The Fight for Forever Read online

  I’m prepared. More prepared than I’ve been for anything in my life. Once I step inside that cage, anything can happen, but I’m ready. Beyond fucking ready.

  When I got home, I checked on Scarlett, who was with Kelsey in the master bath, working on her makeup. I gave her a kiss on her lips, which were still bare, and then headed to shower in the guest room.

  I wrap the towel around my waist, brace my palms on the counter, and meet my gaze in the mirror.

  “Tonight, we win. Tomorrow, we take out Moses.” I make the promise and then head for the guest room, where my suit from Gunter hangs.

  I was surprised the old man made it, but what he said to Scarlett gave me something I didn’t know I needed. Approval from her people. It feels pretty fucking great that they don’t think I’m reaching above my station. Apparently, I’ve been the only one hung up on that this whole time. And now, I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.

  I slip on the silk-lined black suit pants and button up the tailored black shirt. The black vest is next. Black on black on black. The old man’s taste is impeccable, not that I should be surprised. With the jacket still on its hanger, I head out into the living room and hang it on a hook near the door that leads into the rest of the building.

  I check my phone to see if I’ve missed a notification while I was showering, and there’s only one. It brings a smile to my face, and I reply immediately.

  * * *

  Flynn: Kick some ass tonight, bro. I’m proud of you, win or lose.

  Legend: Consider it done, lil sis.

  * * *

  Kelsey’s voice carries from the bathroom and out through the bedroom so that I can hear some of what she’s saying.

  “I swear to God, love is the best highlighter there is. I don’t think you’ve ever looked this radiant, Scar. All my clients need a Gabriel Legend, if they want to glow like you.”

  Scarlett’s response isn’t loud enough for me to overhear, but I don’t need to. She loves me. I see it every time she looks at me. It took a little while for me to be able to recognize the emotion, since I didn’t have a hell of a lot of experience with it, but now I can’t mistake it for anything else.

  “Let’s get your dress on and then do your lips,” Kelsey says in a singsong voice. “I’m dying to see this look come together.”

  I settle into one of the chairs in the living room and cross an ankle over my knee. Kelsey isn’t the only one who wants to see Scarlett, but I’m in no rush. We’ve got an hour before we need to leave for the club, and then roughly another three hours before Bodhi and I are up, depending on whether the undercard fights go the distance.

  Because my fights have never been sanctioned, tonight is technically the start and end of my professional career. Bodhi had a run in one of the pro organizations a few years back, before he realized the money was better underground. So, the odds are firmly in his favor, which is ironic, because I beat him last time. Either way, that only helps me. Betting on an underdog who pulls out the victory is the most profitable way to go.

  My head jerks up at the squeals of excitement coming from the bedroom.

  “Oh. My. Gawd. This is . . . Jesus Christ. Gunter is a wizard. You look amazing.”

  Well, hell. I guess it’s time to put on my jacket so I look the part too.

  I move to where I hung it and slide it over my shoulders . . . just in time to see Kelsey poke her head out of the doorway.

  “Oh, good. You’re here. Damn. You two are going to set records tonight for the hottest couple in history. But don’t take my word for it . . .” She trails off and steps to the side.

  A moment later, Scarlett comes into view.

  Holy. Fucking. Shit.

  She’s a goddess. There’s no other word for it.

  “Wow.” The word slips from my lips, but in no way does her justice.

  Molten gold hugs her every curve, set off by her shimmering blond hair and creamy skin. She barely looks real . . . at least, not until her lips curve up into a dazzling smile.

  “Wow, yourself. You look incredible.”

  I shake my head, coming toward her. “Jesus Christ. You . . . fuck, ladybug . . . you’re stunning.” I reach out to take her hand and slowly lift it to my lips.

  “Oh shit, that’s too fucking cute. Hold on,” Kelsey says, but I can barely hear her over the blood rushing through my ears.

  Scarlett stares into my eyes. “I wanted to make you proud tonight.”

  “You could wear sweats and a ripped T-shirt, and you’d still do that.”

  Her grin widens. “I’m glad you think that.”

