GUNNER: The Underground Romance series Read online

  “It’s fine.” I answer honestly. I appreciate his apology.

  With one last kind smile, Kai follows Kane out and into his office.

  “Wow.” Claire whispers from her desk, her eyes wide and excited.

  I look behind me as if the answer to her reaction is there but there’s nothing. “What?” I ask her when I turn back around.

  “That never happens.” She whispers, quickly wheeling her office chair over to my desk. The wooden floor making her glide to me effortlessly. “I mean, Kai often pops his head in here because he’s a good boss, I’m glad here in media and marketing we have him.” Claire smirks. “But Kane never comes here. If I do see him it’s in passing downstairs or if he’s visiting Kai’s office.”

  She gives me a certain look, raising her eyebrows and pouting. It completely changes her face.

  “What’s that look for?” I laugh.

  Claire leans closer. “I think it’s because of you.”

  “No.” I argue.

  “Oh yes.” Claire nods. “I thought it was weird that he interrupted your interview and stayed on to continue it but now I think it’s because he likes you.”

  “I don’t think so.” I laugh. “But whether it’s true or not it doesn’t matter, he’s my boss and I’m not interested.”

  Claire comically narrows her eyes at me. “We’ll see.”

  I look over towards Jacob’s desk, far over in the other corner and notice him frowning. Not at me, he’s typing away at his computer but he doesn’t seem happy at all.

  The rest of my work day is pretty much the same as my morning, the only difference being Claire glancing over at me and winking. The people working in the glass office seem to become excited as the end of the work day comes into sight. I don’t know if it’s because it’s nearing the end of the day, or because we’re all headed to the bar.

  As soon as the clock hits 5:00PM, everyone in the office begins to clean their desks and grab their things, so I follow suit. Claire hops over with her coat on and hand bag tucked onto her shoulder. “You ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.” I grimace, hoping Claire didn’t notice.

  Jacob arrives beside me as Claire and I wait for the elevator. “Are we looking forward to your party?”

  There’s no expression on my face when I reply. “Stop it.”

  Jacob laughs. “So exciting.” He adds quieter this time.

  I glare at him, not believing how much he’s enjoying this teasing. I ignore him as he wears a shit eating grin, deciding to look down at my feet because the four walls inside the elevator are mirrored and I can’t bear to look at his handsome, yet irritating face.

  As we exit the elevator, Jacob walks next to me as I talk with Claire. When our conversation ends Jacob jumps in. “You know, it’s not that bad.”

  “Easy for you to say,” I whisper. “it’s not your party.”

  “I wouldn’t’ say it’s yours either.” He laughs quietly. When I give him a quizzed look he elaborates. “These people find any excuse to have a drink after work, or stay away from their other halves a little longer. When Claire asked for people to come, they all jumped at the chance.”

  His words actually makes me feel a little better. At least I won’t be the centre of everyone’s attention.

  “Really?” I ask him.

  “Don’t sound so sad.” Jacob laughs, louder this time. “But yes, really. What’s up with you anyway? Not like parties?”

  “No I love them, as long as they’re not for me.” I answer him honestly, lowering my voice so Claire doesn’t overhear me. I don’t want to see that upset puppy look on her face again.

  “Ahh.” He nods, understanding me. “Yeah, I’m not a lover of a surprise party either.”

  The bar isn’t a long walk at all. From the time we leave the Murphy building, it takes less than ten minutes for us all to enter the bar. It’s very modern looking, sleek and shiny and the music isn’t too loud that you can’t hear each other talking.

  Claire leads me over to a small table and Jacob joins us, along with some other people however I can’t remember their names.

  “Ok,” Claire places her coat down in the space next to me. “What do you want to drink Kayla?”

  “Vodka lemonade please.” I ask, promising her that I’m buying the next drinks.

  “Vodka?” Jacob nods.

  “Don’t judge me.” I point at him.

  Jacob places his hand over his heart. “I wouldn’t dare.”

  The next couple of hours I laugh so much and it’s mostly Jacob making me. It’s not at all awkward because everyone’s pretty much keeping to themselves and their friendship groups. I’m not the centre of attention, so I’m able to have fun and relax. I talk to a few of my new co-workers when I’m at the bar and so it breaks the ice. Considering that today is my first day and I can easily say I know a good ten to twelve people in my office, I’d call that a good night. It seems Claire was right and I’m grateful. I won’t be nervous at all coming into work tomorrow and I have Claire to thank for that. And to think I’ve been dreading about this all day, I feel stupid now.

  Also, I’ve gotten to know Jacob more tonight and he’s a great guy. Along with Claire, Jacob is one of my favourite people in the office. He’s just so funny and really cute. He’s not completely my type but I can appreciate how handsome he is.

  I’ve been at the bar for about two hours when I get a text from Charlotte, she’s outside waiting for me. I say my goodbyes and thank Claire for everything she’s done for me on my first day. “Oh don’t be silly.” She wraps an arm around me, bringing me in for a hug.

  “Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.” Jacob winks as I leave, leaving me feeling a little awkward. Is he flirting?

  Chapter Six

  Kayla

  I can’t get away from Kane Murphy.

