Fighter Daddy: A Bad Boy Secret Baby MMA Sports Romance Read online

  "I'm not afraid of anyone, you hear me? Doesn't mean I'll die for some bitchy fit of yours either."

  She snarls back at me and struggles to break free, but I have her. Outside of her office, I see a few people staring, but I don't care.

  "This is not a fit," Raina throws at me finally. "Get the fuck off me."

  "No?" I ask. "Start talking then. Convince me it isn't."

  "You're hurting me. Let go, Lee."

  "Start explaining and I might."

  She pouts for a second more, but nods. I let her go and she slides back into her chair, trying to smooth down her hair and clothes. That was not the messing up I had in mind, but I didn't expect to be cock-blocked by the guy who practically runs the city from the underground up and who I managed to seriously piss off. Seems I wasn't the only one.

  I take a seat opposite of Raina and rest my boots on her pristine table. She glares at me, but says nothing about it.

  "This better be good," I tell her.

  Raina

  A month has gone by.

  Long, long days that seemed they would never end where I wished only for a resolution, any kind of clarity. I just wanted it all to be over. The confusion, the sense of betrayal, entrapment. I was a fucking mess and for a good reason, but I can't tell Lee that.

  In the end, I got my answers, but it didn't make anything better. It only added a new factor into this shit-storm.

  A new life. I got pregnant, from Lee.

  I can't tell him, I won't. But he is right about Ricky. I've kept him at a distance as best as I've been able, but it won't last forever. And by the time I start to show, this needs to be over. Damn Ed and his meddling, but perhaps he can help after all. I don't have to tell him everything. After all, the baby is not why Ricky is pestering me.

  Lee listens to me explain. I thought he'd interrupt and call me a stupid girl again or say I'm hysterical. Something like that. He really doesn't know how to talk to women, but he probably never had to. One look at him and women will forget all about their dignity and stare.

  Yeah. That night – not my proudest moment.

  Knowing that, it's not easy to admit that I'm still very, very much attracted to him. I mean, honestly, this has to be a legitimate issue that I have. A guy barges into my office after I've been scared to my wits' end and all I can think about is how fucking hot he is. The way he grabbed my hair, pulling it... I was so glad he didn't have any way of knowing how turned on I was by that.

  Sneaky son of a bitch. Obvious consequences aside, that night was a huge mistake.

  And he left! Again.

  How many hints do I need before I get it into my head that Lee isn't good for me? He isn't good for anyone. And he definitely isn't father-material.

  The problem is, he's regretfully right about this. I need him. I don't know what madness drove Ed to look him up, but now that he's here... I don't think I can afford to be proud and send him away. Ricky backed me into a corner and with every week that passes, my time is running out. If I'm going to have any chance, any chance at all to fight back, this is it. Sitting across the table from me, looking as gorgeous as ever. The biggest douche I know.

  This will be so fun.

  I finish telling Lee about everything but his baby in my belly. That is the one thing I don't want to discuss with him. So I tell him about Ricky. The start-up money he gave me and the interest he means to cash in, the dating, the breakup. The way he showed up at my place. The messages and the spying that followed.

  Lee listens. For some reason it's more painful than him walking away from me again. I remember him doing that too, back in the day. Like an unguarded, sincere fragment of genuine interest. He frowns a couple of times, but I can't blame him for judging. I feel stupid enough myself.

  The thing is, it brings back memories. Walks we took, movies he took me to see. Lee had his tough-guy image to uphold, but it always seemed to me it slipped when he was around me. He'd take my hand without even noticing, caress my skin when he only groped me with others around. And he actually laughed when there was just the two of us. No arrogant chortling, but honest-to-God laughter.

  I flattered myself thinking Lee truly liked me, but the prom fiasco proved me wrong.

  The little girl I was loved him. I didn't ask for a reminder of that, much less the possibility she still might feel the same way.

  When I'm done, having told him everything I can think of, I feel oddly better. Even if he can't help, even if he refuses to try, I think sharing did me good. Really morbid, but I'm thinking at least someone could explain to Aunt Susan what happened to me if I should end up dead.