  A light flashes from Kelsey’s direction, and Scarlett and I turn.

  “Oh shit, yes. That picture is epic.” She looks up from her phone and sees us watching her, and her shoulders lift up to her ears. “Shit, sorry. Carry on.”

  We both laugh, and Scarlett holds out her hand. “You might as well show me, since you got the shot you wanted.”

  “Here, look. Isn’t that amazing?”

  Scarlett gasps. “Oh my God. Okay, I’m really glad you did that.”

  I glance down at the screen and see what she’s excited about. We look like something out of a movie. A blond goddess and a slightly scandalous mortal. But we look damn good together.

  “Will you send me that?” I ask Kelsey.

  “Of course. And, Scar, you gotta post it. The interwebs will go crazy when you post a picture of the two of you together. I mean, shit. How could they not?”

  Scarlett’s attention cuts to my face as her lips press together. “Do you care if I post it? I know it’s a big step, but . . .”

  There’s no way she can know the smile tugging the corners of my mouth comes from the fact that I plan on a much bigger step a hell of a lot sooner than she expects. “Do whatever you want, ladybug. I got nothing to hide about the fact that I’m in love with you. I don’t care who knows it.”

  “Oh my God,” Kelsey says with a long sigh. “I think my heart is officially melting now.”

  Scarlett shoots a look at her friend. “Kels . . . you have no idea.”

  Kelsey breaks into a giggle. “Let me get my kit, and I’ll get out of your hair. I’ll see you at Legend. Good luck, Gabe. Knock him out. Or whatever you’re planning to do.”

  She sneaks behind Scarlett, and I lead my golden girl into the middle of the living room.

  “All I want to do is kiss you, but I’m not messing up that lipstick. Not yet, anyway.”

  “As long as you plan on kissing me later, that’s all that matters.”

  Kelsey rolls her suitcase out of the bedroom and nods at us both. “Beautiful. Handsome. I’ll see you later. Off to get myself ready!” With a wave, she’s gone.

  “I think Kelsey has a crush on you now,” Scarlett says to me.

  “I’m all yours, so that’s too bad.”

  Scarlett reaches out to straighten the lapels of my suit jacket. “You’re damn right, you’re all mine. I’m so proud of you, Gabe. No matter what happens tonight, you’re it for me. I love you.”

  Hearing her say that it doesn’t matter whether I win or lose means more to me than any victory ever has. But, even so, it doesn’t cause my confidence to waver in the slightest.

  “I’m going to win. The rest of our life starts tonight. I’ve got big plans for us both, ladybug.”

  Her smile is shimmering in its brilliance. “Good, because I have big plans of my own too.” She leans her head toward me and ghosts her lips across mine, and I savor the faint taste of her.

  When she pulls back, our eyes lock.

  “I love you, Scarlett. Thank you for being you. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for showing me that life was about more than I realized. You have no idea how much you’ve changed me for the better.”

  “It goes both ways. You taught me about living. How not to just stand on the sidelines. I can’t wait to see where we go next, after you win.”

  She smooths her delicate fingers across my hair, the gentle movement sl
owing my heartbeat. It’s the peace I need. The calm before the storm.

  Forty-Eight

  Legend

  The ride to Legend has never felt quite like this before. Hal’s driving us in a snazzy Range Rover, but we’re not alone. We’ve got security in front of us and behind us in black SUVs.

  Scarlett hasn’t said anything about it, but I assume it’s not her first time arriving somewhere with an entourage. When we pull up to the club, there’s a red carpet rolled out, and even though I didn’t expect to see many cameras, given the relatively early hour, there’s plenty.

  She must read my thoughts from my expression.

  “And . . . that’s probably because I posted our picture and said we were on our way.” She turns to me with a hesitant expression on her face. “I hope you don’t mind.”

  I rake my gaze over her in that dress and rub my fingers over my mouth. “The more pictures of you in that dress, the better. You’re gorgeous, ladybug.”

  Her smile lights up her entire face, which is already glowing, like Kelsey said. “Bump, Zoe, and Q are already here, right?”

