Page 45 of Taking the Fight

“Good,” I said, sliding my arm away from his and stopping in front of him, “because I’m not doing it again. Even if I wanted to, Seth wouldn’t allow it.”

Finn’s gaze darkened. “Seth doesn’t own you.”

“Nobody does. That’s why I’m saying I’m done.”

“I understand and respect that,” he conceded, “but can I ask one more favor, please?”

“What?” I could feel my patience running thin.

Finn blew out a sigh. “Annika fights on Wednesday. The Rinellas challenged us and made it clear they didn’t want you; they wanted Annika. They agreed not to switch fighters.” I looked away and closed my eyes. It wouldn’t be easy to get away after Braden and my sister found out what I’d done. “Please, Reagan,” Finn murmured, grasping my chin to face him. I opened my eyes, and he pleaded with me. “Annika could use your support. She'll be fine on her own once she gets this first fight done.”

I held up a finger, not wanting to hear anymore. “Only one more time. That’s it, Finn. I want away from all of this. I’m terrified for the people I care about. Nikolai already put a hit on Braden. I don’t know what I would’ve done if he’d died in that explosion. I don’t understand why Nikolai even ordered it in the first place. Braden hasn’t done anything to him.”

“From what I hear,” Finn explained, “your brother and the rest of the guys are on Seth’s side now. That was a low blow, and Nikolai’s very vindictive. That’s what makes him so dangerous.”

“As I said, I need to get away from all of this,” I reiterated.

Finn averted his gaze. “And from me.”

“Yes,” I confessed. “I don’t belong in your world. I’ve told you that.”

His jaw clenched. “It’s not always like this, Reagan. You’ve only seen the bad parts. That’s why I’m not giving up yet.”

That wasnotwhat I wanted to hear. What would it take for Finn to give up on me? He walked past me to the next door and opened it. There was only one door left before we arrived inside the parking garage. When we exited the final entry, his father was standing beside a silver sports car that had to be worth a million dollars. I’d never seen anything like it.

Paul came up to me and kissed both my cheeks. “You were amazing tonight, my dear. Thank you for taking my daughter’s place.”

“You’re welcome.” What else could I say?

His eyes twinkled. “And to show you my appreciation, I’m giving you this.” He gestured toward the car, and my mouth dropped.

“Uh, I don’t think so.”

Paul reached for my hand and gave me the keys. “It’s already done. The registration papers with your name on them will be sent to you in about two weeks. You earned it.” He patted Finn on the shoulder and headed for the door that led back inside. “I’ll see you both in a few days.”

Still in shock, I watched him disappear behind the door. “This can’t be real.” I held the keys out to Finn. “You have to take it. I can’t be seen driving that. It’s probably worth a million dollars.”

Finn smiled. “Try one and a half. It’s a Bentley Bacalar. There are only twelve in existence.”

“Which makes it even more ridiculous for me to be seen with it,” I fired back, shaking the keys at him. “Take them.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he completely ignored the keys. “My father will see it as an insult if you return it.”

“I don’t care.”

His smirk widened. “All right, here’s the deal. Either you take the Bentley, or you go home with me.”

Groaning, I turned to the car. “Fine. I’ll take the damn car.”

Disappointment passed across Finn’s face. “Ouch. Guess I can’t blame you.”

“Itisworth a million dollars,” I reiterated. I was way past ready to get home. Walking over to the driver’s side, I opened the door and peered in. “Let’s just hope I don’t wreck it.” All I had to do was drop the car off at my apartment and get my Mini Cooper so I could head over to Braden’s. I’d have to figure out what to do with the Bentley at another time.

“You won’t wreck it,” Finn called out. “Just get in and go.”

It was a bad idea; I could feel it in my blood. But I’d have to go home with Finn if I didn't take the car and that definitely wasn’t going to happen. Not wasting time, I hopped in the car and looked at myself in the rearview mirror, cringing at my swollen eye. There was no way in hell I could hide it. I had no choice but to tell Braden the truth before he found out from someone else.

CHAPTER21

---