In a matter of seconds, Zane had Tobias up against the wall of the restaurant. Lincoln stood cover while Zane threw his fist against Tobias’s cheekbone. The fucker would remember pissing him off for the next week every time he looked in a mirror.
“Listen closely, you piece of shit. You and I both know you had that win against me handed to you on a silver platter, and what did you do with it? Make a name for yourself? Fuck no. You pissed away the best opportunity you’ll ever have. Now everyone in the league thinks you’re just a drunk that doesn’t belong in the cage. Why don’t you do everyone a favor and quit?” Zane was working hard not to beat the shit out of him at that moment.
“It’s your fucking fault, you asshole,” Tobias growled back, not even struggling to free himself.
“How the hell is it my fault?”
Tobias’s drunken rant continued, “Our fights were always close, but when the league shut you out, everyone blamed me. Faye played me, too, but no one saw it like that. All they knew was that you had been framed and I didn’t deserve the win.” Tobias shoved at him. “That bitch ruined my career.”
“Why would they connect you to Faye? She was my girlfriend,” Zane asked, dumbass that he was, he still didn’t know the connection until Tobias spelled it out.
“Faye was everyone’s girlfriend,” Tobias snapped. “She went with whomever she could get the most out of.”
Zane’s head snapped back as if Tobias had struck him.
“She told me about your training. Told me your weaknesses so you would lose that fight. Said we could make a lot of money and would run off together. She placed a huge bet on me to win except, when she cashed in, she took off without me.”
“Are you telling me that you knew I was being set up all along?” Zane asked very softly.
Something in Zane’s tone snapped Tobias out of his drunken stupor. He realized he had revealed his secret. Zane was angrier now than ever before. He had always blamed Faye, but she had been working with this son of a bitch all along.
Before Tobias could get another word out, Zane grabbed his throat and shoved him against the wall. He punched him in the stomach and then put both his hands around Tobias’s neck, so he couldn’t breathe.
“Your career was ruined? What about mine, you bastard?” Zane wanted to kill him, however he forced himself to let go, throwing Tobias to the ground, who immediately held his throat while trying to catch his breath.
“You want your career back? Start getting ready for a rematch,” Zane said over his shoulder as he walked away.
Chapter 12
Zane was furious. The extent that Faye had betrayed him was like a kick to the gut. To find out she’d had an accomplice brought back all the old memories of the time they had spent together with her watching his practices, the talks he’d shared with her as he laid out his strategy. He had practically told Tobias how to beat him.
He attempted to recall if he’d ever seen her talking to Tobias, and now that he thought about it, Faye had always been talking to the other fighters, but dumbass that he was, he’d thought she was just trying to show an interest in his career. According to Tobias, she must have been fucking the entire gym while he had trusted her.
He punched the steering wheel of the 4-runner. He was driving aimlessly when he decided where he wanted to go. He pulled into a parking place in the nearby apartment complex and climbed the stairs to knock on a door.
Melanie answered.
“Are you alone?” Zane asked.
“Yeah, Trish left about an hour ago. Come in.” Melanie opened the door, stepping back to let him in. She looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
Zane glanced down and thought about how beautiful she was. He lifted her up and Melanie wrapped her legs and arms around him as he walked them into her bedroom.
He was so full of anger; he needed to talk and vent his anger or he was going to go find Tobias and finish him off. Zane forced himself to try to relax by sitting down on the edge of the bed with Melanie on his lap.
“Zane, what happened?” Melanie held his face in her hands and looked into his eyes.
“I saw Tobias earlier today. He was drunk as usual and started mouthing at me when I ignored him. I found out he was working with Faye all along. She had told him how to beat me so she could set me up for a loss.”
Zane needed to find a release from his anger, he wanted to go back and kick the shit out of Tobias again.
“That lowlife son of a bitch!” Melanie went from concerned to furious in a flash. “Did you beat the shit out of him? You need to report him to the commission!” Zane felt Melanie shaking with her anger. “I want to find that bitch and beat her up myself.”
Melanie was feeling just as angry as he was. He grabbed the back of her head roughly and pulled her face to his, shoving his tongue in her mouth. She met him back just as forcefully. He felt her nails digging into his back as they kissed each other before he leaned back to put her arms in the air so he could jerk her shirt over her head. He pulled his own shirt off next. He then stood up with her and threw her back onto the bed. She didn’t have a bra on, so he just had to pull off her shorts and panties. He took off the rest of his clothes before lying down between her welcoming thighs.
She ran her hands through his hair, gripping him so he would keep his mouth where she wanted it. He kissed her hard as she wrapped her legs around him, pushing her pussy up to him.
Melanie wasn’t shy about showing him that she wanted to fuck him; she was the exact opposite of Faye. Everything about Faye and their relationship had been fake—Melanie was real. She didn’t lie. She was honest to the point that she didn’t care if she put her pride on the line.
His weight against her didn’t prevent her from pushing back against his body as hard as she could. He could sense how frantic she was, her body was writhing against his, just as demanding as he was.
