by Alexa Riley
The owner eyes her and then shakes his head. “I’m a loyal fan, Cannon. Been supporting you a long time. Especially after all you’ve done for the neighborhood. I just hate to see someone new showing up and disrespecting you.” His eyes land on Pepper again and he holds up his hands.
“Are you saying I disrespected him?” Pepper asks, leaning around me.
“Don’t try and deny it. I saw the pictures,” he says, and I reach out, taking him by the neck of his shirt. “It’s the truth, she was all over him. Why do you think the paparazzi are here? Bet she even called them.”
I tighten my grip and I feel Pepper pulling on my arm. “You dare talk about my girl that way,” I grit out as I lean closer.
“Ask her. She’s fucking Goliath.”
“What? I don’t even know anybody named that. Mister, you’re going to get yourself killed.”
“Gio?” I ask, shaking my head. “That’s bullshit.”
I feel Pepper’s arm go slack on mine and I glance over to see her take a step back. Her eyes are darting back and forth and she looks like she’s just seen a ghost. “You said his name is Gio?”
“Yeah, that’s Goliath. The guy I’m fighting in two days.”
She puts her hands over her mouth and I see tears form in her eyes. “Oh god, Bear, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry for what, doll face?” I ask as I let go of the owner and turn to her.
“For cheating on our hometown hero? Or for being a slut?”
Without thinking I turn and backhand the guy across the mouth. He grabs his lip and I can already see blood through his fingers.
“Hey, fuck you, Cannon, I was defending you.”
“We’ve gotta get out of here,” I say, grabbing Pepper by the arm and dragging her to the back.
There are people shouting from behind us, but I don’t stop until I see the exit door and bust through out into the alley. For a second I think we’re free, but then a swarm of camera flashes go off again.
“Bear!” she calls, and I can hear the fear in her voice.
“Stay with me.”
People are shouting as I hold her tight. There are images being shoved in my face. One of Pepper cuddled up next to Gio on the couch. One of him with his arm around her. Then someone flashes one of him kissing her. Rage builds inside me, and I Iower my shoulder and just blow through the crowd.
Luck is on our side that a cab is sitting at the curb and we jump in. I throw some money at the driver and shout for him to drive. As he pulls away from the curb the flashes stop and the shouting and jeering fade away.
I put my elbows on my knees and then rest my face in my hands. When I feel Pepper’s fingers on my forearm, I close my eyes tight.
“I told you I loved you,” I whisper, but I might as well have shouted because of the silence.
“Bear—”
“Turn here,” I say, interrupting her. “Stop at the corner.”
When the cab driver does as I ask, I throw some more cash at him, giving him another address. Afterwards I get out of the car and close the door behind me. I turn around to face the open window but don’t lean down.
“I need you to go home right now. Security will let me know when you get there.”
“Where are you going?” she asks, but I can’t look at her. I can’t see the fear and pain in her eyes. Not right this second.
“I’ll be home later,” is all I say before I push away from the car and make my way down the street.
Chapter Fifteen
Pepper
I blow my nose for the millionth time because I can’t stop crying. The tears keep coming. Every time I close my eyes I see Bear walking away from me. I keep hearing him say I told you I loved you.
I did what Tasha told me to never do: I went on Google. I couldn’t help myself. I wanted to see the pictures because it was hard to believe it. They looked awful. The way they were taken and the angle make it look like we kissed instead of him kissing me on the cheek. There were so many shots there’s no way Bear will ever believe me.
A million things run through my mind—what is he doing? Where did he go? Is he coming back to me? My heart breaks at the thought. What if we’re over? People don’t break up that easily, do they? We moved in together. He told me that he loved me. It can’t just end. I have to explain.
I’ve texted him a dozen times with no response. I tried calling a bunch, too. Each time it went straight to voicemail.
I googled Gio, also known as Goliath. Maybe everyone is right. I have no freaking street smarts. As much as I love the city, maybe the city isn't meant for someone like me. All I keep doing is messing up.
Goliath is known as the bad boy of the UFC world. I rolled my eyes at the term bad boy, but it seems that’s what he is. He’s always getting into trouble because he’s doing outrageous stunts for publicity. He was so nice with me, but it was all bull crap. I’m terrible at reading people.
My stomach is in knots and I’m filled with dread. I don’t care if I’m not made out for the city, but what if I’m not made out for Bear? If I’m not equipped to handle his lifestyle, then what does that mean?
This was the second time he’d gotten into it with someone over me. First with the guy at my door and now the owner of the diner. My aunt’s stories about my father being aggressive and angry enter my mind. She said he always fought with people over my mom. That my mom was always trying to make him jealous and then they would get in these huge fights but end up back together. I didn’t want that with Bear, but maybe I’m more my mother’s child than I knew.
I glance around Bear’s apartment wondering if he’s regretting asking me to move in. When I came back home after he left I wasn't sure which apartment I should go into at first. I finally decided on his because I wanted to be here when he got home. I had to tell him what really happened. That I had no idea who Gio was.
I feel guilty that once again my naïve ways have gotten us into trouble, and I’m sad that Bear would think I’d ever betray him. He means more to me than anyone else in the whole world. I love him. I hope he still feels the same. It’s so hard to think of a life without him now, even though we haven’t known each other that long.
