Page 55 of Taking the Fight

She stepped away from me, her eyes narrowed. “Uh-oh. Why do I feel I’m not going to like this?”

“Because you’re not,” I admitted. “I don’t even know which part to tell you first.”

Reagan crossed her arms over her chest. “Just tell me.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Annika paid me a visit after you left the gym.”

When I opened my eyes, Reagan’s were full of fury. “And?”

“And she knows about you and me. She was hiding in the supply room.”

Her mouth dropped. “You can’t be serious. What the hell was she doing?”

I huffed. “She was waiting for me … naked.” She sucked in a breath, her face red with anger. “And when I turned her down, she didn’t like it,” I added.

Reagan let out a long, slow sigh. “If I had found Annika, I would’ve kicked her ass. If she knows about us, she’s going to tell Finn.”

“I know,” I said, nodding. “I think you were right when you said you thought there was a warning in her tone the last time you spoke with her. I got the same feeling tonight. Annika even said she told you that the Sellingers always get what they want.”

“And it’s clear she wants you.”

“Just like Finn wants you,” I reiterated. “That’s why Seth will be by your side the entire time tomorrow night. I don’t trust the Sellingers, I never have.”

Reagan leaned against the back of the couch, her gaze fierce. “I’m not going tomorrow. I can’t. Not after what happened to you tonight.” As much as that news relieved me, things were about to go sideways. Reagan cocked her head to the side when I didn't say anything. “I thought you’d be happy to hear me say that.”

“Under normal circumstances, I would be. But this leads me to the other half of my bad news.”

She tensed. “Which would be?”

I stared at her for a few seconds and sighed. “I didn’t want you there tomorrow night without me, so I asked Seth to schedule me in for a fight.”

Reagan’s eyes bugged out of her head. “You what?”

“It’s just a normal fight,” I said, holding up my hands. “It was the only way I could get in.”

She pushed away from the couch, her anger palpable. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you anything. I didn’t want you involved.”

Stepping up to her, I cupped her cheeks. “I’ve always been involved, Reagan. You should’ve known I’d find a way to be with you. I refuse to leave your safety in Seth’s hands or anyone else’s for that matter. I’m just glad you decided not to go now.”

Reagan lifted her chin, her expression defiant. “Oh no, Emerson, I’m going. You refuse to leave my safety in Seth’s hands, and I’m doing the same. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you fight without me there.”

I should’ve known she’d say that.

CHAPTER26

REAGAN

Wednesday night had finally come. The day went by quickly, and now Braden and I were on our way with Seth and one of his guys, Benny, to the underground lair of the fancy hotel Seth’s family owned. Braden and I were in the backseat while Seth and Benny sat up front. More of Seth’s men followed behind us in a black SUV, but it didn’t help ease my tension.

Braden had to get in the right mindset for his fight tonight. It didn’t shock me that he’d volunteer to fight just to be with me. I would’ve done the same for him if the situation were reversed.

The day went by in a blur and what left me feeling unsettled was that I hadn’t gotten a single call from Finn or Annika. I dreaded seeing them, but I didn’t want Braden in that lion’s den alone, not after Nikolai had already tried having him killed.

After tonight, I wanted to get as far away from Finn and everyone else as possible. Braden clasped my hand and held it tightly in his. He was dressed in a suit, so he’d fit in with everyone else, while I wore a simple black evening gown.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced out the car window. We were almost at the hotel. I had the money Finn gave me in my purse, along with the keys to the Bentley. I was going to give it all back to him.

“Seth, have you seen any fights with Finn’s fighters?” I asked.

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