Ground & Pound (15 page)

Kane

Once we get back to the house with the groceries, Trey rushes out of the house and comes running down the steps. We’re just getting out of the truck when he reaches the back door and grabs the a few bags. “Jesus, I thought you’d never get here, Em. I’m starving.”

“Did you keep an eye on the lasagna?” Emmy asks as she climbs from the truck. 

“Yeah,” he replies before turning back to the house, but freezes when he sees a car pull up behind us. He stares at it for a second before turning to look at his sister and mouthing the words,
what the fuck?

She shrugs her shoulder, obviously not knowing what his problem is. She told him Nico was coming over for dinner tonight. “It’s Nico. You knew we were having company tonight.”

He shoots her a death glare before grabbing another bag. “You didn’t tell me it was Nico Tunik. He is one of the greatest fighters in the world.”

“Watch it, kid. You’re gonna hurt my feelings.” I laugh as I walk by him.

Trey nearly drops the bags, completely star struck, when Nico climbs out of his car. He catches them just before they hit the ground, and his face turns bright red. He recovers quickly, pasting a smile on his face. The boy obviously is a fan of Nico’s, and he wants to impress him. I remember being just like him the first time I met the man.

Nico walks toward us, smiling at Trey’s expression. “You must be Emmy’s little brother. I’ve heard you have a bad ass right hook.”

Trey stares at Nico, not speaking, as I walk up behind him. I smack Trey on the shoulder, hoping to jolt him out of his trance. “His ground game is getting better every day. I think he’s gonna be someone to watch in a few years.”

Trey looks over at me, a smile on his face. “Thanks, man.”

With that, everyone is quiet until we step inside. Emmy breaks the silence, looking at Nico. “I put the lasagna in the oven before we left, so it should be done in a few minutes. As soon as I make the salad, we’ll eat.”

Following behind her, he crosses his hands over his chest. “I’m fine without the salad.”

She looks back, cocking a brow. “You’ll eat what I give you.”

For some reason, Emmy just can’t get over her attitude with Nico. I know she’s worried about the fight, but I wish she’d get over it. If something happens to me, it’s not gonna be Nico’s fault. It’s just the way shit goes when you make your living in the octagon. 

My woman walks into the kitchen as I turn to Nico. “Give me a minute.”

Following behind Emmy, I wrap my arms around her as she walks to the refrigerator. Pulling her back flush with my chest, I ask, “What’s your problem?”

She goes still, holding her body stiff. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I loosen my grip so I can turn her around. Looking into her eyes, I ask my question again. “What the hell is your problem with Nico?”

“Not a damn thing,” she responds, her tone letting me know she’s about to lose her patience. 

I stare at her a few seconds, wondering how she will react if I call bullshit. When I finally do, I pick my words carefully. “You know Nico would never purposely hurt me, right?”

She pulls back, anger flashing in her eyes. “He’s getting paid to hurt you.”

“And I’m getting paid to hurt him,” I growl out, pissed off by her lack of faith in me. “I’ve been training for this day for years. Why the fuck are you so sure I’m gonna lose?”

“It’s not that,” she nearly shouts, as she grabs two pot holders and pulls the lasagna from the oven. “I know you’re good at what you do, but accidents happen.”

“Yeah, they can happen any time, not just in the ring,” I say, letting my anger loose. “Fuck, Em. I could wreck my car, or fall down the damn stairs. Hell, I could choke on dinner. We never know what life is gonna throw at us.”

She bangs the lasagna pan on the counter and turns to look at me. Her eyes are flashing, barely holding on to her fury. “You think I don’t know that. My parents walked out the door one day and never came back. Believe me, I know life can be over in the blink of an eye.”

Shit. I never realized, never even considered her mind was going there. I should have, should’ve thought about all she has been through, but I didn’t. “Nothing is gonna happen to me, baby.”

“You don’t know that. One wrong hit and you could die.” She’s screaming now, her entire body shaking with both anger and fear. 

I walk over to her and pull her into my arms. Before I can reassure her, Nico walks into the room and does it for me. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to him, Emmy. He’ll come out of there with some bruises, probably leaking more blood then you’ll like, but he’ll be breathing.”

She cuddles into my chest before turning her head to look at him. “Do you promise?”

