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He shut my door and walked to the other side, taking a seat across from me.
“I’m not one to get in my boss’s business,” he said, “but I want you to know that you mean the world to him.”
“Well, wedidmarry each other.” I forced a smile. “I would hope so.”
“I’m in on the scheme, Mrs. Carter,” he said. “Not at first, but I figured it out eventually.”
“Sorry we lied to you.”
“It wasn’t a lie at all.” He pulled a handkerchief from his blazer. “It’s obvious to anyone who spends more than five minutes around you two that you’re meant for each other.”
I dabbed my eyes.
“Years ago, whenever I’d pick him up from one of his drunken nights, he’d talk about one woman he could never quite get over.” He looked up at the marquee. “I’m pretty sure that woman was you, so since we’ve been out here for over an hour already, do you mind if I channel my boss with my next words?”
“Of course not, Mr. Faber.”
“Good.” He nodded, then he took a deep breath. “Get the fuck out of this car and get inside.”
FORTY-SEVEN
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
Fight Night
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
“Are you sure you don’t want to sit with me and Hayden?” Penelope asked, caressing my hand in the VIP lounge.
“I’m sure,” I said. “I don’t want to jinx him again.”
“I’m sure he would love to see you this time.” She smiled. “More than me, I promise.”
I held back a laugh and shook my head. “I’ll watch from a distance.”
“Suit yourself.” She walked away with Hayden at her side, and I picked up a handful of strawberries before slipping through a side door.
I followed the signs for “Medical Personnel Only,” emerging into the arena and behind a group of doctors.
The crowd was standing on its feet, cheering as if the fight was already underway.
“And nowwwww!” The announcer stood at the center of the octagon. “Here to sing the national anthem…”
I let out a breath as my heart raced in my chest, singing along to the anthem under my breath in an attempt to stay calm.
It’s only for an hour or so, Tati. Only for an hour or so…
“Ladies and gentlemen!” The announcer roared again. “Welcome to UFC Championship fight 302!”
Earsplitting screams filled the air.
“First to the octagon, standing at six foot two, one hundred and seventy pounds, the former welterweight champion of the worldddd, Travis ‘The Punisher’ Carter!”
The lights darkened, and the right-side entry tunnel lit up in bright red and white smoke.
