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I sit in the booth, feeling nervous as I look at the people around me. They all notice me, too. I came in with the famous Antonio Moretti. Of course, I’m getting looked at.
A man slides into the booth across from me. He’s handsome in an easy-going way. “I’m Killian. I work with Antonio. He told me you were coming tonight and to make sure you’re treated like a queen.” He winks. “I’ve got you.”
I instantly feel comfortable around Killian. “Thanks. I’ve never been to something like this.”
“You don’t say?” he teases, and I smile. Killian sits back in his seat, watching me carefully. “How’s your dad doing?”
I tense at his question. “Why?”
He shrugs. “Antonio’s gotten himself into a deal with your dad. And so have I. I just want to make sure we can trust him.”
“Why do you ask?”
“I know you’re his daughter, so I don’t expect you to badmouth your dad. I just get a weird vibe from him, that’s all. He doesn’t like me, which is fine. But … I don’t know. There’s just something else there. I was just curious if you have any insight into him at all.”
Killian is skirting so close to the truth. “No,” I say tightly. “My father is … He can be cold, yes.”
“But he can be trusted?”
My heart is pounding against my rib cage. I can barely breathe. I don’t know what to say, and so I scramble for some excuse when the crowd starts cheering. It turns my attention toward the large fighting ring in the middle of the room. Antonio steps into it, and the crowd goes wild for him. Out of the corner of my eye, I can feel Killian still looking at me, waiting for an answer. But I keep my gaze focused on Antonio, and soon, Killian turns to watch the fight. I can breathe again.
Antonio is facing off with an incredibly large man who the announcer says is Big John. “He’s going to crush Antonio,” I say.
Killian chuckles. “You haven’t seen Antonio fight. He’ll be fine. He always is.”
The fight begins with Big John lumbering after Antonio and Antonio keeping just out of his reach. Antonio lands a few quick punches to Big John’s side, making the large man roar in anger. He grabs Antonio and throws him to the side. Antonio just laughs and lunges back, landing a kick to Big John’s shin. Big John stumbles forward. Antonio uses that momentum to hit him in the back, knocking Big John to the ground.
Antonio takes a moment to stand before the crowd, soaking in the cheers and applause. Even I clap my hands for him. Antonio meets my gaze across the room and smiles. I smile back. This man is my husband. This powerful, beautiful, amazing man.
Big John slams into Antonio’s side, knocking Antonio to the ground. Before Antonio can react, Big John starts punching Antonio everywhere. His face. His stomach. His legs. I gasp, holding still as I watch Antonio get hurt.
“It’s ok,” Killian says. “He’s got this. He’s always got this.”
Antonio manages to hit Big John in the stomach, making him grunt. Antonio pushes Big John off him and kicks the large man in the head. Big John slumps to the ground. He doesn’t get back up.
The referee holds up Antonio’s hand as the winner.
I relax into my seat, knowing Antonio will be ok.
“You care for him?” Killian asks.
“I do,” I say, keeping my eyes on my husband. It’s at this moment I know. I can’t kill Antonio. I can’t see him get hurt like he got hurt tonight. I can’t be responsible for that. Even if my father sends someone else after Antonio and me, we’ll fight together. I’ll find a way to get Anna out, even if it kills me.
But I willnotkill my husband. The man I care for. The man I can see myself falling in love with.
I might already be falling in love with him.
“Tell Antonio I need to go,” I tell Killian. “I need to talk to my father.” I hurry out of the booth before Killian can stop me. I need to confront my father. No more waiting. This is it.
On my way toward the door, a blonde woman approaches me. “Who are you?” she asks.
“I’m sorry. I’m in a hurry.” I try walking past her, but she gets in my way.
“I noticed you come in with Antonio.” She eyes me over. “You know, I’m the blonde one he tends to fuck. So, who are you?”
I stop short at her words. Eyeing her over, I can tell she’s pretty in a trashy kind of way. “I’m his wife. Who are you?”
Her eyes widen as she backs up. “Uh, Joanna. Antonio and I—”