  I nod. “Zoe and Q have been here all day. Bump is coming with Big Mike and Joanie.”

  “Are they bringing Roux?”

  “Of course,” I tell her with a grin. “My girl wouldn’t miss it for the world. Bump’s been taking good care of her, though. It’s going to break his heart when I tell him that she’s coming home with us because I’m done training.”

  “Maybe we need to get Bump his own puppy so he won’t feel the sting quite so much.”

  “Maybe we will,” I say as Hal glances back at me.

  “You two ready? You want me to get the door?”

  “We’re ready,” I reply, and Scarlett nods. “Let’s do this.”

  As soon as Hal opens the door, the paps lean into the barriers, craning their necks to see who’s in the SUV. As I step out, they start calling my name.

  “Legend!”

  “Gabriel!”

  “Do you really think you can beat Black?”

  I hold out my hand for Scarlett and help her out of the vehicle. As soon as her feet touch the carpet, she turns an incredible smile on the paps, and together, we walk toward the lineup as they shout questions at both of us. About Bodhi. Our last fight. Whether Scarlett and I are engaged. Getting married. Whether she’s pregnant.

  The questions go on and on, but Scarlett doesn’t respond to them as we walk and pause and pose, then keep moving. As she takes my arm to carefully climb the steps in front of the club, I have to marvel at her poise.

  “You’re really fucking good at that, you know?”

  “Don’t worry, it’ll be second nature before you know it. You never need to answer their questions. It just adds to the mystery.”

  Once we’re inside, the paps’ questions are replaced by the bustle of the club coming to life for the event. The cage is in the center of the expansive dance floor, surrounded by rows and rows of seating. With the columns rising up to the ceiling, it looks pretty damn impressive, if I do say so myself.

  Zoe rushes up to us. “You’re here! And wow.” She blinks at Scarlett’s dress. “You look unbelievable. Not too shabby yourself, boss,” she says with a grin after inspecting my one-of-a-kind suit.

  “Bump and your folks here yet?” I ask her.

  “Not yet, but they should be on their way. Your coaches are up in your office, though, so after you’ve checked everything down here one last time, I assume you’ll head up there.”

  “Good work, Zoe. Couldn’t have done this without you and Q.”

  “It’s our pleasure. And just so you know, we both put money on you. No pressure, though.”

  I laugh, like I don’t already feel it. “Thanks. Come on, ladybug.”

  Forty-Nine

  Scarlett

  Other than those fights I watched on YouTube and the time I spent at the gym with Gabe, I don’t know anything about mixed martial arts. I certainly have no idea how things work before a fight, but my education is happening quickly and firsthand.

  Gabriel did one last sweep of the club, talked to Q, and then we went up to his office. It’s been turned into a locker room for him to warm up with sparring partners and all three of his coaches, who will be in his corner for the fight.

  Thankfully, Gunter’s suit was photographed about a thousand times before we came inside, because Gabriel stripped it off first thing to change into his warm-up gear.

  Before they start with whatever comes next, there’s a knock at the door, and Bump pokes his head inside.

  “Gabe! You’re here!”

  “Come on in, bud.”

  The door opens farther and Roux streaks inside, bounding right to Gabriel. Used to her enthusiasm, he’s ready for the dog’s excitement.

  “I knew she’d be so happy to see you!”

  The man and his dog bond on the mat as Bump, Joanie, and Big Mike enter the office and shut the door.

  “We don’t want to bother you. You’ve got warming up to do, but we wanted to say good luck before we take our seats,” Big Mike says. That’s when I notice he and Bump are wearing matching suits, and both look as dapper as can be.

  “Bump, I love the suit,” I say, rising from my seat in the corner and coming toward him.

  His eyes light up when he sees me. He holds out his arms like he’s going to rush forward to hug me, but then he stops in his tracks. “Am I even allowed to touch you right now? I don’t wanna mess you up. Not like that time with the rug, but you know what I mean.”

  “I will accept nothing less than a hug.”

  His head bounces as he practically skips toward me. “You’re so pretty.”

  “And you are as handsome as can be.”

