Chapter Twenty-Eight

 

Dominic

 

“We have a huge fucking problem,” I said as I shut the study door. I walked over to my desk and sat down. There was blood still on my hands and I could smell it on my clothes. I was so goddamn pissed I wanted to hit something … or better yet, kill it. Cadoc would do. Reed and Micah sat down in the chairs in front of my desk and waited for me to continue. “Faith talked to Cadoc again,” I told them.

Reed lifted his brows. “You mean after everything that just happened?”

I nodded. “Yep. Philip signed over his half of the firm before they killed him. Cadoc’s threatening to go after Faith’s parents if she doesn’t agree to his terms. He’s expecting her to go off with him Saturday night after the fight.”

Micah shook his head. “I’ve been with the FBI for six years now and have never encountered someone as fucked up as that motherfucker.”

Reed huffed. “We can’t let her go with them.”

“We’re not,” I stated. “She’s getting her parents out of town and somewhere safe as we speak. But I’m telling you now,” I said, glancing back and forth at them, “if your people can’t take down the Cartwrights I’m going to do it for you. This has got to end.”

Reed was a play by the rules kind of guy, but Micah wasn’t. I didn’t care if Reed approved or not, I was going to take Cadoc out. They both looked at each other and nodded, and then Reed turned to me. “All right, we’ll help you. This has gone too far. I’ll do anything to keep Faith and her family safe.”

He stood and so did Micah. “I’m in,” Micah agreed, cracking his knuckles. “It’s been a while since I’ve killed someone.”

It felt like for once we were all on the same page, especially me and Reed. “I owe you,” I told them.

Micah snorted. “Now that Taylor and Darius are out you should let me fight. I can kick some serious ass.”

It wasn’t a bad idea, but I had other plans. “Thanks, Perry, but there’s someone else I have in mind.”

“Who?” Reed asked.

I stood and spread my arms out wide. “Me. If it’s my name on the line, there’s really no other choice. I’m going to fight for it.”

A look of respect passed across Reed’s face. “Gotta hand it to you, Corsino. You really do have balls of steel.”

Micah chuckled. “He’ll need them after Faith hears what he’s doing.” That was for damn sure. “Do you want me to help you train?” he asked.

I nodded. “I want to bring someone else in too. We used to fight together years ago in a place where losing wasn’t an option. If you lost, you died.” It was a dark time in my life, but now it’d gotten even darker. I couldn’t lose.

 

***

 

Once Reed and Micah left, I checked on Faith and she was asleep on the couch. I was going to tell her the plan, but there was plenty of time for that later. I wished I knew what was going through her mind. She wasn’t used to my world like I was. I dealt with constant threats every single day of my life. There were some people you needed to take seriously while others were just full of shit. Cadoc Cartwright was not. His threats were serious and he always followed through. The Corsinos had the fear too when my father was still alive, but I wasn’t about to kill everyone in my path that crossed me like he did. It was a strike against me. That was why I needed everyone to see me fight.

After taking a quick shower, I went back into my study and quietly shut the door. The man I was looking for was Paxton Emerson, professional UFC fighter. We had become friends during our time at the Dark Side, but when it got shut down, we separated ways. I hadn’t spoken to him since then.

Scrolling through my phone, I found his number. I didn’t know if it was the same, but it didn’t hurt to try. The line rang and rang, but then he picked up.

“Hello,” he answered.

“Paxton Emerson,” I said.

“That’s me. Who’s this?”

“Dominic Corsino.”

“Holy shit,” he exclaimed, “never thought I’d hear from you again. What’s going on? Been seeing you on the news a lot lately.”

I sighed. “Yeah, it’s been a real clusterfuck over here. Had someone frame me for murder, but the police don’t have enough evidence to convict him.”

Paxton huffed. “Sorry, man. It’s that mobster life you got going on. Don’t know how you do it.”

Closing my eyes, I rested my head on my hand. “I’m about to get out of it.”

“Really?” he countered, sounding surprised. “I’d wondered what you were going to do after your dad died. I’m sorry about that, by the way. It was all over the news.”

