Page 52 of A Dark Duet

“She can’t go anywhere alone with Brie, they will recognize her and paparazzi will be all over them. I don’t want them scared, but phones record everything.”

“It’s not like you don’t go everywhere with her anyway,” he scoffs.

“If you don’t want me to fight outside of the cage on camera, then do what I ask, brother.”

“Fine.”

“I need to concentrate on the fight and then we have to take care of our little problem afterward,” I say lowly so no one can overhear our conversation.

“I got plenty of information, just need some time for things to die down. This asshole you’re fighting keeps talking shit on social media, so I need you to not let him rile you up. You know he’s going to get to you through her, just be mindful, and don’t lose your head.”

“Whatever, motherfucker gets out of line, goes near her, and he’s done.”

Meaning every word, I know I’m being overprotective with her, but I have a burning rage inside like the devil in hell waiting with his demons because of what happened to her, and I feel somewhat responsible.

I let her go alone, and they broke her. Even in death, my father left demons behind, trying to take away anything good. It reminds me of how I failed my mother. I let my father get away with her death. Even if she was a junkie, she didn’t deserve to die.

My father died quickly and painlessly. My mother was battered, her face beaten and disfigured. She didn’t deserve that. He did, now they’re both dead, and I can’t do shit about it. I live with the guilt that I helped him, stayed quiet, and took his abuse. He died, but he left his demons to torture me every fucking day of my life.

The only person who makes the nightmares stop is, Giselle. When she is with me every night, by my side, in my arms, even when her nightmares come, I’ll be there waiting to fight for her, reminding her she is safe. She’s my reason, a reason to feel alive even if it’s through pain.

* * *

I train all day and I’m the last one to leave. Brie popped in and left with Jaden an hour ago. She said Giselle was still in the dance studio with Charles.

Charles is a nice man with a big heart. He lost his daughter and wife a while back, needed a job, and I gave him one. I think he sees Giselle like a daughter. He doesn’t mind that I told him to stay and watch over her and Brie when they are in the dance studio. I trust him even when I give him shit about him telling Giselle that we are together, and not just friends, playing the matchmaker.

I don’t even know what we are, but friends are not what I would call it. Girlfriend, maybe. I’ve never had a girlfriend. I’ve only fucked girls and sent them on their way because I’m not capable of letting anyone in. I’m fucked up and I know it.

I don’t know what love is between a man and a woman. I’ve never experienced it and I don’t think I’m capable of it. Women see me as eye candy, an opportunity to be with a multimillionaire pro fighter, someone to buy them designer purses and shoes.

Wanting to be seen with me. When I was broke, I had nothing but street fighting to pay for my next meal. Yeah, they were down to fuck, but that’s it.

I close up the gym and head over to the dance studio to pick up Giselle. When I open the door, I find Charles transfixed, watching her dance on pointe in her ballet slippers to the sound of the piano.

“Even in Death”by Evanescence echoing in the background, as the voice and her body sway to the rhythm of the music. It’s like watching an artist painting a blank canvas. She dances a pirouette in Gothic grandeur to the ballad, it's haunting and beautiful.

She’s all dressed in black, like a dark version of a ballerina. Charles turns to me as he hears me walking, noticing me when I open the door on high alert. He has a pistol that no one is aware of as he continues to watch her.

“That’s for you, Nate. You can feel it pouring out of her, the life and death of love. It reminds me of the way I love my wife and daughter. In life and in death. Your ballerina dances for you.”

“Thank you for watching over her for me, Charles. I can’t repay you enough.”

“You can, by doing right by that girl. She needs you. She has so much sorrow and pain. I have been watching her for hours, but to her, I’m not here. I don’t know what happened to her and I’m not asking you to tell me.

This is all she has to cope with whatever she is feeling. Her eyes are soulless except when she looks at you. You’re her anchor, her chain from falling deeper into the depths of whatever she is feeling. I’ll see you tomorrow, champ.” He gets up from the chair and heads toward the exit.

“See ya, Charles.”

I walk up to the dance floor and she notices me but doesn’t falter. I stand motionless in the center as she bends and twists a single leg up.

I try not to reach out and touch her. Her hand comes up and softly slides down the side of my face. We look into each other’s eyes as the lyrics of the song continue. Charles is right. She dances for me and it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

I pick her up, and she circles her legs around my waist, kissing her chest softly, holding her close. I walk us back against the wall on the other side of the mirror to hold her back as leverage. I pull her leotard down and gently kiss her beautiful breasts. She looks down as her breath quickens from the pleasure.

She slides down my front, my erection is hard against my shorts, and I know she can feel how hard she makes me. Her hair is in a messy bun. It releases from the confines of the band as I tug, letting her hair cascade down around her shoulders. I kiss her softly. I want to take her right here, but I prefer her in my bed, where I can take my time. Tonight, I won’t take her hard. I’ll give her pleasure, softening her pain.

“Let’s go home,” I tell her.

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