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  “Thanks, Ma. I’m going to spend the day there snooping around and I’ll stop over when I get a chance.”

  “Hey, how’s the training coming? Your fight is soon.” She sighed into the phone. I know she hated the violence and could never understand why I chose to enter the cage.

  “Really good and now that Mia and I patched things up, I can finally focus on kicking that guy’s ass.”

  “Make sure you stay focused. I don’t want to see my baby hurt.”

  “I’m like a brick wall, Ma.”

  “Don’t be too cocky, son. Your father is calling me. He wants a cup of coffee. He’s lucky I love him.”

  I wanted a love like theirs – long lasting and unbreakable.

  “You’d go pick the beans if he asked just to make that man happy.”

  “Let’s not give him any ideas, Michael. Call me later, okay?”

  “Love ya. I’ll talk to you tonight.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Mia wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing my cheek. “That better have been your mother or I’m getting that needle ready as soon as we get there.”

  I grabbed her hands and leaned into her kiss. “It was. You’re dying to stick a needle in my dick, aren’t you.” I laughed.

  “Just remember that it’s always an option.” She laughed against my ear and I closed my eyes and let the happiness sink in.

  I stood, grabbing my keys off the counter. “Let’s go, Dr. Jekyll. I’m driving.”

  “We can take my car.” She stayed by the table.

  “Nope, I’m the man, so I drive.” I opened the door and waited for her.

  As she walked by me she said, “Let’s not start the macho bullshit.”

  “My dad drives my mom around all the time. I just grew up with some beliefs. Let’s not kill them yet. You relax and talk and I’ll be your chauffer.”

  She sighed but nodded. I opened the truck door for her and waited for her to get situated before I closed her in and jogged around to my side. Her eyes were glued to me as I made my way around the truck.

  “You really have the chivalry thing down,” she said as I sat.

  “It’s one thing my ma always taught me. How to be a gentleman when necessary.”

  We held hands and listened to music, stopping on the song ‘Happy’ by Pharrell to sing along. How could I not shout the words at the top of my lungs?

  “Is this it?” I asked, as I pulled into the parking lot.

  “Yep, I know it’s not pretty but it gets the job done.” She shrugged.

  “Yeah. This place doesn’t look like much, Doc.”

  “I know. The people that come here deserve better.”

  “I hope you don’t pay a lot in rent.” I stared at the old brick façade. A tiny sign that read GS Health Clinic hung above the door but the average person driving by would miss it entirely.

  “No, we rent the space for pretty cheap. The owner gives us a deal because he likes what we do.”

  “Does the inside look any better?”

  “It’s old but clean. We spend the money we have on rent and supplies.”

  “Let’s get inside. I want to check it out.” There wasn’t an open spot in the parking lot and that told me that there was a need for this clinic.

  “How do you know the people really can’t afford medical care?”

  “They have to bring in their government assistance paperwork and proof that they’ve been denied Medicaid.”

  “Seems fair and keeps it legit.” I followed Mia into the building and a bustling waiting room. People of all ages and races sat patiently in the space.

  Mia stopped and smiled at the woman behind the desk. “Cammie, this is Michael. He’s going to hang out here today.”

  Cammie looked at me with the warmest smile on her face as she held out her hand. “It’s always nice to have an extra set of hands around. Especially ones as big and strong as yours.” She laughed as she stroked my fingers.

  “I’m all yours,” I said, as I looked at Mia.

  The stress that was clearly evident on her face at the hospital was gone. Her demeanor at the clinic was different… she was radiant.

  “You just offered yourself up to the devil,” Mia said, laughing.

  “I can handle her,” I said, winking at Cammie.

  Her face flushed before she cleared her throat. “We have a full house today. Lots to do, Mia. You leave this hunk in my hands, child.”

  Mia picked up the schedule and studied it before she replied, “He’s all yours. I know you’ll take good care of him.”

  “Hmm mmm,” Cammie said.

  Mia kissed my cheek and started to walk away. “You’re just going to leave me here?”

  “You’ll be just fine. Cammie knows the most about the clinic. Pick her brain if you want to know about the finances.”

