by Shannyn Leah
“Like the way you pushed your dad away?” She folded her arms and stubbornly perked her eyebrows.
“Doll, I’m stronger than your hurt feelings. You can lash out and try to piss me off, but it won’t work.”
“You know what, you’ve turned this all around. I was the one saying sorry. I was the one trying to explain how I felt. Can’t you just listen and, I don’t know—” She threw her hands in the air. “Have some sympathy. I can’t change the past, Stone.”
“Can you acknowledge that you were wrong?”
She narrowed her eyes and leaned back. “I’m not going win this, am I?”
“No.”
“I should have told you about Reed and Walker.”
“Yes.”
“And not slapped you with a restraining order or pressed charges.”
“I agree.”
She inhaled and then blew out a deep breath. “Wow, it sucks being so wrong.” Stone laughed and she swatted his chest. “Shut up.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “Don’t worry, I was in the same boat with Dad and Hawk after the other night. I get it. Let’s go eat because we have a fight tonight.”
“Which I’m attending.”
“Bowie—”
“It’s at the Grand Hotel, and I already have the penthouse reserved for all of us where I plan on leaving Reed during the fight, kicking or screaming.” She patted his chest. “And thanks to you, he can kick and soon he’ll be walking.”
“You don’t have to come.”
She looked up at him. “I do, and as long as you don’t plan on getting your ass whooped, I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll knock him out cold, just for you.” He winked at her before looking up and watching another Susan/Slate moment unfold. Susan held the wooden spoon up to his father’s mouth for a taste test. They appeared awfully friendly and even though he’d just reconciled with his father, he wasn’t opposed to a physical warning to stay away from Susan. They didn’t need another parent/teacher scenario.
Chapter Twenty-One
TWO FIGHTS.
Standing in front of the mirror, Bowie pressed a hand against her unsettled stomach feeling the two sheer strips in the middle of the black dress.
Dress the part. Wear the smile. Act the part.
She could barely remember her list, trying not to think of Stone’s last fight.
Black dress, six-inch heels—she’d forgotten how much she hated wearing high heels—hair swept over one shoulder and black eye shadow that made her eyes pop.
Smile, laugh, and act normal.
Her smile in the reflection trembled and she turned away, disgusted that she’d lost her basic acting skills. She grabbed a black sheer shawl on the way out of her bedroom and found Reed sitting in his chair staring out the hotel window at the purple and pink hues radiating the sky as the sun began to set.
Glancing around, she asked, “Where is everyone?”
“They’re waiting in the hallway.”
She found her clutch on the hall table and stuck her cell phone inside. “We’ll be in the hotel all night. The fight is in the basement and the after party on the third floor. I’ll have my phone on so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
She hated leaving her brother alone, but with Emerie busy, Duke watching over Bowie, and not wanting to drag Susan to the hotel, she didn’t have another alternative. She felt more confident leaving him now as Reed had seemed to mellow into an almost content state since Stone began supervising his physiotherapy sessions.
“Do I ever need anything?” His grim tone almost sliced through the small hope she had, but her cranky brother wasn’t winning this round. “I only sit in this chair.”
She sighed and made her way to the empty chair beside him. Sitting down, she reached for his hand. “You were incredible this week. Don’t you see that? You are so close to walking. After the bicycle training, you will be starting the gait training and that will have you walking.”
He didn’t move under her touch. “Why do I deserve to walk when she can’t? Why am I alive when she’s dead?”
“Reed...”
“I promised her a good time and I let her drive.”
“You were both intoxicated.”
“Is that a good excuse? Is that even as excuse an all? I don’t remember a damn thing after that. Hell, I don’t remember much before that. That was my life and don’t pretend like it was a good life because I know how you felt about it.”
“You made bad choices, mistakes. If you don’t like who you were, then change. You don’t have to be that same guy if you don’t want to be. And if you do, fine, that’s who you are, but don’t give up when you’ve been given a second chance. Find something to live for.”
“Like Stone walking into your life again.”
“He didn’t walk in. I hunted him down for you, so you could live.”
“Did you?”
She smiled, remembering how Stone had mentioned Susan turning the tables on questions. Maybe she’d rubbed off on all of them.
“I did. I one-hundred-percent did it for you first and foremost because regardless of what a jerk you can be, you’re my brother and I love you.”
“You love me after what I did to Stone?”
It had taken her years to get to this point in her life, and possibly almost losing her brother in the accident assisted with her answer. “Yes.”
“Because I’m pathetic. Before my accident you hardly said two sentences to me. I’d hang around in your studio for hours while you painted and you’d ignore me.”
She sighed. “I would’ve chased him away eventually. You just gave me a good excuse to do it. But yes, I’ve been mad at you. You had the man I love beaten so badly he almost died.”
“I didn’t want it to go that far. Just enough to make him lose the fight. If he lost it, I knew you’d leave him. After dad died you ... you couldn’t even talk about fighting. I figured if he was forced to keep fighting, you’d get rid of him.”
Bowie glanced at the clock behind them. “I have to go. I can’t be late for this fight. You know how it is. We’ll talk later.”
