Ria breathed a sigh of relief, smiling and squeezing his hand back, as Nicholas pulled up to her car. She noticed he frowned slightly when he looked at it, but figured he knew it was probably about to fall apart. He always seemed very protective of her, which she couldn’t help but appreciate, even though she knew she could take care of herself just fine.
“Is that car going to get you back to your apartment? Emiliano has a fight scheduled for me tomorrow night. I need to go home and get some rest then get up early to run. I won’t see you until after the fight, if I win.”
“Is there any doubt?” she asked, feeling like she took a punch to the gut. She had been looking forward to spending the night with him.
She looked into his eyes to see if he was trying to avoid her, but he seemed sincere. She decided to believe he was telling her the truth while in the back of her mind she remembered how smoothly he had lied to the reporter.
“No.” His answer was quick, but she felt he wasn’t telling her everything?
“Nicholas?”
“Everything will be fine. I’ll see you after the fight.”
“Sounds good,” she replied, her hand going to the door handle, but then his hand curled around her neck and pulled her back to his face.
“Not so fast.” He leaned in and slid his tongue between her lips, playing with her tongue for several seconds before he pulled back. “Now you can go,” he said arrogantly.
“Christ.” Ria rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help laughing. He had just put her mind at ease, and she was both dreading the fight for him while looking forward to spending time with him afterward.
“Night, Nicholas.
“Goodnight, Ria.”
She was halfway back to her apartment before she realized he was following her. When she pulled into her parking lot, she saw him turn around and head back to the freeway. Nicholas might not come out and tell her he cared about her, but his actions were doing the talking for him.
Chapter 18
Nick gathered his clothes and packed them neatly into his duffel bag. He regretted not spending the night with Ria. His body was taut from the driving need it had been in since he had kissed her last night.
He took a deep breath. He wanted to do right by her and help get her back on her feet, but each time he was with her, all he wanted to do was touch her. She had an effect on him that no other woman had ever come close to. They were so passionate together.
She would never believe him, but just talking to her on the phone had satisfied something that had been missing inside for a long time. No woman had inspired enough emotion out of him to care. When the women became too attached, he was gone.
Damn it, he killed her brother and watched her other brother get shot. She would hate him if she knew the truth. His intent was to help her get a better job and just be a friend once he realized who she was. However, he had been unable to prevent himself from touching her when she had looked hurt at the thought he wasn’t attracted to her.
He sat on the bed and raked his fingers through his hair. God! Attracted? Hell, he was on fire for her.
Nothing was going as planned. He didn’t want to develop feelings for any woman, and now he was in a fucked-up place he had always wanted to avoid. He could finally admit to himself that he had true feelings for Ria. He couldn’t fight his attraction for her. But what the hell was he supposed to do about the fact that he’d murdered her brother?
He heard his doorbell ring, not knowing who would come over at this time of the night. He walked down the stairs and looked outside, finding Zane.
Nick groaned to himself. He was tired of Zane trying to help.
“Hey, man, what’s up?” Nick asked, trying to keep his frustration hidden.
“Not much. I wanted to have a talk.” Zane let himself into the house.
“I was about to go to bed,” Nick replied as he shut the door and followed Zane into the living room. As Zane sat down on the couch, Nick sat down on the adjacent loveseat.
“Nick, what the hell are you doing?” Zane asked.
“I have it under control,” Nick lied. He had been out of control since Ria went missing. Finding her had just made it worse.
“We fucking killed her brothers. How do you think she’s going to react when she finds out?” Zane asked.
“She’s not going to find out,” Nick replied harshly. “The cartel are grateful you killed Alejandro, and the only person that cared about Matthew is dead.”
Zane shook his head. “This isn’t going to turn out well. The longer you’re involved with her, the more likely it’s going to get out. We’re both headed to jail when it happens.”
“Like I said, it’s under control,” Nick said with finality.
“Dammit, Nick, find somewhere else to stick your dick. There are plenty of willing women that you can throw to the side once you’re done with them.” Zane raised his voice. “It’s what you do. Don’t do the same with Ria. She’s had a rough time as it is.”
“I like her, asshole!” Nick snapped back, regretting the words immediately.
Zane’s eyes widened. “No shit?”
Nick rolled his eyes and took a deep breath. “No shit,” he replied quietly.
“You’re in a fucked-up place, man. I don’t know what to tell you except I don’t think it’s going to end well. I don’t see her being too accepting once she finds out. And I personally don’t want to serve time, but that will be the least of my problems. The cartel might change its mind and want revenge, and then Melanie might be in danger.”
“She isn’t going to find out, Zane,” Nick promised.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep. I never intended for Melanie to know about working for the cartel to protect your family, but secrets have a way of coming out, and that’s when the shit hits the fan,” Zane stated.
“She won’t find out,” Nicholas repeated stubbornly.
Zane stood up to leave. “I’ll tell Melanie the good news. She’s been waiting for a woman that could rip out your heart. And by the way, you’re going to be my best man.”
Nick grunted, “Okay.”
