Fight It Out Series Box Set

by T M Kelly

  “It is to me.” Just then the music started and Zoe was making her way toward the octagon. Malik popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth and offered the bag to everyone else. “See, this is candy-worthy. Trust me.”

  “Don’t jinx her.” I pointed my finger at him. “We’ve worked too hard for this fight.”

  “Do you really believe in that shit?”

  “Tonight I do.”

  I heard Stephen groan as she raised her arms up and ran around the ring twice. When the first punch was thrown, my dad quickly covered Stephen’s eyes.

  “You sure he should be here?” Malik leaned over and whispered in my ear. “He’s looking a little green around the gills.”

  “I’m questioning my decision.” I laughed and touched his collar. “What’s that?” I pointed to the red lipstick smudge. “Had a hot date that ran a little long?”

  “Maybe.”

  Charlie punched his arm. “What about Jenny?”

  Malik turned in his seat. “What about her?”

  “I thought you liked her. Now you’re seeing someone else?” She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “What if I said it was her?”

  I noticed Charlie’s eyes go wide. She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Shut the fuck up. Are you serious?” She kissed his cheek. “Holy shit, this is huge.”

  “Hey.” He motioned for her to sit down. “We have to keep it a secret for now.”

  His comment confused me and then I realized what he meant. “Because of her husband?”

  Malik nodded. “Yeah, that asshole is a piece of work.”

  Volume Four

  Striking

  Book Four

  Synopsis

  The man I married became a monster.

  I was too afraid to run but more afraid to stay.

  Then I met Malik, a retired MMA championship fighter with mesmerizing hazel eyes.

  He kept me safe and hidden away from the life I knew.

  I didn’t think I could ever feel again. I’d forgotten how to love. Then Malik showed me what life could be like without fear consuming me.

  As each day passes, I realize we’re both in danger until we can rid our lives of the monster for good.

  Maybe I should’ve stayed, but I want to survive.

  A Special Note

  This book features themes of domestic violence and abuse. If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence and needs help contact 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

  Website: https://www.thehotline.org/help/

  Or Text CONNECT to 741741 anywhere in the United States.

  Dedication

  Every single woman who is in a tough situation. I believe in you. You are a beautiful soul and deserve to be happy.

  1

  “Something smells good,” Ray said as he stepped into the kitchen.

  “It’s your favorite.” I dropped my head back against his chest. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to his body. I could feel the outline of his erection and pushed my behind into it. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  “What’s the special occasion?” He bit down playfully on the edge of my earlobe. My body reacted the moment I felt his tongue brush against my skin. The spoon I was holding slipped from my hand and splashed into the Bolognese sauce. It felt like slow motion as I watched the spoon fall into the pan. I looked down and noticed sauce splatter all over Ray’s hands. He yelped and jumped back. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  I reached for a towel sitting by the stove and tried to wipe the mess off him. “Ray. I’m so sorry.” He threw his hands down forcing the towel from my grasp. As it fell to the floor, I bent my head and reached for the fabric. There was a force that pushed my body back against the stove. Ray’s knuckles slammed against my forehead. I went ridged, too afraid to move. I closed my eyes, trying to let go of the pain just above my left eye. “R–Ray—”

  Then the pain intensified as he raked his nails over my scalp and fisted his hands in my hair. “Is that your way of talking sexy to me?” He proceeded to pull me through the kitchen and into the living room. His movements were so fast my feet gave out and my body fell to the floor. I thought he would stop, but no, he continued to drag me by my hair across the floor to the bedroom. “Let me show you—” He paused in the doorway when a light knock sounded through the house. “Who the fuck is bothering us at this time of the night?” Ray released his hand and the pain shooting through my scalp released slightly.

  I wrapped my hands around my head and held in the tears. Ray was now at the door yelling at whoever was there. I brought my hands down and noticed blood all over my fingers.

  Before my mind could wander, I heard him approaching. “You need to tell Anora to leave us alone,” Ray said from the hallway. “I—” He stopped in the doorway and stared down at me. My hands were open and resting on my lap. “Jenny.” He bent down in front of me and grabbed my hands. “Oh, God. Are you okay?”

  And just like that, the Ray I married so long ago was back.

  “It’s okay.” I reached for him and threw on the best smile my face would allow. “It’s nothing.” I placed the palm of my hand on the side of his face.

  He leaned closer and rested his forehead against mine. “Let me take care of you.”

  I felt the bile rise up through my throat. It took everything in me to push it back down and kiss him lightly on his lips. “Thank you, my love.”

  Ray placed his arm behind my back and his other arm under my knees. My body was lifted up and carried over to the bed. “I’ll run a bath, baby.” He hurried into the bathroom and a second later, I heard the water running in the tub. Carefully, I started to move my head closer to the pillow. Then I stopped right before I felt the soft fiber touch my head. What if I got blood on the pillowcase? It took almost all my strength to lift my body back to a sitting position. With a shaky hand, I unbuttoned my shirt and let the cotton fabric fall to the bed. I reached my hand back to unfasten my bra right as Ray stepped into the room. “Let me get that for you.”

