“But this guy is more advanced. Dangerous,” she said.
“You read about the fight online, didn’t you?” I accused.
“I couldn’t help myself,” she admitted. “I’m worried.”
Her words hit hard. When I was younger, I was a loose cannon. The fighting was my avenue, but with time I lost my steam. I lost that fire that made me want to react before my mind caught up. These days I was the complete opposite. I was thinking about all my actions. Since taking over the orchard I’dbeen planning for the future, and since meeting Claire I felt like my purpose had changed.
“Don’t be worried. I’ll be prepared,” I assured.
“I know,” she said. “But that won’t stop me from worrying,” she said, looking up at me with doe blue eyes. I cared about her. I knew what it felt like to worry when she took off to meet with Nico, when she was involving herself with dangerous things.
“I’ll be careful.”
“We both know that isn’t enough,” she said.
That was the truth. “I think this is going to be my last fight, Claire. I’ve been saving the money from fights to invest in the orchard.”
I kissed the top of her head, and she sighed as she curled into me. The truth was, I worried too. I’d fought all kinds of guys and won, but this guy was different. He had a record of making illegal plays and had seriously injured someone at the international Asian competition. I had always felt like a lone soldier. I never had anyone else to worry about. I wandered from place to place. Now I felt like I had something to lose. Or more like someone, and I didn’t want to risk the feeling I had now because with Claire in my arms everything felt right. My life was shifting, and I would either need to embrace it or let this beautiful woman down.
CHAPTER 24
Claire
A few days passed in a quiet blur. Elyna and Phoenix finally came home with their baby boy.
The whole property buzzed with excitement. Cars came and went. Laughter floated through the air. Even the workers seemed lighter, smiling more as word spread that the baby was healthy and everyone was doing well. I carried a small gift bag up the path toward their house, nerves fluttering in my stomach, though I wasn’t sure why. Maybe because new babies made everything feel fragile and hopeful at once. Harmony opened the door first.
“Hi, you,” she said warmly. “Come in. They’re in the living room.” The house smelled like fresh laundry and baby lotion.
Soft voices drifted from inside. Elyna sat curled on the couch, looking exhausted but glowing in that new-mom way. Phoenix hovered nearby like he was afraid to breathe too loudly. In her arms was the tiniest human I’d ever seen.
“Oh wow,” I whispered.
Elyna smiled tiredly. “Right? He doesn’t even feel real yet.”
I handed her the gift. “Just something small.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, but her eyes softened.
The baby stirred, making a tiny squeaking noise that instantly melted something inside me.
“He’s perfect,” I said quietly.
Phoenix beamed like he’d been handed the whole world. We talked for a while about small things like sleepless nights and how her labor had been long but manageable. We talked about Braden adjusting to being a big brother too.
Eventually Harmony disappearedinto the kitchen to make tea, leaving Elyna and me alone for a moment. She studied me carefully.
“You look happy,” she said.
I blinked. “Do I?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
I smiled faintly. “I think I am.”
Her expression softened knowingly, and for a moment we just sat there listening to the quiet sounds of the baby breathing.
My smile faded slightly. “Asher’s been training nonstop.”