He took one of her hard nipples between his teeth, biting down slightly, feeling her body tauten while she gave a little moan of need. He kept the nipple between his teeth while he slid his other hand down to her clit. He let his palm slide back and forth, feeling her gasp at his touch. His hand continued exploring her slick flesh until he slid a finger into her.
Zane felt her responding to his touch. Removing his hand, he slid down her body. Slipping his hands under her ass, which he lifted into the air before driving his tongue into her cunt. He heard her gasp as he held her straining hips in place, thrusting his tongue further into her pussy, discovering the sweet essence of Melanie herself.
She moaned his name and Zane moved from her opening to taking her clit between his lips. He could feel her whole body trembling as he flicked it with his tongue.
Rising up, he moved his body into position, putting his dick at her opening, the tip of his cock slightly entering. Melanie moved towards him in response. Zane wanted nothing more than to slam his dick all the way inside her tight sheath. His forehead lowered against hers as he tried to gather the last fragments of his control.
She looked up at him. “Why are you stopping?”
“I didn’t want our first time together to be while we’re both angry at my ex-girlfriend and Tobias.” Zane was frustrated. He was sure this wasn’t how she’d imagined their first time together, either.
“Zane, I’m pretty sure all you have on your mind right now is me.” Melanie urged him on by wrapping her legs around him to pull him inside of her.
Zane didn’t hesitate. He thrust into her, trying to be gentle, but she wouldn’t let him.
“Fuck me harder, Zane.”
He finally let himself succumb, fucking her the way she demanded, sliding in and out of her hard and fast. She held onto his biceps as he continued to pound into the depths of her pussy. He spread her legs and pushed them into the air so he could go even deeper inside of her. He could feel how hot and tight she was as he moved inside of her.
As his strokes pushed her towards the headboard, Melanie put her hands over her head to keep her head from ban
ging against it. He pulled her slightly down the mattress, grasping both her wrists in one hand, trapping them above her head as he slid in and out of her.
She thrust her breasts towards him, and Zane leaned down, taking a nipple in his mouth. When she tried to pull her hands out to touch him, he released her wrists before feeling her nails scorch his back as he continued to fuck her.
He liked the feel of her on his cock, the taste of her nipple in his mouth, and the tight grip of her hands as she reached down to grab his ass as she pulled him deeper inside of her. Zane looked down at her, seeing the desire in her face as he continued to pound his dick inside of her.
He felt her tighten on his dick. Feeling Melanie’s orgasm, he wasn’t able to hold back his own climax. When he felt her shaking slow down, he moved to her side as they both recovered.
“Oh, my God. Oh, my God,” he heard Melanie muttering.
Zane grinned. “Are you okay?”
Melanie elbowed him in the ribs as she rolled towards him. “I was beginning to think you were never going to take me to bed.”
Zane frowned, rolling onto his back. “It’s hard to seduce my best friend’s kid sister.”
Melanie frowned down at him. “I’m a grown woman, not a kid. It’s not like you were taking my virginity, Zane.”
“Not by much as tight as your pussy was.”
“I can go out and get laid a couple more times if it makes you feel better,” Melanie teased him out of his relaxed mood.
“Don’t even joke about that, Melanie.” Zane rose above her. “Fuck around on me and I’ll break every bone in his body.”
“I didn’t notice you breaking anything of Tobias.” Melanie looked at him shrewdly.
Melanie was right. When Tobias had told him that he had fucked Faye, he’d felt more betrayed by Faye than jealous. Even when they had been together and he had seen her with the other fighters, he hadn’t been jealous. Then, let Melanie joke him about other men and he was ready to beat the wall over something that hadn’t even happened.
They were both still breathing too heavily to say much, but she still rolled over and said, “I’m so sorry about what happened to you. I don’t think I ever had a chance to tell you before.”
Zane nodded his head and pulled her to him. She put her head on his chest and wrapped an arm around him. He knew he didn’t want to be anywhere else at that moment. They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms for the next few minutes.
“I’m training again,” he announced suddenly, wanting to share the news with her.
“What?” Melanie had started to doze off, yet he felt her jerk fully awake with his statement.
“I started training with Linc today. I want to fight again.”
“It’s about damn time. Do you know that you take forever to make your mind up about something?” Melanie teased him. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to wait much longer for you to fuck me.”
“What would you have done?” Zane enjoyed her forwardness.
“I hadn’t figured it out yet. All I know is that I was getting really tired of waiting for you. Probably would have had to jump you again soon.” Melanie yawned and closed her eyes. “Zane, I’m happy you’re training again. You belong in the cage. I’ve never seen anyone move as fast as you do.”
“I want my first fight to be against Tobias,” he admitted. He felt Melanie jerk again.
“You’re not going to report him? He fucked you over and tried to fuck me over. He doesn’t deserve to fight again. Why?”
“Because I can legally beat the shit out of him in the cage. I’d rather pay him back with my fists instead of just letting him slink away.” Zane knew reporting him wouldn’t be enough. He wanted to put the fucker out of commission for good.
“That sounds like a good idea.” Melanie grinned. He could see she was as bloodthirsty as he was when it came to payback.
She got up to shut her bedroom door and then climbed back onto the bed. She put her back to him and Zane pulled her body against his, reaching his arm around her to hold her breast. His last thought before he dozed off was that he felt more optimistic about the future than he had in a long time.
