Taking the Fight, page 4
“No,” I said, shaking my head, “they don’t want me involved with Nikolai or his people.”
I met Annika’s gaze and she nodded. “Fair enough. Nikolai’s already told me who all the guys are, even though I already knew.” She winked at me. “I watch their fights on TV, as well as yours. We can just say you’re training me for the next week or two, and that we spoke on the phone last week.”
“That could work,” I agreed, “but I’m heading out of town not this weekend, but next.”
Annika waved me off as if it wasn’t a big deal. “No worries.”
“Is that going to be enough time to learn?” I wondered.
She shrugged. “Not sure. But I know my first fight is this weekend. I guess we’ll see what happens.” That didn’t give us much time to train at all.
“All right,” I said, pressing the lock button on my key fob, “let’s get to work.” We strolled toward the gym entrance. “Tell me a little about yourself before we get inside. Are you from California?”
I looked over at her and she shook her head. “New York. I got here last week.”
“How old are you?”
Annika smiled. “Just turned twenty-five last month.” I was right. We were the same age. “I graduated from NYU,” she continued, “and plan to work with my father once I prove myself.”
I snorted. “Did graduating from one of the top schools in the country not prove yourself?”
We stopped at the gym doors, and she turned to me. “Unfortunately, that’s not how it works for women like me. You’re lucky, Reagan. I hope you know that.”
I was glad I didn’t come from her world. We walked inside and I led her over to the other sparring ring. Carter and Braden had stopped for a water break, and I could feel Braden’s eyes on us. After I tossed my bag onto the mat, Annika leaned in close.
“Braden Emerson is staring at us. He’s so hot,” she whispered.
“Meh, I haven’t noticed,” I said, rummaging through my bag. “I need to get you some hand wraps from the supply room.”
A few seconds later, I could feel Braden behind me. “Good morning, you two.”
I continued to fiddle around in my bag while Annika gushed over him. “It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” she cooed. “I’m Annika. Congrats on the title win, by the way.”
A pang of jealousy pierced my gut when I glanced at them over my shoulder. Annika was gorgeous, and Braden was charming. The last thing I wanted was to see them flirt with each other.
Braden shook her hand and smiled. “Thanks.” Then he turned to me. “Do you want to train with me today?”
I nodded over at Annika. “Actually, I’ll be with her for the morning. Annika wants me to show her some fighting moves.”
Braden’s slow-growing smile made my body tighten in forbidden places, especially when his hypnotic green eyes met mine. “Great. I’ll help you. Carter’s leaving for the day, so I’m free.”
Turning around, he went back to Carter while I stood there dumbfounded. Annika stepped up to me and fanned herself with her hand. “It is definitely getting hot in here. I think I’m going to enjoy this.”
That made only one of us. It was going to be a long-ass day.
CHAPTER 7
BRADEN
For most of the day, I watched Reagan work with Annika. Reagan was a natural in the ring and even more so as a teacher. Once they were done sparring, Reagan sent Annika to finish the day with a run on the treadmill. She walked over and I handed her a bottle of water.
“It looked like you enjoyed yourself today,” I told her.
Sweat dripped down her face, landing between her breasts; she was so fucking sexy. She took the water and twisted the cap off, tilting her head back so she could guzzle the liquid.
“So did you,” she said, catching her breath. There was a hint of annoyance in her tone. “And so did Annika.”
A smile spread across my face. “Are you jealous because she flirted with me?”
Reagan wouldn’t meet my eyes. “Nope.”
Why did she have to lie to me? What was it going to take to break down her walls? “Well, if you noticed, I didn’t flirt back,” I said.
She snorted. “Which is a first for you.”
The woman was infuriating. “Or maybe you haven’t been paying attention,” I ground out. “If you haven’t noticed, my focus has been on you.” Body tense, she grabbed her gym bag off the floor. “I know you want me, Reagan. Just like I want you. Why do you keep fighting me?”
