My lips cut off his words. When I drew back I gave his cheek a firm pat. “Relax. Stop worrying about me and keep your head in the game. From the time you leave this room you forget all about me. If I find you looking at me during the fight I will climb into that stupid steel cage and kick your ass myself. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He grinned and stole another kiss.
()
Kyle walked me back to the private VIP area with fifteen minutes to go until fight time. I was shaking with nerves for him while Kieran seemed cool as a cucumber. Kyle felt much the same as me, and he had been to each and every one of his youngest son’s fights! I was glad for his company.
When we got to our seats Greg Daventry had already returned with several other people. I saw Mel standing talking to Greg and she looked a little flushed. I guess she was still a little upset about her outburst from their dinner date the week before. But she spotted me walking in her direction and a smile touched her lips.
Seeing her smile, Greg turned to follow her gaze and seemed to freeze. I stopped so suddenly that Kyle nearly walked off without me. He turned and caught my hand. “You can do this. You are strong and confident, and I will not leave you for one second if that is what you want.”
Swallowing hard, I could do nothing but nod. He captured my hand and tugged me toward the group of people that were all watching me approach. I clung to Kyle’s hand, my grip only tightening with each step that took me closer to my grandfather.
But less than a yard away I got my first real look at Greg. He looked gray under his normal light tan complexion. His blue eyes were over bright and I was worried that maybe he was going to cry when I saw his strong, stubborn chin slightly quiver. Without stopping to question my actions I released Kyle’s hand and threw myself into Greg Daventry’s waiting arms.
“Grandfather!” I hugged him hard and his arms wrapped me close to him.
“Becky.” His voice was full of choked emotion.
He just stood there, ignoring the crowd around us and I let him. We needed this, and I felt so much better. I let most of my anger toward him go, realizing that it hadn’t been his fault that Stephen Thorne had come into my life. He hadn’t known about what was happening to me, and would have stopped it if he had…
Finally Greg took half a step back. “You are all grown up, sweetheart. And so beautiful. I’ve missed you so much, Becky.”
“Reese.” I corrected him softly. “My name is Reese now.” I had had it legally changed a year ago.
“You will always be my Becky…But Reese it is.” He dropped a light kiss on top of my head. “Thank you for coming tonight…Later I would like to talk with you. But for now I want you to enjoy the show. Your friend Mel, she told me how much you like MMA.”
“I do.” I glanced at Mel who had moved to stand close by. She winked at me and offered me a supportive smile.
“I want to introduce you to a few people, Beck…Reese.” With his arm still around my shoulders he turned me toward the others. “You have met Kieran Stone I believe when he delivered your paperwork? This is his brother, Kevin Stone who is the VP of our legal team back in New York.”
I was shocked speechless when I came face to face with Kieran’s brother. It seemed that Kyle was surprised too, because he had already moved to embrace his eldest child. Kevin was not nearly as widely built as his father or younger brother, but he was an inch or so taller. His hair was a soft auburn, most likely from his mother. His eyes were the same steel gray, yet were Kieran’s were always warm and soft on me, letting me know just how much I was cared about and wanted; Kevin’s were cool and a little hard.
He stepped forward and shook my hand. His grip was firm and impersonal. “Hello, Reese.” He greeted. “Your grandfather has told me so much about you.”
I blinked at that information. Why would my grandfather be talking to this man about me? Of course he was from the legal department…I t just seemed a little too personal for me. But I filed that away for another time as I was introduced to several others.
At exactly nine o’clock the lights were dimmed and we were asked to take our seats from a deep, smoky voiced announcer. I took a seat as close to the cage as I could get. Kevin set down right beside me, where I was expecting Mel to sit. With Kyle on my right, Mel took the seat beside of Greg, sending me an odd look. I shrugged.
Lights around the cage came on, showcasing the announcer and ref inside. Behind them, on the west side of the cage I noticed the sponsors and family members of the other opponent. The man that Kieran was facing tonight was from Brazil. I had seen a few of his other fights and knew that the guy had mad skills. But I also had complete faith in Kieran.
