Chapter Twenty-Nine

 

Faith

 

Yesterday was a complete and utter mess. This morning we visited Darius in the hospital. Taylor was estranged from his family so we had no clue if they even knew he was gone. The moment we left the hotel, I could feel eyes on me. It made me feel naked and exposed. I hated it more than anything, but I kept a strong face.

Even though Darius’ face looked like hammered dog shit, he swore up and down he could fight. Dominic told him the fighting was over and that he’d compensate him for all the damages and then some. Needless to say, he would be set for life if he didn’t blow the money. Once we were done visiting with him, Dominic and I headed back to the hotel. Paxton and Gabriella were set to arrive shortly. I didn’t realize Dominic had such famous friends. Both Paxton and Gabriella were well known UFC champions. I spent the entire morning looking them up on the internet.

We pulled into the parking garage just as Dominic’s phone rang. Marco’s name appeared on the radio screen so Dominic pressed the accept button. “Have they arrived?” he asked.

“Yep,” Marco replied. “They’re waiting for you in your suite. I’m headed home to pick Marjory up. With tension being high this week, we feel it’s best to stay at the hotel. Isaiah’s in the lobby keeping an eye out for the Cartwrights. They’ve been sniffing around a little too much.”

If Cadoc wanted to fuck with me again, going after my family members or worst of all, Faith, would be the way to do it. “Sounds good, uncle. Thanks for everything.”

“No problem, son.”

He hung up and I shut off my car. Faith huffed as she opened her door. “Why can’t they stalk someone else?” She shivered and ran her hands over her arms. “I can feel them watching me when we leave the hotel. It’s like spiders crawling all over my body.”

I slammed my car door. “Because they know it pisses me off. They want me to know they’re watching you.”

We got in the elevator and rode it up to the lobby, then took the main elevators up to the top floor. When we got to Dominic’s suite, Paxton and Gabriella were inside, sitting on the couch. They stood when they heard us come in. Paxton was tall with dark brown hair and bright green eyes, his muscles perfectly toned underneath his gray T-shirt. Gabriella’s body was the same way underneath her pink T-shirt and snug black shorts. She was gorgeous with her long dark hair and tanned skin.

Smiling, Paxton held out his arms as he approached. “It’s been too damn long, Corsino.”

Dominic hugged him and slapped his back. “That it has, my friend. Thank you for coming.”

Paxton let him go and focused on me. “You must be Faith.” He held out his hand and I shook it. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise,” I replied.

Gabriella stepped up and instead of shaking my hand, she hugged me. “I know you don’t know me,” she said, “but I know what you’re going through. Trust me, I can relate.” She let me go and smiled sadly at me. “I was forced to fight men just to keep people from trying to kill Paxton. It was an underground arena ran by a sadistic piece of shit who got off on killing people.”

Dominic had told me about that place. “The Dark Side, right?”

Her eyes widened in shock. “You know about it?”

Dominic sighed. “I told her some things, but not all of it.” Brows furrowed, I turned to him, wondering what all he could’ve left out. He tilted his head toward Gabriella. “I was there during one of her fights. She really kicked ass.”

Paxton slung an arm over Gabriella’s shoulders and snorted. “What my wife failed to realize was that those bastards weren’t going to kill me. I had it all under control.”

Gabriella rolled her eyes and elbowed him in the side. “Keep telling yourself that, babe.”

Chuckling, Paxton stepped away from her and patted Dominic’s back. “All right, enough of that. It’s time to get to work. We only have six days to train. You need to get the hell out of that fancy suit.”

Dominic shook his head and smiled as he disappeared down the hall to the bedroom. Gabriella grabbed a gym bag that was on the floor and slung it over her shoulders. “And you,” she said to me, “are going to work with me.”

My mouth gaped. “Doing what?”

Gabriella burst out laughing. “Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. I know the kind of men you’re dealing with. I’ll have you ready to kick ass in no time.”

Thoughts of breaking Cadoc’s nose or better yet, his entire face absolutely intrigued me. I’d never been in a fight or hit anyone for that matter, but I wanted to learn. It was time I learned how to take care of myself.

“Sounds good to me,” I told her. “Teach me how to make someone hurt.”

Her eyes twinkled. “Happy to.”