I pick up my phone and dial his number, but it goes straight to voicemail again. I debate calling Tasha and asking her to come over. She called a few times, but I haven't picked up. I kept thinking Bear would walk through the door and I could sort all of this out.
As I think that, there’s a knock on the door and I rush over, pulling the front door open. Tasha and Rico are standing there and I fling myself at Tasha.
“I swear I’d never cheat on him. I don’t know what happened,” I tell her, and I feel her arms fold around me.
“I never thought you did.”
“Let’s go inside, you two,” Rico says as he pushes us both back into the apartment.
“You believe me?” I look up at Tasha with tears in my eyes.
“You wouldn't do anything you thought might hurt someone, Pep. I mean, you gave that man your cherry, for god’s sakes.” She wipes at a tear that rolls down my cheek. “Come on.” She drags me over to the sofa to sit down. I glance over at Rico, who’s watching the two of us.
“Do you think I did?” I ask him. He and Bear are best friends.
“I think Gio is a slick motherfucker,” he says, not really answering my question.
He looks like he wants to say more, but he doesn't. He pulls his cell out of his pocket and starts messing with it.
“Have you talked to Bear?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “He’s not answering.”
I feel both relieved and worried that it’s not just me he isn't talking to. Maybe he needed some air or to talk to his publicist to deal with all of this.
“I don’t think Bear believes me,” I whisper, looking back to Tasha. “He was so upset. I didn't want to stay in the taxi, but I didn’t want to make things worse either. I wanted to go with him.”
“It’s going to be okay.” She gives me
a sympathetic smile.
“When you saw the pictures you knew that I wouldn't do that, right?”
“Of course!” Her response is instant.
“Then how come he didn’t? I’ve never been closer to anyone in my life than him. How come he didn’t know-w?” I stumble over the words as more tears escape.
“Don’t cry,” Rico says. As if it’s so easy. “Teddy won’t like it.”
“Well then maybe Teddy should be here.” Tasha stands up, putting her hands on her hips and shooting daggers at Rico.
“Baby,” he warns.
“Don’t use that tone on me,” she throws back.
“She’s a crying mess and where is he? Tell me?” she snaps, clearly pissed. “I told him to be careful with her.”
Rico comes over to Tasha and gives her a kiss on the lips. Her hands drop from her hips and I watch some of her anger dissipate. It makes me miss Bear even more because I know that feeling. When he touches me I know everything is going to be better. That it will all be okay.
“Calm,” he reminds her, and she nods.
There’s a buzzing sound and Rico looks down at his phone. “Fuck.” The one word is filled with worry and I know something is wrong.
“What’s wrong? Is it Bear?” Panic laces my words. I pick up my phone, hoping that maybe he texted me, too.
“It’s not him.” He pauses for a moment. “But it’s about him. He’s in jail.” Rico drops the bomb and the whole room goes quiet. No one speaks for a few seconds and I’m sure I heard him wrong.
“He’s in jail? That can’t be right. Oh god, what happened?” Words are tumbling out of my mouth.
“I don’t know, but I gotta go get him out.”
“What happened, Rico?” Now I’m on my feet. “They are going to let him out?” My hands start to shake. What if he isn't coming home? I can’t catch my breath.
“Pep,” I hear Tasha say. “Pepper. Breathe. In through your nose, out through your mouth.”
My butt hits the sofa and I close my eyes, doing as Tasha says.
“Everything is going to be fine. Just breathe.”
I take a moment to focus and get my breathing under control. When I finally open my eyes, both of them are looking at me with worried expressions on their faces. “Sorry. Small panic attack. I haven't done that since I was a kid.”
“Watch her. I’ll be back.” All of Rico’s normal teasing is long gone. He’s almost like another person right now.
“I want to come.” I try to stand up again but feel dizzy. Tasha pulls me back down onto the sofa.
“Yeah, sure, take you to a jail. That will go over great with Theodore. I think we have a big enough mess to clean up here already.”
“That’s not helping,” Tasha scolds.
“I’ll be back.” Rico’s eyes meet mine. “With him,” he adds.
It doesn’t help much, but at least I know he’s coming back. I wonder if he’ll want me to stay once he gets here. This is all crazy.
“I really want to come,” I say again, wringing my fingers together.
“I know, but there’s going to be press and he’s probably going to be like a caged animal in there. You will only ramp it up.”
I don’t know how to take that, so I nod and stay seated. Tasha takes my hands in hers and I hear the door close.
“Maybe you should lie down for a little bit and see if you can get some rest.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep.”
It’s true, no matter how wonderful the idea sounds. Everything has worn me out and the crying hasn’t helped.
“Okay, but you should at least rest.” Tasha gets up and grabs a pillow, placing it on the end of the sofa. I move over and put my head down as she drops a blanket over me.
I close my eyes, wishing Bear were here.
Chapter Sixteen
Bear
I concentrate on the cold steel around my wrists, how annoying they feels. It stops me from thinking about anything else. If I think too far beyond the handcuffs I’m going to lose control. Again.
