by EMILIE ROSE
She jerked her weight back and forth, trying to make Kyle lose his footing. If they brought it to the ground, they risked a scramble that would end with the most likely victor on top. Despite his strength and size, though, Bella had skills enough to handle him. And though she was intrigued by the idea of being topped by Kyle, this was neither the time nor the place to be experimenting.
Just then, Liz ran up and shouted, “Bella, you have a phone call.”
“Kind of busy here, Liz,” Tito said.
“It’s Hadrian Blackwell. He says it’s important.”
Her heart stopped. She met Kyle’s wide eyes. His muscles bunched and slackened beneath her. He crouched to the ground, and she slid off. The girls groaned, unsatisfied the match hadn’t been finished. Bella knew how they felt.
She left Kyle and Tito to wrap up while she ran downstairs to take the call in Kyle’s office. She allowed herself a moment to breathe deep before picking up. “Bella Fiore speaking.”
“Bella, it’s Hadrian Blackwell. How’re you doing?” Hadrian’s cheerfully gruff voice boomed. “Everyone treating you well? Are you enjoying your time at Payette’s?”
“Yes, sir, thank you very much.” It didn’t sound like he was gearing up to fire her. Maybe he was going to encourage her to go back to São Paulo. Some part of her still believed others would try to carry out her grandfather’s dictates and force her home. Who better than the president of the UFF? “I’ve enjoyed working here. Payette’s is like a second home to me.” Okay, now she sounded like a suck-up. She clamped her lips shut.
“Excellent. I hope Kyle Peters has been treating you well.”
She hedged, but said, “Yes. He’s been very good.”
“Good. I mean, I saw the footage of that little Fury Fights match. That wasn’t exactly your best fight ever.”
“No shit.” She bit her lip, mortified she’d said that out loud. “I mean—”
Hadrian laughed. “It’s fine, Bella. I’ve probably said worse things to my grandmother.”
She wiped at the sweat beading on her upper lip. “I was having an off day,” she explained. “My attention slipped. Not that I’m making excuses. It was embarrassing for everyone.”
“You don’t have to tell me,” he replied casually. “Did you ever see my last fight before I got into the promotion business? I think I looked off to one side for half a second, and it was because there was this beautiful woman in the crowd...” He trailed off. “Anyhow, the next thing I knew, I woke up lying on the mat. Stupid mistake, you know. But we all make them.”
“Mr. Blackwell, may I ask why you’re calling?” she asked slowly. He couldn’t be calling just to make her feel better.
“Straight to business. I like that. Bella, I’m calling because I want you to come and fight on the UFF’s tenth anniversary card.”
Bella put her hand over her mouth and leaned on the edge of Kyle’s desk. “You’re serious.”
“Absolutely. I’ll be frank—you’ve probably heard how we’re having a hard time filling the card. Well, I think now’s the perfect time to sign some ladies on with the UFF and see where women’s MMA goes. I’ve heard great things about you. And the fact that so many of your family members have fought or trained my fighters is an added bonus.”
Bella thought she might actually faint. She fell onto Kyle’s big executive chair and sank into the leather. “This is a real honor....”
“Yeah, it is,” Hadrian said. “So what do you say? Third Saturday in February, here in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand.”
Be cool. Don’t jump on this without asking questions. “Who’s my opponent?”
“Ayumi Kamino. Maybe you’ve heard of her?”
“The GRRL Fights featherweight champ?” Her mouth went dry. “The one they call ‘Kamikaze’?”
“That’s her.” She could hear the grin in his voice. “What do you think?”
She bit her lip. “She’s in the 145-pound class. I fight at 155.”
“I know. Listen, I’m not about to tell you how to run your life, but I think if you dropped to 145, your career will be that much better. There simply aren’t that many women in your weight class.”
Bella knew this, of course. But she’d never compromised when it came to her body. She was a healthy weight, and she liked how she looked and operated at 155 pounds. She hadn’t fought below that since she was in her teens.
But this was the big leagues—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She chewed on the inside of her cheek.
“Ten weeks, ten pounds. That’s perfectly doable and healthy,” he added. “I can even send a specialist down to help you.”
“I don’t need help losing weight,” she said testily, but dialed it back. “I mean, I appreciate it. But what happens if I don’t make weight?”
“You will.” He said it with confidence. “You’re a Fiore. You’ve done things no other fighter has ever done, and I think you’ve got what it takes to be a star.” He paused. “Did I mention the prize money?”
He carefully enunciated the amount she’d win if she KO’d her opponent, submitted her or won by decision. “That’s not including the fight bonuses or the title belt,” he added. “Not to mention this will be UFF history.”
“You’re giving the women a belt?”
“Whoever wins this match, absolutely. Big, shiny, gold thing. I’ll even find a matching purse and shoes if you like.”
A UFF belt. The prize money. Everything she’d always dreamed of. She breathed deep. How could she turn him down? “I’ll do it. I accept.”
“Excellent. I’ll have my people send the paperwork, call you with all the travel details. You’re not still repped by Ryan Holbrooke, are you?”
She scoffed. “No. We...had a falling-out.”
