Page 117 of Stockman's Stormcloud

‘When you’re knocked out on the floor after losing your teeth.’ Marla was a fright of a woman who’d obviously lived a hard life. She was the type to get in the middle of a bar-room brawl for kicks or take on someone like Bree who had no fear.

But right now, Sophie was breathing nothing but fear that filled every molecule, every muscle, every nerve ending that if someone shouted loudly, she’d jump like a scared rabbit and run.

But she couldn’t run, she had to do this for Dex. Sheneeded a double dose of courage or to tap into some deep dark level of craziness if she was going to go through with this.

The last bout of courage was when Sophie had stood up to Bree. A few times, she’d done that, mostly at Dex’s defence, and not even think about it until afterwards.

She’d also stood up to her ex in the ER of her old hospital when he was threatening her for money. Sophie had blamed some inner instinct that day when her temper snapped, and she’d whacked her ex in the face with an operating tray. She’d smashed his nose so hard he needed corrective surgery to plump up his sinuses. Yet, while that prick was in recovery, being attended to like a king because the hospital board was more worried about the lawsuit, she’d lost her job—after giving that place ten years of her life!

Maybe she did have some anger issues. So maybe this was the best place to get it out of her system. And with a deep breath, she held up her fists.

‘Stop.’ Dex stood before her and corrected her stance. ‘If you’re going to do it, keep your thumbs outside your fists or you’ll break them.’

‘Right. Got it.’ No, she didn’t. ‘Got any other tips?’ Like how to leave in the quickest ladylike manner?

‘Hit her ear.’

‘Why?’

‘You’re taller than Marla, so aim for the helix area.’ Dex slyly tapped his ear. ‘Marla told me once she can’t take her earrings out or she’d never get them back in. But you can take yours out, please.’ He held out his hand.

With trembling fingers, she pulled her sleepers free. ‘Do I take off my ring?’

‘No. Use it like a knuckle duster.’

‘Oh no, Marla has lots of rings.’ Her heart hammered in her throat as sweat broke out on her top lip and her body trembled with a shiver.What am I doing!

‘You can back out.’

Oh, she wanted to. Even looking to the fringes of thecrowd for a quick exit. But there were none. Just a lot of men swapping cash on bets. ‘Did you put a bet on me?’

‘I did. I’ll use the winnings to buy you a nice ring. Maybe an engagement ring, huh?’

Her heart just expanded as her ears became deaf, as if submerged underwater, making the world suddenly silent where it only contained her and Dex.

BRRRRR! The sound of the handheld siren pierced the silence.

Sophie jumped out of her skin.

‘Weave and be light on your feet,’ spoke Dex, but she struggled to listen, ‘and when Marla swings, hold your arms up to shield your head like this. And one more thing?’

‘Yeah.’ Sophie had her head down, fists in place, trying to mimic his stance, while remembering to keep her thumbs out of her fists, as well as trying to find the courage to do go through with this. This had to be a nightmare, where she’d wake up any minute now.

‘I love you, babe.’

She gasped at the words. Maybe this was a dream?

‘Sorry I haven’t said that in a more romantic place, but to me, this is my world, Soph, and right now, you’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. I love you.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘Now get out there and kick Marla’s arse.’

He loved her.

Dex loved her.

L.O.V.E.D. Her.

She blinked, as the words rattled around in her head, until Marla slapped her across the face. It was the most horrific wake-up call of her life.

The atmosphere was crazy. The crowd roared like animals, and Sophie was stuck in a cage with a ferocious she-lion who punched her. All Sophie could do was hold her arms up and protect her head.

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