A cop calls out my name and I stand up and walk to the bars.
“You made bail,” he says as he looks me up and down.
I can’t decide if he’s threatened by my size or impressed there’s a celebrity in his jail. Either way, he’s handled me differently than all the other incoming offenders. I even got my own cell, so I’m trying to be grateful for small miracles.
I’m brought to the front desk and they write up the discharge papers. I’m given back my wallet, keys, and cell phone.
“Can you get these off me?” I ask, holding up my wrists, but the guy isn’t in a hurry.
I turn my phone on with one hand while he pulls out his keys, and I see I’ve got sixty missed calls and twice that in missed texts.
“Shit,” I mumble as I try to type out a text message with one hand. I’ve never been good at it to begin with, but this isn’t making it any easier.
“You’re free to go,” the cop says, unclipping the cuffs and pointing to the exit door.
I almost trip over my feet in a rush to get outside to find a signal. I don’t even care if the streets are lined with camera crews. I’ve got to talk to her.
“Cannon,” Rico calls from the other side of the room, holding up a hand to get my attention. The place is crowded tonight, but he motions to go over to the side and out the back door.
I follow him over and when he gets beside me he throws his arms around me in a hug. I don’t realize I need it until now and I hug him back.
“How is she?” I ask, pulling back and trying to get my phone to work. I see a bar light up, and then immediately it dies. “Fuck.”
“She’s okay,” he says, but I hear the hesitancy in his voice. “She’s worried. What the hell happened?”
“Let’s talk on the way,” I say as we walk out the door.
Rico waves down a cab and we get in the back.
“It was a fucking setup,” I say, clenching my fists.
“Of course it was. You know Pepper. She’s so innocent.”
“I know!” I shout and then shake my head. “I’m sorry. I just want to tear him apart. I wish I would have.”
“Why did you get arrested?”
“He set it all up. After I left the restaurant I went downtown to the gym he works out at. I knew he’d be there waiting and I wasn’t wrong.” I feel the rage build again when I remember the smug look on his face. “He was waiting on me. I went in and I didn’t even touch him before the cops swarmed us. He fucking tipped them off that I was coming to start trouble. He wanted to get me disqualified from the fight.”
“How was he planning on doing that? Getting in a fight won’t get you banned.”
I pull up the sleeve of my shirt and show him the wound on my arm. “He tried to stick me with a fucking needle.”
“Wait, what the fuck?” Rico says in disbelief.
“Yeah, he thought in the chaos he’d get me with a needle and I’d pop for drugs on the piss test.” I shake my head, still pissed as fuck. “I’m lucky he didn’t succeed. He stuck it in my arm when the cops swarmed in, but I felt it before all his groupies jumped me. I broke off the needle before he could inject it, so EMS had to cut it open and dig it out.”
“Are you okay?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“I just need to see her.” I can’t even say her name without my chest tightening. I was so hurt when I saw the images of them together, but I know Pepper would never betray me.
The cab pulls up to the curb and I jump out. There are vans parked across the street, but the new security for the building is waiting outside to get me in safely.
“Thanks guys.” I say as I pass them and go to the elevator. Rico jumps on with me just as the doors are about to close.
“Tasha has been with her. I assume you want to take tomorrow off?”
“Fuck no,” I say and roll my shoulders. “I’m going to train so I can break every part of his body that touched what’s mine.”
“Now you’re starting to sound like the man I love,” Rico says and bats his eyelashes at me.
It cuts some of the tension and the pain in my chest is easing the closer I get to Pepper.
“Text me when you’re on your way to the gym and I’ll be ready.”
“Thanks, man.”
When we get to my apartment, I walk in and see Pepper asleep on the couch. Tasha stands up and walks around me and then I hear the door close. I’m thankful they left us alone, because right now, all I want to do is be with Pepper.
I pull off my shirt and shoes and then my shorts. I walk over to her in my boxer briefs and lift her off the couch. She doesn’t make a sound as I carry her to our bedroom. She only wraps her arms around my neck and cuddles close.
I lay her down on the bed and pull her back to my chest so I can spoon her. I pull the covers over the top of us and close my eyes, but I don’t go to sleep. Instead I just thank the universe for sending her to me and for allowing me to be the one to love her.
When I place a kiss on her shoulder, she turns in my arms, looking up at me with wide eyes.
“Bear, oh god, are you all right?” She touches the bandage on my arm.
“I’m here with you. Everything is going to be okay.”
Her eyes fill up with tears and then she begins to cry. I pull her into my chests and try to soothe her.
“Shh, don’t cry, doll face,” I say, rubbing her back.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for it to happen,” she hiccups as she tries to gulp in air.
“I know you didn’t. It’s not your fault. Please don’t cry.”
“But when you were in the cab you said you told me you loved me. And I thought you meant you didn’t now,” she whispers and looks up to me with red-rimmed eyes.
“How could you ever think that?” I say, holding her face in both of my hands. “I said it because once I did, everything changed. Now you’re the most vulnerable part of my life. Anything can happen to me in that ring and it won’t matter. But you?” I say, tucking her hair behind her ear and wiping away her tears. “You are my world. And I have to do everything to protect that.”