“You’re better off on your own, darling. Ryan’s good at wheeling and dealing, and he’s found some real great fighters, but frankly, the guy’s a muppet.” He was so blasé about it, Bella couldn’t help but laugh. “Anyhow, congratulations. This is going to be historic. You’re coming to the big Starlight fund-raiser gala next week, right? I’ll send a private jet for you.”
“I—” Everything was happening so fast, she barely had time to sputter, “Thank you, but I said I’d go as Kyle’s plus one.”
“Plus one? You’re going to be a guest of honor, darling. And you’ll need to stick around awhile, too. We’ll have business to take care of. Media stuff.”
They hung up shortly after that. Bella sat there grinning like an idiot, heart soaring and pumping hard at the same time. Had that just happened?
Kyle appeared at the office door, two lines between his eyebrows. Bella grinned at him and leaped out of his chair.
“Are you—” He didn’t have time to finish his sentence as she grabbed his face and planted a big, smacking kiss on his lips.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
KYLE THOUGHT HE should jerk out of Bella’s hold, but he stayed stooped over her, frozen in shock.
So much for fight or flight, huh? A third F word was floating through his thoughts now, and he closed his hands into fists to keep from grabbing her waist and drawing her closer.
Think about Bree, he told himself stoutly, but it didn’t help.
Bella’s eyes shone brilliantly as she pulled away. “I’m going to fight in the UFF.”
He blinked. “What?”
“Hadrian Blackwell wants to sign me on as the league’s first female fighter!” She let go of his face and danced around. “He wants me to fight Ayumi Kamino in February.”
“Kamikaze?” Kyle backed away. “You said yes?”
She paused, her smile fading. “Of course I did. Why wouldn’t I have?”
“And exactly what weight class are you two fighting in?”
“Featherweight. Don’t look at me like that. I
t’s ten weeks away. I can lose the weight. You’ll help me.”
Kyle pressed his palms together in front of his face and closed his eyes. “I wish you’d talked to me about it first.”
Her smile dimmed. “Why? You’re not my manager.”
“No, but I am your principal trainer.” Which sounded like a joke, considering how much time he’d actually spent with her. He blew out a breath. “I could’ve told you that whatever Hadrian promised you, he can take it away like that.” He snapped his fingers. “You shouldn’t trust everything he says.”
She scowled. “I don’t know why you’re being so paranoid. I haven’t signed anything yet.”
“But you will. And when you do, you’ll become his. A part of his stable of fighters—if he even chooses to keep you once your contract’s up.”
“What do you mean by that?” She propped her fists on her hips.
“C’mon, Bella. You think it’s a coincidence that he’s finally allowing women into the UFF when his anniversary show is falling apart? This is a desperation move.”
“I know that. He said as much when we talked.” But her discomfort told him she hadn’t fully grasped the situation. “This is exactly the opportunity female fighters like me have wanted for years. How could I turn it down?”
“Bella, the 145-pound division has a lot of female fighters. Why do you think he picked you? Why do you think he’s asking you to drop ten pounds rather than get someone like Dana Grimaldi or Shona Sequiera to fight Ayumi Kamino? They’re at the top of their division. Don’t you think he would’ve asked them first?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I thought you believed in me.”
He did. And he knew he was hurting her by being so cynical, questioning Hadrian’s motives. But he couldn’t help being suspicious of the UFF president and his motives. “Let’s say for the sake of argument that you win. Are you going to stay at 145?”
“Of course not. This is a one-off. A foot in the door.”
“Did he promise you a belt? Because he’ll take it away from you if you move up a class. Don’t you see? If he really wanted you to fight, he would’ve called you first and found you an opponent. How many fighters do you think he can find in your class? None, that’s the answer.”
Her face suffused with dark color. “Are you saying I’m not worth it?”
“I’m saying it’s not a sustainable business plan, and Hadrian only makes business decisions.”
She crossed and uncrossed her arms, pacing in a tight line in front of his desk. “So, what? You think I should call him back and tell him no because one chance to fight isn’t enough?” She threw her hands in the air. “Kyle, my whole career is going to be like this. I’m always going to have a hard time finding fights. I’m always going to be making sacrifices. I can’t turn down every opportunity because it isn’t perfect. It’ll never be perfect. Not for me.”
Kyle didn’t want to tell her what he really thought. Ten pounds in ten weeks would be difficult. Not impossible, but not easy. “I’m only looking out for you, Bella.”
“Well, guess what? I don’t need everyone telling me what I should do, or what they think is best for me. My family’s been doing that all my life. And I definitely don’t need you to tell me this fight’s going to be dangerous. They’re all dangerous.”
Kyle gave up. Nothing he could say would change her mind. In fact, he’d be the exact same way if their positions were reversed. “Do me a favor and have someone read over your contract before you sign. Okay?”
She glowered. “I might be reckless, but I’m not stupid.”
He was sure she wasn’t. But that didn’t keep him from worrying.
* * *
WHEN SHE ANNOUNCED to the rest of the gym that she’d be fighting in the UFF, Orville picked Bella up and swung her around in a circle. Tito gave her a crushing hug and they bumped chests and punched each other playfully. Liz was nearly in tears, she was so happy. Bella would be the first woman featured in an internationally broadcast pay-per-view match in one of the biggest MMA franchises in the world.
