by Twyla Turner
“Okay. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Cool. So…guess what I get to pick up today after I get off work today?”
“What?”
“My cosplay costume for the conference in two weeks.” Payton grinned happily.
“Ye never told me what yer dressing as.”
“I’ll give you a hint. She’s kickass. And may or may not have kicked your butt on our first playdate.” She pushed up her glasses with a smirk.
“Hmm… I think I might know who yer speaking of.”
“I never would’ve had the confidence to pull it off, if it wasn’t for you.” Payton looked down at her coffee self-consciously.
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“What kinds of characters did ye dress up as before?” Bradyn asked curiously.
“I dressed as Katniss Everdeen one year. Last year, I was Tiana from Princess and the Frog. They’re easy because they’re fully covered up. I’ve always been nervous to show any skin.” Payton tried to shrug nonchalantly.
“Whatever the outfit is, I’m sure yer going to look bonnie in it. Ye look good in everything ye put on.”
“Aw shucks.” Payton smiled coyly.
“Alright, let’s get moving, Coffee Bean before we’re late.” Bradyn leaned over the counter to kiss her forehead.
“Okay, GG.”
“Ye know that sounds like a lass’s name when ye shorten it like that?”
“That’s why I only call you that at home.” Payton winked.
“Once ye get comfortable being yerself, yer a feisty lass. I’ll give ye that.” He teased as he smacked her on the bottom.
Payton yelped and ran towards the door. Mornings had never been so great.
~~~
“Congratulations, Kennedy!” The girls shouted out in unison.
Kennedy had gotten an adjunct position at UC Berkeley to teach Creative Writing and Self-Publishing. It had been something she’d been working on for some time and the university finally agreed that there was enough interest in the course to begin classes come fall. So now was the time to celebrate before she had to bury herself in finishing her latest novel and beginning the process of developing her lesson plan.
“Thanks, ladies! I’m super excited. It’s gonna be a lot of work, but I’m up for it. I don’t have a man, so I have plenty of time to kill.” Kennedy remarked before sipping her dirty martini.
“Maybe you’ll meet someone there,” Royal commented.
“Doubtful. Just a bunch of crotchety old tenured professors.” Kennedy waved away the thought.
“You never know.” Payton gave her a look.
“Oh, look at who’s the optimistic one now.” Kennedy winked at her. “By the way, I’m almost finished with the story that surrounds you two. But I have a favor to ask. You too, Royal.”
“What’s up?”
“So here’s the thing. When creating a cover and looking through hundreds of stock photos to find the perfect one, when you write interracial romance with curvy heroines, it’s next to impossible to find the right photos. So…I was wondering if I could hire you, Royal to take some pictures for me. And I was hoping that Payton and Bradyn would be the muses.” Kennedy clasped her hands together and smiled really big. “Pretty, please!”
“What kind of photos?” Payton asked hesitantly.
She was feeling much more confident these days, but not that confident.
“Uh…sexy ones.” It sounded more like a question than a statement.
“I’m down. But then again, I’m the one behind the camera. Which you’re giving me some ideas for a future project, Kennedy. I have to think on this some more before I reveal what’s cooking.” Royal got a blank look in her eyes, letting them know she was deep in creative thought. Both she and Kennedy did that often.
The mind of an artist. Payton thought to herself as she looked back at Kennedy.
“I’ll have to ask Bradyn, but I don’t think he’ll mind. I’ve kinda always wanted someone to take pretty, artistic pictures of me.” Payton confessed.
She was having a lot of firsts lately and she wouldn’t change it for the world.
“Thank you so much, Payton! You won’t regret it. I promise.” Kennedy hugged her warmly.
“You’re welcome.”
“So are you ready for tomorrow?” Mia asked her curiously.
Payton’s smile faded and she sighed heavily. “No. You guys know how much I hate that kind of violence. Fictional stuff like fighting with lightsabers or superheroes fighting aliens in Metropolis is one thing. But two huge men beating each other to a pulp isn’t my cup of tea. Then add to it the fact that I’m in love with one of them, and it makes me want to vomit. But I promised I’d be there for him. So that’s what I’m gonna do.”
