Free Dark Horse by Rhea Wilde

care of. Lanea’s got the skills to handle that.”
    I watched Octavio disappear with Maxwell back toward the elevator.
    “Follow me, Henry.”
    I turned around and headed back into my den behind the fighting arena. I sashayed in the only way I could, hoping that he would notice how well my dress looked against my body. We finally got inside of my room but Henry continued to stand there sternly.
    “Have a seat,” I said to him as I pointed at a nearby chair.
    He didn ’t comply. I began to chuckle and shake my head.
    “ You’re bleeding,” I said. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you or do anything else. I have no reason to. You made me a lot of money tonight.”
    He finally did as he was told, taking a seat on a couch in front of a nearby table.
    “You know, you had everybody fooled in there for a second,” I said as I searched the cabinet near the bar for a first-aid kit. “You were taking all of those punches and not responding.”
    “ I was just waiting for the right opportunity,” he replied.
    “ Yes. That’s what I like to hear. Everybody thinks fighting is just about who hits the hardest or who can take the most punches. It’s not about the strongest or most athletic. You have to use your head, too.”
    I took a seat next to Henry as he sat there calmly. I removed the glove from one of my hands and put my hand up to his face. He jerked his head back and I had to reassure him once again.
    “I just want to see how bad that cut is,” I said. “Trust me.”
    He stared hard at me as he slowly moved his head near my hand. I placed my hand against his face and looked closer at the cut.
    “It’s not that bad,” I said. “It only opened up because it’s on the bone. That should heal on its own. But we still have to stop the bleeding.”
    I reached into the first-aid kit and swabbed the blood with some alcohol. After I wiped the blood from his face, I placed the bandage over the cut and pressed it down.
    “That should do it,” I said. “It might take a few days but it will heal.”
    “ Good,” he said as he stood up. “I’ll be leaving now.”
    I grabbed his hand and pulled him back down to the couch.
    “No, please,” I said. “Sit. We have some business to discuss.”
    “ We have no business to discuss.”
    “ I think we do, Henry. I can see it in your eyes. You’re special. Fighters like you don’t come around very often.”
    “ I’m not a fighter.”
    “ Fine. You’re not a fighter. Call yourself whatever you want. But whatever it is you want to call yourself, I can make you a very rich man. Do you know how much money you made tonight?”
    “ I don’t care. I’ve made enough.”
    I was beginning to grow frustrated. I ’d never met a man who didn’t care about the money I was offering him.
    “ I can offer you more fights,” I said to him. “You can make a lot more money. From the looks of your clothes, it doesn’t seem like you’re making very much.”
    “ Tonight was enough.”
    “ But you can do better. Don’t you understand that? I can—”
    “ I don’t care. I’m not interested in fighting any longer.”
    I couldn ’t help but sigh. I stood up from my chair and looked down at him. I gave him a seductive smile as I narrowed my eyes.
    “ You know, Henry,” I said. “It’s not often that men get the opportunity to meet a millionaire, let alone Lanea Zara in the flesh. This isn’t just about money. I’m offering you a tremendous opportunity. One that other men would fight and die for.”
    I reached for the straps of my dress and slowly lowered them down my arms. I watched his eyes as they remained locked upon me. I grinned at him as I lowered my arms and let the dress fall down the rest of my body.
    “ It’s yours, Henry. All of this . All you have to do is say that you want it. What do you say, Henry? Do you want to keep fighting for me so you can enjoy the rewards that come with it?”
    I c ontinued to grin at him, hoping that he would see reason. He