  Head in the air, he’s as proud as a peacock. “Big Mike says if Gabe wins, he’ll take me to the titty bar and let me celebrate. He said the girls love a man in a suit.”

  Joanie’s gasp follows Bump’s comment, and she slaps her husband’s arm. “Michael . . .”

  “Getting me in trouble was not what we discussed, kid.”

  Bump scrunches his shoulders and giggles. “Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell.”

  Gabriel comes toward us and throws an arm around Bump. “Q will take you another night. You can still wear the suit.”

  “Does that mean you’re not going to win?” Bump asks as his face falls.

  The entire room goes silent, and the air vibrates. Gabriel is the only one who doesn’t hold his breath.

  “I’m gonna win, bud. Don’t worry.”

  “Okay, good. That’s what I thought.” Bump shrugs like it’s no big deal. “I mean, you beat him before. How hard can it really be to do it again?”

  Gabriel’s booming laughter fills the office turned locker room, and everyone else follows suit.

  “Damn right, he’s gonna beat him again,” Jeb says from across the floor. “I don’t train losers. Now, whoever’s staying, take a seat. Time to get our boy ready.”

  Gabriel crushes Bump to him with a hard hug. “Stay out of trouble tonight. Okay?”

  “Ten-four, good buddy.”

  Roux curls up in the corner in the dog bed that’s a few feet from my chair, and Mike and Joanie both wave as they lead Bump out of the office.

  Q comes in a bit later to let us know the undercard is starting, and that the club is damn near at full capacity but everything’s covered. Gabriel nods at him and thanks him, but goes right back to the pre-fight sequence that I’m guessing Jeb has down to a science.

  I stare at Gabriel’s body as he moves in ways I didn’t know were possible for a man to do with such grace. It’s captivating and fluid, and I could watch him for hours, especially since no one is trying to punch him in the face for real right now.

  The next knock on the door is Hal, and he’s here for me. “Scarlett, if you’d like to come down with me, I’ll show you to your seat. They’ll be up for Gabe in five to ten minutes.”

  Gabriel rises off the mat and comes toward me.
“You good, ladybug?”

  I nod, suddenly nervous as hell. Terrified that I’m going to do or say the wrong thing. Terrified that everything could go wrong, even though I believe it’s going to go right.

  “You sure?” he asks a little quieter.

  “I love you, Gabe. So damned much. More than I knew was possible. Give ’em hell and then tomorrow, we’re definitely sleeping in, and I’m going to use those ladybug salt and pepper shakers to make you fluffy eggs from Scarlett’s Diner.”

  A grin takes over his face, which is shiny with sweat. “That sounds like a hell of a plan, and I can’t fucking wait. I love you too. Relax. Everything’s going to be fine.”

  I lean in to kiss him, inhaling the masculine scent wafting off his skin. “I’ll see you soon.”

  As I walk out of the room, I wave at Jeb and the guys, keeping my head held high. As soon as Hal shuts the door behind me, I pause and release a huge breath.

  “You okay, Ms. Priest?”

  I turn and meet the older man’s green eyes. “I don’t know, Hal. I really don’t know.”

  He pats me on the back. “Pre-fight jitters. I’ve seen it a thousand times. You’re gonna be fine, sweetheart, and so is he. This is what he’s been training for. You gotta believe he can do it.”

  “I believe he can . . . I really do. But how am I supposed to be okay with watching someone try to hurt him?”

  Hal shrugs. “It’s all part of the game. You’ll feel better in a bit. All your friends are waiting for you.”

  With another shaky breath, I let him lead me down to the main level and out onto the floor. People call my name as I walk by, and I smile blindly at them but I don’t stop. I can’t possibly make conversation right now with someone who needs me to be “on.” I don’t have it in me.

  As soon as I spot Harlow and Jimmy, Monroe and Nate, Ryan and Christine, and Kelsey and her brother Jon, a layer of nerves fades away. They’re my people, and if I’m freaking out, they’ll understand.

  “I’m so glad you’re here,” I whisper as I scoot down the row past Harlow and Monroe.