“We’ll be right there with you.” Royal patted her hand. “So if you need to squeeze one of our hands or turn away while we tell you what’s happening, we will do that for you.”
“Hell, yeah we will.” Mia leaned across their table at the bar and gripped her other hand.
“Absolutely.” Kennedy nodded.
“Thanks, guys.”
Deep into their conversation, Payton missed the drama that was unfolding on the television behind her. Drama that was happening only a few block away.
~~~
Bradyn stood off to the side of the stage as each weight division was called up to weigh in for each fight tomorrow. His fight was the main event, so he and his opponent would be weighed last. When it was their turn, his opponent was called first.
“And now for the main event. In the heavyweight class, please give it up for Rhett ‘The Sting’ Matson!” The announcer shouted into the mic.
Rhett walked onto the stage, cocky as usual. He stripped off his shoes, pants, and shirt before stepping onto the scale. He flexed and stuck out his tongue and Bradyn rolled his eyes.
“Rhett weighs in at two-hundred-and-sixty-two pounds.” The announcer bellowed “And last but not least to the stage in the heavyweight division is returning UFC Champion Bradyn ‘The Red Scot’ MacTavish!”
Bradyn walked onto the stage. He kicked off his Vans, pulled off his jeans and t-shirt, and stepped onto the scale in his black briefs. And because it was part of the appeal, Bradyn raised his massive arms and flexed. His face impassive.
“The Red Scot weighing in at two-hundred-and-sixty-four pounds!”
Bradyn stepped off of the scale and walked to the middle of the stage to meet Rhett to face off. They both held up their fists towards each other and mean-mugged each other for the cameras. Flashes exploded as Rhett stepped closer and put his forehead against Bradyn’s, trying to intimidate him. Bradyn wasn’t fazed.
“How’s your hot little black piece of ass, MacTavish?”
Bradyn just clenched his jaw together tightly.
“Once I spank your ass tomorrow, I’ll be sure to save some for your girl. I’m sure she’ll love for a real champion to spank that fat ass.” Rhett smirked.
Bradyn lunged for his opponent, ready to kick his ass now. Arms from every direction reached out to grab Bradyn before he killed the other man.
“Ye keep her out yer mouth before I rip yer tongue out an’ shove it up yer arse. After I’m through with ye, ye’ll wish ye were nothing more than a cocksplat on yer Da’s trousers, ye piece of shit!” Bradyn bellowed as he was pulled off the stage by Mitch and a few others on his team.
“Calm down, man!” Mitch grunted as Bradyn fought him.
“I’m good,” Bradyn grumbled and pulled away from Mitch.
“Look, Red. I’m really happy you finally found someone, but she’s been getting in the way of your mindset, your training, and now you’re letting him use her to get under your skin. You’ve got to get your head in the game, bro.” Mitch scolded him.
“Dinna start with me, Mitch. I love her. I’m no’ ashamed of it and I willna apologize for it. I havena told ye yet, but I plan on retiring after this fight. All I have to do i
s beat that ferret-faced fucktrumpet and I’ll be done.” Bradyn said as his cornerman handed him his clothing.
“Why are you retiring now?”
“Because I want to go out on a high note. Because I dinna love it anymore. I love running my gym and would like to open more. I like working with kids like me. I want awkward kids to have a place they belong. And aye, for Payton too. She doesna like me fighting.” Bradyn sighed at his best friend’s disappointed face. “I always said I’d give it up when it wasna fun anymore. I’ve come to that time.”
“I can’t say that I’m happy about it. But I understand it.” Mitch conceded.
