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Finn met my gaze. “That’s the problem.”
He opened the door to an opulent private room with two couches and a bar and pacing the floor was Annika, with Marcus watching from the corner. Annika was already dressed in a pair of black shorts and sports bra with her hand wraps in place.
When she noticed me, she threw her hands in the air. “I’m so screwed right now.”
I hurried inside and Finn shut the door behind us. “What happened?” I demanded. She was so angry I could see the fire in her eyes.
“The Porcellos completely fucked me. They switched fighters at the last minute. There’s no way in hell I can win.” Lips trembling, she sat on the couch and hung her head. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Switched fighters?” I said, turning to Finn. “Is it another Porcello female?”
Finn shook his head. “They got someone else to agree to fight in Mila’s place. She’s not a Porcello.”
“Is there not some rule in place which states you can’t do that?”
Rubbing a hand over his face, I could tell his body was tense. “No. We could’ve done the same thing.”
I focused on Annika. “Who are you supposed to fight now? Do you know her?” Annika’s head lifted and I saw her face; she was terrified. She was always so confident, but there was none of that now. “Who is she?” I pressed.
“Daria Eller,” Finn answered.
The second I heard that name leave his lips, I could feel my chest tighten with insurmountable unease. “You’re joking, right?”
Annika jumped back to her feet and started to pace again. “What am I going to do? Daria’s ruthless. She’ll tear me apart.”
I knew Daria Eller better than any of them. I’d seen her fight in the UFC for years until she finally got banned from competing because of her illegal moves. One fellow fighter lost an eye because of Daria’s antics. Her mother used to compete against Braden’s mom back in the day, and even she was a piece of work. I’d never gotten the pleasure of fighting Daria, but I’d always looked forward to the day I would.
There was only one thing left to do.
Annika’s pacing quickened, and she'd hyperventilate if she didn’t slow her breathing. Hurrying over to her, I grabbed her shoulders. When she looked up at me, her mascara started to run down her cheeks.
“What am I going to do?” she whispered.
“Youare not going to do anything,” I told her. “Leave it to me.”
Finn came up beside me. “Reagan, what are you doing?”
The need to fight burned in my chest. Keeping my head high, I turned to him. “I’m going to fight Daria. Make sure to let the Porcellos know they’re going to lose.”
CHAPTER20
REAGAN
Ididn’t have any fighting gear, so I had to wear Annika’s. It worked perfectly since we were the same size. Was I making a mistake taking Annika’s place?I don’t know.What I did know was that I wasn’t about to let Daria hurt her, and that was precisely what would happen if Annika were to fight. If Daria played dirty in the UFC, she’d be even dirtier now that she was allowed to be. I wasn’t afraid of her in the least; I looked forward to beating her.
A knock sounded on the door, and Annika rushed to open it. Finn stepped in and came straight to me. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you.”
“I wouldn’t say that until I win,” I advised.
Finn cupped my cheeks. “Oh, you’re going to win. There’s no doubt about that.” He slid his hands down to my shoulders and squeezed them before moving away.
I shrugged. “I just have to throw the rule book out the window.”
He nodded. “Exactly. Daria’s not going to play by the rules. All you have to do is knock her out or get her to tap out and it’s over.”
Annika threw her arms around my neck, her voice just above a whisper. “Thank you, Reagan. I owe you everything.”
Hugging her back, I smiled. “Don’t forget it either.”
