“We want to move,” Merrick said bluntly. “For a whole host of reasons. Namely your safety.”
When she started to protest, Cade cut her off. “We’re selling the business. If Merrick wins—and he’s going to—we aren’t going to need it. We won’t have time for it. We’re thinking of moving to Denver to start a new training camp there. Bring on some up-and-coming fighters to train under Merrick and Dakota and our team. We won’t stay here where some asshole has a vendetta because our business had him arrested and he took it out on you.”
“But,” she began only to be silenced by Merrick this time.
“You said it, Elle. If I win this, my life is going to change in ways we don’t even perceive yet. And I don’t want us going in opposite directions. I don’t want you and Cade here, struggling to keep the business afloat while I’m off traveling and making appearances and doing publicity shit. I want you both there with me. By my side. I’m a selfish bastard, but I don’t want to split my time with you between me and Cade. I want you with me all the time. Cade has money saved up. The miserly bastard has the first dollar he ever made in a savings account. Plus he’ll draw a salary as my manager. Dakota’s going to only focus on the training aspect. Cade’s going to handle the business, and that’s something you can help him with.”
She blew out a deep breath. “Are you sure this is what the two of you want?”
“Hell yeah,” Merrick growled. “We want you. Safe. With us. In our arms. In our lives. That’s all that counts in the end.”
She smiled. “I think I can live with that.”
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y - S E V E N
THE ARENA WAS BUZZING WITH excitement. The night had been rife with upset victories, and speculation was high that the main event could well be another upset where the champion would be dethroned.
Elle could barely contain herself in the locker room. She’d already been out to view the raucous crowd three times, and she couldn’t sit still as she paced the confines.
She’d stayed well away from Merrick, not wanting to in any way compromise his focus. For the last two days, he’d gone quiet and intensely brooding, almost as if he’d turned inward for the incentive necessary for the task ahead.
An arm slid around her shoulders, and she turned hastily to see Dallas standing beside her.
“How you holding up, sweetheart?”
She smiled. “Nervous as hell. Oh my God, I don’t know how you’ve stood this for so long.”
“I puked my first couple of fights,” he admitted. “Too much adrenaline. I was so amped up that I was in overload.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I can totally relate.” Her laughter died, and she went quiet for a moment. Then in a fierce, low voice she said, “He’s going to win.”
She said it as a statement, but she still couldn’t quell the need for reassurance. Dallas kissed her temple. “Yeah, he’s going to win. No doubt.”
Dakota walked out of the dressing room and made a beeline for Elle. His expression brooding and intense. A look she’d fast come to associate with Dakota when he was in fight mode.
“He wants to see you.”
Elle frowned. “Do you think that’s a good idea? I’ve tried to stay out of his way all day. I don’t want to mess up his concentration now.”
Dakota smiled. The two had reached a truce while she’d still been laid up in a hotel room recovering from her attack. He’d been appalled and horrified that his actions had led to such a horrific event.
He’d been utterly sincere in his apology—and just as sincere about his love and loyalty for Merrick. In the end, she couldn’t hold that loyalty against him. She knew she’d do anything to protect Merrick, so she couldn’t fault Dakota for trying to do the same. Even if he’d gone about it all wrong.
“I think he needs to see you, babe. You’ll center him. He needs to be grounded right now. He needs to see what he’s fighting for. You’ll remind him of that.”
Elle’s heart melted. “Okay. I’ll come.”
She followed behind Dakota into the locker room, where Merrick’s shoulders and arms were being massaged and rubbed down. He had on a satin jacket with the hood up, and he looked…formidable. Not at all like the loving, gentle giant she knew him to be.
But then he looked up and found her gaze, and he softened all over, losing the brooding intensity that could easily scare a grown man.
“Elle,” he whispered.
The room cleared in about three seconds, and then they were alone. Just her, Merrick and Cade, who stood to the side. But he came in closer as Elle approached Merrick.