Page 89 of Regards, Mia

“I already told you fighting became my way out.” I takea deep breath, pushing through the painful memories of hunger and cold. “Once I started training with a coach and winning tournaments, I started to make some real money.”

In my mind, I’m back in the ring, taking out my fury on my opponents, smelling the blood, sweat, and fear in the air.

“It landed me in jail.”

The air vibrates with tension. “What do you mean?”

“I almost killed a man with my bare hands.” I’ve never said the words aloud before. Never told anyone what happened.

“Why?” Mia’s voice is full of confusion.

“My sister’s boyfriend beat her so badly she ended up in the hospital.”

The memories crash over me like cold, hard fists. I nearly lost my mind when I found out what my sister’s boyfriend had done. I hadn’t thought about myself, I’d only seen blood- red rage. I’d gotten in my car, driven straight to his house, and nearly killed him.

“I broke his nose, his jaw, several ribs, and was choking him when they pulled me off. A few more minutes and I would have killed him.”

“Jay,” she says. “You didn’t mean to do it. You were blind with rage.”

A rough laugh escapes my mouth. “I wasn’t sorry. I wished I would have killed him. He deserved it.”

A dozen years later, and I’m still angry. I would beat him again if given the chance, even knowing it would land me in jail.

The mattress shifts as Mia moves closer. Her hand trails up my arm to my shoulder, and then I feel the press of her soft breasts against my back, the brush of her hair against my neck. Her arms slide around me, holding me, but she’s the one who's crying.

I turn and pull Mia into my arms, settling her on my lap. Stroking her hair away from her face, I kiss away her tears.

“I’m such a bitch,” she says, framing my face within her hands. “I judged you, Jay.”

“It’s okay.”

Her fingers run through my hair, tugging. “I had it all wrong,” she says. “You’re a hero.”

Her words shake me to the core. “No. I’m not.”

“I could have used someone like you when I got assaulted in college. But no one stood up for me. No one even believed me.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head, her gaze trapping mine. “I didn’t think I could forgive your crime, much less understand it. But I do.”

Tears flow down her cheeks, smearing her makeup. Her hair is messy from my hands, and she’s a far cry from her usually perfect appearance. “Can you forgive me?” Her voice is so soft I can barely hear her.

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

She kisses me, claiming my mouth with a fierce passion that I’m all too ready to return. We roll back onto the bed. Tears and apologies are forgotten when we start touching each other.

CHAPTER 36

The Elephant on the Plane

The next morning, we have a goodbye brunch with the other guests.

After we finish eating, we wait in the lobby for our courtesy shuttle to take us to the airport.

My mother squeezes me tightly as we say goodbye.

“Try not to be too upset, sweetheart,” she says.

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