  I see him every time I’m in this freaking building!

  Right now we’re waiting for the elevator together and I’m hating every second. I can feel Kane’s eyes on me and it’s making me feel weird.

  “What are you looking at?” I ask him, gifting him with one of my most pissed off looks.

  Kane smirks down at me. “You.”

  His response annoys me. “Well, stop it.”

  “As you wish.” Kane turns away.

  It’s stupid and confusing but Kane looking away angers me even more. “I don’t wish you to do anything.”

  This makes him laugh and as soon as the elevator doors open I storm inside. He follows me in of course. It’s silent as we ride the lift up together, a tense energy I can’t describe floats around us and I do my best to ignore it.

  “Enjoy your welcome party last night?” Kane breaks the silence.

  I narrow eyes at him. “How did you know about that?”

  Kane chuckles, it’s deep and a shiver runs down my spine. “I know everything that goes on in my building Kayla.” I turn away from him, focusing on the doors to the elevator, wishing them to open. “I know about everyone who works for me.” I feel him step closer but I hold my ground. “And I intend to know every little detail about you too.”

  It feels like forever until the doors open again, and when they do I quickly run out into the corridor. Without looking back, I walk across the hall and enter the glass office. Kane’s words causing goose bumps all over my body. I need to forget about him and thankfully when I enter the office, there’s something I didn’t expect to see. The first thing I notice is Jacob is staring at me with interest and the second thing is Claire, in the two days that I’ve known her, she’s been perky and happy however right now, she seems unusually quiet and has her head buried in her hands.

  “Morning Claire.” I greet her, sitting down at my own desk. “You doing ok over there?”

  “Mmmm.” She groans, peaking at me through her fingers. “I should have left when you did last night.”

  I can’t help but grin. “How much did you have to drink?”

  “Too much.” She lays her head on the
desk, her eyes closed and groaning. “Too much noise.”

  It seems that today, I will be covering Claire’s share of work as she’s unable to focus. I don’t mind at all, it helps me dive into the real work faster. Yesterday I was dealing with the social media side but Claire’s main domain is hunting down clients and competing for jobs. Getting brands to choose us for their promotional campaigns and so far, I’m enjoying it more than yesterday’s tasks.

  “Thanks for helping me today.” Claire looks relieved as we begin to eat out dinner.

  “That’s fine.” I answer honestly.

  “Even though I’m a little hung over today, I’m glad you can handle the campaigning side because I do honestly need help in that department. So, if I train you properly in how we do it here, we could split it?”

  “Of course.” I beam.

  Whilst my dinner break ends and I wait for the elevator back up to my floor, my phone vibrates in my handbag. When I reach in and collect it, I see that I have a text from a blocked number and another from Billy.

  I decide to read Billy’s first.

  Billy: Did you get the message? Oh my god I’m so excited!

  The elevator doors open as I open the text from the unknown number.

  Welcome to the Underground Club.

  Your application to the Club has been successful.

  A PDF file has been sent to your email.

  You will need to read and follow the rules.

  Now you need to begin your training,

  as your first fight is in three weeks.

  Spends this time wisely.

  We look forward to your first fight.

  I gasp out loud, causing Claire and some others in the lift to look over at me. Claire gives me a curious look and I just shrug my shoulders. “My sister.” Is all I say when the doors open and I quickly make my way to my desk.

  I fire back a message to Billy, agreeing on the excitement and then log into my email on my work computer. I probably shouldn’t be, but I need to look at what the Underground Club has sent over. On the email they explain the rules which mostly consist on the secrecy of the club but there’s some on the fighting itself, the usual.

  I had weirdly forgotten that Billy and I had signed ourselves up to join and fight. I had an internal battle that night we were there before, wondering whether I should or not but I love fighting and the atmosphere in that warehouse was magical. I want to experience that. So when Billy told me she’s going to register, I couldn’t help but follow suit. I’d be too jealous of Billy right now if I hadn’t. I am slightly worried when Kane or Kai discovers that I’m part of their secret lives and that I fight myself.

  The rest of the day at work I try my best to focus on my work but it’s so hard to stop my brain from wandering off to thinking what my first fight will be like. I’m so eager to get into the gym and step up my training. I don’t want to lose my first fight.

  ***

  “You’re fighting in three weeks?” Asks my sister when I tell her news at home. “Isn’t that too soon?”

  “No.” I answer confidently. “I’m always training, always on track and making sure I don’t make a fool of myself for whenever a fight comes along.” I pat her on the shoulder. “I’ll be fine.”

  Charlotte knows I fight and how much I enjoy it but she always worries when I have a fight coming up. She doesn’t come to watch very often and that’s because of her fear for me. I think it’s cute.

  “But that place.” Charlotte shakes her head. “It was brutal.”

  “And so am I.” I wink over at her. We’re sat in the living room each drinking a cup of tea. “Do you think you’ll come? Emma and Sophie will be there.”

  Charlotte thinks about it. “Do you want me there?”

  “Of course.” I jump to answer, I love it when she’s there to watch me but I always understand why she’s can’t always be there.