  "That's it?" he asks.

  His tone isn't condescending for a change. That's refreshing. Lee's asking if I omitted anything.

  "Yes," I lie. "That's it. I was a fool. Then I wanted out. Turns out, I can't."

  Lee reaches for a cigarette. There is no smoking in our building, but he doesn’t care. Like he doesn’t care about anything.

  "Put it out," I tell him firmly.

  Lee turns to me with a grin, ready to retort with something like "You don't control me, baby" or the like. His eyes fall to my hands that moved to my belly protectively without me even noticing it. His face turns serious, but he doesn't comment.

  "You want to tell me," he begins slowly, leaning forward in his seat. "That you didn't know. Didn't even guess?"

  "No," I say truthfully.

  "You must be the only person in Boston who doesn’t know that name. Even your fancy boss knew."

  "I. Didn't. Know," I repeat. "Or, I don't know. Maybe I'd heard something, but I didn't believe it? My point is, I had no idea how bad he was. And I didn't think that once he had me, I could never leave again."

  I'm not being completely truthful, but I certainly took Ricky for a lesser evil than he turned out to be. Maybe I thought I could fix him? I have a tendency of thinking that I can somehow turn bad boys good.

  "You should have."

  I want to throw something at him. Preferably heavy and preferably not at his face. I really like his face, with that damn arrogant, sexy, maddening grin on his lips.

  "Thanks," I deadpan. "I'll go back in time and leave myself a message."

  He chuckles, deep and resonant. My body reacts almost immediately, forgetting the fact he's being a major ass to me. I want him so badly it hurts and it drives me nuts. Do I get off on being abandoned or something? What is it about him that makes me give in even if I know I shouldn't?

  Well, discounting the part where he's able to give me mind-blowing orgasms, I mean.

  And I don't know why, but for some stupid reason I feel safe around him. Of course, it's no wonder—the guy's a walking tank—but there's something more.

  He's still here. I told him everything about Ricky that I could. Any other guy would have stood up halfway through my tale and said goodbye, but Lee hasn't moved a muscle.

  "So now what?" he asks. "What did you think was going to happen? Were you going to run or something, but forgot?"

  And there. Lee really is the epitome of all those guys who are so nice to look at, but when they start talking...

  "I don't know," I snarl, maybe harsher than I should have, but I'm done being judged by him. "I knew I had to end it. I guess I hoped he could get over me and not behave like a teenaged boy who has been dumped the first time."

  "You thought you could break up with a mob boss and he'd let you go," Lee says, grinning. "Yeah, I bet he liked you for your brains, baby."

  "Fuck you."

  "I'll fuck you any time you want."

  His response leaves me mute for the longest moment. Who the fuck says things like that? Lee does, that's the answer. He sits there, lounging in my chair and tells me he'd like to fuck me.

  Not that I'm surprised.

  "Ask me," he says.

  "Fuck you," I tell him again. "If you think I'm going to ask you to fuck me after the way you behaved—"

  Lee laughs. He doesn't seem bothered or afraid, not even a litt
le bit. Not by me, not by Ricky, and not by the danger we're both in.

  "No, I meant ask me to help. You'll fuck me anyway."

  The nerve of this guy. Who the fuck does he think he is?

  I want to tell him to shove his sleazy, arrogant attitude up his ass, but I don't think I can. Lee's a bastard, he always was. My own weaknesses aside, he is exactly as he was back when we went to school. Always speaking his mind, never backing down, getting things done. Yes, he's a bastard, but so is Ricky. And I suspect that to fight one bastard, you need another one.

  At least this one might let me go afterward. I think. I don't even want to consider what he'll do when he finds out about the baby. I'm still confused myself, but I'm keeping it, that's the only thing I am certain of. It's me and Lee, but pure and free of all the bad traits we have.

  I can't give that up, not for anything. Not even for the danger it puts me in with Ricky. Me and him haven't been together for months now, it can't be his baby and Ricky would know.