Chapter 13
Melanie heard yells as she walked into the gym. She looked towards the sounds and saw Nicholas finishing up a roundhouse kick to his opponent’s chin. Good thing he’s wearing headgear, she thought to herself as she watched the man hit the mat. The guys watching were calling out the guy on the floor.
She whistled at her brother, “Nice!” She loved watching her brother fight.
When Nick turned and flexed his biceps for her, she rolled her eyes, laughing at his showing off.
“How’s it going?” she asked him. She hadn’t visited him in the gym in a while because she had been busy with school and her own training. Plus, she tended to avoid her father as much as possible. She still resented him for ignoring her, though being with Zane had helped her come to the conclusion that her father and she would never be able to work together. His only focus was on Nicholas. It would always just be on Nicholas. There was no room for anyone else, even her.
Nicholas walked towards her. “Good. I’m ready for my next fight. I’m wondering who’s going to challenge me next. I’m guessing Grant or Lewis.”
Melanie knew both of them. They were the two up and coming fighters, therefore it was time for one of them to challenge Nick.
“I should know within the week,” Nick continued.
Melanie noticed he didn’t seem concerned; he was always ready for the next fight.
“Nick, I think I’m ready for my first fight,” Melanie announced. She couldn’t contain her smile. She had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Training with Zane over the last couple of months had been productive. Her knowledge of the sport helped her training go much faster.
“I want to take on Macey, but I know I can’t challenge her yet. I’m going to challenge Maria.” Maria was a strong fighter and she was slowly working her way up the circuit. She would be a good first match for Melanie.
Nick smiled down at her. “That’s awesome, Melanie. So, Zane says you’re ready?”
“Yes, training has been going well.” Melanie blushed while she was speaking, thinking of just how well it was going between her and Zane.
She looked up into Nick’s knowing eyes. “You look happy, little sister. I’m happy for you.”
Impulsively, she gave him a hug. He always supported her. A second later, she jerked back.
“Ugh, you’re sweaty.” Melanie looked down and saw the wet marks on her clothes. Before she could utter a protest, Nick had scooped her up into a bear hug and made it worse. She yelled at him to put her down. He finally did, but he’d taken his sweet time about it, and she was a mess because of it. It was a good thing she was going home later.
As she was dealing with Nick putting her in a headlock, she saw the front door open. Damn, it’s Dad. She was able to pull out of Nick’s grip and get a punch into his stomach, catching him off-guard, and he grunted at the impact.
“Nice punch, Mel.” Nick sounded proud of her.
She turned to her dad. “Hey, Dad.” The stiffness in her voice was evident even to her.
“Hello, Melanie,” was all she got in return before he turned to Nick.
“Ready to take on Grant? He’s your next fight. The commission called and informed me on my way over here.” Her dad was beaming with his joy.
Melanie was certain their dad enjoyed knowing that his son was the one they all wanted to fight. He was unbelievably proud. Melanie wished he could be like that with her.
“I’m ready,” Nick responded. She could see that he didn’t like the way their dad ignored her. “Melanie will be fighting, too, the night before in the women’s matches.”
Melanie held her breath while waiting for her dad’s reaction. She watched his smile vanish as he looked at her. “Really? What makes you think you can do it? It seemed like you were getting good at getting beaten up during traini
ng.” His disapproval was overwhelming. She felt herself trembling with both nerves and anger.
“My trainer says I’m ready and I know I can do it.” She tried to make her voice sound firm. She hated that she wanted her father’s approval so desperately. She wanted what he and Nick had.
“That idiot Tobias says you’re ready? God, Melanie, I thought you would finally realize what a waste of time this is and actually use your brain for once. I’m disappointed in you.” Her dad shook his head in disgust at her.
“No, Tobias didn’t tell me anything. Zane told me I was ready.” She watched her father’s body still.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Zane?”
“Yes, Zane. He’s my trainer.”
Her dad turned to Nick. “Did you know about this?” he snapped at Nick.
“Yes,” Nick calmly replied.
“Did you think that Zane might try to use Melanie as a way to get back at me?” This time her father was looking at Nick in disgust.
“No, I know he won’t hurt Melanie. If he wanted to get back at you, he would face you himself, not hurt my little sister out of spite.”
Melanie silently agreed with Nick. Zane wasn’t the kind to hurt others to make someone else pay for their mistakes. Dad knew that, too. She didn’t know why he’d even made that comment.
“Melanie, think long and hard about this. Think about how your mother would feel if she saw you now. How heartbroken she would be knowing her daughter was going to fight.” Dammit, she was sick of him putting this same guilt trip on her all the time.
“I think Mom would be proud of me.” She lifted her chin. “She would want me to fight for what I wanted.” It was time to stand her ground with her father.
“I still don’t approve. I won’t watch your fight. Women in this sport are a joke. They don’t belong in the cage. It’s just a more glamorized version of two women mud wrestling.” With that said, her dad walked back to his office in the back of the gym. Melanie stood there, shocked at the ugliness of her father’s words. She wanted to scream at him that he was wrong, but she stayed silent.
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