Page 52

One week later

Tina

T he night I was held captive seems like a lifetime ago. Like a broken bone, we’re healing in stages. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again. The difference this time is we have each other and the little slugger growing inside me.

Like Lucius promised Dustin, the cops showed up and took their reports, looking less than confident anything would come of their investigation. Two days after, we got a call from the lead investigator telling us the fighter with the horn tattoo on his forehead was found dead. Drug overdose. Right.

The hardest part to wrap my head around is it was never about me. The second stalker, the drugging in Vegas, me being bound and threatened by Hernandez—it was always about Rosa. My sweet friend.

My last communication with her was a heartfelt voice message saying how sorry she was for the mess she got me into. My calls and texts since have gone unanswered. Raul and Lucius both assured me she’s okay and to be patient.

What choice do I have?

Today, we’re in Vegas on our way to the Lemmy office to help with a shipping mix-up. When Blanche called last night, we jumped at the chance to distance ourselves from Heaven for a few days.

Driving down the Strip, Dustin blurts, “Want to get married?”

I wiggle my finger, flashing my new engagement ring with a grin, something I’ve been doing a lot more lately thanks to him. “I already said yes, silly.” I notice his serious expression. “Wait. You mean now?”

“Right now.” He holds my gaze for a second longer before returning it to the busy road.

“Don’t you want to wait for everyone to be with us?”

He takes my hand in his. “I waited years for you. I don’t want to wait another minute.” He steals another peek at me. “What do you say?”

I return his smile, my heart jumping for joy. “I say yes.”

I’m wearing jeans and a Chip sweatshirt, and he’s wearing a T-shirt and the same joggers he wore on the airplane the first time we flew together—the ones I love because they hug him almost as well as I do. It’s one of the best days of my life when we spend our first night as husband and wife in the hotel room where we broke our first bed.

Tonight, the day after our wedding, we’re going on our first date.

The knock on the hotel room door isn’t a surprise, but what I find on the other side when I open it nearly knocks me on my ass. Dustin sweaty and battered is drool-worthy. Dustin in a suit and tie with a gold band matching mine on his finger… is heart-stopping.

It takes me a second to find my words. “This is so unreal. Pinch me.”

His gaze takes a leisurely scan of my outfit, starting at my heels and working their way up my body, giving certain areas extra attention. The heat in his eyes makes my toes curl. I wore the burnt-orange wrap dress, knowing it was his favorite on me. I’m rewarded when he pulls me close, one of his hands hot on the small of my back, and plants a searing kiss on my lips.

I jump at the sting on my rear. “Hey!”

“You asked for it.” Grinning, he hands me flowers I hadn’t noticed until now, and who can blame me when my husband looks this fine? He gives me another quick kiss like he can’t help himself, like he’s making up for lost time. “You look like a dream come true.”

God, this man. He’s the perfect mix of tough, sweet, and sexy. And he’s all mine. “I love you.”

“Oh, my sweet peach, I love you too. So much. Every time I hear you say it, I feel like a winner.” He winks. “And you know how I like to win.”

I watch for any lingering sadness, but there’s nothing but love and contentment in his gaze. When he found out he’d been banned for throwing the last fight, I cried for him. He wiped my tears, pulled me close, and said, “I don’t need to fight anymore, peach. I finally have everything I need right here. Besides, I can still fight at Jack’s, and you can get all horny watching.”

He checks his watch now. “We better get going or we’ll be late for our reservation.”

At the restaurant, Dustin assists me out of the car. Butterflies flutter in my stomach the closer we get to the entrance, and he must notice my hand shaking because he pauses to study me. “Are you cold? Feeling sick?”

“None of those things.” I tug and he opens the door for me. The smell of food doesn’t make me sick for once. “I’m just excited to eat.” I haven’t been sick in a few days. Either Junior is giving me a break to enjoy our honeymoon, or I’m out of the woods. I shouldn’t find his overreacting as entertaining as I do, but having Dustin fuss over me and the baby is my new favorite thing, and this evening has the added bonus of distracting both of us.

His mouth opens like he’s about to question me some more, but the hostess arrives, directing us to our table. Clueless about what’s in store for him, Dustin rambles on and on about the menu, listing all the food we should try.

I laugh. “You’d think you’re the one eating for two.”

“Hey, I’m a supportive husband…” His words trail off and I see the moment he notices our tables’ occupants. Our reservation for two has turned into the whole back section of the restaurant. Dustin stops in his tracks, his wide-eyed gaze darting from me back to our company. Tears fill mine at the wetness I see building in his. “Babe,” he chokes out. “What did you do?”

“I could tell you missed them,” I say, squeezing his arm.

He shakes his head like he can’t find the words. He reaches up and uses his thumb to release my lip from where I worry it with my teeth.

We’re both a blubbering mess by the time Colin and Stacy reach us. “Look at that,” Colin says. “Someone has finally succeeded in making you speechless.” He pulls his twin in for one of those bro hugs. “Congratulations.”

Anderson skips the half-hug routine, going in for a full-on embrace. “You didn’t think we’d miss celebrating your wedding, did you?” He pulls back, patting Dustin’s cheek. “Mom and Dad would be so proud, Dustin. I’m proud of the man you’ve become, and I can’t wait to teach your son every bad word in the book.”