  I need a miracle to get out of this one. And a little girl once believed Lee Mason could do anything.

  "Help me," I say. "Please."

  There’s a lot of pride I had to swallow to get those words out.

  Lee grins, standing up. After days, weeks of worrying and fearing every shadow, this is a nice change. He looks strong and powerful, big and reassuring. Just what I need to feel safe, even if only for a little while.

  "I will," he tells me and his grin promises me I have no idea what I'm getting myself into here. "If only to hear you say please one more time."

  I don't need him to elaborate what that means. I roll my eyes and glare at him, but of course he seems to like it more that way.

  "First of all. We need to get out of here," he says when he's done staring me down. "You said he sends you a car every Friday We need to leave before either the driver or another one of his boys sees us together. They shouldn't see me at all."

  I nod, grabbing my bag in a hurry, all the while thinking of how much I enjoy the way he looks at me, the way his eyes undress me. If I have to spend more time with him, I am not sure if I can hold myself back.

  I need to be strong. Guys like that only take. They never give.

  Lee was right. I need him to protect me, but that's all.

  Lee

  Raina's eyes go wide with shock when she sees the bike. It stands there, a sleek black beauty, steaming hot like she is.

  "You've got to be kidding me," she says. "You still have that death trap? I'm not getting on that thing."

  The part of me that isn't pissed off at her for saying that considers. The truth is, Raina has no fucking idea what she's gotten us into. I'm sure I know Ricky better than she does, even if she fucked the guy.

  The idea alone is enough to make me fume with anger, but I restrain my emotions. It sounds weird, but right now I don't have time for Raina. Not for her body, which I want badly, and soon, and not for being jealous.

  Ricky Gerrard is a killer, plain and simple. It's not always him pulling the trigger. In fact it's usually not, but he's the drive behind the bullet. He knows what he wants and he gets it. In a way, I respect the guy. I've only met him a couple of times, but those are enough to confirm my first impression. That is not a man to let a girl walk out on him.

  I don't know if Raina gets this. Her pussy can be the most heavenly thing on Earth, but Ricky wouldn't give a shit. All he cares about is that she is trying to make him look bad.

  No, Raina doesn't have a clue about how much trouble she's in. I won't tell her either. She might find out soon enough. I also won't point out that for some reason I'm risking my life for her.

  "What time are you supposed to get off work?"

  "Soon, I guess? In twenty minutes."

  "Meaning they can be here any minute or they might be here already."

  The terrified look in her eyes tells me she might not be entirely clueless about the danger.

  And she might be right about the bike. I didn't know about her problem until I got here. I figured it would be a guy that couldn't get over her and is now trying to compensate by sending her texts. Almost true, but not quite. Making an escape on a bike is tricky, because it's a much more recognizable vehicle. And my bike is special too. Flames run down its sides; it's marked as my own. Any guy worth his salt could follow us.

  I hate the idea, but we can't take the bike. I look around.

  "Your lover boy drives?" I ask.

  "Huh?"

  "Ed. Does he have a car?"

  "Yes," she says, glaring at me again. "That black Toyota there. Why? And he's not my lover boy."

  One look at her tells me the girl doesn't have a clue about what she's doing to me, or any of the men around her. I can't wait to be alone with her. It's not the only reason I'm taking her to my place, but it's definitely a part of it. I can't wait to see her dress crumpled on my bedroom floor, Raina herself lying spent on my bed with my cum on her tits.

  I take a look at the car, an ugly beast. Not that it matters much. It's got four wheels, it's good. I walk over to my bike quickly, pulling a wire and something to keep the door cracked from the storage compartment. I don't usually go around breaking into cars, but a man has to come prepared.

  Raina runs up to me when she realizes what I'm doing. She tries to pry my hands away, but I shrug her off.

  "Are you insane?" she demands. "This is Ed's car. Why can't we just—"

  "He'll forgive you," I tell her. "The guy wants to bang you so much I was surprised he didn't blow his load seeing you. I think he'd be all right with this."