He caught her hand as she stood and when her eyes landed on his, she found a remorse and guilt she’d never seen in him. “I was wrong about him. Back then and now.”
Her heart sunk at the words she’d dreamt of hearing. Words that opened a door she’d nailed shut.
“Stone’s a good guy. He’s good for you. He’s good to you and that’s all Dad ever wanted for you.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, and she rapidly blinked them away. There was no time to reapply her makeup.
“Don’t let my mistakes keep you from the happiness you deserve. I’m sorry, Bowie. I’m so sorry.”
She rubbed his hand for a minute, unable to talk past the building lump in her throat. “You’re a good guy, too. Your choices aren’t always the best, but your heart is good, Reed.” She squeezed his hand. “Dad wanted you to be happy too.” She lowered her voice to a whisper and the words were almost impossible to push out. “I forgive you.” He was her brother and her blood. “Maybe it’s time you forgive yourself.”
He nodded.
“I’ll check in later, alright?”
He shook his head. “I’m fine. Go celebrate his win tonight. Go to the bar, have a drink and let loose. Don’t be my parent tonight. Act like the single woman you are.”
She laughed. “I’ve enjoyed being single.”
Reed laughed too, a sound she hadn’t heard in months. “You’re a liar and I love you for staying by my side even after everything. I’m sure you can find another room to occupy tonight.” He winked at her.
She lightly slapped his arm and straightened. “You’re a pig.”
“The man loves you as much now as he did back then.”
“I know.”
“And you love him. Don’t let that go again.”
She smiled and, for the first time in foreve
r, her heart felt the same emotion. She couldn’t run into Stone’s arms right away, but he’d given her the opening of that possibility. Now she was ready to fight for him, for them.
Chapter Twenty-Two
STONE WON THE fight. Two punches and the guy dropped to the ground for the count. While the rest of his group couldn’t contain their enthusiasm and relief that he hadn’t sustained injury or even a hit, Stone worried that it had taken two punches to knock the guy out. One punch too many.
The after party that had once given Stone an ego boost, lacked the effect tonight. The idea of mingling with drunken rich people showing off their wins left a sour taste in his mouth. Hawk was making rounds, hitting on all the single ladies—or married, Stone wasn’t sure he was that fussy.
Back home, Stone had a routine he enjoyed: working at the shop, hitting the local race car track, or enjoying a barbeque supper at Dax’s place. His life hadn’t turned out exactly like he’d once planned, but being back here made him realize how much he liked his life now and how much he wanted to spend that life with Bowie.
But there were too many unanswered questions about them that plagued him. Was she ready to move to the country? Was she ready to be a couple? Was he ready to be a couple? Did he trust her?
The list went on and on. The fact he even had a list, that he contemplated what a future could be between them, scared him. Especially after spending so many years angry with her. Did he forgive her for her fear, her lies, and her betrayal? Or had the baggage between them constructed a wall they couldn’t move past?
Right now, Bowie stood at his side, smiling and shaking hands, playing the part she’d once played to perfection. But when she thought no one was looking, he caught glimpses of boredom in her eyes, felt her body tense as people approached them. She’d lost the enjoyment here too. They’d both moved past this world.
Stone sighed an inward relief as the couple they’d been chatting with—a rich businessman and his hooker play-toy—moved onto the next victims of their tedious conversation. He felt Bowie also loosen, but only briefly before she cautiously, and firmly, moved against his side. Like all his opponents, he read her signals and took her cues, whether intended for him or not. He instinctively placed a hand on her back.
Was she looking for protection or safety and, if either, the question was, from whom?
The overcrowded ballroom offered little space between the tables and couch loungers surrounding the dance floor which ran up the entire center of the room. He struggled to scan the areas through the flashing strobe lights, but it didn’t take long to spot the enemy weaving his way around gathered groups. Walker’s menacing eyes set on them, one eyebrow cocked and, in a break of the flash, it exposed the scar that ran beside one eye.
“Stone Patino.” Walker clapped his hands as he approached. Stone would swear people moved from his path in fear. “As I live and breathe.”
Stone’s arm tightened around Bowie’s waist, a protective instinct as much as to prevent starting their fight early.
“What a fight tonight. Bravo. Here I thought after the Patino and Ben debacle you’d gone and lost the touch. I figured too much time away.”
“A fair fight runs through my veins.”
Walker faked hurt, touching his chest and making a pout noise before he offered his hand. “No hard feelings.”
Stone hadn’t acknowledge his handshake which didn’t piss Walker off as much as amuse him. Everything amused him. The next time Stone touched him it would be inflict pain.
“If there were no hard feelings, we wouldn’t be fighting next week.”
“I don’t do anything for nothing. A pretty penny came with our—” Walker squinted an eye and puckered his lips “—altercation.”
This egotistical jerk’s attempt to put a wedge between him and Bowie was a waste of all their time. Try as he might, Stone didn’t believe a word that came out of this bastard’s mouth.
“I think what you’re referring to is called a coward’s fight.”
“I had to make sure the job I’d been paid for was carried out successfully.” He glanced at Bowie who’d curled deeper into Stone’s side, but still remained the part of a strong and bold individual. Walker gave her a once over and it took everything not to punch him in the face.