“Way to make a group of adults cry in public, Anderson.” Bryce hugs Dustin before hugging me. “I’m glad you two finally buried the hatchet.”

“Yeah, and not in each other’s backs,” Tucker says, grinning. A gorgeous dark-haired woman stands by his side.

When he turns away, I raise a brow at Dustin in question. He shrugs. “Not a clue, peach.”

“Welcome to the family, officially, Tina,” Lily says, drawing my attention away from Tucker’s mystery date.

Ember is not far behind, big pregnant belly reaching us first. “We’re gonna be aunties again,” she squeals, bumping Lily’s shoulder, making everyone laugh.

Christian and Frankie say a few words to Dustin before hugging and congratulating me as well. “Thank you,” I say when Christian steps away. “If not for you, I don’t know if we’d have found our way back to each other.”

His butterscotch eyes warm. “I’m just glad it worked out.”

Gramps weasels his way into the mix, hugging me tight. “Now I can die happy.”

“Gramps!”

He throws his head back, laughing. “Don’t you worry, Fanny. I’m gonna stick around to watch all your babies giving this guy hell.” He nudges Dustin’s shoulder.

“Babies?” Dustin looks way too pleased with the idea.

I shake my head and pat his chest. “Let’s have this one first.”

Stan and Dee take turns wrapping us in their hugs. Dee clasps her hands under her chin. “Congratulations. And I can’t wait to be a grandma.”

I smile. “I can’t wait for our baby to call you Grandma.” It was never a question they would. Dee excuses herself to go to the restroom, but I suspect she needs a minute to collect herself.

Mitch steps up next, pulling me in for a hug. “I’ve missed my ride-along buddy.”

I smile and hug him tight.

Dustin pats him on the shoulder. “It’s a good thing you’ll be moving to Heaven then.”

I look at my husband. “Really?”

He nods. “Yep. I can’t have my wife and baby driving themselves around, can I? Plus, I figure Gramps needs a roommate and someone to drag to the gym fights.”

I love you, I mouth, and he kisses my forehead. Mitch moves to join my gramps and they start talking excitedly.

I’m scanning our group when something white catches my eye. My jaw drops and I squeal when Rosa weaves through the crowd, Lucius close behind. I made sure Lucius and Raul knew about tonight, but wasn’t sure she’d make it until now. I meet her in the middle, squeezing her tight. “I’m so glad you made it. I’ve missed you.”

“I couldn’t miss this celebration, could I?” I pull back in time to see her eyes dart to a dark corner of the restaurant. I turn to look when she cups my cheeks, keeping my focus on her; she looks more serious than I’ve ever seen her. “I love you, my friend, and I’m so happy for you guys.” She swipes a thumb under my eyes when a tear slips out. “And you have my permission to name the baby after me.”

I laugh. “Gracious of you. You look so good.” I finger her silky slip dress.

She winks. “I hope I look good enough to eat. I saw a few possibilities on my way to the table.”

Her comment earns her a groan from Lucius, who is standing close by. “Not unless you want their death on your hands.”

“So dramatic.” She sips her drink.

“Stop teasing him.” Raul walks over with Ben, bouncing like he’s got springs on the bottoms of his shoes.

The hostess clears her throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but if you’ll take your seats, your server can get started with your orders.”

Dustin

This is what we needed. I pull Tina’s back to my front and lower my mouth to my ear. “Thank you, wife.”

“You’re welcome, husband. We do things a little backward, don’t we?”

I grip her hips, guiding her in an easy sway, teasing her with a line from our song. “‘Lights on or lights off, she like it from behind.’” Her laugh is music to my ears.

I could stay like this for hours, standing in the middle of the restaurant, as the wait staff and patrons buzz around us and my brothers argue over who sits where. Pops always wanted us to fight for what we wanted, saying the reward would be much sweeter. Having Tina in my life now, I finally get it. At the end of the day, winning isn’t about the fight in the ring, it’s about the people you have at your table.

I hadn’t realized how much I missed everyone until now. The fact Tina knew and made this happen for me is everything I’ve ever dreamed of and more. If I lose every fight from now on, I’ll be fine, as long as I have this—have all of them—in my corner when it’s over.

Where before my future was blurred, the participants unclear, now it’s crystal. I can see our kids learning to ride their bikes and even getting bruises when they fuck up like their old man. I can see holidays and birthdays spent with my brothers and their families, wrestling in Anderson and Lily’s workout room, and a full swear jar in my kitchen.

I cradle our baby, nestled snug in Tina’s belly, and she hums, resting the back of her head against my collarbone. A tiny flutter tickles my palm and we both freeze. “Was that gas?”

She laughs, one of her palms covering mine. “ That is our little fighter in training.”

“No shit?”

“No shit.”

My champion title was never truer than at this moment, with my wife and baby in my arms, knowing I’d take all the punches for them. I let go of the grudge that’s been wrapped around me for years. It blows away like a smoke ring, dissipating into nothing of importance.

I kiss my wife’s neck just below her ear, making her shiver. “We may have started things ass-backward, babe.” I smile against her skin. “But it got us here and every moment going forward together, and that’s what matters.”