  "Sure," Raina snaps. "You must be right. Let's ask him then. I'll run back inside, get the keys—"

  "No time," I say. "We have to be on the move now. Ricky will have guys nearby. I don't doubt they're watching us now. If you go in, you won't come out."

  I can feel her wince beside me, so hard her whole body starts shaking. She whips her head left and right, trying to see anyone, looking like a deer in the headlights.

  And there, again. Her hands fly to cover her belly. I don't think Raina notices she's doing that, but it most certainly isn't a habit she's always had. There can't be many reasons why she'd pick this up now.

  I grit my teeth, feeling my blood turn to liquid hate. She told me she's been avoiding Ricky since the night he came over, but a guy like that doesn't take "No" for an answer. If this is what I think it is, no wonder he wants her back. The thought alone makes me fucking sick.

  I go back to work, keeping my thoughts to myself.

  "Keep close," I say.

  She obeys, pulling near me. Not knowing she might be protecting us both. I wasn't joking before. Ricky's guys aren't known for showing up on time. They come hours before, make entirely sure there isn't anything to interrupt the plan.

  Only this time, I'm here.

  I am sure they'd shoot me on sight if they had orders to do so and since they haven't, I'm guessing Raina doesn't have a target painted on her. Ricky wants her alive. It only proves my suspicions.

  I don't think she'd take being live bait as a comfort.

  There, I'm in. I tell Raina to get in the car and she hastens to obey. No more protests about Eddie's property.

  Hot-wiring a car isn't as easy as it looks in the movies, but I had plenty of training in the Marines that has come in handy later in life. This was probably not what my instructors had in mind.

  They kicked me out because of some bureaucratic bullshit, so I stopped giving a shit about what they may or may not think. Raina watches with a shocked expression, eyes still wildly glancing around. I'm almost done and the car shivers to life when I hear her scream.

  "Lee!" she squeals.

  The next second I hear glass breaking and sit back up. I was right. Give Ricky's guys one moment to move and they do. The fuckers are well-trained. One of them has smashed the window and is holding onto Raina through the hole, pulling her toward the door. His other hand is fumbling around with the handle. He's well-built, but nowhere near
my level. I see beady little eyes, a cruel mouth, and a chain hanging around his neck.

  Then I notice the second one, aiming a gun at my head through the windshield. I don't get any details, only a figure holding me at point. Instincts kick in. I don't think, I slam my foot down on the gas and Ed's car jumps like a champ. I can hear Raina scream, still caught in the other guy's hold when the car yanks them both along. I back away and jump out of the car.

  "Lee!" Raina screams, but I have to deal with the immediate threat first.

  It takes me two steps to get to the front of the car and knock the gun out of the man's hand. I see him now, short and mad like a little dog. Guys like him always carry big guns to make up for not being man enough on their own. He's bloody and bruised, but breathing. That's all I need. Lucky for him I didn't simply run him over. I considered it.

  I turn to the other idiot. He's been busy, apparently. The passenger door is open and he's holding Raina in front of him, gun to her head.

  "Not one step," he tells me, growling.

  Somehow he seems familiar. I've seen him around. Probably was present when Ricky and I met. Good.

  "I know who you are," he tells me, confirming my thoughts. "If you try to pull your kung fu on me, I'll put a bullet through her head."

  Kung fu. This asswipe wouldn't know kung fu if it hit him in the face. I sneer while Raina screams. We're drawing looks now and I can only assume cops are minutes away.

  "I don't think so," I tell the oaf. "I'm thinking your boss doesn't want her harmed."

  "So what?" he barks at me.

  I don't buy it. Ricky doesn't employ guys who don't understand how to follow orders. He's bullshitting me, but a gun is a gun and nervous fingers get twitchy.

  "Fine," I say. "Let's talk this out, see if we can settle this—"

  As soon as I start talking, he relaxes. It's sad to watch, really. My kick knocks the gun from his hand, but he still has Raina. Shock flashes in his eyes and Raina's, and they both stumble back from me. The guy because he thinks dragging her along will help, and Raina because she's caught in a headlock now. Fuck that. No one is hurting her if I can help it.