Page 58 of Back in Black

“Warranted trash talk, but . . . yes, I’m free.” Bearing no signs of her previous annoyance, she tipped her head and looked at his mouth. “What did you have in mind?”

Desire put a death grip on him. “Oh, honey, if you knew what I was thinking . . .” With new motivation to get the current mess settled, Drew held open the door to the gym. “Go on in and make yourself at home. I’ll be done in a minute.” And with that, he turned, calling out to Brett at the same time.

AFTER that awful confrontation with Drew, Audrey almost didn’t announce herself. Only her need to reassure Brett kept her from slipping away unnoticed. “Brett?”

At the sound of her voice, he jerked around and stared at her. “Audrey?” Stunned, he dropped his gym bag by a big black truck and pulled off the mirrored sunglasses. “What are you doing here?”

Though she’d watched him fighting and knew he’d taken some hits, Audrey couldn’t stop staring at him. He’d worn protective gear part of the time, and still he had bruises and mat-burn everywhere. The bridge of his nose looked swollen, and there was a purple swelling beneath one eye.

Tension hummed from his body; his muscles looked bigger, pumped up.

He didn’t appear happy to see her.

Her confidence waned. “I . . . I wanted to talk, but . . .”

“Now’s not really a good time.”

Acknowledging that, she nodded. So should she just say good-bye and walk away? She tried to smile, but it fell flat. “I’ll just . . . um . . .”

Propping his hands on his hips, Brett dropped his head to stare at the ground. He seemed to be struggling with himself. Mouth grim, he looked up at her again.

And Drew Black called out to him.

Brett’s narrowed gaze went beyond her, and he muttered low, “Shit.”

“Hold up,” Drew called. “Give me just a minute, okay?”

Stride forceful, Brett met him partway. “No, it’s not okay. I’m done.”

“No way in hell do I believe or accept that.” Drew half smiled. “Come on, Bullman, you’re too fucking good to let me run you off over one disagreement, and you know it.”

“Lady present,” Brett admonished. “Watch your mouth.”

They both looked at her, and Audrey felt horribly conspicuous. “Oh, no, that’s fine. I’ll give you two some privacy—”

Reaching out to snag her arm, Brett kept her from moving away. “Stay. Drew can check his language for short periods.” His smile taunted. “Isn’t that right, Drew?”

Offering his hand, Drew said, “I’m completely domesticated when need be. Drew Black, and you are . . . ?”

As if he didn’t already know. Audrey put up her chin and took his hand. “Audrey Porter.”

After all the Internet buzz, he had to know her name, but he didn’t acknowledge it.

“Great. Nice to meet you, Ms. Porter.” He dropped her hand and turned back to Brett. “Why don’t we work this out? Man to man. I’m sure we can find a compromise—”

“No compromises.” Putting his head back, Brett looked down his nose at Drew. “If my fighting skills aren’t enough for you, I’ll look elsewhere.”

“Like where?” Exasperated, Drew’s brows pulled down. “You know other MMA sports associations can’t compete with the SBC. They can’t give you the same exposure, or the same level of pay.”

“True.” Brett folded his arms over his chest. “But I can beat anyone you have, and you know it. The way I see it, whoever I go with can set up some blockbuster publicity by pitting their organization against the SBC.”

Drew went blank. “A challenge?”

“Made publicly.” Brett stared him in the eyes. “You’ll be almost forced to accept. And the exposure will be good for me, and for whatever organization I’m with.”

Nonplussed, Drew rocked back on his heels. “That’s fucking brilliant.”

On a long sigh, Brett reminded him, “Language, Drew.”

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