Page 90 of Off Balance

"Dom!" Dwayne yells, rushing in and looking around the room in shock. "Shit. Cameron!"

"Dom—Camera," I choke out, wanting Dwayne to warn Dom about the camera that has recorded every moment of Emile’s attack. If Dom murders Emile right now, there’d be evidence.

"Police! Everybody hands up!" Detective Roman yells, charging into the room with his service weapon pointed.

Dom has already dropped Emile to the ground, threw him, really, like lightweight trash that he has no use for. He's on his knees beside me, running his hands over my face, neck, arms.

"Fuck, baby. Are you okay? Where are you hurt?"

"I'm okay," I say, trying to sit up. "I'll have a headache and some bruises, but I don't think anything's broken."

Once he's satisfied that I'm not going to break, Dom pulls me into his chest. There's a disturbance behind us, and I pull away to look around. Apparently, Theo tried to make a run for it, but Dwayne tackled him and is holding him down while the detective cuffs Emile. Mark is still unconscious on the floor.

"I'm sorry," Dom says, brushing my hair from my face. "You've had nothing but trouble since you met me."

"You?" I laugh, but it hurts my stomach. "It's my bullshit that started this. Emile went to the press, Dom. I'm sor?—"

"I know, baby. It's fine. I'm fine, I don't give a fuck. But they're spinning things in a really shitty way for you. I'm afraid it's going to fuck things up for you in the future."

"Dom. You are my future, okay? As long as you love me, I don't give a fuck about the rest of it."

"Yeah?" He asks, pulling me against him again, until I'm practically straddling him in the middle of the dance floor. A crime scene—because Detective Roman's backup has arrived, and the place is suddenly crawling with cops.

"Yeah," I say, ignoring them all and pressing our mouths together.

Seconds or minutes later, I don't know, Dwayne awkwardly pulls us apart so an EMT can check me over. I refuse to go back to the hospital, so I give my statement to the police while my wounds are cleaned and patched up. There will be more questions later, especially when charges are pressed, and we have theopportunity to make a statement to the press. I think it's a good idea to do it when everything is set in stone, and we know we'll be going to court. For right now at least, my fight is over. It's time to focus on Dom's.

"This one is perfect," Dom says, pausing the recording of my rehearsal this morning.

"Hmm. It's definitely the best one I have, but it's not perfect. I was thinking too much, I'm in my head and it shows in my extensions. I need the flow of the take before, but in the pointe shoes. Plus, I think recording at night with a softer light will give it more depth."

"When does it have to be sent in by?"

"I can upload it electronically as late as next Friday."

"That's not a lot of time."

Originally, the plan was to record the final audition video tonight, but thanks to Emile and his little minions, I need time to heal. I'm not in much pain. After being cleared by the EMT, I was given instructions to rest under supervision, and report to the emergency room if I have any dizziness, nausea, or severe headaches. I had a great nap, enjoyed a cook-out lunch with the members of Dwayne's gym that have rallied around us all in a big way, and then took a long, hot shower where Dom massaged all my sore muscles until I thought I'd either fall asleep again, or come. Other than a sore spot on my head where Theo kicked me, I've thankfully not had any issues resulting from head trauma. My ribs and stomach are pretty bruised and would affectmobility, though, so I think it's best to wait a few days to record and do it we get back from Las Vegas.

Yes, I said we.

"You know, I've never been to Vegas before."

Dom gives me an indulgent grin. Apparently, his magic sleepiness inducing massage was part of a ploy to soften me up. He was worried I'd be upset when he told me he changed his flight to include an extra ticket for me because he doesn't want to let me out of his sight. I was so excited I jumped right out of the bed and into his arms, kissing him dramatically all over his face and neck until he gave up trying to get away from me and collapsed on the bed. I haven't let him get up since. We've been alternating between making out and making plans.

"I wanted to ask you to come in the first place, but I wasn't sure if you'd be interested. I know you didn't love the first fight you went to, and Dwayne said you hate flying."

"I do hate flying, actually, and I also really dislike watching you get punched repeatedly.ButI want to be wherever you are. I'm in your corner from here on out, if you'll have me."

Dom rolls us so we're side by side and he can stare at me adoringly, in that way of his that makes me feel on top of the world and incredibly unworthy at the same time. I want to look away, but I can't. I'm drowning in deep pools of onyx, basking in the reflection of how he sees me.

"This is going to be my last fight," he tells me. He doesn't sound upset or disappointed about it, it's just a matter of fact. "I'm not getting any younger, and I don't want to tempt fate any more than I have to. It was reckless to take this fight in the first place, but I didn't have as much to live for then as I do now. Not that Ihad a death wish, but I wasn't afraid of the consequences, either. Now, I feel a lot more fear about everything that I'd be leaving behind."

"You better not fucking leave me, Dom."

"I already promised Dwayne I wouldn't let that happen. I won't let my guard down for anything."

"Now it's my turn. Promise me, Dom." I climb over him, straddling his hips, pressing his hands into the pillow and staring down at him with all the intensity I can muster. Tears prick my eyes, but I don't look away from him. "Promise me."

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