  I glanced up and noticed the look on his face. “Thank you.” I moved my hair over my shoulder and dropped my head so he could see the clasp. “You’re so good to me.”

  He brushed his lips across my shoulder. “I love you, Jenny.”

  The tears I fought so hard to avoid finally fell one after another down my cheeks. “I love you.”

  Ray moved his thumb across my cheek. “Let me make you feel better.” He lifted my body from the bed and carried me into the bathroom. When my feet hit the floor, I lifted my hand to slide my yoga pants down my legs. He grabbed my hands. “Let me.”

  It took energy I didn’t know I had to lift the sides of my mouth and smile. With his help I stepped carefully into the bath. The warm water engulfed my body and soothed my aching muscles. I rested my head back against the edge of the tub and closed my eyes. Thoughts of a time before this Ray flooded my mind. I didn’t know how to get that man back or if I ever would.

  I rolled over and felt a pain shoot up my neck and into my scalp. Slowly, I opened my eyes and tried to get my surroundings in focus. The bed was empty beside me. Ray had left for work already. Normally he woke me and I would make his lunch. This morning was different, though. I was naked and still wrapped tightly under my covers.

  Pushing back the duvet, I brought myself to a sitting position and felt every ache in my body. The thought of what I looked like made me afraid to step in front of a mirror. Then I remembered the refrigerator was almost empty and I had to get groceries today. As I stood, the muscles in my legs almost gave out, but I fought against the pain. I slowly made my way to the full-length mirror behind the bedroom door. Somehow I lucked out this time. The only bruises visible could be covered by clothes. That should not have calmed me but somehow it did.

  There was a buzzing sound. My phone. I walked over to the nightstand and looked down to see a text message from Ray, flashing across the screen.

  Good morning, baby.
I hope you slept well.

  His words caused a shiver to run up my spine. I knew I couldn’t keep him waiting so I quickly started typing. Thank you for letting me sleep in. Do you need me to bring you lunch?

  We have a board meeting today.

  That basically meant lunch was free. Really he could get lunch free every day, but Ray insisted I make him something. He made it clear in the beginning of our relationship it was what a wife should do, and honestly, I was happy doing it.

  He was not one to send a lot of messages. After about two minutes, I knew he had moved on to something else. I closed the app and made my way into the closet to find something to wear. Las Vegas was not a place where I could wear a turtle neck and long pants. It had been in the eighties lately, which meant thin material and less is more. I reached for my linen long pants that were perfect in warmer weather and complemented them with a long-sleeved linen button down top. The colors were drab but would have to do for the short time I was out.

  The grocery store was only about four miles from my home. When I pulled up, there were construction workers running large equipment all over the parking lot. One of the guys in a white hard hat waved for me to stop. I rolled down my window. “Is everything okay?”

  I noticed his eyes roam over my body before finally landing at my eyes. “Yes, ma’am. The new location is on Pine Street.” He pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. “That’s the new address.”

  “Oh, okay. Thank you.” I wasn’t in the mood to continue the conversation, so I rolled up my window.

  The new location was two miles away. When I arrived, the parking lot was practically empty. Then I saw a woman step onto the sidewalk and make her way inside the building. I guess they were open. As I stepped out of the car, I bumped my head and cried out from the sharp pain. I threw my hand to my mouth and glanced around. Thankfully no one had heard me.

  There was a white sheet of paper on the sliding glass door to the entrance of the store that caught my eye as I approached. When the automatic door closed once again, I stood to the side to read it.

  New Self-Defense class starts at Fight It Out Gym this week.

  Six-week session for only sixty dollars.

  Sign up before the class starts and get 10% off.

  Stop in and ask for Malik.

  Self-defense. The thought of defending myself when Ray got in one of his moods crossed my mind. Then my phone buzzed, taking my thoughts away from the message. It was another text from Ray. I walked past the sign and stepped into the store. He would be home soon, and I needed to make sure we had something for dinner tonight.

  2

  “Jenny. Come inside.” Anora wrapped her hand around my wrist. I didn’t mean to flinch, but her fingers were pushing down on a bruise that happened two days ago. “Oh, sorry.” She pulled her hand away.

  “It’s okay. Is this a bad time?”

  “For you? Never.” She turned to walk down the hallway that led to her kitchen. “Want to join me for lunch?”

  “I can’t stay long.”

  “It doesn’t take much time to eat a sandwich. Come on,” she said and stepped back to wrap her arm around my shoulders. “I was making a grilled cheese and warming some tomato basil soup.”

  My stomach actually growled at her words.

  “Your stomach has spoken.”

  I placed my hand over my abdomen. “Traitor.” When we reached the kitchen, I made myself comfortable in one of the wooden chairs with bright yellow fabric on the cushion. “Anora, I—”

  “Jenny, I think I know what this is about. Let’s not give it another thought.”

