“I might.” His smile is returned, even if he can’t see it.

***

I spend the next three days researching, analyzing, and generally looking for any possible loophole to get him out of the fight. I’ve called in every favor I had and sought opinions from each and every lawyer that might remotely be able to help us. Even William. But we all come up with the same conclusion, the contract is airtight. Of course, Nico can walk away from the fight and pay the penalty clause. But he won’t do that. Preach’s finances are on the line too. I don’t know why I didn’t see the motive behind making Preach invested in the fight, but I didn’t. Whoever drew up the terms of the contract new exactly what they were doing. They knew Preach and Nico well, but not just the fighter and trainer.

They’ve exploited the relationship between these two men on a personal level, knowing Preach would never let Nico pay his penalty and Nico would never let Preach take such a financially draining hit. Two stubborn men that will protect each other until the end, no matter what the cost to themselves.

And it’s gotten even worse. Preach has decided that the fight will be good for Nico, that he needs to move on and getting through this disaster of a fight will help him push through the remnants of emotional ties that remain. He’s even started to get Nico to believe some of his bullshit. That a grudge match is some sort of sick redemption…a shot at salvation.

I jump when I hear the front door to the office open. It’s after ten and I promised Regina I’d lock it behind her when she left hours ago, but I was so engrossed in what I was searching for, that I completely forgot. But then I feel it, the unmistakable presence of the man that makes my heart rate speed up. I’m absolutely certain that if I was hooked up to an EKG machine, it would be able to record each step closer that Nico Hunter takes in my direction.

“The door isn’t locked.” Nico’s voice is tense. He’s protective, and my lack of concern for my own safety is something I’ve learned he isn’t fond of.

“I must have forgotten.” I look up, offering the lame excuse. I watch as Nico takes in the mess that was once my office. I have piles of papers and journals strewn all over the office and my garbage overflows with crumpled yellow legal paper where I’ve started to map out an angle to break the contract, but didn’t work in the end.

“Big case?” His eyes gloss over my desk to accentuate what he is referring to.

“Sort of.” I’m not lying…at the moment it’s the most important case I have. And the reality is that it’s the only case I’ve worked on in three days. All my other work can wait.

Nico pushes off the door frame where he rests and walks to my desk, taking a piece of paper off it, and reading a few lines before putting it back down. He takes a pile of clipped documents from the other side of the desk and does the same thing, reading a little to get a feel for what I’ve been working on. He knows what I’m doing, this act is for my benefit.

“Come on, we’re going home.” He’s standing on the other side of my desk. As much as I love hearing Nico tell me we’re going home, I’m not ready yet. I need a little more time to work my way through my latest strategy. There has to be a way to get him out of the damn contract.

“I’m not done yet.”

I don’t miss Nico’s jaw clenching, it’s ridiculously sexy. A deep line on his chiseled cheek forms and his eyes turn a deep greenish grey. He looks strong and menacing and I would bet most would take a step back with the scary vibe that he throws off. But not me, I hold my ground and stay put, albeit a little more aroused than I was a minute ago. We stare at each other, each waiting for the other to back down, and I wonder if we’re going to be here a while. But then Nico breaks the standoff.

He doesn’t release my eyes as he stalks around my desk and pulls back my chair, leaning his big frame down to reach my eye level. His thick frame blocks me into my seat, one hand on each arm of my chair. “You need to do anything before I take you out of here?”

“I…I...” I was going to say that I’m almost done and just need a few minutes, but I don’t have the chance to finish my thought. I’m lifted out of my chair and tossed over Nico’s shoulder in one fluid movement. The barbaric move should piss me off, but instead it makes me smile. I’m happy that my head is tossed over his back, so he can’t see that I’m actually enjoying myself. Challenging this man has somehow become foreplay to me.

He doesn’t release me until I’m in the passenger seat of his car. He buckles me in while I sit with my arms crossed over my chest, feigning anger. After he tugs on the belt, double checking I’m secure, he kisses me chastely on the lips before jogging around to his side of the car.

“What about my car?” I throw a little extra attitude in with my question.

“I’ll drive you to work in the morning.”

I let out an exaggerated sigh. “You’re bossy.”

“You’re stubborn.” My mouth drops open at his comment, even though I know it’s true. But Nico just finds my response amusing and chuckles.

Chapter 46

Nico

Usually the night before a fight I have dinner with Preach and get a pep talk. But I pass on the tradition and Elle stays at my place instead. I finally convinced the stubborn woman to stop her fifteen hour a day quest to break my contract. At least I’d like to think I convinced her, but it might also be because we ran out of time, considering the fight is tomorrow. The woman is a challenge when she sets that damn smart mind on something, to say the least.

Elle doesn’t agree, but Preach thinks the fight will be good for me. We studied Trevor’s last few fights. The kid has improved. A lot. He’s not the same stupid, cocky fighter that he was a year ago. He’s matured, found patience. The fight isn’t as lopsided as we all originally thought, although I’d be fooling myself if I pretended that what happened with his brother didn’t factor into the League’s decision on who to match up for the championship fight. My fights are always profitable for the League, a sellout. But I can’t remember the last time MMA got as much press as it did this week. My face has been plastered on mainstream news, not just the channels dedicated to sports.

I lift her onto the island counter as I make dinner. She’s still wearing her work clothes and I’m definitely not prompting her to change. I like her in the smart looking crap she wears. It’s a turn-on, almost like f**king the hot librarian, only better because it’s Elle.