Zane let himself out and Nick locked the door behind him.
“Fuck!” he yelled out loud.
Zane was right; it wasn’t going to end well.
* * *
Nicholas woke up and ran the two miles he did every morning to clear his head, Zane’s words repeating in his mind.
He had seen the look of disappointment on her face when he’d said it would be an early night, but the guilt had kicked in when he finally recognized her car. He’d known it looked familiar the first time he’d seen it. It was Matthew’s old car. He recalled Matthew getting out of it the day he and Zane had been waiting for him. He couldn’t believe the car was still running after all these years.
He’d instantly known he had to get away to clear his head after recognition had dawned. He was aware that his judgment was clouded when he was with her. He was tired of the conflict of emotions; one moment wanting her, then the next trying to convince himself to end it. He had been in a deep freeze so long that he didn’t know if he was making the right choices anymore. Was he endangering Zane and Melanie? He didn’t want Melanie or Ria hurt because of his actions.
With Alejandro living, he would never have released Zane, and he would have been a constant threat to Melanie. If they had turned him over to the police, their lives would have been worthless. They’d had no choice. Yet, would Ria see it that way?
* * *
Nick walked up to the pit wearing a t-shirt and shorts. The rules were simple: don’t step out of the pit, use your fists, and go for the KO.
The audience tonight was large. It was only a matter of time before word got out what he was doing. The last two times, he had managed to tell everyone his face had been messed up sparring with Marco, and Marco had backed him up. Melanie had given them both hell. He didn’t think it would be so easy to lie this time when he looked at his opponent.
Ace Barros
was a cutthroat fighter who did what it took to get the win. Nick had actually seen him fight a couple of times before he had been banned for illegal maneuvers.
Nick took his t-shirt off when his name was called. Raising his arms in the air, he stepped into the pit, walking around the small, circular space to the cheers and hisses of the crowd.
When Ace’s name was called, he ripped his t-shirt apart before stepping into the pit. The hisses were louder above the cheers, but the response was just as deafening. He arrogantly strode around the pit, throwing murderous glares toward him.
Yep, this one is going to be hard to explain.
After the bell sounded, they went at each other. If this was a ring fight, Nick would be trying to take him down for the win. Here, he was going for the KO; thus he went for Ace’s head. He had spent the time since his last fight building his strength by lifting weights and using the punching bag. He felt the difference since his last fight, but the punch Ace landed nearly knocked him out of the pit. If it hadn’t slanted downwards, he would have.
He needed this win. If he lost, Ria would be going out with another man during the next fight. That wasn’t fucking going to happen.
He managed to catch his balance, only to be knocked off it again with another hard punch to his jaw. Ace wasn’t giving him time to regroup, and Nick was forced to fight defensively.
Nick regained his senses. He brought his own fist up to hit Ace on the side of his temple. Ace staggered back, and Nick moved in, letting the fighting lust he always kept under strict control break loose, sending another vicious punch to the same sweet spot.
Ace’s knees almost gave out, but his fist flew out, nailing Nick in the nose. Blinding pain nearly made him vomit as blood gushed out of his nostrils. Only willpower kept him on his feet as he fought the dizziness. He barely managed to jerk his head back in time to avoid what he knew would have been a knockout punch.
Nick breathed through his mouth as he made a last-ditch effort, gathering what strength he had left and pretending to let his knees buckle. When Ace moved forward, Nick sprang back up, coming up on the underside of his jaw with a hard punch. Ace’s eyes rolled back in his head, and he dropped to the floor.
The crowd went wild, screaming and yelling. Nick raised his arms in the air while praying he wouldn’t pass out. As soon as he stepped out of the ring, Mitchell helped him to another room where a doctor was waiting.
Nicholas felt Mitchell’s cold stare as the doctor set his nose. After he left, he barely managed to get on his feet to take a shower. He felt like shit. He ignored Mitchell’s silent stare as he got dressed.
“Is the puta worth all this pain?”
Nick held onto the table as he tried to get his shirt on. His fingers were too sore to button his shirt. He had taken a painkiller, so when it kicked in, he would button it.
“I don’t know much Spanish, but I am familiar with that word. Don’t ever refer to her that way again, or I’ll take you out.”
“You could try.”
“I would. I wouldn’t use my fists; I’d use something harder to knock some respect into you.”
Mitchell’s laughter filled the sterile room. “Get dressed. You’re not threatening me with your dick hanging out.”
Nick managed to sit down and pull on his pants. It took ten minutes until his hands worked well enough to button his shirt and cover his junk by zipping up his slacks.
If he hadn’t felt like shit, he would wipe that smirk off Mitchell’s face. Instead, he followed him outside, sliding carefully into the limo.
Nick leaned his head back against the expensive leather. He should go home. He was in bad shape, still seeing spots; however, he didn’t want to miss the opportunity of seeing Ria. He sure as hell wouldn’t be able to do anything, but he still wanted to be with her. He didn’t want to lose what time they had left.