Bradyn pulled on his clothes quickly. All he wanted to do was go back to his hotel suite and wait for Payton to get back from her celebration. But he still had interviews he was obligated to do first.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Payton fidgeted nervously in her seat. She sat in between Royal and Kennedy, and Mia sat next to Royal. Earlier in the day, while Bradyn was busy doing more interviews and warming up for tonight, the girls had forced Payton to go shopping for something to wear to the fight. She hadn’t understood why her jeans and nice top weren’t good enough for the event. They’d told her that women usually dressed up for these things, especially the woman of one of the opponents.
In the end, the girls had found her a really cute black faux leather dress. The shoulders and capped sleeves were made of black lace. The leather started at about cleavage level and was fitted over her breasts and waist and then flared out at the hip to stop just above the knee. It was equally sexy and sweet. The girls paired it with a pair of black peep-toe wedge booties.
“God, I’m so nervous, you’d think I was fighting.” Payton cracked her knuckles anxiously.
“It’ll be alright, Payton. He’ll do great.” Kennedy reassured her.
“I know. But I can’t sit here anymore. I’m gonna go back and talk to him. He said I could come back if I wanted to. I just didn’t want to bother him.” Payton said standing up.
“Payton, he probably wants you back there to at least wish him good luck!” Kennedy scolded her.
“Girl, you better go give your man some good luck sugar.” Mia gave her the side-eye.
“Fine. I’m going.”
Payton stumbled off towards the locker rooms, wobbling in her wedge heels. When she got to the back, she showed her pass to the guards and they let her through. She asked them where Bradyn was warming up and they pointed her in the right direction. When she got to the door, she took a deep breath and knocked. A few seconds later Bradyn opened the door himself and a broad grin spread across his face.
“I was hoping ye’d come wish me luck, lass.” He said as he pulled her into the quiet locker room.
“Where is everyone?”
“I like a little quiet time before every fight.” Bradyn pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly.
“Mmm…then I shouldn’t be here,” Payton said after he released her lips.
“Yer the exception.”
“Are you nervous?”
“I’m always a little nervous before every fight.”
“I’d be quaking in my boots.”
“Then let’s be glad it’s me going in the octagon and no’ you, lass.” He winked at her, trying to put her mind at ease when she should be the one trying to calm him. “I wanted to tell ye something.”
“What?”
“This will be my last fight. I’m retiring after tonight.”
“Really?!” Payton’s eyes widened with hope.
“Aye, really.”
“Oh my God!” Payton launched herself into his arms. “That makes me feel so much better.”
“Good. I’d hoped it would.”
Payton pulled back and studied his face. “You’re not just doing this for me, are you? I’d hate for you to give up something you love for me. I can handle it if you want to continue to fight.”
“No, lass. Like I told Mitch last night, I dinna love it anymore. I’d rather spend my time building more gyms and get more children that feel lost like I did, get involved in activities that will boost their confidence.” Bradyn explained as he caressed the side of her face.
“That’s wonderful, Bradyn! It feels like everything is falling into place.” Payton smiled and then a thought came into her mind that ruined her little slice of happiness.
“We’ll find out who it is and get them behind bars. Dinna fash yerself, lass.”
“Okay.” Payton raised up on her tippy toes and kissed him softly.
“Would ye like to see how a Scotsman puts on an authentic kilt?” Bradyn grinned, effectively distracting her from her morose thoughts.
“Heck yeah!”
Payton watched as he laid out his clan’s tartan, like the one they’d used for their picnic. He folded pleats the middle of the plaid and then took a belt and slid it under the fabric. He shucked off his gym shorts and was in nothing but the little red briefs he’d be fighting in. His body was magnificent and Payton grinned because he was all hers.
Her brow furrowed as he got down on the floor on his back and laid down on top of the tartan. He grabbed one side of the tartan and folded it over his thighs and groin area, then he overlapped the other side over him. He grasped either side of the belt and brought it around his waist and buckled it. Then he stood up and adjusted the cloth until it was just right. The pleats he’d made in the middle were perfection in the back of the kilt and the front laid flat against his muscular legs. In the front, the plaid reached just above the knee and in the back, it hung lower near his calves. Payton had never seen an authentic kilt before and she had to admit that it was way hotter than the premade ones. To finish his look, Bradyn stepped into some black combat boots.