I scoffed. My father’s death was on the news way longer than I wanted. “It’s good he’s gone,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “The man was involved in too much shady shit.”

“Which brings me to my question,” Paxton explained. “Not that I’m not happy you called, but I have a feeling you need something.”

I turned my chair toward the window and peered out. “I do. I wanted to see if you’d help me.”

Paxton chuckled. “For what? A fight?”

“Yes,” I said, getting to my feet. “A few weeks ago, I started up my own underground fighting ring. It’s by the rules kind of fights, not to the death. The winners get a fuck ton of money.”

“I can’t do those kinds of fights anymore, Dom. I’m married, and for once in my life, doing things right.”

“No,” I replied quickly, “I don’t want you to fight. I want your help to train me. I’m the one getting in the ring. The guy who framed me challenged my family to a fight. He’s stalking my girlfriend and threatening her. For that alone, I should’ve just killed him.”

He snorted. “I know how that goes. Had to deal with the same shit with Gabriella. You remember that, right?”

“I remember,” I agreed. Gabriella was still one of the best women’s UFC fighters in the country. Years ago, she was forced to fight men at the Dark Side because she was threatened with Paxton’s death. “Anyway,” I continued, “this bastard not only has been threatening Faith’s family, but he tried to mess me up by beating the shit out of my two fighters. One died and the other’s in the hospital. What better way to say fuck you than to win it myself? It’s something I should’ve done in the first place.”

The line went silent, but then Paxton groaned. “I swear, it never ends. One day when I have kids, they better not get into the same shit we have.”

“Does this mean you’ll help me?” I asked. “If it makes you feel any better, I have two FBI agents in my circle. They’re helping me. You won’t get into any trouble coming here.”

“Well, I’ll be damned. Never thought I’d hear you say you’re working with the FBI,” he said, chuckling.

“Kind of hard not to when your sister marries one of their agents.”

Paxton kept chuckling. “All right, I’ll come out there. Is your girl going to be around?”

“Hopefully,” I grumbled, “I haven’t told her yet that I’ll be the one fighting.”

He whistled. “Good luck with that. I’ll bring Gabriella with me. She can smooth things over and tell her some stories. Maybe even teach her some moves. We can only stay until Friday though.”

That was fine with me. “Thanks, Paxton. I’ll pay for all your expenses. Just come to the hotel and I’ll take care of everything.”

“Sounds good. You better have a kick ass gym at that hotel of yours.”

That made me smile. “Just you wait and see.”

We hung up and I heard footsteps coming down the hall. “Faith?” I called out.

The door opened and she slowly walked in, covered in a blanket and rubbing her eyes. “I can’t believe I passed out.” She lifted her phone and smiled. “My parents called and said they’re headed to Australia. They wanted to tell you thank you, but I told them you were busy.”

Having them out of Cadoc’s reach was for the best. Australia was as far away as you could get. “I hope they have fun.”

Her lips pulled back in a sad smile. “Me too. Once Sam and his girlfriend are safely away, I’ll feel a lot better.”

“They’ll be fine,” I promised her. “We’ll have them gone tomorrow. Right now, there’s something I need to tell you.”

She sat down in one of the chairs and stared right at me as if she could see right through me. “I already know,” she said, holding up a hand.

Brows furrowed, I stared curiously at her. “Already know what?”

Her lips pursed. “That you’re going to be the one to fight. I had a feeling you were going to do it yourself. I just didn’t say anything.”

With a heavy sigh, I walked over to her and knelt down in front of her chair. She wasn’t happy by the frown on her face, but there was understanding in her eyes. “There’s no other option. Micah offered, but I can’t use him like that.”

She nodded. “I get it. Am I ecstatic about you fighting? No, but I know it’s what you have to do. Right now, I’m just ready for it to be over.”

I brushed a hand down her cheek. “It’s about to be. And when it is, we’ll leave this place and everything behind. I have so much making up to do from bringing you into this.”

She shook her head. “It was my decision. You’re doing everything you can to make things right. That’s all I can ask for.”

The things I was about to do might not be right, but it was what I had to do. Hopefully, she’d understand it one day.