Love TKO

by Selene Chardou

  “True. Although, if I must be honest, being victorious never crossed my mind.”

  “Liar.”

  “I’m off. Thanks for the grub, and I will see you two love birds later.”

  He waited until he heard the front door close. They were finally alone at last. He swigged from the black brew and stared into Chiara’s eyes.

  “I also wanted to let you know that I think going to a therapist is a good idea and we should start as soon as possible.”

  She set her glass of wine down as he reached across the table to take her hand into his own. “What’s the rush?”

  “Because after I marry you, I want you barefoot and pregnant very soon. You’re right. I guess…for so many years, I didn’t want to admit I had a problem with my childhood but the demons aren’t going to go away unless I get help and ‘love’ isn’t going to cure this black hole in my heart. I don’t want to raise our kid in that kind of environment. I want him—or her—to be surrounded by affection and all that shit neither of us got growin’ up. We’ll take some parenting classes too if you like. We’ll cover the gambit from ‘A to Zed’—everything it takes to get a semblance closer to whatever the fuck normal is.”

  Chiara chuckled as she shook her head. “I think we’re pretty normal right now. However, normal doesn’t mean okay but it does stand for F.I.N.E.—fucked up, insecure, neurotic and emotional. I’m not making light of our issues and I’m glad you agree we both need help because it’s the only way we can even think about having a healthy marriage and relationship. I don’t ever want to be my mother or father.”

  “Neither do I.”

  “I don’t want to make the same mistakes with my children my parents did with me.”

  “Ditto to that.”

  “And I don’t ever want us to start lying to one another. Our relationship started out on a lie but I’ll be damned if I end it with one.”

  “Who ever said you leavin’ was a choice?”

  “Are you going to agree with everything I say?”

  Torin nodded before he said, “I think it’s the right thing to do…you know, practice for when we start seeing a therapist. Besides, everything you’ve said I agree with whole heartedly so I’m not trying to be agreeable but I concede you’re correct with your assessments.”

  She smiled back at him. “Christ, why do I already feel like we’ve started sessions already?”

  “In a way we have. I started changin’ the night I met you…only I didn’t know it yet.”

  “Now that is something I can definitely agree with.”

  Torin smiled back at the one woman he wanted to spend forever with one day at a time. “I’m lucky I found you, love.”

  “Me too.”

  “Do you always have the last word?”

  “Not always but usually.” She squeezed his hand and he in turn did the same.

  He let go of her hand, stood and walked over to her side of the table. She stood up and he bent down to kiss her soft silky lips. “This time, I’ll let you win.”

  Epilogue

  One Year Later

  Chiara

  “ARE YOU READY for this?” I questioned as I paced back and forth in Torin’s dressing room.

  “As ready as I can be,” he eluded quietly.

  Personally, I didn’t know what to say. How do you prepare a man for a fight when his brother is the opponent in the octagon?

  I regretted many of my decisions in life but not the one that brought me to Torin. He was my salvation and although he saved me from spending more than nine years as an escort, he couldn’t save me from myself. Love’s a beautiful and magical feeling but it isn’t the Photoshop of emotions that will make everything instantly all right.

  We both learned that early in our relationship and deciding to go to a couples’ therapist was the best decision we’d ever made. I loved Torin and he loved me but that didn’t mean we weren’t flawed or didn’t have serious shit we needed to work out. In the end, we were better people for admitting our issues, not only to each other but a third party sworn to confidence about our situation.

  “Will you stop pacing already? You’re gonna make the baby come early if you keep doing that?”

  I looked over at him as he was being prepped for the fight and smiled. “I’m only twenty-eight weeks, and our obstetrician-gynecologist says the baby is fine for God’s sake. Will you stop worrying already? To be honest, I’m more worried about you.”

  “Why? You think I’m gonna get my old ass beat by Kieran? Admit it. You saw him in the sparring matches. He’s better, stronger, and tougher—”

  “—cocky, moody and a man-whore. None of that matters if you’re psychologically stronger and you psyche him out. This will be a battle of the minds. Will you cave to pressure because you think he’s your little brother and he should win or will you step up and be the fighter you can be?”

  “You’re right…and it would be good if I did win because the odds against me are five to one, in Kieran’s favor, I might add.”

  I laughed out loud then. “Last year, you were a favorite because you were an Irishman fighting a Puerto Rican. Now that it’s two Irish guys in the ring, people are going to choose beauty before age, and you’re incredibly sexy but Kieran is one drop dead gorgeous motherfucker.”

  “Fuck! I hate it when you’re right.”

  I nodded my head. “I know you do. Don’t forget our pep talks and remember the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Go out there and kick some ass. He may be my brother-in-law but you’re my husband. I’m betting on you to win, baby.” I walked over and kissed his lips. “I also bet ten thousand on you at Aliante Casino on my way here so please, don’t make me lose money I could have gone to the Forum at Caesars Palace, and spent shopping for clothes.”

  He shook his head at me before he pulled me closer to him and kissed me passionately. “I’ll give you the money back if I lose.”

