Taking the Fight, page 8
“It’s just what?”
She stepped away and turned her back to me. “Finn and Annika. We’re supposed to be their dates tonight.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
Reagan faced me again. “We’ll have to keep our distance. I don’t want them knowing there’s something between us.”
“Why?” I demanded.
“It’s only until I’m done training Annika. Then, we can do whatever we want once that's over.”
None of it made sense to me. “I don’t get it. Why does it matter?”
Her body tensed. “It just does. Please be patient with me. I have to get through her training.”
“And let me guess, Finn has something to do with this? I bet he was with you yesterday, wasn’t he?”
The second Reagan hung her head, my blood boiled. “It’s not like that,” she claimed.
“So, you’re going out of your way to keep Annika from me, but I can’t do anything to keep you away from Finn? Kind of fucked up, don’t you think?”
Reagan’s fiery blue gaze shot to mine. “I don’t want, Finn. What I need you to do is trust me. Just let me get through Annika’s training.” She averted her gaze as if there was something she didn’t want me to see. I knew Reagan; I knew her quirks.
“You’re hiding something from me. What is it?”
She quickly backed up to the door and opened it. “Nothing.”
“Reagan, wait,” I said, moving toward her.
Shaking her head, she started down the hall. “I have to go. I’ll see you tonight. Be at my apartment at six. There’ll be a limo to pick us up.”
I rushed after her. “Reagan!”
She raced past Emma and Carter without saying goodbye and took off out the door. I wanted to go after her, but Emma grabbed my arm. “Let her go,” she advised.
It took every ounce of strength in me to do just that. I watched Reagan get in her convertible and leave. “Something’s going on with her. I can feel it.”
Emma sighed. “Good luck trying to figure it out.”
That was for damn sure. One way or another, I was going to find out what she was hiding.
CHAPTER 15
REAGAN
As I stood in front of the mirror, gazing down at the exquisite royal blue gown, I almost didn’t recognize myself. The dress was strapless with crystal beading all over the bodice, making it glimmer in the light. The slit came up my thigh, and was very sexy but elegant. I was never the type to wear fancy clothes and jewelry; that was my sister and Peyton. However, there was a small part inside me wishing I’d had those opportunities.
Emma was known as a famous model, not only in the United States but across the world. She recently gave it up and was hoping to soon be our local news station meteorologist; that was if they accepted her for the job. We were still waiting on that verdict. She had a face for the camera. The same went for Peyton; her acting career had catapulted her to new heights. With constantly being away filming movies, I wondered if I’d ever really see her again except on the big screen. I missed her. Her life seemed so fascinating. There were days I wished I could live in her shoes for a little while to see what it was like.
I didn’t regret becoming a fighter or agreeing to take over my share of Fightanium when the time came. It was in my blood to take after my father.
Looking over at my clock, it was half-past five. The limo would be arriving in another thirty minutes. I pinned the last of my curls into an updo and put in the diamond earrings I’d borrowed from Peyton. My stomach was in knots, but I was ready to go.
As I reached down to pick up my phone off the bed, it rang. Ethan.
“Hey, brother. Long time no talk. How’s Vegas?” It’d been about a week since I’d heard from him.
“Great,” Ethan replied, sounding a little too happy. I was pretty sure he was drunk. “I wanted to check in to make sure you were doing okay.”
“I’m good.”
“Emma says you started training a female fighter. How’s that going?”
I walked down the hall to the living room and leaned against the couch. “Not bad. It’s only for another week or so. She just wanted to get some basics in.”
“Awesome. You should start coaching during the off-season.”
“Yeah, I think I will,” I replied, smiling. Except my following students were going to be ordinary people, not part of the mafia. “So, when are you coming back? It’s been quiet here.”
