Page 9 of Taking the Fight

I shrugged. “I don’t know yet. I might take a break.”

Braden nodded once. “Okay. Call me if you need me.”

That was a loaded statement. My body needed him. I shut his car door and quickly ran up the two flights of stairs to my apartment. Braden stayed in the parking lot and watched me until I stepped inside. Groaning, I tossed my keys onto the kitchen counter and flopped down on the couch. The apartment was eerily quiet, and a part of me regretted not letting Braden walk with me.

No, Reagan, you can’t give in.

Braden was my friend, even though he drove me crazy. If things were to progress between us and go awry, it would ruin everything. We were going to be business partners of Fightanium one day. It wasn’t wise to get involved.

Closing my eyes, I rested my head against the couch, my breaths slow and steady as I began to drift asleep. But then my heart lurched in my chest at the sound of my ringing phone. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked down at the screen, not recognizing the number.

“Hello?” I answered.

“I didn’t think you and Braden got along. I heard you were with him tonight.” It was Nikolai. I jumped up from the couch and went straight to the door to make sure I had locked it.

“Seriously?” I hissed. “You were watching me?”

“No, not me personally. But I thought you’d like to know my brotherishaving you watched.”

“Of course he is,” I thundered. “And just so you know, I wouldn’t have been with Braden if it weren’t for you.”

“Ah, I see. You told him I talked to you, didn’t you?”

I scoffed. “Yeah, and now I have him and Carter up my ass. So, what do you want?”

Nikolai laughed. “You are just like your sister.”

“No,” I fired back, “I’m meaner. Now, what do you want?”

“You.”

I snorted. “Sorry, but I don’t date psychotic asshats. Might want to find someone else.”

“As much as I’d have loved to hear a different response, that’s not what I’m after.”

My stomach clenched at the unknown. I didn’t think I was ready to hear exactly what he wanted from me. “Just tell me and get it over with,” I demanded.

Nikolai’s deep laugh made chills run down my spine. “I want you to train someone for me. A female. Her name’s Annika Sellinger. She was going to show up at the gym tomorrow, but I told her father I wanted to speak to you first.” All the people he dealt with were part of the mafia.

“Really?” I replied, astonished that he would even think I’d consider his request. “I’m not interested to get involved with your mob buddies. The last thing I want is to get dropped in the ocean with cement boots.”

He burst out laughing. “You’ve watched too many movies.”

“Whatever,” I snapped. “What’s going to happen if I refuse? What kind of bullshit are you going to use against me?”

“Nothing,” he answered, his tone serious. “There is no agenda, just asking for your help. Please meet with Annika tomorrow. Once you talk to her, you’ll see things differently.”

I knew I should say no, but I couldn’t get the word out. “Fine. Have her come to the gym.”

“You’re the best female fighter, and everyone on my end knows that. You’ll be well compensated.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I grumbled before ending the call. Well compensated, huh? I wondered how. Hanging my head, I blew out a heavy sigh.

What the hell am I getting myself into?

CHAPTER6

REAGAN

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