Her fiery blue eyes pierced into mine. “Because I have to.” Natalie waved at her from the reception desk, and she slung her bag over her shoulder. “I have my reasons,” she huffed before storming off. I went after her and stopped when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
When I saw it was Seth, I kept my voice low. “What’s going on?”
Reagan was too far away to hear, and Annika had just gotten off the treadmill.
“I called my brother. He’s agreed to back off Reagan,” he said.
Anger boiling in my gut, I clenched my teeth. “And you believe that sorry sack of shit?”
“He gave me his word,” Seth replied. “If he breaks it, he knows I’ll go after him. And I know he’s not ready for that.” There was no way in hell I would believe Nikolai’s word.
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome. If things change, I want you to call me.”
I looked over at Reagan who was still busy talking to Natalie. “Will do,” I conceded, sliding my phone back into my pocket. My gym bag was in the sparring ring, so I walked over and picked it up before joining Reagan and Natalie at the reception desk. The telephone rang and Natalie busied herself with that while I faced Reagan. “We need to talk. I just got off the phone with Seth. Can I come over to your place?”
Reagan’s eyes snapped over at me. “What did he say?”
Before I could answer, Annika strolled over, and Reagan turned her attention to her. Annika held up her phone and smiled. “I just got off the phone with my brother. He wanted to know if you and I would meet him for drinks tonight so he can pay you for my training lessons.”
Reagan shrugged. “Sure. I need to go home and shower first.”
Annika waved her off. “Of course. I’m going to do the same. How about I pick you up around nine?” Reagan nodded and then Annika’s twinkling hazel eyes turned my way. “Why don’t you come too? It’ll be fun.” Reagan’s face went stoic, and I couldn’t tell if she was angry, jealous, or both. Maybe Annika would be the one to push her over the edge. “So, Mr. Emerson, are you in?” Annika cooed.
I smiled over at Reagan, who pinned me with a lethal glare. “Sure,” I replied, grinning wider. Annika beamed excitedly, and I shifted my smile to her. “I’ll pick you both up from Reagan’s.”
Some way somehow, I was going to get through to Reagan.
CHAPTER 8
REAGAN
When I looked in the mirror at my skintight black dress and perfectly applied makeup, I appeared calm, but I was a nervous wreck. I didn’t want Braden involved with what I had going on. Nikolai had a vendetta against so many people I cared about, making me want Braden as far away as possible. And I didn’t want him anywhere near Annika; it was clear she wanted him. I mean, who wouldn’t? Braden was funny, charming, and sexy as hell. Even more so, he was a good guy, a great friend, and protective. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin the dynamic between us.
The doorbell rang so I quickly slipped on my black heels, and they clanked against the hardwood floor the whole way down the hall. I knew it’d be Annika on the other side of the door. She’d texted earlier and said she wanted to talk some more before Braden arrived to pick us up. He was with us for most of her training, so it didn’t give me the chance to ask her questions. I needed to know what I was getting myself into.
When I opened the door, Annika was there, looking exquisite in a shimmering metallic-silver skirt and black top with her brown hair perfectly straight down her back.
Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Your hair looks amazing like that. I love the beach waves.”
“Thanks,” I said, stepping out of the way so she could enter. “You look amazing too.”
Annika raked her gaze around my apartment and snickered. “Someone loves plants.”
After shutting the door, I walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator. “That would be my friend, Peyton. She’s also Braden’s sister.” I chose a Pinot Grigio and fetched two glasses out of the cabinet. “She’s been in several popular movies.”
Annika nodded and sat down on the bar stool at the counter. “Oh, I know who she is. I’m surprised with all the money she’s making that she’d live in an apartment.”
I poured our wine and handed her a glass. “The time’s coming. We’ve lived here for two years. Now that I’m making money from competitive fighting, I’ll probably try to find my own place. Peyton’s never here, so it’s like I’m living on my own anyway.”