Payton nearly swooned at the picture he made. Shirtless with muscles bulging. A sexy kilt that hung low on his hips and combat boots that accentuated his pretty, yet manly legs.
“I wish there wasn’t a ‘no sex before a fight’ rule. You look so hot.” Payton fanned herself.
“Hotter than Han Solo?”
“Yep.”
“Captain America?”
“For sure.”
“Thor?”
“Now don’t go pushing it.” Payton burst out laughing and then screeched as Bradyn playfully snatched her up.
“Once I recover from the fight, I’ll make sure ye dinna ever say Thor’s name again.” He promised her, before dipping his tongue into her welcoming mouth.
Bradyn didn’t release her from the toe-curling kiss until she was breathless. “Thor, who?”
“That’s what I thought.” He smirked. “Alright, get yer fine arse to yer seat.”
“Good luck, Bradyn,” Payton said seriously, her nerves kicking back in. “I love you.”
“Thank ye, lass. I love ye, too.”
Payton walked out of his locker room and started towards the arena. Right as she walked passed another door, it swung open and an arm shot out and pulled her through the door while the other wrapped around her mouth. Her scream never made it passed her lips.
She kicked and struggled to get out of the steel bands around her torso. Finally, the person dropped her and she spun around. She watched as a huge man, nearly as large as Bradyn, lock the door to another locker room he’d trapped her in. Payton’s pulsed raced.
When he turned, Payton recognized his face from the posters of him and Bradyn. He was Bradyn’s opponent. Why would he grab me and pull me in here like that?
The man grinned at her as he walked forward. The smile was sinister. Pure evil and seemed familiar. Payton backed up until her back hit the lockers.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” The man said, his voice even sounded familiar.
“N-No. Should I?”
“Yeah, you should. Seeing as how you ruined my life.” He stepped closer, only a few inched from her face. “I had to get some surgery to change my face a bit and changed my name to Rhett Matson. But you would know me by my real name, Brett Mason.”<
br />
The name that had haunted her for years.
“HEL-” Payton tried to scream for help the moment that name fell from his lips, but he was too quick. Brett smashed his hand over her mouth painfully, like he’d done all those years ago.
“What? Did you think that I wouldn’t eventually find you once I got out of jail? That I didn’t think about how you ruined my life every day of the five years I was in prison? That I didn’t want to kill you every time I got beat up by another inmate? Didn’t you know it was me who left you all of those gifts?”
Payton couldn’t respond to any of what he was saying since his hand hadn’t left her mouth. Tears streamed down her face to his hand. She was starting to hyperventilate and with his hand over her mouth, she couldn’t get in enough air. Black spots started to dance before her eyes. It was like her freshman year of college all over again.
“Yeah, you knew it was me. I can see it in your eyes. I knew I’d find you eventually. I had no idea how perfect it would be. There you were sitting with my arch nemesis for dinner at that fancy restaurant. I was so fucking happy. You know? Two birds, one stone. I could get my revenge on you both. I’ve been waiting years to hurt you and I’ve been chasing MacTavish’s championship title for years too. Tonight just might be the best night of my life.” Brett finally stopped talking, which was a bad thing.
No talking equaled pain.
His free hand grabbed her breast painfully and Payton knew what he wanted. She also knew that the likelihood of her getting away from a trained fighter was next to impossible. But she couldn’t just let whatever he was planning, happen. She had to fight.
Payton jerked her knee up in an attempt to knee him in the groin. Brett caught her foot between his thighs, his reflexes lightning fast. He smiled sadistically before backhanding her across the face. She fell to the floor and quickly started crawling away.
“HELP! Ungh!” Payton choked on a scream as he kicked her in the stomach.
Brett flipped her onto her back and straddled her. Her feet kicked and legs squirmed, trying to buck him off, as he forced her arms to the floor next to her head, trapping her.