Not that I was complaining. I liked having the space to do what I wanted, especially with Ethan and Ripp in Vegas, and my parents on vacation with my uncle Camden and aunt Brooklyn. Plus, Braden’s parents were in Charleston with Peyton. Having six fewer people to deal with every day was lovely. On the other hand, I did miss my parents, but it was their time to enjoy life and see the world. I had no doubt my dad would go hard on my training when he returned.
Ethan chuckled. “I bet it’s been quiet. But to answer your question, I don’t know when Ripp and I are coming back. Vegas is growing on me.”
“Let me guess, you’re having too much fun at the Labyrinth?”
The Labyrinth was an exclusive club owned by our friend, Kase, who had inherited it from a family friend. He gave up his UFC career for it.
“Hey, it has its perks,” Ethan pointed out. “Ripp and I have been signing up for the fights. I never thought I’d enjoy it more than competing.”
Not only was the Labyrinth a dance club, but there was a separate section set up with a fighting ring where newbie fighters could show their stuff. It was a great place to get noticed.
“Well, however long you decide to stay, don’t forget about the rest of us. Don’t do anything stupid like contract an STD while you’re away.”
“I’m so glad you think so highly of me,” he quipped sarcastically.
My doorbell rang and I jerked my head toward the door, my heart stopping. “Ethan, I have to go. Thanks for checking up on me. Don’t get into any trouble.”
I could hear the smile in Ethan’s voice. “I won’t. Be safe, sis. And have fun with Emma on your girls’ trip.”
We hung up and I already knew who was at the door. However, when I opened it, I was wrong; it wasn’t Braden. Instead, it was Finn, dressed flawlessly in a tux with his light brown hair neatly gelled.
“Finn,” I breathed.
His eyes raked down my body. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks. So do you.”
Finn smiled. “I’m a little early.”
“That’s okay.” Although, I was hoping Braden would arrive first. “Is Annika with you?” I asked.
“She’s in the limo,” he said, nodding toward the parking lot. “I think she said Braden was meeting us here?”
I nodded. “He should be here soon.”
Finn stepped back. “Great. I have a chilled bottle of wine waiting for us. We can have a drink while we wait.”
“Perfect. Let me grab my purse.”
Walking to the kitchen counter, I grabbed the little silver handbag I borrowed from Peyton and slid my phone inside, next to the three hundred grand. Finn held out his arm, and I didn’t want to be rude, so I locked the door behind me and took his arm as we descended the two flights of stairs. The second we reached the bottom step, Braden pulled into the parking lot. I didn’t have to see him to feel the heat coming from his stare at seeing me holding onto Finn.
“It’s a good thing I came early,” Finn said, his voice low. There was a hint of jealousy in his tone that caught me off guard. The last thing I needed was for him and Braden to butt heads at the charity ball. I had no clue how tonight would go, especially since I left Braden’s house with so many things left unsaid.
Braden got out of his car, and his eyes briefly met mine before shifting to the limo. Annika stepped out, wearing an extremely low-cut red dress that showed off every curve of her body; she was gorgeous.
Smiling, Braden walked straight over to her. “You look beautiful.”
She held his arm the same way I was holding Finn’s. “Thank you. And you are very handsome.”
Annika then focused on me and gasped. “Oh, Reagan, I wanted to ask if you’d go shopping with me tomorrow. I have the whole day and evening planned for us.”
A sense of relief washed over me. I’d been stressing about how I would explain my whereabouts to Braden and my sister if they asked. Now I had an excuse.
“I’d like that,” I responded.
Her smile widened. “Great. I’ll pick you up in the morning.”
Finn peered down at me and then at Annika and Braden. “All right. Shall we go?”
Braden grinned at us and stepped out of the way so Finn and I could get into the limo first. Plastering on a smile, I hopped in beside Finn while Braden sat close to Annika. I’d told him we needed to keep our distance and pretend there was nothing between us.
Oh, how I regretted that already.
The charity ball ended up being at a swanky hotel in downtown Los Angeles. There was a seven-course meal that had to have cost about five grand a person, possibly more than that. Nevertheless, it was enough food to feed a small country for a year.
