Page 42 of Billion Dollar Mistake

Slipping his body away from me.

“Here you go,” he murmurs, handing back my phone. His voice carries a subtle tremor that hints at how our closeness unsettles him, adding to the already palpable tension. I take it and check the photo. It's a hot picture, but his face is out of it again. Only his side profile. It’s a damn good one. Especially when even in the photo he looks like he wants to devour me.

I don’t have it in me to argue. I need to breathe the night air. And hear the city sounds to calm me down. I open the car door, taking one last look at him. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Nova. Message me when you get home,” he replies with his hands now firmly inside his suit pockets. His stance wide and his eyes still watching me.

He’s not going to move until I leave. He’s worried about my safety. No one other than my family and friends have worried about my safety. Hell, even my friends wouldn’t send a text until the next day. So for him to care this much, it rattles me.

I drive slowly out of the parking lot and watch him in my rear view mirror until he’s out of sight. I may not physically see him now, but he’s still firmly implanted in my mind.

Chapter 12

Nova

We enter the sleek, high tech Madison Square facility, which is buzzing with eager fans. The smell of buttery, slightly nutty popcorn and the sharp, tangy note of cheese waft through the air. Around the sides of the hall are the merchandise stalls, so I purchase the memorabilia T-shirts. Jeremy is on his second work call, so I take in the facility. Memories flood me. I loved it when my dad and I came here together to watch a fight. It’s the only time I’ve ever seen one in person. Those memories fill me with happiness. We had the best night and our fighter won.

Jeremy is talking to a suited gentleman with sandy blond hair. He nods and turns. Jeremy grabs my hand, and we follow.

The man points at our seats.

I gasp when I take in the seats illuminated by bright theatre lights. “These are ours?”

I stare at the two empty ones in Row A. The front. My heart is beating so hard. This is unbelievable.

“Yes. Come,” he says.

We take our seats. Jeremy checks his watch.

“When does it start?” I ask.

“Soon.”

I frown and as I sit there and minutes pass, no one else enters.

A hard lump forms in my stomach. Something feels off.

“What’s going on?” I breathe.

His gaze leaves mine at the sound of footsteps. “You’ll see in one minute.”

A man in all black athletic wear comes closer, and when his face hits the light, I feel lightheaded.

It’s Eddie Cus.

“What’s he doing here?” I ask.

“He’s training you.”

He organized a professional boxing coach to train me?

He trains champions. This is sure to be embarrassing. But I push it aside and know it’s only me and Jeremy in here with Eddie. There’s no point in being self-conscious; it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I can’t wait to tell my dad.

Eddie approaches us. We stand. Jeremy shakes his hand and I follow. We exchange hellos.

Jeremy turns toward me, his gaze unwavering. “Why don’t you get changed?”

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