Scarlett
When I wakeup Tuesday morning of what I’ve dubbedfight weekin my brain, Gabe is already gone. I reach out to touch the sheets, but I know they’ll be cold. He’s been training like a man possessed, and I suppose that’s exactly what he is.
I’ve never seen a man more determined to win at anything in my life. I’m in awe of Gabriel’s dedication, especially because he’s still made as much time for me as he can, even though I’ve told him repeatedly that when this is over, we’ll have plenty of time for each other again.
I smile, remembering that Christine is flying in today from LA to spend time with Ryan, his family, and all the friends she left behind in the city when she headed west with her father upon his retirement. Plus, both Ryan and Christine are coming to the fight.
They shocked the hell out of me when they told me they’d secured tickets.“Did you think we wouldn’t do whatever it took to be there? We know how important this is for you both.”
Warmth filled me at their support. I may not have family who will do anything for me, but my friends are the best a girl could ask for. Harlow, Monroe, and their husbands will be coming, and so will Kelsey and her brother Jon. Flynn is the only one who won’t be there, because all eyes will be on the club, and it’s too well known that she’s underage. Additionally, with the bit of trouble she found for herself, she’s laying kind of low for good reason until it’s all settled.
Legend will be closing after tomorrow night, and the club will remain closed until the doors open on Saturday to let in all the eager fight-goers.
I’m excited about the fight, because Gabriel has worked his ass off, but I’m also terrified. I’ve never had to see the man I love get punched in the face with no pads to block the blows. There’s a good chance I’m going to be watching the whole thing through my fingers, like a little kid sitting through her first horror movie.
Hopefully not, though. I can be strong for Gabriel.
But Bodhi Black is out for blood, especially since it sounds like he doesn’t believe Gabriel wasn’t behind the failed attack to take out his knee. No one has heard from Rolo either, which makes him look even more guilty than the vague suspicions Gabriel had before.
Even more than Bodhi Black, I’m worried about Moses Buford Gaspard. Gabriel said the mob is covering him and not to worry, but that’s easier said than done.
Why can’t he just disappear and never come back?I think as I roll out of bed and slip on the robe I tossed on the chair last night.That would make life so much easier and less stressful.
A knock comes on my interior front door, and I glance at the clock. Amy shouldn’t be here for another forty minutes, so I pad toward it and peek through the peephole.
“Christine!” I unlock the door and yank it open before flinging myself at her in a hug.
“Oh God. Really? It’s too fucking early for this bullshit, Scar. Get it together,” she says, all the while laughing.
I pull back to stare at the freckles dotting her creamy complexion. “I swear to God, you’re the only person I know who hates being hugged this much. And how the hell have you managed not to getanysun at all living in LA? You still look like a New Yorker in the dead of winter.”
Christine rolls her eyes as I shut the door behind her. “Yeah, you look great too. Like you’ve been getting laid on the regular. It makes you glow and shit. Wait, are you pregnant?”
“No,” I say with a shake of my head. “Definitely not. But, hopefully, that won’t be too far off in the distant future.”
Her expression morphs into shock laced with horror. “Not you too. Really? You’re gonna do the rug-rat thingalready? God, I’m going to have to buy baby presents and shit, and you know how much I hate that. Ryan’s already put me through that special kind of hell twice, and I really hoped that was all the torture I’d have to go through in this life.”
“I’ve missed you, Chris. It’s really good to see you. And hug you, even though you hate it.”
She shivers, as if the human contact has truly grossed her out, sending her brown curls bouncing. I know better and ignore her, leading the way into the kitchen—careful to avoid those spots Gabriel and I have christened—and she follows.
“You know I love you, Scar. I’ve missed you too. And damn, I’ve missed this city. Why did I move to LA again? I must’ve been crazy.”
“You know you’d never let your dad that far out of your sight to move back, so you’d better learn to love the concrete jungle.”
“The things we do for family,” she grumbles. “Speaking of which, how is Daddy Dearest? Have you talked to him lately?”
I shake my head. “Don’t know. Don’t care. Don’t have any plans to speak to him anytime soon either.”
She lifts her chin. “I don’t blame you. If he called me, I wouldn’t even bother to listen to the voice mail, after I hit the fuck-you button on him.”
“I thought you weren’t getting in until later?” I ask, changing the subject.
“I took a red-eye. I wanted to see how you’re really doing. I know you told Ryan and me to stay the hell out of your personal business, but I needed to know that you’re good. Clearly, I had nothing to worry about, because you look better than ever.”
A wide smile stretches my lips. “Thank you. I’m happy. I mean, nervous as hell about this fight, but that’s to be expected. You want a double espresso?”
“Please. My blood-caffeine level is dangerously low.”