Everything shimmered and glittered under the crystal chandeliers. Tables were set up all over the room, filled with fancy foods and decorated with intricate ice sculptures. And congregating around it all were California’s top surgeons and society's elite. It wasn’t the crowd I imagined Finn to be associated with. But then again, I knew nothing of the mafia. So it wouldn’t surprise me if the people around us were involved in some shady dealings.
Finn and I walked around together, with Annika and Braden following behind. They branched off and strolled around the ballroom while Finn introduced me to several of the surgeons he knew. Everyone we walked past knew Finn by name and said hello to him. In return, Finn made sure they all knew who I was.
“You’re a popular man,” I said to Finn.
He patted my hand and laughed. “That’s because I donate a lot of money to their cause, and they know it.” He kept his hand over mine and I couldn’t pull away, not with so many people watching us.
Stopping over at the wine table, Finn picked up two glasses of white wine, handing one to me as we moved to a private table in the corner. We sat down and he tapped his glass to mine. “Are you having fun?”
Taking a sip of the wine, I scanned the crowd for Braden and Annika, but I couldn’t find them. “I am. Although I have to say this isn’t at all what I expected of you.”
Finn smirked. “How so?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “I guess I thought you’d end up being like Nikolai. I dislike him with every fiber of my being.”
He shook his head. “I’m nothing like him.”
“You sure about that?” I countered.
Finn’s gaze narrowed. “What are you saying?”
Shrugging, I took another sip of my wine. “You have fighters working for you. Two of them I know personally.”
“Ah, yes,” Finn said, nodding once. “Trey and Parks, right?”
I stared him down. “Yes. Are they going to fight against Nikolai’s people?”
Finn avoided my eyes as he replied. “It’s possible. It was something they agreed to. I didn’t have to force them in like Michelson did with your brother, Braden, and Ripp.” The air around him crackled like fire when he leaned in close, his tone low and serious. “I’ve never made my guys fight to the death like you’re thinking, Reagan. I handle my family’s problems on my own. I don’t need someone to do it for me.”
The thought of that sent shivers down my spine. It made me wonder just how Finn handled his family’s problems. From what I knew about Nikolai’s family and all the other mafia clans, they were all about money, murder, and power. Just because Finn seemed nice on the outside didn’t mean he was a saint; he was a part of a world I despised.
I focused on the crowd and plastered on a smile. “I think the less I know, the better. I don’t want to get involved in any of that mess.”
“What’s it going to take to make you see I’m not a bad person?” Finn asked.
Turning to him, I peered into his crystal blue gaze. “I don’t want to see you as a villain, Finn, but it’s hard not to. Nikolai threatened to kill my parents, and we both know he would’ve done it if my sister and Carter didn’t do what he wanted. Seth is the only one keeping my family and friends safe.”
“I can help too,” he claimed. “Your family has nothing to fear, Reagan. I won’t let anyone harm them.”
His words were full of conviction, but I didn’t know if I could believe him. “Those are just words, Finn. How do I know you can back them up?”
“I’ll talk to Nikolai tomorrow night. You can be right there with me when I do.”
It sounded too good to be true. “What’s the catch?” I stressed. “Surely, you’re not going to do this for nothing.”
Finn blew out a heavy breath. “That’s exactly why I want to do it.” He stared into my eyes but then looked away. “I can’t stand seeing you look at me the way you do, like I’m a monster. If this is the way to prove myself, then so be it.”
I placed a hand on his arm to get him to look at me. When he did, there was a twinge of guilt in my belly. I’d judged him based on his associations, but he didn’t seem to be all that bad.
“You’re not a monster, Finn. Or, at least, you don’t appear to be. But, just know,” I said, trying to lighten the mood with a smile, “I do know how to kick major ass. You might be bigger than me, but that doesn’t scare me. I’ll bust your kneecaps.”