  “Then I’ll be there.” She smiles but I still see the stress behind her smiling eyes. “But you better win, I don’t think I could ever watch you get beat up.”

  This makes me laugh. “I’ve never been beaten up.”

  “Last time you had a black eye!” Charlotte argues.

  “But I won.” I remind her. “She just got a lucky punch.”

  “Yeah well, you can’t be having another black eye because our grandparents want me to bring you with me the next time I go over.” Charlotte drops the bomb at my feet.

  “What?”

  Charlotte sighs. “They’re demanding to see you.”

  “Demanding?” I ask. “I’m not going, so you can tell them that when you go.”

  “I hate being in the middle.” She groans and I do feel slightly bad that she does feel that way but I don’t want to see them. They’re a part of dad’s life and I don’t want anything to do with that.

  “Tell them you told me but I’m busy.” I suggest and Charlotte nods. She doesn’t look very happy but just like me with my fights, she understands and respects my reason for not wanting to go.

  ***

  The next morning I get to the gym before work. Like the text said, I need to make sure I’m getting my training on and I plan on fitting in some extra training sessions before work. Not every morning. I’m not insane!

  I walk inside and put away my gym bag, spotting Emma in the ring. Like many of us, you wouldn’t guess she’s fighter. She’s so petit and pretty but her personality is huge.

  I meet my trainer near the back of the gym, working on my technique for this morning. When I hit the showers, Emma is there too.

  “Hey girl!” She grins, gripping her towel around her, fresh from the shower. “Did you get the invite?” She asks with a whisper.

  “I did.” I collect my bag, grabbing my shower things. “But I’m guessing mine was different from yours.”

  “Oh that’s right!” Her eyes widen. “You and Billy signed up! So when is yours?”

  “Three weeks.” Nervousness fills me.

  “Oh wow!” She beams. “I think Billy’s is the same.”

  Billy is in the weight division above me so I’m happy to know that we won’t be fighting, unless they like to mix it up in the Underground. I wouldn’t like to fight a friend, but if we had to I know Billy would be as professional as I would be. It’s just a game at the end of the day. I have had friendships end because we had to go against each other. My last friendship was exactly like that, I considered her as a really close friend, best friends actually but when we were matched up to fight she turned into a bitch. I won of course. Total knockout. She didn’t appreciate that and never forgave me. She would have preferred I lost so she could wear the crown, but I would never throw away a fight. Now I look back and wonder if she was even a genuine friend and was befriending me to get me to sabotage the fight. She obviously had no idea what type of a person I am. Billy doesn’t strike me as being anything like that. It’s not ideal to go against a friend, but after the fight is done, you put it behind you and get on with your life.

  Chapter Seven

  Kayla

  Over the next three weeks I train so freaking hard. I want to be at my best for the fight. I want to impress. It’s pretty tiring though as I’m either at the gym before or after work. Some days I don’t want to, but if I want to stand a chance at winning this fight, then I need to.

  I’ve also gotten closer to Claire and it’s no surprise. I’m with her every day at work and I’ve even popped around her place for a sneaky drink or two at the weekends. I know it’s not the best when I have a fight coming up but a girl needs a break or two. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able survive through this.

  I’m often invited to the bar where my welcome party was hosted but I turn them down every time. I’ll accept them some time after my fight but with just a few days for my fight, I’m being very strict with myself.

  It’s now Wednesday and my fight is on Saturday. It’s so close to the event. Every day that is gets closer, I get a little more nervous but I won’t let the butterflies affect
my performance. Another thing that’s getting to me is Kane and Kai will see me fighting and might disapprove of me working for them once they know I’ve discovered their secret business.

  Trying to put the fight to the back of my mind, I dive into my work and the hours fly away. Nearing the end of the day, Jacob arrives at my desk making me jump because I was concentrating so much in pitching an offer to a big brand. I truly love this job.

  “Hey.” He smiles a handsome smile and I pause from my typing.

  “Jacob.” I grin. “What brings you over to my little corner?”

  He looks around the office and twiddles his thumbs for a few seconds before answering. “I was wondering if you’re doing anything Friday night.”

  “Oh.” I feel a little embarrassed. “Erm, nothing.”

  “Do you fancy coming to dinner?” He asks. “With me.”

  He’s not a bad looking guy and he seems nice in the weeks that I’ve known him. I probably shouldn’t before my first fight at the Underground Club but then again, if I don’t drink alcohol and watch what I eat, I should be fine.

  “Sure.” I smile, noticing how relieved he looks as I answer.

  “Great.” Jacob grins. “I know a great place, it will be good to get to know you more out of work you know?”

  “Sounds great.” I nod, feeling like I’ve been put on the spot but I’m also looking forward to it.

  “Ok.” Jacob backs away with a huge grin.

  “Do you want my number?” I ask him.

  A look of shock appears on his face. “Yes!” He returns and I type my number into his phone. “I’ll let you know.”

  “Ok.” I smile, watching him walk back to his desk.

  “Well, wasn’t that cute?” Claire whispers over.

  I look over at her, deciding to ignore her teasing smirk. “Yes it was.”