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But I’m not one to play defense, so I immediately launch myself at Talon again. I land a few blows to his cheeks, causing a bloody spurt from his nose, before turning again to kidney shots. Meanwhile, Dylan joins me and batters the man’s back so fast that his fists are a blur, but the pro fighter just won’t back down. This fool is fucking indestructible.
Pretty soon, the fight devolves into savage combat. After about thirty seconds, I’m on the ground on top of Talon. I pull my arm back, ready to deal a crushing blow that could very well knock out some teeth. But there’s a gleam in Talon’s blue eyes and I know he’s up to something. Is it a knife? A gun? Some kind of secret weapon? But then a loud scream rings out, and I see that it’s April, who’s run up so that she’s ring-side.
“Stop!” she shrieks with tears in her eyes. “Just stop! I don’t even know this person, and you’re turning him into a bloody pulp. I don’t want this! The fight is over.”
The announcer intercedes.
“Who is this woman?” he barks. “Ma’am, I need to ask you to leave. People are here to wager real cash, and your interference is not appreciated. Security!”
But I pause, turning to Dylan momentarily, and without having to speak a word, we agree that the match is over. After all, April’s right. We don’t have beef with Talon because it was just his cocksucker of a brother who dragged him into this.
“Fine,” I say shortly. “We’ll call it a draw so long as Tyler never contacts April again. In fact, let’s just say it’d be better if he left Monroe altogether.”
Tyler screams from his corner.
“No!” he shrieks. “I don’t agree! I love April and that’s my baby in her belly! You two are pretenders who are trying to steal my child. Noooooo!”
At that, Dylan and I start with shock. April’s pregnant? Holy shit, we had no idea! Immediately, we move to our girlfriend’s side, attempting to touch her hand through the wire fence. She does look plump and glowing, but we merely attributed it to happiness and lots of fun times in bed.
But it’s Talon who ultimately makes the decision.
“She’s not pregnant with your child,” he snorts derisively. “Please Tyler. You and I both know your acne medication makes for a low sperm count. There’s no way you knocked up this pretty chickadee. Come on, let’s beat feet before you screw up even more.”
Then, Talon grabs his towel and unlatches the gate, daring anybody to stop him. As a six four professional MMA fighter, of course, no one intervenes. The huge man stalks off, disappearing through the back curtains as Tyler limps behind his brother, still screaming epithets.
“Just you wait because I have another brother!” he shrieks. “Talon has an identical twin! Yeah, did you know that? I should have gotten Torment to fight today instead, but he was busy. Oh shee-it!” he screams as Talon reappears momentarily, only to drag his brother off by the scruff of his neck like a small child.
“I don’t think they’ll be bothering you anymore, April,” Dylan says in a dry tone.
“Yeah,” I grunt. “Something tells me that Talon’s going to make sure Tyler’s reined in good from here on out.”
April turns to us then, her eyes filled with tears.
“Thank you, Frank and Dylan,” she says in a quivery voice. “I appreciate what you guys have done. This fight went way beyond what I anticipated, and to be honest, I can’t believe it even happened in the first place because this isn’t what I want. Violence isn’t the answer,” she says in a tearful voice.
By now, we’ve exited the ring, and I place a gentle hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at us.
“No, it’s not,” I growl. “But telling the truth and being open and honest is very much part of our relationship. And that includes your pregnancy, April.”
“We’re disappointed that you didn’t utter a peep,” rasps Dylan next to me, his blue gaze penetrating. “But let’s talk about this at home. Not here,” he says, jerking his chin at the rowdy crowd. “This gym is a pigsty and no place for a pregnant woman. Come on,” he growls. “Let’s beat feet.”
With that, we each take one of April’s hands, leading the curvy girl to the parking lot. After all, we engaged in a fight to defend April from the annoying miscreant that was her ex-boyfriend, but now, things have changed. There’s a child in her belly, and Dylan and I need to sort out this situation before claiming April for good.
10
April
* * *
The fight was a bad idea from the start, and I always knew it. On the one hand, I’m overjoyed that Dylan and Frank were willing to battle for me, but on the other, it was frightening to watch. My heart thundered in my chest as I observed the men throw punches and kicks, and vomit surged in the back of my throat upon seeing the blood, gore, and sweat.
