Free Undefeated: Bad Boy Fighter Romance (Fighting For Gisele #4) by Emily Jane Trent Page B

the way, Micah caught glimpses of barren desert, illuminated by the headlights as they rolled along. The drive was quick, since there was no traffic. It was still dark out when they neared the property where Catarina was being held captive.
    “Yesterday, Gisele’s brother told me that there are only two permanent guards here,” Micah said. “I’m counting on that.”
    The car stopped, and Micah got in the back with Zeke to hide behind the seat. The Russian switched places and took the wheel. If the guard at the compound saw anyone other than a Russian comrade, it would arouse suspicion. With the headlights low, the car rolled up to the gate.
    The Russian narrated as he approached, speaking in heavily accented English. A high chain-link fence enclosed the grounds. “The gate is locked, and I see one guard by the house. I’ll get out and put him at ease. When I get inside and distract him, you can follow me in.”
    Micah prayed this would work. The idea had seemed brilliant when he’d thought of it, but faced with a couple of armed Russian guards, he questioned the soundness of his reasoning. Yet there was no alternative.
    Dimitry got out and began calling out in Russian. From his tone, he sounded friendly, even a little bored. It was only a job, after all. Micah didn’t speak Russian, so couldn’t vouch for what he was saying, but the plan was for him to tell the guard that he’d been sent to relieve him.
    While the interaction continued, Micah’s pulse pounded, as if he was about to get into the ring. This had to work. There was no way he was leaving here without Gisele’s mother. When it was quiet for a beat, Zeke stuck his head up then flagged Micah. “Now!”
    Micah leapt stealthily from the car and slipped inside the gate, with Zeke at his side. The compound guard had his back to them, and Dimitry was talking with him. Out of the corner of his eye, when Micah saw Zeke lunge for the guard, he sprinted to the house and stepped inside.
    The interior was dim, and it was anyone’s guess where the other guard was. Micah stepped silently down the hallway, staying close to the wall. Then he spotted an open bedroom door. Peeking inside, he saw the other guard holding the curtain aside, looking out the window.
    The bed was a mess, so Micah assumed the outside noise had awakened him. Quickly he approached from behind, noting the gun that was on the side table, within reach. The guard spun around, and, seeing Micah, made a swift move toward the gun.
    In a split second, Micah landed a heavy punch to the side of the guy’s head. The blow was aimed for effectiveness; plus the element of surprise had been an advantage. It was a one-punch knockout. The guy hadn’t seen it coming, and the angle had been good. Micah’s fist didn’t even hurt. If only knockouts in the ring were as easy.
    Zeke showed up in the doorway. “Okay, the other guard is tied up.” He glanced at the unconscious man. “I see you took care of this one.”
    Micah took the cuffs Zeke handed him, and locked them around the guard’s wrists. “I’ll take it from here,” the bodyguard said, dragging the man toward the door. “We’ll secure both guards in the same room, so Dimitry can keep watch over them.”
    “I’ll find Catarina.” Quickly, Micah searched the house. In a small bedroom, he found Gisele’s mother. The noise hadn’t disturbed her, as she slept soundly. Standing over her, Micah shook her shoulder.
    When Catarina’s eyes opened, she gasped. “Who are you?” She pulled the covers up to her chin, as if the sheets might protect her.
    “Gisele sent me to rescue you. The guards are locked up. We need to get out of here, right away.”
    Catarina seemed to understand. She got out of bed and dressed in the bathroom, faster than Micah would have thought possible. Then she stuffed a few items in a small bag and followed him out of the room.
    Zeke waited by the front door. The instant he spotted them, he said, “Let’s go.”
    Rushing