Nico nods, looking at me instead of her. “I swear on my life.”

“How the hell do you know I’ll be the one bleeding? I’m thinking you’ll be dripping all the way to the locker room, if you can even walk.”

He laughs and turns back to walk into the living room. “That shit will never happen.”

I tighten my arms around her. “Just have faith that no matter what happens, I’m coming back home to you.”

Emmy

Pulling into the parking lot of Kane’s gym, I grab a bowl from the back seat. It’s my day off, but I just couldn’t stop myself from coming. After spending another morning making breakfast for myself, I decided to make him some lunch and drop it off. I know how important this fight is, but I barely see Kane anymore unless I’m at the gym. Even then, I’m usually working or he’s working with his coach. With all of the training, after he gets home at night, he’s nearly a zombie. A huge part of me can’t wait until it’s over, so our lives can get back to normal.

I climb from my car and start to walk inside, but something draws my attention to the back of the parking lot. For just a second, I could have sworn someone was standing near the dumpster. I stare in that direction for a minute, but see nothing. I swear, since Jason’s last attack, I feel like someone is always watching me. A cold chill fills me as I walk toward the door. 

When I open the door, my eyes instantly go to Kane running on the treadmill. As soon as his blue eyes land on me, a smile spreads across his face. Some days, I feel like I need to come to the gym just to be able to see him. “Hey, baby.”

He kills the treadmill then steps off, coming toward me. “What’s that?”

Lifting the bowl in my hand, I smile. “I made you something special.”

I wanted to do something nice today, so I made a big salad. He’s trying to cut weight, so he can’t have much, but he has to eat. Even though healthy food isn’t my thing, I decided to give it a try. I ended up settling on a bunch of grilled veggies and added some chicken for protein.

Before Kane can reach me, Ozzy rushes to me and pulls the bowl from my hand. 

“You are an angel, woman. I’m starving.”

He takes the bowl from my hands, and I can’t help but laugh. My eyes meet Kane’s, and I shrug. “Guess he didn’t want you to have any.”

My man looks at his brother and growls out, “What is it?”

“Just a salad,” I say, running my hand down his muscular arm. “I was going for something healthy.”

He turns back to me, placing a kiss on my forehead. “I don’t have time to eat right now, anyway. I need to hit the mat, but thanks for thinking of me.”

“You can’t even take a minute? I made enough for everyone.” I’m a little disappointed. I know he has to train, but I wanted at least a minute or two with him, if he can spare it. 

He shakes his head, kissing me again. “Sorry, babe, but Coach wants me to spar with one of his other fighters.”

Pulling in a deep breath, I try to be as upbeat as possible. “That’s okay. I’m just gonna go to the locker room and grab your dirty clothes. Then, I need to head back home to do laundry.”

He raises his hand to my cheek, brushing back a stray hair from my face. “I miss spending time with you, but things will settle down after the fight.”

“I know they will,” I reply, stepping away.

Turning away from him, I rush to the locker room as fast as I can. Tears are building in my eyes, and that’s the last thing he needs right now. He doesn’t deserve a selfish girlfriend who’s jealous of the time he spends training. Even though it’s me feeling this way, I know how ridiculous it is. 

Rushing around to pick up Kane, Ozzy, and Trey’s dirty clothes, I grab everything and head back out to the gym. As soon as I step out of the locker room, my eyes land on Kane sparring in the ring. His shirt is off, and he is dripping with sweat. I’m mesmerized by the way his body moves, his muscles flexing with each motion. I walk closer without saying a word, hoping he doesn’t notice me and I can continue to just watch him some more.

I have been having dreams about him fighting. Sometimes, he wins, and he runs to the edge of the ring, picking me up and kissing me as we celebrate together. That dream always ends with wild and dirty sex, and I wake up with a smile on my face. I end up waking him up usually, to play out the dream. 

Other times, he loses. I scream as he lies on the mat unmoving, blood pouring from his body. The official leans down to check his pulse then looks into my eyes and solemnly shakes his head. Those nights, I wake up gasping for air, unable to breathe until I see him next to me. I spend the rest of the night holding him and praying he won’t get hurt. 

My body starts to shake, remembering the pain from my nightmares. My hands grip the laundry bag as I try to calm my nerves. I can’t lose someone else I love. I can’t live without him. 