  “But I should at least apologize.”

  Anora walked over and sat down beside me. “No, you shouldn’t.” She grabbed my hand. “Unless you need someone to talk to? I want you to know I’m always here for you.”

  I thought about the other night. Ray had come home angry. Normally he would get angry by something I said or did, but this time he was pissed off from the moment he stepped into the house. Lately, I noticed if I tried to make him happy that would upset him even more. Now I just felt afraid to talk when he was around.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  She stood up and made her way back over to the stove. “What’s the first thing on your mind right now?”

  “Fear.”

  “Jen,” she said and turned to face me.

  “No, let me continue.”

  She grabbed a serving spoon and stirred the soup in the small sauce pot. “Okay.”

  “What I’m about to say out loud, I’ve never given voice to before.” I rubbed my hands over my face and combed my fingers through my long hair. It took a moment before I was able to say anything else. “I need help.”

  “In what way?”

  “Well, don’t laugh.”

  “Sweetie,” Anora said and set a bowl down in from of me. “This is not a conversation I find funny. You have my word that no laughing will happen at any time.”

  “Did you see how Blue Cat Grocery Store moved to pine street?”

  “I did. They also failed to put any kind of sign up or send out a notice.”

  “Right? Big fail.” I dug my spoon down into the soup. “There was a notice on the door the other day.”

  “About the move?”

  “No, about self-defense classes at a gym.”

  Anora had her spoon almost to her mouth. She sat it back down. “I’m sorry. Can you start again?”

  I leaned back in the chair. “Yeah, this is a ridiculous thought. I knew it.”

  “I never said that.” She reached over to grab a hold of my hand. “This is perfect, Jenny. It’s exactly what you need.”

  “You’re really not going to laugh?”

  “No, not at all. I want to jump up and down.”

  I patted her forearm. “Don’t spill your soup.”

  We leaned closer to each other and held hands. “Jenny, you deserve so much more than this. I look forward to the day when the smile on your face is real and happy is finally back in your heart again.”

  Her words took me by surprise, causing a tear to escape. “I don’t know if that’s possible, Anora.”

  “Anything’s possible.”

  “Welcome to Fight It Out. How can I help you?” a young woman said and stood up to greet me as I walked through the front door.

  “Um, hi.” I glanced around. There were several people punching large bags, a fight happening in a ring placed in the center of the gym. “I was curious if you still had an opening for the self-defense class?”

  “Oh, cool,” the woman said and grabbed a clipboard. “We have two spots left. Can you fill this out?”

  I looked down at the sheet of paper. They wanted my name, address, and phone number. “Do you need all this information?”

  “I’m sorry?” She looked so confused by my question.

  “Never mind.” I walked over to a bench by the front desk and sat down. As I grabbed the pencil, I realized telling a little lie was not against the law. Anora wouldn’t care. Then I proceeded to write down her address and phone number.

  “Jasmine said you’re here for the self-defense class,” a man said from beside me. His voice was like music to my ears. Then I looked up. “I’m, Malik.” He reached out his hand. Not only did he have a magical voice, he was also extremely handsome. He had dark brown hair with streaks of gray, and his beard was well-trimmed and showed gray in several areas.

  “Um, hi.” I set the pencil down and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m, Jenny.”

  He sat down beside me. “Is this your first time here?”

  “Is it that obvious?” I lightly laughed and dropped my head.

  “No, I didn’t mean it like that.” He touched my arm. On impulse I flinched, and he quickly pulled away. “Let’s start that over. Have you taken a self-defense class before?”

  “Never.” I laced my fingers together on the clipboard. “I’m not very athletic.” Then I whispered, “Don�
��t tell anyone that.”

  He pretended to move a zipper across his mouth. “My lips are sealed.”

  I handed the clipboard over. “Do you need all that information?”

  “Just for our records. If you can’t fill something out, it’s not a big deal.”

  It had taken me two days to find out the best time to stop by the gym. Then this morning Ray was running late for work, and I wondered if all my plans had failed. As I sat on the bench, something told me all the hard work to get here paid off.

  Anora helped me understand this was the best option. If I couldn’t change my husband, then at least I could protect myself. Ray’s anger was becoming more than just a weekly occurrence, it was my new normal.

  I was still holding the pencil. “Oh, sorry. This is yours,” I said and lowered my voice. “That’s my neighbor’s address and phone number.” I pointed to the sheet of paper now in his hands.

  Malik glanced down. “And she’s okay if we call her to confirm using her information?”

  “Absolutely. She told me it was okay.” That was partially true. Anora did say she was willing to help with anything. I would need to let her know later that involved using her information. “The classes start next week, right?”

  “Yes, on Wednesday at seven in the evening.”

  “Do you have an earlier class?”

  “No, I’m sorry.”

  I would need to figure out the perfect lie to make it to the class.

  3

  “Join me.” Ray reached his hand out of the shower.