Jase

Holy fuck. The guy I'm about to battle for the championship belt is Lena's ex? In what universe does that make sense? And why didn't she tell me?

She said he'd been involved in MMA, but there's a difference between "involved" and "my biggest rival." The guy is a Grade A douche. All fighters talk a lot of shit, but most don't mean it. He does, one hundred percent. Karson has a mean streak. Likes to make people bleed and give them the kind of injuries they can't walk away from. I may be a nasty fucker to face off against, but I don't aim to ruin people's careers. I just give the audience what they want so I get paid.

Lena is bundled up beside me in the back seat of the taxi. The driver is taking us to my place because it's closer. She won't look at me, and she's hugging her knees to her chest. Does she think I'm mad? Because I'm not. Just confused.

"Lena."

She nods, but doesn't glance my way.

"You used to date Karson?"

She nods again, then clears her throat. "Yeah."

An answer. That's something. "Was it serious?"

She continues to stare forward. We're not far from my house now, and I'm eager to get her somewhere she feels more comfortable.

"We were together for about three months."

I lay my hand over hers, dying for a peek of her pretty eyes so I can see what's going on in her head, but I can't, so I ask what I really want to know. "What happened?"

Finally, her eyes meet mine, and the misery in them hits me like a knee to the kidneys. "I ended it with him because he..." Pressing her lips together, she seems to shore up her courage. I hate seeing her like this when she's usually so sassy and full of life. "He hit me, and I wasn't okay with that."

Fuck. No.

My temper flares, and my blood pressure skyrockets. I can't see anything but Lena. The edges of my vision are fogged with red.

I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill the bastard, and I won't regret it for a second.

"He's a dead man." Adrenaline rushes to my muscles and I want nothing more than to punch or kick something. To take someone down. But I can't. Not here. And that kind of reaction isn't what Lena needs, so I struggle to contain it. "I should have planted my fist in his face instead of walking away." Guilt washes over me. My girl needed defending, and I didn't do it.

"No, Jase." She releases her knees and takes my hand, having recovered enough to give me her whole attention. Even better, the fire is back in her eyes, along with a dose of blood lust. "I'm glad you didn't. I've worked hard to get you out of trouble. But"—she moistens her lips with her tongue—"I want you to crush him."

That, I can do. I've trained harder for this fight than any other, and after hearing her story, I'm either leaving the cage victorious, or he'll have to knock me the fuck out. Nothing short of that will stop me from kicking his puny ass.

"Consider it done. You want me to break any bones while I'm at it?"

Her lips quirk up. I'm getting through to her. She's not shivering as much as she was, and she's starting to lean into me.

"Maybe his nose," she replies. "The uglier you can make it, the better."

"I'll make him so ugly, he never gets laid again."

She laughs, and I rejoice. Then the taxi pulls up, and I pay the driver and help Lena from the cab.

"How do you feel about hot tubs?" I ask, steering her with a hand on the small of her back. "'Cause I'm seeing one in your future."

"I love hot tubs." She grins over at me, and the strain of our encounter with Karson seems to have worn off. "Please tell me you have one with jets."

"I do. It's important for loosening my muscles after a hard training session. I have a sauna, too." Personally, I don't love the sauna. I have too many memories of sitting inside hot boxes trying to sweat off weight to make the grade for a fight. But Lena sighs happily and rests her head on my shoulder as I unlock the door. When we're inside, I reluctantly let her go for long enough to retrieve a wine bottle and glass from the kitchen.

"Do you prefer red or white?" I ask.

"White." Her answer is quick.

"Good, that's what I've got."

She eyes the single glass. "You're not having any?"

"Nah." I tuck the bottle under my arm, take her hand and lead her to the bathroom. "I don't drink while I'm in fight camp."

"Huh. So you don't drink, don't have sex, and you eat healthy. What do you do for fun?"

I shrug. "Hit people."

She gives me a dubious look. "Seriously. You must let loose somehow."

"I dunno." I set the wine down and start filling the tub. "To be honest, I don't usually have much free time."

Her brows draw together. "We've been spending time together. What would you normally be doing?"

"Watching videos of my opponent's previous fights."

"Oh." Her voice is small, and she hunches in. "Have I been getting in the way of your preparation?"

"Not at all." Laying my hands on her shoulders, I draw her close and feather a kiss over her lips, then another over her forehead. "I know Karson's style. I've fought him before, and I've also cornered Devon while the two of them fought. I don't need to watch a couple dozen videos. I know how he operates."

"So do I." She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her cheek over my heart. "He doesn't have a conscience, but he's also not invincible." Indecision crosses her features, as though she's debating whether to share a secret or not. But then her jaw firms and she seems to make up her mind. "He doesn't like to fight from the floor. He'll try to stay upright. If you get him down, you'll have the upper hand."

She's so serious. Her eyes are so sincere. I have to try really freaking hard not to smile. She's thinks this is something I don't already know. That she's passing on insider intel. But anyone who follows MMA could figure out the same thing if they spent a couple hours researching him. Still, the fact she's willing to betray his confidence for my sake sends warmth and affection fizzing through my chest, diffusing outward.

Caressing her cheekbone with the backs of my knuckles, I stare down at her in wonder. I could fall in love with this woman. She's everything I admire in a person. Passionate, loyal, determined. Not afraid to cut her own path.

"Jase," she whispers, as transfixed as I am.

I slide my palm around the curve of her cheek. "Yeah, baby?"

"The bath is about to overflow."

The bath is...?

Oh, fuck. Spinning around, I crank the tap off just as the water reaches the rim. Neither of us can get into it without water going everywhere, so I strip out of my jacket, roll up my sleeves, reach in and remove the plug, allowing it to drain.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I demand, breathing heavily.

She makes an apologetic gesture. "I couldn't think properly with you looking at me like that."

The wind leaves my sails. I'd be a bastard if I grouched at her now. "Okay, I get that."

A shrill ring breaks the tension. I dry my hands and fish my phone from my pocket.

It's Erin. Just fucking great.

"Hop in," I suggest. "I'll be back in a moment." Taking the phone into the living room, and closing the door behind me, I answer. "What do you want?"

Tonight, I don't have the patience for her games. Not when there's a beautiful, naked woman waiting for me a couple rooms over.

"Jase." Her voice shakes, and she's talking quietly. "This whole thing has escalated too far."

"I couldn't agree more." She crossed a line when she sought out Karson. We both know she didn't do it because she was blown away by his charm. Going after my opponent was just another way for her to get back at me. Her mistake is in assuming I'll care.

"This war between us is silly," she continues, her pitch dropping lower. "Surely we can work it out. We were always good together, baby."

What. The. Fuck.

"No, Erin, we weren't. You and me aren'thappening. Not ever. You stooped too low by letting your new man attack mygirl. Don't call me again." I end the call then toss my phone on a chair andleave it there. Erin has never been good at understanding the word "no" and Idon't want her interrupting my precious time with Lena again. Speaking of Lena,she's going to get a shoulder rub, and a foot rub, and the best damn cuddlesshe's ever had. I can't stop smiling at the thought of her.