  “Okay, I’ll be waiting for you, Doc.” I patted her ass before she stepped out of reach.

  “One second,” Cammie said, as she held her finger up. “Mr. Johnson,” she called into the waiting room.

  Leaning against the desk, I watched Cammie interact with the patients. She had a way with people, making them feel important. She was the beating heart of the clinic. She’d be my link to getting this place on track and keeping it running like a well-oiled machine.

  “So, what can I help you with, Michael?” Cammie asked as she swiveled her chair in my direction.

  “I want to talk about funding, Cammie. I want to help the clinic financially and see about having Mia here full-time. She loves this place.”

  She clapped her hands. “Wow, I think I just fell in love with you. If Mia wasn’t my girl, I’d snatch you from her.”

  I laughed at the ease at which she spoke to me.

  “You know anything about accounting, handsome?” She winked.

  “I do. I have a business and I do the books.”

  “Perfect. I’ll let you in the office and you can take a look. It may be easier and quicker than if I told you everything. We’re so busy today that I couldn’t give you my full attention no matter how badly I wanted to.”

  “That would be fine, Cammie. I can see what’s going on and how I can help.”

  She showed me to a tiny office in the back. I could hear Mia speaking with a patient in the next room. The words were muffled but it was her voice. Cammie had the office organized and the files up to date, which made the task of determining their financial need easier.

  They had a couple thousand dollars in the bank and Cammie said that rent was the biggest expense. The place needed to be rehabbed from the inside out.

  I searched the filing cabinet for the rental agreement. They paid a thousand a month, which was cheap for retail space. I made a list of needs with an estimated cost to get the place in check with some extra financial padding. The first step would be purchasing the building and the land it sat on, then giving the place a facelift.

  It certainly was doable and wouldn’t take much financially to make this a stable non-profit that wouldn’t have to scrape by to make ends meet.

  Rubbing my eyes, the door opened and Mia walked in. “How’s it going in here?” she asked, wrapping her arms around my neck and settling in my lap.

  “Good. I have a plan and just spoke to my Ma and the landlord.”

  “Oh?”

  “We’re going to make it happen, Mia. I already have the wheels in motion.” I leaned back in the chair, lifting her to move with me.

  “You don’t waste any time, do you?” She rubbed her nose against the tender skin of my neck and inhaled.

  I cupped her ass and squeezed. “You’re going to owe me something big for all this.”

  “What do you want?” She smirked.

  “I’m going to think long and hard about that before giving you a definitive answer.”

  “You do that. I just wanted to say hi. I have to go, there are a bunch of people out there waiting to be seen.” She patted my shoulder before trying to climb off my lap.

  I pull
ed her back down, running my lips down her jaw. “I want some sugar first.”

  She laughed and rolled her eyes. “Only a kiss.”

  “What else would I mean?”

  The kiss was soft and sweet. I smiled as she winked at me before walking out the door.

  I spent the afternoon jotting down notes, making lists, and calling everyone I knew to help make this place the best it could be. It would be Mia’s dream and her little bit of serenity.

  Chapter 25

  It was finally the night – Michael’s MMA match.

  I wanted to look stunning.

  Picking through my closet, I found my favorite black pencil skirt, a white cami and my kick ass Jessica Simpson peep toe heels. I spent extra time on my makeup and straightened my hair.

  I felt tense as I drove to the arena to see him before his fight. I sat in the car for a few minutes to calm my nerves before I made my way to the doors. My stomach gurgled as I followed the extra tall security guard through the backstage area to a door that read “Michael ‘The Iceman’ Gallo.”

  After knocking on the door, I smoothed my skirt, wiping my hands against the soft material. My legs were wobbly as I waited for someone to open the door.

  Why in the hell was I so nervous? I didn’t like the thought of Michael fighting another man, but my stress level was high enough that someone would think that it would be me stepping in the cage.

  The door cracked opened and Rob smiled. “Hey, Mia,” he said, opening the door.

  “Hey, Rob,” I said, as I entered the dimly lit room.

  “Yo, dude, Mia’s here,” Rob yelled causing me to jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to yell in your ear.”

