Page 40 of The Billionaire Babe

“I for one am thoroughly enjoying this little crush you got going on with the security guy. There is so much testosterone in here, I can no longer find my feminism,” Chelsea quips as we walk into the massive space.

“I think mine flew out of me the minute we walked in the door and the buff doorman with tattoos up his neck winked at me,” Simone says, flicking her long blond hair over her shoulders and giving eyes to every man walking past us.

“Is that Leonardo over there?” Chloe’s looking through the crowd, always spotting the celebrities, while I ignore my friends and look straight ahead.

Chelsea is right. I have never been anywhere like this before. It’s a large warehouse room full of men which is loud and crowded, and although I walk with full confidence, I am starting to wonder if this was a bad idea. I got tickets to AJ’s fight. I don’t know how. It was completely sold out. But I called some people and got four, close to the front, with good views of the ring.

“It’s a wonder the paps aren’t here, since the Society News article this week,” Chelsea says, and I bite my tongue. I have no idea what is happening in my life at the moment, but Society News is taking more of an interest in me than usual. Of course they caught me on the back of AJ’s bike after Chloe’s showing. The photos were all over the web this week.

“Well, it’s not like Society News would be somewhere like this. This isn’t the usual place you expect Valeria Van Cleef to be,” Chloe says in jest.

“So, what’s the protocol? I’ve never been to a fight before,” Simone asks as we walk toward our seats, many pairs of eyes looking us up and down.

“I did some research this week. Apparently, there are fifteen rounds, three minutes per round. Unless there is a knockout, then the fight finishes earlier,” I tell them as we reach our seats.

“Oh, I think I see Tennyson Rothschild…” Chloe says, clearly happy we are in good company, and I immediately raise my gaze in the direction she is looking. Tennyson waves at me, so I smile and wave back. And cameras promptly click in my face. Shit.

“You know, now we will be on the front page of Society News tomorrow right,” Chelsea comments, and the short-lived relief I had earlier now dissipates.

“What’s new?” I murmur, frustrated I can’t do anything in this town without the whole of Baltimore society knowing about it.

“What is Father Van Cleef going to say?” Chelsea asks, and I bristle a little at that statement. Of course, he is not going to be happy.

“He doesn’t get a say in what I do in my spare time or who I choose to do it with,” I tell her, feeling confident in my decision. The girls take a seat as I remain standing, glancing around the room.

“Didn’t picture you as a fighting girl.” Tennyson grins at me, walking over to stand next to me.

“First time,” I share. “But I know one of the fighters, and I wanted to support him.” His eyebrows rise.

“You have friends in this scene?” Tennyson fishes for more information, so I decide to be transparent. If we go into business together, I appreciate honesty, and I can’t expect it from him and his brothers if I don’t give it to them.

“AJ and I are getting to know each other.” A small smile reaches my face while the butterflies in my stomach take flight.

“He’s tough. But from what I've heard, he is fair.”

“I know. He is also a good man,” I say, nodding, and Tennyson smiles.

“Nice to see you spreading your wings, little Van Cleef.” He sends me a knowing smile and a wink before stepping backward. “It feels good, doesn’t it?” I know he speaks from experience. His family has gone through so much with their late mother.

“Feels great,” I tell him as I feel my shoulders lowering.

“Good to see you ladies,” Tennyson says to my friends, giving them all a sexy smirk before he turns and heads back to his seat.

“Now that is a man…” Simone murmurs, and we laugh, breaking any nervous tension. I blow out a breath.

George and I are moving chess pieces at work, getting things ready for me to challenge my father. We have meetings lined up over the next week with board members. I have no idea exactly what is going to happen when I start to make my moves, but I know it isn’t going to go smoothly. The small feeling of joy that shines inside of me at the excitement of starting my life anew is almost pushing aside the nerves I have of seeing AJ. I know he won’t be happy I am here.

The lights dim and the announcer starts talking over a loud microphone, causing the crowd to settle down. There is a warm-up fight before the main event, and I watch as each fighter is announced. Us girls get comfortable, and so far, the theatrics are somewhat entertaining, but when the bell rings and the two fighters start dancing around each other, my stomach plummets. It is brutal.

“Shit,” Chelsea whisper-yells.

“This is crazy!” Simone gasps, watching wide-eyed.

Chloe and I remain quiet, and my fingernails dig into my palms as I hear the thwack of gloves hitting skin and fear crawls up my spine.

The fight goes nine rounds, and I was on the edge of my seat for each of them and I don’t even know these men. The fighters leave the ring, looking bloody and sweaty, while the announcer talks about the main event. People jump into the ring and start wiping the floor, mopping up the blood and sweat that remains, and new equipment is brought to the ringside. I slowly look around the room again. There is not a spare seat anywhere. Men are standing, talking and shouting, beer is being sloshed, and I take another deep breath. What the hell am I doing here?

“Are you sure you want to watch this?” Chloe asks, her eyes searching mine, Simone the only one of us seemingly enjoying the display of testosterone. I want to see AJ. But I don’t want to see him hurt. I should leave, but I can’t move.

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