Annika took a sip of her wine and sighed. “There are so many amazing homes on the beach out here. My brother just bought a place in Santa Monica. That’s where I’m staying at the moment.”
“Are you moving here or just visiting from New York while you fight?” I asked, swirling the wine in my glass.
Annika shrugged. “Not sure yet. I think my father wants me back in New York. However,” she said, smirking teasingly, “the men here are delicious. I never knew what I was missing.” She finished her wine and set her glass on the coffee table. “Is Braden dating anyone?” A laugh escaped her lips and she held up a hand. “Who am I kidding? Guys like that don’t do serious. It’s a good thing that’s not what I’m looking for. Then again, I think he’d fit in great with my family. There’s a darkness to him when he fights.”
Just hearing her talk about him made my blood burn. “I thought we were keeping who you are a secret from him?”
“Oh, we are … for the time being, at least. Who knows what’ll happen, though,” Annika replied with a shrug. “In New York, I’m limited on who I can date, especially with my father around. Here, I’m free; I get to make my own choices. It’ll be nice to be around someone who doesn’t know my family.”
Her sad smile almost made me feel sorry for her. She didn’t choose to be born into a mafia family, but I had a feeling she never had to work for anything in her life. Annika may be used to getting everything she wanted, but Braden wouldn’t be one of them.
“So, tell me about your brother. What’s his name?” I inquired, hoping to change the subject. The more she talked about Braden, the harder it was to keep my composure.
Annika grinned. “His name’s Finn. He’s thirty, single, good-looking, wealthy, and very interested in meeting you.”
My eyes snapped to hers. “Oh no, Annika. That’s not going to happen. I enjoyed training you today, but that’s as far as any of this goes. Nikolai made my sister’s life a living hell and tried to have her fiancé killed. Your family is associated with that.”
Annika balked as if I’d slapped her. “Wait, hold up a minute. My family wasn’t involved with what happened there. Also, my brother doesn’t even like Nikolai or any of the Michelsons, for that matter. My father is the only one who does, and he’s in New York right now.”
Silence filled the air, and I honestly didn’t know what to say. It didn’t matter if her family was friends with Nikolai or not; there was no way on God’s green earth I was going to have any kind of relationship with her brother.
A knock sounded on the door, and Annika jumped off the bar stool. “I got it,” she exclaimed. She straightened her skirt and fluffed her hair before opening the door. I couldn’t see him yet, but I noticed the hungry look in Annika’s eyes as she took him in. “Don’t you look handsome tonight.”
Braden walked in and my heart stopped when his mesmerizing emerald gaze turned my way. He wore a pair of dark, fitted jeans and a crisp white button-down shirt underneath a gray blazer; he was sex on a stick.
His mouth gaped when he looked at me in my dress. “You are …” He stopped and quickly glanced over at Annika. “You both look exceptional tonight.”
Annika’s smile broadened. “Thank you for noticing.”
Stomach clenching, I tossed back the rest of my wine and set my glass in the sink. “All right, let’s go.” I snatched my small black handbag off the counter and followed them out the door. Annika and Braden walked down the stairs while I locked the door. He glanced up at me, and there was a heat I’d never seen before in his eyes.
Tonight, I’d see once and for all if he could resist a beautiful woman’s advances. Annika was on a mission, and I knew what her endgame was. If Braden went home with her tonight, I’d know where I stood with him.
There were a gazillion high-end clubs in downtown Los Angeles, but nothing as spectacular as Sapphire. I went there once with Peyton and met so many celebrities it was ridiculous. We’d gotten so much attention that night it was surreal. But I wasn’t going to lie, it was fun to be noticed. Maybe Braden was right; I did like the attention. It was almost like an addiction.
The entrance into the club was blocked by two bouncers and a long line of people. Annika strolled right past everyone, ignoring the disgruntled comments from the waiting patrons, while Braden and I walked behind her.
She stopped at the two bouncers and smiled. “Annika Sellinger.”
