bringing her leg impossibly high against the wall. He had to agree with Carin’s arousal. His own cock had grown heavy at the sight of Annie’s limber body.
    Carin Nakashima was an incongruous splash of elegance within the grimy setting of Wharf. She was tall, expensive and gracefully blonde, a rarity in the city nowadays. As the trophy wife of a Japanese gangster, she had the money, and oddly, the freedom to live as she desired. It didn’t surprise him that her desire was to haunt the fight circuits, picking up lovers and protégés with equal generosity. She’d spent a couple years in the cages before Nakashima had found her.
    “She’s lovely.”
    “I hadn’t noticed.”
    She smiled in amusement at the dry comment. “Is she as good as the rumors suggest?”
    He nodded to where she’d just entered the ring. “Watch and decide for yourself.”
    Today’s opponent was owned by an Italian from North Beach. The woman had the backing of money, training and technology. They’d discussed her at length. Unfortunately, Annie hadn’t been able to see the woman in action before meeting her in the ring. Sophia Copelli usually fought in a mixed style with a focus on old boxing techniques. She was fast, technically clean, and had twice the strength that Annie possessed. Her hair-trigger temper was her biggest liability and her greatest asset. When that temper blew, her opponent would be down and broken before they realized the danger.
    When the whistle blew, Annie crouched in a defensive position, testing, allowing herself to be tested. They started slowly, carefully, and in a sudden blaze of movement, the Italian fighter dodged in, scoring a blow to Annie’s ribs. A quick blur of movement in return, and the Italian had lost her footing, taken down by a low kick.
    Once more they circled, Annie allowing the other to attack while she dodged, parried and blocked. The Italian changed tactics, suddenly shifting to a kicking-punching style. Annie was driven back against the mesh cage, just barely avoiding being trapped. Uneasiness settled into his gut.
    Next to him, Carin hissed in disgust. “Not impressive so far, Aiden. If Sophia gets a hand on her…”
    He didn’t answer. The whistle blew, signaling the first round. Normally, he didn’t distract her in the ring, but Aiden was worried. She seemed didn’t seem right. Annie leaned into her corner, fishing out a bottle of water.
    “You okay?”
    She nodded, unhooking her mouth guard.
    “You look off.”
    “I’m okay. Getting her routine. She’s using Tae Kwan Do. I expected more western style fighting.”
    He nodded in agreement. “Sophia’s got a temper. If you set her off, you might foul her up, or just piss her off enough to get yourself killed.”
    She sipped again. “She’s strong. I’m going to finish fast. If she gets many hits in, it’ll go bad for me.” That blow to the ribs had carried enough force to break bone. She’d been very, very lucky.
    “If you push her, she’ll start high kicks. You know how to block the kicks?” Her form didn’t practice high kicks, so he wasn’t sure.
    “When a fighter’s doing high kicks, they only have one point of balance. But if I keep knocking her on her ass, she’s going to get pissed and blow. I need to hurt her. Inner thigh, you think?”
    “Yeah. Yeah, when she opens to set up and kick, nail her up high. Or even at the inside of the knee. Target that same spot. Deaden her muscles, make her hurt. If you can hand lock her…” She nodded and pushed away from the mesh as the whistle blew.
    “I’ll finish her in round three.”
    “Go for it.”
    She turned and gave him a fierce grin, barely noticing the