Page 91 of Tangled in Vows

I don’t need to see him to know he’s disappointed about my fight tonight. It was brutal and extra shitty.

Staring at my bouncing leg, I say, “I’m sorry.”

He sighs again. “I don’t know where your head was tonight, boy, but it surely wasn’t in the ring. Get some rest and put some ice on your face. You’re a mess.”

I still haven’t glanced in the mirror, but I don’t need one to know he’s right. My entire face is throbbing, and breathing through my nose is almost impossible.

“You know I like Olivia, but if you fight like shit every time she’s not there, maybe she’s not good for you.”

The words are barely out of his mouth when a low growl erupts out of mine, and I move without thinking.

Either his reflexes are still better than mine, or he anticipated my reaction because his outstretched hand is already there, pushing against my chest.

He huffs, “That’s what I thought. I hope she deserves your loyalty, son. Maybe let’s just skip the fights if she’s not around then, yeah? Saves you some beatings and me some money.”

I grumble in response, half grateful for his understanding, and half embarrassed I ran straight into that one.

Archer and I met Tom during our first week in the city while searching for a job. We knew the chances weren’t the best since he owned a pub and we were only eighteen, but he took one look at us and said he’d make us a deal. He’d provide us with food, shelter, and training at his gym, and in return, we’d help out at the pub and other businesses he owned and enter underground fights once we were ready to.

The rest is history, as they say.

And we both know he’s right. I wasn’t in the right headspace tonight because Olivia wasn’t in the stands cheering me on. She told me she had an appointment but wouldn’t tell me what it was, and it was impossible to get her out of my mind.

Tom pats my shoulder gruffly. “Go now, kid. See your girl. We’ll talk later.”

My girl.

Is that what’s going on? Has my attraction to her finally gotten the better of me?

Because she isn’t my girl, no matter how badly I want her to be.

But it’s crucial to me that she makes the first move. Bad shit happened to her, and I’m not going to force her into something with me before she’s ready.

My heart still skips at the thought of seeing her in a few minutes. I always feel better with her around.

“Thanks, Tom.”

“Don’t mention it. Have a good night.”

“You too.” I get out and stand there until his taillights disappear around the dark corner, and it drizzles.

The apartment building is in a decent neighborhood with mostly older people. After years of earning money in the ring, I have more than enough to buy myself a nice place, but I have other plans. Archer and I just became silent investors in a series of clubs some of our friends will open, and I’m excited to see what they do with them.

Since it’s already dark, I don’t notice the guy in front of the building until I get my keys out to open the front door.

Although I’ve never seen him, the back of my neck prickles. People who hide in the shadows rarely have good intentions, but the second he steps toward the dim light of the building, I relax. He’s a few years younger than me. Average build. Harmless.

And he’s not my problem.

I’m tired and worn out, and I need to see Olivia.

“Hey, sorry to bother you, but could you let me in so I can wait in the lobby? I’m waiting for my fiancée, but I didn’t know it would rain.”

I study him once more, noticing his simple farm clothes, similar to the ones Olivia wore when I first met her.

Something twists in my stomach, and I ask, “Who’s your fiancée?”

He scrutinizes me and says, “Olivia Fisher.”

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