The men wasted no time moving out of the way so we could pass. “Oh my God, that was Braden Emerson!” a woman gushed from the line. I looked up at Braden to see a smug smile splayed across his face.
Rolling my eyes, I decided to keep my smart-ass comments to myself. When we got inside, everything was sapphire-colored, even the chandeliers, giving the ambiance of dark and sexy.
“I need to tell you what Seth said,” Braden advised, his voice low.
I slowed my pace, giving us a little more space from Annika. “What did he say?”
Braden kept his attention straight ahead as we walked. “He told Nikolai to stay away from you. He seemed to think he will.” I wasn’t so sure of that, and I could hear it in Braden’s voice that he didn’t think so either.
Annika walked to a table where a guy sat with his back to us. She leaned down and kissed his cheek, drawing his attention to her. When he stood, I was amazed at how tall and muscular he was. He was just as big as Braden, and dressed immaculately in an expensive suit. The second he turned around, his eyes locked straight on me.
“I don’t like how he’s looking at you,” Braden huffed through clenched teeth.
My gaze shifted to Annika, who had a predatory stare on him. “The same goes for her with you,” I grumbled, realizing my mistake the second I said it.
Braden glanced over at me, but I couldn’t face him. It was the first time I’d let my jealousy spew out; he would never let me live it down. I had no doubt he’d bring it up later. And then, I’d have to figure out what to tell him.
We strolled up to the table, and Finn held out his hand to Braden. “It’s nice to meet you, Braden. I’m Finn Sellinger. I’ve seen all your fights.”
Braden shook his hand. “Thanks.”
Annika flourished a hand my way, and Finn’s piercing blue gaze met mine. “And this is my famous trainer, Reagan Jameson,” she said in a singsong voice.
Finn stepped up to me and I could feel Braden’s body tense. Either Finn didn’t care or didn’t notice; I was hoping it was the latter. He extended his hand and smiled; his teeth were so white they glowed in the sapphire-colored light. Finn was very good-looking and polished with his perfectly coifed light brown hair. However, the stubble on his face gave him a rugged edge. He reminded me so much of Braden; there was a dangerousness to them both.
“I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time, Reagan. Thanks for meeting with me tonight.”
I shook his hand. “You’re welcome. Your sister’s training went well today.”
Finn glanced over at Annika and nodded toward the bar. I looked over at Braden, and the muscles in his jaw tightened. Annika plastered on a huge smile and looped her arm with Braden’s. “Hey, let’s get something to drink from the bar while they talk.”
Braden’s eyes bounced from me to Finn and then back to me. I could tell there was something he wanted to say, but instead, he stalked off with Annika. Breathing a sigh of relief, I faced Finn again. He pulled out a seat for me and I sat down.
“I didn’t take Emerson as a man of few words,” he said, sitting across from me.
“He’s not. I’m not happy he’s here, but your sister invited him. I don’t want my friends involved with whatever the hell is happening here.”
Finn’s brows lifted, almost as if he was impressed. “Don’t worry. I have no intention of dragging your friends into anything. This deal is just between you, me, and Annika.” Reaching into his suit jacket pocket, he pulled out a thick envelope and slid it discreetly across the table. “This is for your time this week. I know you have better things to do than train my sister.”
I picked up the envelope and sucked in a gasp when I saw what was inside. There had to be over a hundred thousand dollars. “Holy …!” I slapped my hands over the envelope to hide it from view. “You can’t be serious,” I hissed low.
Finn nodded toward the money. “There’s three hundred grand in there, but you’ll get five hundred next week.”
Shaking my head, I pushed the envelope back over to him. “I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”
He placed a hand over mine. “Take it. If you don’t, I’ll find another way to give it to you.”
There was no maliciousness in his gaze, but I couldn’t let my guard down. To get away from his touch, I slowly slid the envelope off the table and onto my lap so I could put the money in my handbag. I resisted the urge to look at the bar to see what Annika and Braden were doing. It killed me not knowing what was going on with them.