The Brazilian came out first. The crowd cheered and welcomed him wholeheartedly. But he was arrogant and barely even acknowledged them. Such an attitude so early in his career was not a good thing. Fans would grow to dislike him in a few years and no one would want to work with such a fighter.
The crowd had made some noise when the Brazilian had come out, but they nearly brought the house down with the way they welcomed Kieran. He was a favorite of everyone. They all wanted to touch him. He stopped and signed a few shirts as he made his way toward the cage, always surrounded by the crew. Maddox, I saw was almost shell-shocked he was so overcome with excitement.
As they drew closer Kieran stopped at the ropes that separated the VIP area from the cage. Greg went over and shook his hand, patted him on the back. Kieran waved at me, sent me a sexy wink then continued on into the ring. I had had to stop myself from going over to give him one last kiss for good luck, but hadn’t wanted to distract him.
The announcer began speaking to the crowd about each man’s accomplishments. Kieran’s took considerable longer than the Brazilians, but each were impressive. As the ref took his time talking to them about rules to remember, I watched the crew closely. Mason was grinning at the spar twins. Simon said something that made Gage and Corbin shake their heads in amusement. Jake elbowed them both in the ribs.
Finally the ref made everyone but Kieran and the Brazilian exit the cage. I reached for Kyle’s hand. I was getting worse and worse as the seconds ticked by. And when the fight began all I wanted to do was throw up.
“So you like mixed martial arts?” Kevin asked from beside of me. He was close so that I could hear him over the crowd. I would have been upset by how close he was if he was anyone but Kieran’s brother. The knowledge that this man was liable to be my brother-in-law one day kept my panic at bay.
“Normally I love it.” I told him with a smile.
“What’s different about this match?” He asked, not really paying attention to the fight his brother was currently participating in. “You got money on the other guy or something?”
“Or something.” I laughed.
I heard Jake shout something, and turned to find Kieran down on the floor. The Brazilian had him down, punching him in the sides. I jumped to my feet. “Come on Kieran, get up!” I yelled, but didn’t think I was heard over the shouts of the rest of the arena. “Kieran!”
He flipped out from under the Brazilian, turning the table on him as he returned the blows he had just received with interest. I cheered with the rest of the crowd, but didn’t return to my seat. The rest of the VIP group had come to stand behind me, foregoing their seats in favor of the better view that standing gave them. Mel came to stand with me while Kyle and his son stood behind us as the match went on and on.
Twenty minutes later, Kieran was locked on the floor again. He was getting the hell beat out of him. The Brazilian was unrelenting and I was sure that Kieran’s right eye was already swollen shut. I alternated between hiding my face behind my hands, screaming curses at the Brazilian, and cheering on my man. Even Kyle was getting verbal.
It was the final round, so I knew the fight would be over soon regardless of submission, KO, or one of the corner men throwing in the towel. The fight had been gory, to say the least. Each man could seriously hold his own. But the Brazilian w
as really pissing me off with the way he liked to trap Kieran on the floor of the ring, like he currently was doing. During the previous two rounds this had been his tactic. He knew just how dangerous Kieran was when he was standing, so the first chance he could get he would tackle Kieran.
“Get out of there Kieran!” Kevin yelled from right behind me. “Come on, little brother!”
Jake was raking his hands across his tattooed scalp and shooting me worried looks from time to time. I wanted to throw up.
Suddenly the Brazilian’s head snapped back and then he went still on top of Kieran. The ref leaned down and rolled the man off of Kieran then motioned for the bell. The Brazilian had been knocked out cold. Kieran had somehow gotten in one blow, which had put the guy out.
The crowd went crazy as the ref helped Kieran to his feet. I let out a cry of distress as I got my first look at his face. He was bleeding, swollen and staggering…But grinning nonetheless. Jake rushed in as soon as the ref lifted Kieran’s hand as the winner. I wanted to run in there after him, wrap him in my arms and hold on tight.
