Page 88 of Last Round

“We might be broke when it’s over, but so will your career. Don’t you watch the news? The second one girl comes forward the rest will be inspired to do the same. No one will want to associate themselves with you. Sponsors, gone.” His nostrils flare. “How many more skeletons do you have in your closet?” I shove him back. “Now get the fuck out of my gymIl Douche, and go on and tell Gideon where he can shove his fucking contract.”

“Fight me,” the idiot calls out.

“You’re not worth my time.” I’ve already fucked Molly and myself, but assault charges are going to get my ass thrown in prison. I won’t leave her with these vultures. I got her into this mess, and I will be by her side the entire fucking way. Shit, I’ll cash out and buy us a hut on some secluded beach and we can live the rest of our lives in the salty sun, fucking, and far away from this shit.

“Fight me,” he repeats. “Beat me. If you win, I’ll leave.” I stop in my tracks. “I’ll tell Gideon it was all me. No fault on you or your shitty-ass gym.”

“And if you win?” Just like before, I take the bait again—hook, line, and sinker.

“I get what I came for, and you back the fuck off.” There are murmurs, everyone wondering what that means, but I know. He came here for Molly.

“She’s not a bargaining chip.” I’ll fight for her honor all day long and I have no delusions of losing. But then again, I’d never risk what would happen if she knew I implied he could have her even in the slightest. Whether she’s with me or not, she’s not mine to give. The fact that this guy thinks she’s an object to be exchanged verifies just how fucked in the head he is.

“Then let me make this clear.” We stand nose to nose. “If you don’t want me to take what I came here for, then fight me. Refuse or lose, I will get her. You can’t watch her every second of the day. She will be alone eventually, and I’ll be waiting.”

I take a step back. My breaths are controlled and even. “Three rounds, three minutes.”

“Winner takes all.” My skin crawls at his implication. “I’ll even be nice about it. Give you a week to get ready.”

“I don’t need a week. I want you gone. Tomorrow night.”

“It’s a date.” He smiles. I walk away before I dig myself into a deeper hole. Molly is going to fucking kill me. “Make sure she’s ready for me,” he calls out, but I don’t bother turning around. “Tell her, come tomorrow night, she’s mine.”

On my way to the apartment, I run into Sean. He’s looking at the guys gathered around behind me. “What’s going on out here?”

“Fuck off,” I growl as I shove past him.

“Killian,” he shouts, but I don’t care.

At least Molly is safe with Bex. I doubt the asshole is going to try anything when he’s this confident about winning. Especially when this is about more than Molly. He wants to see me fail.

I strip through the apartment and head straight for my shower. I step into the ice-cold stream. I need to cool off, then pick up Molly and tell her exactly what I’ve done. I just pray she will forgive me when it’s all over.

Achievement Unlocked

Molly

“Howaboutthisone?”Bex points to the screen.

After some retail therapy, Bex and I decided to visit her favorite coffee shop to grab lunch and find me a job. I can see why she likes this place. It doesn’t have a business or cozy vibe. The music is cranked, and the atmosphere is more like a club. For Bex, it’s perfect. Especially if she’s working. The last time she tried to hole up at a local Caribou and someone read over her shoulder—well, let’s just say some pearls were clutched that day.

“I guess,” I sigh. “Why is it that the majority of the jobs are customer service representatives? Not that I don’t have great people skills. It’s just having to people please all day sounds exhausting and they get underpaid to do it.”

“You could start a blog.” Her eyes go wide. “Girls everywhere would eat that shit up. They’d love to read about how you tamed a man like Killian and hear all the dirty deets of your sexcapades.” She jumps up and down in her seat. “Oh my god, you could call it:Dirty Deets Between the Sheets, My Love Life with a Reformed Playboy.”

“Seriously? No.”

“Why not?”

“For starters, I’m not you. I don’t have a flair for writing. Second, the title iswaytoo long. Not catchy at all like:Sex with Bex. And not to mention, I have no interest in talking about my sex life in a public forum. Next, please.”

“Fine,” she pouts. “Can you at least tell me about them? Because seriously, it’s soooo good. When you finish, I need a cigarette—and I don’t smoke. I’m always looking for inspiration for my blog.”

Chuckling to myself, I shake my head. “As long as our names are out of it, sure.”

“Would you be willing to make a video?” She smiles. “You know, for educational purposes. It’s easier to write if I can see it.”

“No.” I arch my brow. “You have a stellar imagination. Use it.”

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