  “That’s the problem: winners don’t lose. Besides, even if he does happen to throw a sucker punch and become the champion, it just means you have to train that much harder to get it back next year.”

  “You see? I knew there was a reason why I married you.”

  “I hope so. Please don’t tell me it’s only because I’m the sexiest bitch you’ve ever seen or because you knocked me up without trying as soon as I got off my birth control and the little tadpole stuck.”

  “Well, I love you for those reasons too but you’re all heart and you push me to be a better person. I’m not that same angry guy I was last year so I don’t know how well I will do against Kieran in the octagon but I’m not gonna be easy on him, love.”

  I kissed him yet again. “You better not be.”

  Neil walked in and that was my cue to leave. I did a little wave and walked out of the dressing room. It was always hectic getting to my seat when the arena was this full. I sat down next to Torin’s siblings and Kieran’s fiancée. My sister wasn’t there and it was for the best because it made me a little less nervous.

  Sienna had gone through a rough year but she was back on her meds again and dating someone I finally approved of but how they would do in the long term was anyone’s guess. However, her current boyfriend was someone I would definitely prefer her to be with rather than Kieran. That had been a disaster from the start.

  “Are you nervous?” Fiona questioned me.

  I nodded. “Yeah. I mean…I guess it’s no different than any two siblings who play the same sport but this…I honestly didn’t think this match would happen this year.”

  “Life is tricky that way, isn’t it?” She smiled the same smile that’d landed her the cover for the coveted fall issue of Vogue Magazine. “Listen, Tor and Kieran used to spar all the time back home and they still do. This is gonna be a close one regardless who wins so you have absolutely nothing to fear.”

  “Yeah, keep tellin’ me that,” I replied as I looked nervously toward the octagon shaped ring.

  “Okay, well, look at it another way,” Tara
interjected from my right. “This is only one event, one fight and one night. Does it really matter who wins? They will face off again regardless. That should give you some solace at least.”

  I smiled because she was right.

  This was only one night but if we were lucky, Torin and I would still have the rest of our lives together.

  Torin

  ANYONE WHO THOUGHT it would be easy for a man to fight a championship match with his brother should have been tarred, feathered and shot. He listened to Neil’s prep talk but honestly, how much could his trainer tell him since he was Kieran’s trainer as well?

  They both knew how the other fought because they sparred together and had even joked about this happening one day. Perhaps neither of them had truly believed it until the odds fell in their favor and it happened.

  If he’d retired like he was supposed to then Torin wouldn’t be going through this. He could watch safely in the comfort of a ring-side seat with his pregnant wife. Instead he was preparing to fight his brother for the UFC title. He regulated his breathing and tried to calm down. His benefactors—Raymond, Angelo and Karl—honestly didn’t care who won because they’d bet enough money to win regardless. And secretly, he knew they got off watching two brothers in the octagon, whether they admitted it or not. All three were sadistic fucks in their own way.

  “Go out there and do your best. That’s all I can tell you. Kieran may or may not be ready but that doesn’t stop you from doing what comes natural. You fight his ass like any other opponent in the ring. If it wasn’t you, it’d be someone else and do you think they’d give him any love taps? This doesn’t change anything between you two. It’s just one match. There will be others, believe me.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s not as easy as fighting Rodriguez but you’re telling the truth.”

  Neil sat down while Torin continued to stand. “Listen, I’ve been your trainer since you came to Vegas—I tracked you down in Boston for Christ’s sake. I also trained Kieran too. I love you both like you were my own sons but know you have a special place in my heart. You’ve overcome so much and don’t think I haven’t noticed what a calming influence Chiara has had over you. What can I say? You did good, Torin.”

  “Thanks, Neil. If you must know, we’ve been good for each other. I understand tonight isn’t everything but it sure changes the dynamics between Kieran and me. Sure, we’re brothers and best friends but now we also have to face we’re also each other’s competitor. We didn’t have to worry about that before. It’s something new…something we’re gonna have to get used to.”

  “You will. You certainly aren’t the first two siblings in the world of sports to play one another. And let’s hope you don’t have anyone threatening you to throw a match this year either.”

  Torin laughed. “Nah…they don’t give a shit who wins.”

  “If that’s the case then let’s do this.”

  He stood as Neil left and prepared to make his way to the octagon. He knew Neil would be on Kieran’s side tonight because this was his first championship match and he needed the morale boost more than Torin. His biggest supporter was sitting ring-side and six months pregnant with their child. That was all he needed to get him through the night.

  Members of his team surrounded him as he put on his Kelly-green silk robe. His brother, on the other hand, wore a white robe with a huge Kelly-green four-leaf clover on the back, a replica of a smaller one he had on his back with the words “Fighting Irish” in gothic print.

  Torin walked with purpose and strength toward the octagon as Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” blasted from the speakers. He thought about his life and how lucky he’d been over the past year. Nothing could have prepared him for the love of his life or anything else they’d experienced since they’d been together. She and the son they would meet in just three short months were more than enough reasons for him to love his life.