Finn burst out laughing, and it was genuine. “Trust me, Reagan. I know better than to get on your bad side.” He took my hand and helped me up. “Did you bring the three hundred grand with you?”
I grabbed my handbag off the table and held it up. “Yep. I’ve been terrified carrying it around with me all night.”
He laughed again. “Come on, then. I should’ve taken you by the charity committee table when we arrived. There were just so many people I wanted to introduce you to.” We walked over to the three ladies stationed at a table by the ballroom entrance, and when I handed over the money, I thought their eyes would pop out of their heads. They took it graciously, and I opted not to have my name mentioned. Instead, I chose to be an anonymous donor. Finn leaned in close. “You know, you could’ve used that money as a down payment for a house. Surely, you don’t want to stay in that apartment forever.”
It was true, I didn’t. But, I had enough money to find my own place. Peyton was never at the apartment, and it would be nice to have a house. “I haven’t forgotten about my paycheck for next week,” I teased. “Although, what you plan on paying me is way too much for training sessions.”
I looked up at Finn and he smiled. “You’re worth it.”
“Finn Sellinger.” The man’s voice came from behind. “I was hoping to see you tonight.”
Chuckling, Finn held onto my arm as we turned around to face the man. He looked in his midfifties with graying dark hair and a kind smile, and was dressed in a black tuxedo just like all the other men in attendance. The only difference was that he had on a bright blue bowtie with pink polka dots. He focused on me and held out his hand. “You must be a special lady to be here with this guy,” he gushed, nodding at Finn.
Finn smiled at him and gestured toward me. “Eric, this is Reagan Jameson. Reagan,” he said, flourishing a hand back at Eric, “this is Dr. Eric Abramowitz. He’s the best cardiothoracic surgeon in the country. My father wouldn’t be here without him.”
I shook Eric’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Gaze narrowed, Eric held onto my hand. “Reagan Jameson. Why does your name sound so familiar? Are you an actress?”
“No,” I laughed.
Finn slapped a hand on his shoulder. “She’s a UFC fighter, Eric.”
Eric’s eyes widened. “Yes, that’s it.” He nudged Finn in the side with his elbow. “Got yourself a strong one.”
“That I do,” Finn agreed, grinning at me.
It felt wrong to be standing there as if I belonged with Finn. The last thing I wanted to do was give him the wrong impression. He knew I didn’t want to get involved.
Eric waved toward a group of people in the corner; there were four men and two women. “Why don’t you two come over and have a drink with my wife and me. She’d love to meet you,” he said to me.
Finn lifted his brows and I nodded. “Sure. Why don’t you go ahead, and I’ll be there in a minute?” I leaned in close so Eric couldn’t hear me. “I need to run to the restroom.” It was a lie, but I needed some space to breathe.
“Okay,” Finn replied.
After sliding my arm away from his, I stepped away. “I’ll be right back.”
I didn’t wait to hear a response. I just turned around and started for the exit. Once out into the main hallway, I passed several people who nodded and smiled. There was a bathroom to my left, but I hurried past it down another hallway. I could sense someone behind me, and I silently groaned. There were so many people in the damn hotel that getting a few minutes of peace seemed impossible.
I continued to walk, but then a hand grabbed my arm, pulling me into a semi-dark room. The hallway light illuminated the figure of the man who had me in his hold. Gasping, I looked into Braden’s eyes as the door clicked shut behind him.
My heart raced and I held a hand to my chest when he let me go. “Jesus, Braden, you scared the hell out of me. What are you doing?”
“I’m hating my life right now, especially seeing you with someone else.” He took a step toward me, and I backed into one of the three conference desks in the small meeting room. Electricity ignited between us, and the need I had for him felt like it would explode from within me if I didn’t give in to it. It was the wrong place and time, but my body didn’t care.
I could see the hunger in Braden’s eyes, even in the darkness. He closed the distance between us and splayed his hands on the desk, caging me in. His lips were close to mine, but I fought the urge to kiss him. The second I let myself give in would be my undoing.