“Hey, sis.” I jump at the sound of Trey’s voice.

I pull in a deep breath, trying to gain control of my nerves. “Hey.”

“You okay?” He arches his eyebrow at me in question.

“Yea, I guess I just zoned out.” Kane is still fighting in the ring, and I can’t take my eyes off of him.

His dark hair is covered by headgear, but a few stray waves are sticking out above his ears. His sweaty body causes his shorts to stick to his powerful thighs. Every muscle in his body is tense, making him appear larger than he is. The entire package is a wet dream, and I can’t believe he’s mine. 

“Don’t stress out. He’s ready.” Trey’s arm goes around my shoulder. “He’s gonna take the belt.”

I rest my head against his chest. “You think?”

“Yeah.” He squeezes me, and I pray to God he’s right.

Kane stops moving and finally looks over to where we are standing. He smiles when he sees me, and any anxiety I’d been feeling melts away. That’s how I know this is so right. He calms me, makes me feel like no matter what happens, we will be okay. He doesn’t even need to touch me to affect me.

“You heading out, beautiful?” he asks.

“Yeah, I guess I am.” I shrug, not quite meeting his eyes. “I need to get home and do laundry, then try my hand at a healthy dinner.”

He places a sweet kiss on my lips. “I’ll be home by six, babe. Just gotta get some stuff together for the weigh-in tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I mumble, turning away from him. With each step, I have to force myself to not run back and ask him to come with me. 

Kane

The announcer takes the stage, looking out at the crowd. “The time is here, ladies and gentlemen. Fighting for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, here’s the challenger, Kane ‘Knock Out’ Travis.”

Walking past the photographers, I hit the stage and grab the bottom of my shirt. Pulling it over my head, I feel a hand touch my shoulder. “Are you ready for this, Kane?”

Throwing the shirt on the floor, I look over at Ozzy. “Yeah, bring it on.”

Not waiting to be asked, I walk to the scales and look at Mikey. He may be the most famous UFC host of all time, but he’s also a good friend. “You ready for me?”

He smirks before motioning for me to step onto the scales. It takes just a second for the numbers to climb up. Mikey takes a close look then brings the mic to his mouth. “Two-hundred and forty-one, for the challenger.”

Barely giving me time to step off the scales, Mikey starts screaming into the mic. “And his opponent, the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the world, the ruthless Nico ‘The Reaper’ Tunik.”

I watch as one of my best friends and biggest rivals takes the stage. As always, he puts on a show. Tossing his hands in the air, he throws his head back and howls like a rabid dog. 

“I’m here, bitches.” Nico’s scream brings a roar from the crowd that’s quickly followed by a chant of
Reaper! Reaper!
If I were a lesser man, I’d be scared shitless. Instead, I smile and shoot my buddy a cocky wink. 

His face almost slips into a grin, before he plasters on his well-known frown and pulls his shirt over his head. Nico walks over to the scale and steps on, without ever losing eye contact with his devoted audience.

Mikey takes his spot, looking at the numbers. “Two-hundred and forty-six, for the reigning champion.”

Both of us move to the side of the stage, waiting for Mikey to take his place between us. Knowing I need to be the one to show Nico respect, I stick my hand out. His eyes flash with admiration as he grabs my hand. Click after click, the cameras start cataloguing the moment. 

As quick as a flash, he drops it, and Nico’s fist is pointing right at me. Raising my own to him, we snarl at each other, giving the photographers what they’re craving. The crowd is screaming as our every move is recorded.

Trying to show his dominance over me, Nico slaps at my fist. Knocking it away, he lets out his famous roar. Again, the crowd goes crazy, screaming his stage name over and over. Not willing to let him show me up, I take a step forward and ram my chest into his. 

I can his hear his whispered, “Go for it, Kane.”

Knowing he’s up for the game, I step back and draw back my arm. Just before I let it fly, Mikey steps between us, playing his part to a tee. “Separate now.”

I can hear the humor in his voice, even if the crowd can’t. Just to rile him up more, I shout out, “He started this, but I’m gonna finish it!”

“Bring it on, little man,” Nico growls out, barely keeping a straight face.

Ozzy grabs me right on cue, pulling me to the other side of the stage. Pretending to struggle, he whispers, “Good show, bro.”