Page 65 of A Fighter’s Love

She gripped his arm. “You can’t promise that.”

A slice of worry crossed his eyes. “No, you’re right. But I can promise to have made certain he’s prepared for the fight, and to be there if it starts to go wrong. Be there for both of you.”

She nodded. Her throat was tight with worry. That was the best she could hope for. The fight would go ahead, no matter how she felt. She could only hope it would all be okay, and if Jackson didn’t win, at least come out of it with nothing more than a few bruises.

She managed a small smile. “Thanks, Dale. That makes me feel a bit better.”

“Good, because that’s how we want you to feel. Better. Safe. Happy.” He dipped his head and pressed a light kiss to her lips.

“What the fuck!”

Billy’s voice blasted around the office.

Jenny went to snap away from Dale, but he’d curled his fingers around her upper arm all the tighter, keeping her close.

“You!” Billy snapped, striding into the room. He came up close to them. Too close. “You’re the one fucking my girlfriend.”

“She’s not your girlfriend anymore,” Dale said, puffing his chest up and tilting his chin.

“I knew I recognized that bloody jacket at her place.” Billy jabbed his finger at Dale, dangerously close to his bare chest.

Jenny thought her heart would give out it was beating so fast. Her head spun with their loud voices and her knees were weak. She was glad Dale was holding her but she hated being so close to Billy when he was in this evil temper.

“Get the fuck away from me,” Dale said, whisking his arm in front of himself and knocking Billy’s arm.

Billy stepped backward. As if in shock. His eyes widened. “You…”

“Get used to it,” Dale said, slipping his hand from Jenny’s arm and sliding it around her waist. “We’re together.”

He pulled her tight against his torso.

“If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have lost her,” Billy snarled. “She did everything around here for me.”

“Yeah, I know. Unpaid labor. You should be fucking ashamed of yourself.”

Billy’s cheeks reddened and he huffed out several breaths, his cheeks puffing up.

“Dale!”

Jackson stood at the doorway, filling the frame. He still wore his red fighting glove on his left hand, but his right was free.

Dale pulled Jenny closer.

She pressed her palm over his chest, willing Billy to disappear and leave them all alone.

“How fucking dare you.” Billy clenched his fists and shook it at Dale. “Get the hell out of my club. Your membership has been revoked. No refund.”

“You know damn well you can’t do that,” Dale said.

“Yeah I can. You’ve served your purpose. Sparred with Jackson to get him up to speed. Now you’re loose change.” He stepped closer. “Now you’re banned.”

Jenny tensed.

“I really don’t think so.” Dale released her, then pushed her with a firm but gentle movement to one side.

“Watch me make you,” Billy said.

As her hip bumped the filing cabinet, she saw Billy’s uppercut heading for Dale.

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