They celebrated at The Spot, where Neal the bartender brought them a round on the house. Bella decided she could have one drink—her diet would start tomorrow. The trainers immediately began discussing training regimens, planning her weight-loss program and scheduling who would coach her when.
“The pride of Payette’s will be on your shoulders,” Orville said.
Nerves fluttered in her gut. The pressure, she realized, would only get worse.
She made the decision then and there not to call her family until she’d signed her contract. No sense in riling them up before it was a sure thing. She felt bad for keeping her mother and Marco out of the loop, though. They would be happy for her. Her other brothers and cousins would be, too, she supposed, but they probably wouldn’t show it. Mostly in deference to Fulvio.
A sudden burst of homesickness dimmed her mood. It wasn’t right to not share this moment with the people who’d helped get her here. She’d celebrated all her milestones with her family. It’d only been when she’d expressed her desire to become a pro fighter that they’d shut her down. Remembering that refueled her assertion she was doing the right thing.
What would it be like to come home a champion? Would her grandfather accept that she was worthwhile then? Would he stop treating the women in the family like nothing more than breeders and caretakers for more sons? She already felt she knew the answer, and it saddened her.
Yes, the only way she could move on as a fighter and carry on the family tradition would be to open her own gym. Ever since Ryan had planted the seed, she’d been thinking about it. Maybe it could be a women’s-only MMA gym. She could get teachers from all around the world to come and do clinics. She had the connections. Female fighters would flock to her one-of-a-kind facility. Welcoming and training new talent was the key to bulking up each division. More fighters, more fights. It was that simple.
If she won this match, the prize would be perfect seed money for that project. Her mind exploded with ideas, and the excitement built up inside her. She would win this match, even if it was the only fight she ever got.
Her mind was reeling by the time Kyle entered the bar. He scanned the room the way he always did, as if in search of someone.
When their eyes met, something in her chest kicked. Okay, so she’d kissed him in his office without thinking. But he hadn’t seemed too rattled—he’d barely seemed to register it. Was that good or bad? “Hey, Coach,” she called, “come join us. We’re celebrating.”
“Don’t bother, Bella.” Tito shook his head. “Kyle’s a lone wolf. He can’t hunt with the rest of the pack.”
“I think I can give up one night to drink with you hyenas.” To everyone’s surprise, Kyle slid into the booth, his hip bumping up against Bella’s. Liz’s gaze canted to her, and she sipped her beer quietly.
Orville toasted Kyle as he raised his own glass. “You keeping a closer eye on us now that we have a famous UFF fighter in our midst?”
He lifted one broad shoulder. “Nah, I figured I should find out what kind of rumors you’ve been telling Bella about me.”
“You mean like the harem of Playboy bunnies who live in your hall closet?” Tito said.
“Or your webbed toes?” Orville added.
“I thought the one about being sent to Earth from a dying alien planet was pretty good,” Liz chimed in.
Kyle pointed to each in turn. “True, false, and I decline to comment.”
They laughed and drank. Bella wondered why Kyle had ever disengaged from the group. They seemed at ease with each other.
The second round came, and Bella bowed out. In solidarity, Kyle announced that as her principal trainer, he would follow Bella’s one-drink limit.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said as the others happi
ly took up the celebratory libations in their honor.
“Hey, I’ve got to watch my girlish figure, too.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “If I had half your girlish figure, I’d be a shoo-in to win.”
His chuckle sent warmth coursing through her. He threw an arm around the back of her seat and yelled over his shoulder, “Neal, two of your finest, girliest, nonalcoholic, nonfattening drinks, if you please.” He left his arm resting behind her. Bella settled back, unable to keep the smile from her face. She felt his fingertips lightly delve into her hair and scrape her scalp. She wanted to rub up against him and purr, and when she glanced at him surreptitiously, she saw him watching her through lowered lids, the vaguest smile on his lips.
A minute later, Neal put a fancy bottle of designer water and two glasses in front of them with a flourish.
Kyle cracked the bottle open and poured with all the finesse of a man serving the finest champagne. “A toast to you, Bella.” He handed her a glass.
“To us,” she amended. Kyle’s eyes darkened and stayed fixed on her. She smiled. “To a winning combination.”
“To winning,” he said, and sipped.
* * *
THE UFF CONTRACT came by courier two days later. It was nearly fifty pages of microscopic legalese. Bella tried to sit down to read through it, but it quickly became clear she’d need an agent.
The Fiores had specialists who helped negotiate these kinds of documents, but she couldn’t use them if she wanted to keep this deal quiet until she signed. So she asked Kyle for help, and he contacted Joel Khalib, Dominic Payette’s agent and manager.
She liked Joel immediately. He was a compact guy with a big smile who talked a mile a minute and wore a fedora with his T-shirt and trousers. Something about him reminded Bella of her uncle Thiago. The moment he sat down with her, she knew he’d work out well. He didn’t talk down to her and didn’t call her sweetheart. He didn’t have a fancy suit or expensive business cards, but he was a professional through and through. She decided to put her career in his hands and signed her contract.