As I watched, the rest of the crew entered the cage. The Brazilian’s team entered as well, either shaking hands with Kieran’s men or helping get their fighter who was slowly coming around. Behind me Kyle breathed a deep sigh of relief. “It’s over.” He muttered and dropped down into the closest seat as if his legs couldn’t support him any longer.
I felt a little unsteady myself.
Around the ring photographers for sports magazines and sports news were having a field day. I kept my eyes on Kieran as he spoke to several people before he was lost in the crowd of paparazzi.
Mel gave me a tight hug. “Okay?” She asked.
I shrugged. “I’ll let you know later.” My smile was a little wobbly. Kieran had won, but I felt just as beat up as he was.
Greg put his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s celebrate. I have champagne and a full buffet waiting for us back in my hotel suit.”
“I…” I glanced after Kieran and his crew. “I don’t think he will be up to celebrating.”
Kevin shook his head. “His guys will get him patched up, get some pain killers in his system and then he will want to party the night away. That’s what he normally does after a good win.”
I gave him a hard look. “You don’t seem too concerned for your brother. He was bleeding!”
“Kieran’s a big guy. Not a little boy who wants his mommy to kiss his boo-boo. Babying him will just piss him off. Right Dad?”
Kyle shrugged his shoulders. “Normally.” He gave me a grin. It seemed that he was starting to recover. “But I’m sure if the right woman was kissing his boo-boo he would be all too happy to be babied.”
Kevin snorted. “Yeah, okay. Knowing my little brother that isn’t likely to happen. Kier enjoys his freedom to much. I bet he has a group of hot girls waiting outside his dressing room right now. And I’m positive that he wants them to kiss something other than his boo-boos.”
Kyle shot to his feet. Kevin didn’t seem to notice that his father was in a rage right behind him. He said something else about groupies and I felt sick to my stomach for another reason. Jealousy ate at me, but I knew that Kieran would not be into the groupies now that he had me…When he wanted to marry me…Right?
“You will apologize to Reese. Now.” Kyle informed his eldest son as he gripped his bicep in a steely hold.
Kevin blinked in surprise at his father. “What?”
“Apologize to her now. And maybe, just maybe I will not inform your brother that you spoke like that to Reese.” His tone was cold, full of power and plenty of warning.
Kevin frowned but apologized nonetheless. “I’m sorry, Reese. Please excuse me if I offended you.”
I forced a smile to my face. “Don’t worry about it.” I murmured.
Chapter 13
Greg turned from speaking to a few of the photographers with a grin. “Are we ready to get out of here? My limo is waiting for us.”
I glanced at Kyle. “Can we check on Kieran first?” He was top priority for me right then.
He glanced between me and my grandfather, who seemed anxious to get me out of the arena. “You go on with the others. I’ll take a look at my son and we will head straight over.” I started to protest, to tell him I wanted to see him now. But Kyle pushed me after Greg. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. He’s going to be just fine. Kevin will make sure that you are well taken care of…Won’t you Kevin?”
Kevin was shooting his father odd looks, but still nodded. “She’s safe with me, Dad.”
“But…” I glanced longingly in the direction that Kieran and his crew had gone.
Mel grasped my hand. “Let’s let the boy get patched up. His father will take excellent care of him.” She didn’t give me time to argue as she pulled me along after Greg while Kevin followed close behind.
Tears burnt my eyes and throat. “But…I want to see him.” I whispered.
Mel’s wrapped an arm around my waist, hugging me close to her side as we walked. “I know. But just think, later you will have him all to yourself…” She murmured wickedly. “And you can kiss every one of his ‘boo-boos’.”
That thought cheered me just a little. I leaned into her for a moment.
Outside we were ushered into the back of two waiting limos. Mel climbed in and moved to the long bench seat on the opposite wall. I moved to sit beside of her, but Kevin pulled me down beside of him as he took a seat by the door. His fingers lingered on my side for a fraction longer than necessary and I sent him a speaking glare.
