—G
My heart melts as my smile stretches wide across my cheeks.
I lift the package off the nightstand and carefully open the shiny black paper to find a white box. I open it and pull out something round, wrapped in tissue paper. When I peel back the layers, I release an audible sigh.
“Oh myGod.”
It’s a ladybug salt shaker. I reach into the box and unwrap the matching ladybug for pepper.Goddammit, that’s it. I’m going to marry this man.
But, first, I’m going to watch him win this fight, and hopefully see him realize exactly how incredible he is too.
Gabriel Legend, you are a special man. I won’t stop until you see yourself like I do.
Forty-Seven
Legend
I stepout of the shower and scrub the towel across my skin. We didn’t do much training at all today, given that I need to save my energy for tonight. But Jeb had me go through his fight-day protocol, which included an hour of film pointing out Bodhi’s weaknesses for the last time, and then visualization exercises.
I’m prepared. More prepared than I’ve been foranythingin my life. Once I step inside that cage, anything can happen, but I’m ready. Beyond fucking ready.
When I got home, I checked on Scarlett, who was with Kelsey in the master bath, working on her makeup. I gave her a kiss on her lips, which were still bare, and then headed to shower in the guest room.
I wrap the towel around my waist, brace my palms on the counter, and meet my gaze in the mirror.
“Tonight, we win. Tomorrow, we take out Moses.” I make the promise and then head for the guest room, where my suit from Gunter hangs.
I was surprised the old man made it, but what he said to Scarlett gave me something I didn’t know I needed. Approval from her people. It feels pretty fucking great that they don’t think I’m reaching above my station. Apparently, I’ve been the only one hung up on that this whole time. And now, I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks.
I slip on the silk-lined black suit pants and button up the tailored black shirt. The black vest is next. Black on black on black. The old man’s taste is impeccable, not that I should be surprised. With the jacket still on its hanger, I head out into the living room and hang it on a hook near the door that leads into the rest of the building.
I check my phone to see if I’ve missed a notification while I was showering, and there’s only one. It brings a smile to my face, and I reply immediately.
Flynn: Kick some ass tonight, bro. I’m proud of you, win or lose.
Legend: Consider it done, lil sis.
Kelsey’s voice carries from the bathroom and out through the bedroom so that I can hear some of what she’s saying.
“I swear to God, love is the best highlighter there is. I don’t think you’ve ever looked this radiant, Scar. All my clients need a Gabriel Legend, if they want to glow like you.”
Scarlett’s response isn’t loud enough for me to overhear, but I don’t need to. She loves me. I see it every time she looks at me. It took a little while for me to be able to recognize the emotion, since I didn’t have a hell of a lot of experience with it, but now I can’t mistake it for anything else.
“Let’s get your dress on and then do your lips,” Kelsey says in a singsong voice. “I’mdyingto see this look come together.”
I settle into one of the chairs in the living room and cross an ankle over my knee. Kelsey isn’t the only one who wants to see Scarlett, but I’m in no rush. We’ve got an hour before we need to leave for the club, and then roughly another three hours before Bodhi and I are up, depending on whether the undercard fights go the distance.
Because my fights have never been sanctioned, tonight is technically the start and end of my professional career. Bodhi had a run in one of the pro organizations a few years back, before he realized the money was better underground. So, the odds are firmly in his favor, which is ironic, because I beat him last time. Either way, that only helps me. Betting on an underdog who pulls out the victory is the most profitable way to go.
My head jerks up at the squeals of excitement coming from the bedroom.
“Oh. My. Gawd. This is ... Jesus Christ. Gunter is a wizard. You lookamazing.”
Well, hell. I guess it’s time to put on my jacket so I look the part too.
I move to where I hung it and slide it over my shoulders ... just in time to see Kelsey poke her head out of the doorway.
“Oh, good. You’re here. Damn. You two are going to set records tonight for the hottest couple in history. But don’t take my word for it ...” She trails off and steps to the side.