  This was only one event, one night and one fight. He would definitely meet his brother again before he retired so this was a good way to practice. The audience cheered as both brothers climbed into the octagon but this time, he suspected he wasn’t the crowd’s favorite and that was fine with him.

  This fight didn’t determine his life or career. He’d already accomplished more than he dreamed and it could never be taken away.

  Kieran stared in his direction, his cerulean blue eyes bright as he nodded once. Torin nodded back before he shook his head and smiled.

  Time didn’t matter and neither did the crowd.

  As soon as they were in hearing distance of one another, Kieran yelled at him, “No love taps, fight me hard, big brother.”

  “I’ll give you all I’ve got,” Torin shouted back.

  His eyes briefly left his brother’s, only to look into the crowd and see Chiara, so beautiful and poised, her black cocktail dress hugging her gorgeous figure in all the right places.

  “I love you,” she mouthed.

  Torin blew her a kiss before the bell sounded.

  Round one had just begun but he would be around long after the fight ended, regardless of the outcome.

  The End

  The Love Unexpected Series continues with

  Love TKO: Out For The Count

  Kieran and Tara’s story

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Selene Chardou is a world traveler and the alter-ego of Elle Chardou.

  Ms. Chardou’s writing is all about hot romance and exciting times with the wild, damaged, out of control, rich and famous set in the world of Contemporary Romance.

  She is currently working on Covet, the first novel in The Covet Duet and Love TKO: Out for the Count, the second novel in the Love Unexpected Series. The Rough Riders Series will continue with Kyra and Trey’s story in Naked Dirty Love, which will premiere late spring/early summer.

  Ms. Chardou currently resides with her two children and their multitude of stuffed animals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  Contact & Resources

  Website: Chardou Writes: http://www.chardouwrites.com

  Blog: The Realm of Selene Chardou: http://selenechardou.blogspot.com/

  Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7025554.Selene_Chardou

  Follow Selene Chardou on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ellechardou

  Like Selene Chardou on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Selene.Chardou.AND.Elle.Chardou

  If you would like to email Selene Chardou, she can be reached at: selenechardou@gmail.com

  Published & Upcoming Books by Selene Chardou

  Love Unexpected Series (Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance)

  Love TKO (Torin Duffy’s story)

  Love TKO: Out For The Count (Kieran Duffy’s story) [April/May, 2013]

  Good Girl Gone Bad (Fiona Duffy’s story) [TBA]

  One More Kiss (Shane Duffy’s story) [TBA]

  Stripped To The Bone (Devin Duffy’s story) [TBA]

  Love Stoned (Seamus Duffy’s story) [TBA]

  The Covet Duet (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)

  Covet (March, 2014)

  Capture (Summer, 2014)

  Take Him Now: A Novella (Fall, 2014)

  The Rough Riders Series (Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance)

  Deadly Seduction (Gisela Jackson & Cillian “The Killer” Cox’s story)

  Naked Dirty Love (Trey Lennon & Kyra Hughes’ story) [June, 2014]

  Dangerous Attraction (Ronan “Puck” Cox’s story) [To Be Announced]

  Dangerous Temptations (Maeve “Misty” Cox’s srory) [To Be Announced]

  Unbreakable Hearts (Quinn “Tech” Cox’s story) [To Be Announced]

  Scarlet Fever Series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)

  Rock My Heart

  The Will to Love

  Jaded Faith (Fall, 2014)

  Grant’s Muse (Winter, 2015)

  One More Night Trilogy (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)

  Falling Into Lust

  Falling Into Us
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  Falling Into Love

  The Lovers Duet (New Adult/Romantic Mystery & Suspense/Contemporary Romance)

  Out From Under

  In Too Deep

  Above The Fray (September, 2014)

  Young, Rich & Talented Trilogy (New Adult/Contemporary Romance/Women’s Literature)

  Rock Me Out (Chyna Bleu’s story, To Be Announced)

  Rock Me Sideways (Damian Phillip’s story, To Be Announced)

  Rock Me In (Ava Martin’s story, To Be Announced)

  Novels & Novellas by Elle Chardou

  The Ties That Bind Trilogy (Contemporary Romance / Romantic Suspense with erotic and BDSM elements)

  Killing Time

  Killing Heartache: A Novelette (Book 1.5)

  Killing Time (The Bonus Collection)

  Killing Desire

  Killing Me Softly

  The Ties That Bind Omnibus Collection

  Seasons of Love & Lust (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women/ New Adult)

  A Summer to Remember

  Falling for Autumn (TBA)

  Winter’s Regret (TBA)

  Spring Fling (TBA)

  Exploitation of Love Series (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women)

  Reckless Behavior: A Prequel Novella (TBA)

  Indecent Behavior, A Novel (TBA)

  Undertow Trilogy (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women / New Adult)

  Undertow

  Falling Under (Coming TBA)

  Drowning in You (Monika & Dylan’s story, TBA)

  The Atonement Series (Contemporary Romance / Contemporary Women)

  Atonement, A Novel