Page 37 of Craving the Fight (Gloves Off: Next Generation)

EMMA

Ispent the day with Ethan and Reagan, training with our father, while Carter spent his time with Braden and Paxton. With Brooks leaving town soon, I was glad he was there too, training with Ripp and my uncle. We all acted as if nothing was amiss. The only thing Ethan, Braden, and Ripp knew was that Scar was getting out of prison tomorrow. I didn’t look forward to telling them the rest. However, for the day, I put it out of my mind so I could concentrate on my training.

It’d been over four years since I’d done any fighting. My muscles were sore, and it felt like a bulldozer had run over me, but it was nice to know I hadn’t lost my touch. I even took Reagan down to the mat a couple of times. Did she tap out? Of course not, but it was fun trying.

The hardest part of the day was keeping my eyes off of Carter. Reagan got a few hits on me while I was distracted, and I had the bruises to prove it. It was a good thing I didn’t have any modeling jobs soon.

Once the gym had closed for the evening, Ethan locked the doors, and we walked into one of the back rooms to keep prying eyes from seeing us through the front windows. It was safe to say that Scar most likely had someone watching us.

Ethan shut the door to the back room, and his eyes widened when Carter put his arm around my shoulders. Needless to say, Reagan already knew, so she didn’t react, and neither did Braden, Ripp, or Brooks; Ethan was the only clueless one.

“Seriously?” Ethan called out, staring at us in shock. “You two are together?”

Braden snorted. “You’re fucking blind, Jameson. The signs were there years ago.”

Brooks shook his head and laughed while Ripp nodded in agreement. “It’s true, even I saw it. Not that I cared, though. Emma’s a big girl. She can fuck whoever she wants.”

Ethan threw his arms in the air. “Damn, okay! I don’t want to think of my sister or sisters,” he said, acknowledging Reagan, “screwing around with anyone.”

“All right,” I exclaimed, waving for him to be quiet, “now that you all know about Carter and me, we have more important things to discuss. You all know Scar gets out of prison tomorrow.”

Brooks’ eyes narrowed. “Which baffles the fuck out of me. I haven’t been able to find out how it’s possible.”

“Still, it’s happening,” Carter threw out. “One of his guys has already approached Emma.”

Snarling, my brother stepped forward, his angry gaze on mine. “What the hell, Emma. Why didn’t you say anything?”

I’d used my anger on the punching bag today, but I was too exhausted now to argue. “Because I’m angry, confused, and sick of this whole thing.”

Reagan came up beside me, her voice low and almost menacing. “What does that scumbag want you to do?”

I went into detail about how I was set to meet with Scar tomorrow night and how he wanted me to pose as a prostitute so they could take blackmail pictures. Their goal was to provoke our father to go after Scar, even if it wasn’t specifically said. Scar knew that would be the outcome. The photos would also shame our family and ruin my career; everyone would suffer the consequences.

Ethan blew out a huff and pulled me away from Carter so he could hug me. “Fuck, Emma.” Stepping back, he looked into my eyes. “Let me go in your place tomorrow. They can find a real whore to blackmail whoever the fuck they want. I’m sure Scar will trade you for me. I’ll do whatever I have to do.”

There was no doubt in my mind that I knew he’d offer to take my place. He was a good brother, a protector. “I’m not letting you do that,” I said to him.

Carter came up beside me. “I’m going with her, Jameson.” I shook my head, but he intentionally ignored me. “Whether Emma likes it or not, I’m going. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her anywhere near those bastards without me.”

The buzz of the front door echoed to the back, and we all froze; someone had just entered. “I thought you locked the door,” I whispered to Ethan.

He nodded and lowered his voice. “I did. So, help me God, if it’s one of Scar’s minions, I’ll beat the shit out of them.”

Carter pulled me behind him and stood in front of Reagan and me. Reagan grabbed my hand and squeezed. “You don’t think they’d actually come in here, do you?”

I looked into her bright blue eyes, and all I saw was determination and strength; she wasn’t afraid. Instead, I could see her wanting to fight. “Anything’s possible,” I uttered low.

Footsteps pounded down the hallway, and I held my breath, waiting to see who the assailant was. The room filled with so much tension and testosterone I could barely breathe; the guys were ready.

“Where the hell is everyone?” Paxton shouted.

The breath whooshed out of my lungs, and I grabbed my chest. Ethan opened the door just as Paxton walked past. He backed up and stood in the doorway, lifting his brows at us. “Do I want to know what’s going on?”

Out of all our parents, Paxton was the one who spent the most time around Scar and his people. He was tall, dark, and dangerous, with tattoos down both arms. I could see how he could be scary, but I’d never seen that side of him.

Carter stepped back, and I looked up at him, and then we both turned to Braden. He and Carter shared a glance, and Braden nodded as if they’d just had a silent conversation. “There’s something you need to know,” Braden said to his dad.

Paxton stepped into the room, crossing his muscular tattooed arms across his chest. With the exception of being younger and having fewer tattoos, Braden looked exactly like him with their dark hair and green eyes.

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