Page 11

CODY

The transition from Family Day to the Intercontinental Battle Royale was a blur of training, media obligations, and late-night thoughts that wouldn’t let me sleep.

But in all of it, one image stuck with me. Emily, standing her ground against Trey.

I’d known she was strong. I’d seen it in the way she handled everything life threw at her, in the way she cared for Oliver, in the way she never let anything break her. But watching her take control, refusing to let Trey manipulate her ever again, that was something else.

The guy had a good suit and a slick way with words, but he was nothing compared to her. He didn’t deserve a woman like Emily.

And then came the harder thought which kept nagging me even as I threw myself into training for this fight.

Did I deserve her?

This thing between us started as a way to handle a situation. It evolved into a real and beautiful thing that shook me more than anything I faced in the cage.

I’d spent so long keeping people at arm’s length, making sure no one got too close. It was easier that way. Emily had slipped past every defense I had. And now, as I stood backstage, waiting for my cue to step into the cage, I knew this fight wasn’t just about taking down Marcus Ray. It was about proving something to myself, to her.

The arena was electric, the crowd roaring with energy as I stepped into the lights. Adrenaline and the pulse of the fight already thrummed through me.

But my focus zeroed in on one thing.

Emily sat in the front row, right where I’d asked her to be. She looked out of place in a setting like this, surrounded by bloodthirsty fans and flashing lights, but at the same time, she belonged there.

Because she was my person.

The realization hit hard and fast, leaving me out of breath before the fight even started.

Marcus Ray stood across from me, a hulking powerhouse of a man, all muscle and brute force. He was dangerous, but I was smarter. I’d spent my career taking on guys like him who relied on intimidation and raw strength.

I had a plan.

The bell rang, and we clashed.

The fight was brutal, a war of skill and endurance. Marcus came at me hard, throwing heavy punches, trying to overpower me. I kept my movements sharp, calculated, dodging, countering, making him work for every inch.

Second round came. He got in a good hit, knocking me back a step. The crowd roared, sensing blood. But I shook it off, refocusing.

By the third round, he was getting desperate, swinging wild. That was my opening. One clean shot.

I saw it the second he left himself open. My fist connected with his jaw, a solid, devastating blow. He staggered, then crumpled.

The ref stepped in.

Fight over.

The arena exploded.

I barely had time to catch my breath before I felt her.

Emily was suddenly there, pushing past the officials, slipping into the cage like she belonged there. Things seemed to happen like the rapid fire flashes of a camera. Her arms were around me. Her lips were on mine. She kissed me, right there in front of everyone. The crowd lost their minds.

And for the first time, I didn’t care about the fight, the press, or the whole damn world. Only her.

When she pulled back, her eyes met mine, full of emotion and heat that seared the air in my lungs. “I’ve got to be straight with you,” I said, voice rough from the fight. “What’s happening between us is no act. It’s all real for me.”

Her eyes widened, emotions flickering too fast to catch. Was it surprise—or fear?

“Emily,” I continued, my heart pounding harder than it had during the fight. “I’m not looking for a fling or some escape from my demons. You’ve become a part of me.”

She shifted, hesitation clear in her stance. “Cody, you don’t have to—”

“Em, please,” I cut in, needing her to hear this, to believe it. “You mean more to me than anyone else ever has.”

“I’ve felt that way about you for a while.” She bit her lip. “Can you really see us together? Or is this just the high from your win talking?”

“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.” I cupped her face, making sure she saw the truth in my eyes. “I want to spend my whole life proving it to you.”

Emily

EPILOGUE – A YEAR LATER

Summer had settled into Sunridge, thick and warm, the scent of fresh-cut grass drifting through the backyard. I carried a pitcher of homemade lemonade outside, smiling as I watched Oliver and Cody near the fence.

Oliver was bouncing on his toes, gloves too big on his small hands, while Cody knelt in front of him, adjusting his stance. “Remember—guard up, chin down. And always be ready to move.”

Oliver nodded seriously. “Like bob and weave?”

Cody smirked. “That’s right. Bob and weave. We don’t need another Trey situation.”

I laughed, shaking my head as I set the lemonade on the patio table. “Are you still talking about that?”

Cody looked over his shoulder, his grin slow and knowing. “ A man gets punched in the face by his own ego, you don’t just forget.”

Oliver landed a soft punch against Cody’s palm. “Can I be as strong as you one day?”

He ruffled his hair. “You’re already stronger than you know.”

My heart swelled as I watched them, the life we’d built in the past year more solid than anything I could have imagined. Trey had signed over his rights and taken off for New York, too busy chasing his next business venture to care about anything else.

It was okay, because Oliver had everything he needed right here. So did I.

Cody stood and walked toward me, wrapping an arm around my waist. His lips brushed my temple before he murmured, “Told you I was in this for the long haul.”

I leaned into him, lacing our fingers together. “Forever,” I reminded him.

And this time, I knew it was real.

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