I scooted a few inches away from him, but before I could say anything my grandfather started talking to Mel. I tried to participate in the conversation during the ride to the hotel, but worry for Kieran and my irritation with his big brother weighed on my mind.
Forty-five minutes later we were in Greg’s penthouse hotel room. Champagne was flowing freely and a delicious smelling buffet was set out. I didn’t feel much like celebrating, and didn’t drink anything despite the glass of expensive champagne that Kevin had pushed into my hands when we had first arrived.
I kept glancing at the clock, counting the minutes, hoping that Kieran arrived soon. I wanted to see for myself that he was okay; to kiss him and tell him I loved him more than anything in the world…
And maybe I wanted him to arrive so that I could ditch his brother. Kevin was becoming bothersome. He was my constant shadow, always there…And touching me. It was making me beyond uncomfortable. He was invading my personal space, always had his hand at the small of my back, or was rubbing my arm. I would pull away, trying not to lose my cool with the guy…But he was making it harder and harder to do as the minutes slowly ticked by.
Greg was a constant by my side as well. He was eager to make me happy and comfortable. But the approving look in his blue eyes when they would linger on me and Kevin, as if sizing us up as a couple or something, bothered me immensely. I became tense and spoke less and less to those around me.
Mel noticed all of this and kept sending me speaking looks. I would just shrug, telling her that I didn’t know what was going on, but that I didn’t like any of it.
“Hey, hotness!” Jake’s voice called out suddenly. “Where you at?”
I was surrounded by Kevin, Greg and Mel. At the sound of Jake’s voice I pushed passed the two men and found the crew entering the penthouse. Behind them was Kyle and the last to enter the room was the only person I had eyes for. With a cry I was across the room and throwing myself into his waiting arms.
Steel bands wrapped around my waist and lifted me off the ground as he pulled me into a deep kiss. The rest of the room faded as I got lost in his taste and the warmth of his lips on mine. Who knew how long we would have continued if Jake hadn’t bumped Kieran’s shoulder and muttered something I didn’t hear.
Finally Kieran set me on my feet and pulled back just enough to smile down at me. “Needed that.” He murmured.
I took in his swollen, multicolored eye, his bruised chee
k, and the scratch across his nose. My fingers skimmed across his many injuries that I could see. Tears burnt my eyes and I blinked rapidly to keep them at bay. “You okay?”
“Nothing to serious. A few sore ribs to go with the shiner that he gave me…Hey, don’t cry.” He dropped another kiss across my lips, this one gentler but nonetheless desire inspiring. “I’m fine, babe.”
Chin trembling I could do nothing more than nod my head.
“Kieran…” Greg’s voice seemed a little hesitant. “Wonderful match tonight. Thrilling as always…”
I turned in Kieran’s arms to face him, saw the closed off look in Greg’s eyes and my earlier suspicion that things were off returned. “I try to please.” Kieran shook the older man’s hand. “It’s my goal in life.”
Kevin appeared and I stiffened a little when his gaze landed on the way his brother was holding me. “I see you haven’t wasted any time, little brother.” He muttered.
Kieran tensed up ever so slightly, but didn’t respond to his brother. “Thanks for taken care of my girl while I was busy.”
Mel greeted the crew and embraced Kieran, ending the suddenly tense atmosphere that had been created by the brothers and my grandfather. “I didn’t doubt for one minute that you had the fight in the bag. But you sure did have my heart racing a few times. Now I understand why your poor mother can’t watch you.” She grinned. “Congrats on another win.”
The night dragged on from there for me. I wanted to leave as soon as Kieran appeared. But every time I would open my mouth to ask him to take me home my grandfather would seem to sense it and distract us. Around us the party was growing strong, with other MMA fighters arriving along with a bunch of girls that were obviously groupies. One or two attempted to approach Kieran, but one glower from me and they quickly thought better of it. That did not mean that Corbin, Mason, the spar twins, and even Maddox couldn’t enjoy the female companionship, which they did. Jake, however, seemed bored with it all and stuck close to Kieran and me for the majority of the evening.