He had a court date in two weeks to get control of his money. As soon as he had it, he would pay for Ria’s freedom. By then, she should have her test results, and he could help her find a job in another city, away from Emiliano’s power.
Nicholas had come to the conclusion last night, after Zane had left, that he had to let her go to protect Zane and Melanie. He was going to do the right thing by them, as he was by Ria. She would never have been with him if she knew the connection he had to her brothers’ deaths. He was trying to redeem himself by fighting for her freedom, but it meant nothing if she didn’t know the whole truth.
Redemption was fickle. It drove a person to do what was right, despite the dark journey one had to take to achieve it. If it was easy to achieve, it would be worthless. But because it was so hard to win, it had become a prize to right the wrong committed. Did part of his redemption include telling Ria the truth and taking a chance that he would lose her forever?
Chapter 19
“Come in,” she said anxiously when she heard the knock on her door.
The waiting had been excruciating. She had wished she had gone to the fight to at least know versus thinking the worst.
She was halfway across the room when he opened the door. She came to an abrupt stop. Mitchell had called her to tell her Nicholas was on his way up, but he hadn’t warned her.
“No more!” she yelled. “No more, Nicholas. You’re not putting yourself through this for me.”
Nicholas walked forward and took her into his arms, and Ria burst into tears. His hand forced her to look up into his badly beaten face.
“You can’t stop me, Ria. I’m not stopping until you’re out of this apartment, standing on your own with your mother.” His thumb wiped away her tears. “It looks worse than it is.”
Ria didn’t believe him. He was lying to protect her feelings. “I can’t bear to see you hurt because of me.”
“Babe, I’m a fighter. I’m usually always fucked-up.” He smiled, wincing at the movement.
“Sit down. I’ll get you something to drink.”
“Nothing alcoholic. I’ve got painkillers in my system.”
Ria nodded before going into the kitchen to get him a large glass of tea.
Handing it to him, she sank down onto the couch next to him, taking his free hand in hers. “Who did you fight?”
“Ace Barros.”
“I’ve seen him fight. He hasn’t lost.”
“He has now,” Nicholas said smugly.
“You're crazy.” Ria couldn’t hold back her smile as she leaned against him.
“All fighters are crazy to step into a ring. But I love it. Actually, the pit fighting will help round me out—boxing was always my weakness. I prefer using my wrestling and kickboxing, but now I have an even better shot at regaining my title.”
“Why do you do it? You have enough money to stop.”
“Because I love it. I used to watch my dad fight when I was a kid. He didn’t want me to train just because of him, though. I had to beg him to let me do it. He knew the pain and glory only happened for a very few, and he didn’t want me to go through what he had. He still can’t accept Melanie fighting. He hates to see us hurt.”
“I can’t blame him.” She gently reached out to touch his nose before placing a light kiss on the bandage.
“When my mom used to do that, it had no effect. With you, I feel better already.”
She placed tiny kisses along his jawline until she reached his mouth, her tongue tracing his full bottom lip before plunging inside, discovering the full extent of his passion. His hand went to the back of her head, holding her in place while he took control of the kiss.
Nicholas was a very dominating lover. He liked it when she became soft and took what he gave her. Ria enjoyed it, too, rejoicing in his masculinity that was missing from so many men. She didn’t want courtesy shown to her in bed; she wanted a rough and tumble lover, capable of making her feel like a woman. Nicholas did that in spades. He made her feel like the most desirable woman in the world.
“I love your body.” She ran her fingers across his chest, enjoying the sensuous feel of his har
d body beneath the expensive material of his shirt. He was built perfectly, each muscle highlighting his strength. It was the kind of body a woman usually only fantasized about. She couldn’t believe that she was with him, able to freely touch him.
“In the body department, you have me beat.” Nicholas smiled as he buried his face in her breasts. He pulled her tighter against his body and grabbed the side of her hips, pulling them back and forth so she was grinding her body along his dick. He was definitely feeling better, yet she was worried their lovemaking would hurt him.
“Are you able?”
“It would take more than one fight to keep me from fucking you tonight. I want you,” he groaned.
He lifted her up so she was standing with her legs straddled over him on the couch. He unbuttoned her shorts then pulled them down her legs along with her panties.
Once the clothes were out of the way, she started to bend down onto her knees to straddle him again, but he stopped her. He kept her standing and placed his hands on her ass to pull her pussy closer to his mouth. Ria put her hands on the wall behind the couch to support herself as she felt his mouth clamp down on her clit.
She started to pull away. She had never had a man go down on her, and it didn’t feel right at first. His hands slid to the side of her hips, not allowing her to move away.
“Stay still,” he ordered, then went back to sucking on her clit.
At first, Ria felt uncomfortable.
“Relax, Ria. Stop fighting it,” he commanded.
Ria forced her body to relax and allowed him to have his way with her pussy. She released the tension in her body as he started running one of his fingers along the inside of her lips while pulling and flicking her clit with his mouth and tongue. He ran his finger along her opening and slowly started sliding his finger inside. She was already wet; therefore he was able to slide his finger all the way in without any resistance.
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