Bowie made a disgruntled sound. “Drop dead, Walker, and preferably before you waste all our time in a fight you’re doomed to lose.”
He chuckled. “It’s nice seeing you again too, Bowie. I never tire of our special moments.” He looked back at Stone. “Aren’t you curious who hired me?”
“No.”
“Not even a little bit?” Walker pinched two of his fingers together in front of Stone. “Deep down, maybe part of you already knows the truth. Maybe that part of you actually doesn’t want to know.”
In a rapid move, Stone shuffled Bowie behind his back and stepped so close to Walker their chests touched. “Listen here you goddamn coward, you won’t be buying yourself out of this fight. No amount of money will make up for what will be left of you when I’m finished.”
He wanted to punch Walker’s smugness away.
“I guess secrets don’t stay hidden in the Blake household. Did she tell you about last month? When she begged me not to fight her brother? Did she tell you her proposal?” He winked at Bowie. “And how far I let her go before telling her it was Reed or you and nothing she offered would suffice?”
Goddamn asshole.
“You ever lay a hand on her and I will kill you myself.”
“I wasn’t the one being handsy.”
Stone grasped the front of the jerk’s pressed shirt, crinkling the material through his fingers. “You son of a bitch, I should hit you now.”
“Do it.”
Stone heard the commotion arise around them as a circle cleared and onlookers gathered.
“Stone?” Bowie came to his side. “He’s lying just to get you going. He made the proposal and I turned him down flat. Your ego still bruised, Walker?”
“You’re a tease, bitch.”
Stone couldn’t control the rage growing inside him and, at this point, he didn’t want to. Stone hit him. Screw the fight, screw the security, and screw this damn world. He didn’t need a ring to pound this man to the ground.
Walker didn’t even make a sound. Stone could have sworn he’d caught a smirk when he took a step back. He grasped a handful of Walker’s hair and brought his face to his. “Say you’re sorry.”
“Stone?” He heard the worry in Bowie’s voice and after a quick assessment, he confirmed security was circling them. His heated body ached to finish Walker, take him out and walk away from this world with Bowie forever. But he wouldn’t walk away. Not with security closing in on them. What would happen to Bowie?
“You’re dead.” Stone gritted in his ear before he pushed him away. He lifted his hands in the air. “Nothing to see here. Just some friendly rivalry before Saturday’s fight.”
Walker wiped the blood from under his nose. “He’s right, nothing to see here.” He silently sent Stone a warning glare that rolled off of him. “Until Saturday. Try the caviar. It’s to die for.” He patted Stone’s shoulder as he passed. Stone had to count down in his head to calm his nerves.
Bowie looped her arm in his, flipping his hand over to look at his knuckles. Her fingers ran across them. “You’re going to get us killed.”
“He deserved it.”
“Maybe, but now not only have I embarrassed him, but you’re on his list too.”
“He’s on my list.”
“Let’s grab the guys and get out of here before you get into more trouble.”
“Meet me by the front door.”
BOWIE COULDN’T PUSH her way through the crowd fast enough. Passing the crammed-full dance floor, she envied and pitied the young, flaky women dancing in too short and too tight outfits. It felt like a lifetime ago when that had been her. She remembered the freedom and bliss she’d felt with each sway of her hips, but looking back, her life hadn�
�t been realistic. There was no future for the women here unless their goal was to marry an illegal fighter or remain the mistress of the married rich men.
She needed air away from these people.
“Bowie’s is in the house! Booyah!” The voice charged up behind her and she cringed as he rubbed against her back. “It’s been a while, baby.”
She took a step away as she tried to turn around, but the crowd shoved her back against Dale, something or another she’d never known his last name—no one did. The sleazy, loud-mouth man had always been the not-very-discreet-guy to buy your next high from, and in turn, he received magic access to parties where he didn’t belong.
She pressed her hands against the front of his tacky band T-shirt underneath his suit jacket and stepped away. “I see you’re still around, Dale.”
Trying not to cringe, she fisted her hands at her side to keep from wiping her dress with whatever residue stuck to her hands. She’d bet the stickiness had dripped from his slicked-back hair, and would go even further to guess it was grease and not hair gel.
“Wouldn’t miss a party like this.” He leaned forward filling her air with the scent of cigarettes and marijuana—a drug not many at this party would be interested in purchasing. They preferred hard core, a quick high and helluva fall. “I heard your man is back in the house and champion tonight.”
“He’s around.”
“Are you looking for a little fun tonight?” He patted his pocket where she knew baggies were ready to be exchanged for serious cash.
“Not my thing Dale. It never was my thing.”
He smirked his yellowed and brown-lined teeth at her. “It was always Reed’s thing and he has enough for him, you, Stone, your shadow over there.” He nodded in Duke’s direction. He’d circled around, far enough away to give her space, but close enough to protect her if things went south.
Her mission to escape altered. “What?”
“The hard stuff. I know he likes to party, but he’s going to be partying all week.”
“You went to his room?” Dale’s grin dropped to a frown. “You sold him drugs? What drugs, Dale? Give me names and quantities.”