  “Oh, it’s okay. I’m just jumpy.” I saw Michael sitting in a chair looking more stiff than normal and turned to Rob. “Is he okay?”

  “Yeah, he’s doing great. He gets moody before a fight.”

  Nodding to Rob, I moved toward Michael, stopping in front of him. I placed my hand on his head, running my fingers through his hair as he kept his eyes pointed at the floor. “Michael,” I said, as I stroked his hair.

  He didn’t say a word but reached out and wrapped his hand around my calf. He slid his fingers up my leg and under my skirt, gripping my thigh roughly.

  “No sex before the match,” Rob said before walking out.

  His eyes slowly moved up my body, stopping at my breasts before settling on my face. His grip tightened as he pulled me closer, resting his head against my abdomen.

  “You okay, Michael?” My hand stilled in his hair.

  “I can smell you,” he said hoarsely.

  “Dick,” I said, as I swatted his back. “You had me freaked out and you’re being a pig.”

  His body shook as his laughter grew and filled the room. “I’d rather pound your tight, wet pussy than beat this guy's face to a pulp right now.” His fingers slid against the edge of my panties and stopped.

  “You can have me all night long after you win your match. The quicker you end it, the sooner you’ll have me in your bed,” I said with a shaky breath.

  His finger glided across the satin material of my underwear and rubbed against my clit. My breath caught in my throat as I stood before him, lost in his touch.

  “We have a few minutes and I know just how I want to spend them,” he said, wrapping his other arm around my waist.

  His fingers dipped inside my panties as I fisted his hair and closed my eyes. My head tipped back as he brought me to the brink of orgasm. My body swayed as his grip increase, steadying me.

  My calves stung from the tension and the orgasm that was just out of reach. I opened my legs as far as possible in the restrictive skirt and leaned into his touch.

  “You want to come?” he asked roughly.

  “Yes,” I pleaded.

  “After I kick some ass.” He smirked, removing his hand from my panties, dragging the wetness down my leg.

  “Fuck,” I muttered.

  “Doesn’t feel so good, does it, Doc?” he laughed, before sticking his fingers in his mouth, licking them clean.

  I glared at him. It was funny when I did it to him. To leave me like this now felt downright cruel.

  “You’re a bastard.”

  My entire body had been tense and he made it so much worse. I was wound so tight at this point I worried walking would cause me to orgasm. I ached that badly.

  He patted my ass as he stood and wrapped me in his arms. The warmth of his naked flesh seared through my thin silk camisole. “We’ll finish after I win. I want to take my time with you tonight.”

  I rubbed my cheek against the smooth skin of his pec. “I should hate you right now, but I can’t.”

  “You two done in there?” Rob yelled, knocking on the door.

  “He’s a pain in the ass,” I said, sighing against his chest.

  “I know.” He kissed the top of my head, burying his nose in my hair. “Yeah, come in.”

  Rob plopped down on the couch across the room and watched us.

  “I better go, Michael. You have to get ready and I need to find my seat.” I peered up at him, getting a last look of his beautiful face. I worried it would be bloody and bruised the next time I touched it.

  “I’ll text Izzy to meet you in the corridor.” His kiss burned my lips as he crushed his mouth against mine. “Thanks, Mia, for coming.” The smug asshole winked. “I know you hate the very idea, but you being here means a lot to me.”

  “No other place I’d rather be.” I slid my hand down his arm, moving away from him. “Oh, and Michael?”

  “Yes.”

  “Kick his ass, handsome,” I said trying to help him relax.

  He winked and his smile made my heart melt.

  Fuck, I hated the thought of that beautiful face being hit. I hated everything about what was about to unfold before my eyes.

  I waved to him with a faint smile as I left. I could hear the cheers of the crowd echo through the corridor backstage. I followed the noise, finding Izzy waiting for me near the arena entrance.

  Her mouth moved as she waved for me to follow her, but it was so loud I couldn’t hear her words. I smiled and nodded before following her to the seating area.

  “Down front,” Izzy yelled in my ear, as I look around the arena.

  The crowd was larger than I would have expected for a MMA match. Not everyone had such great disdain for the sport as I did. I hated the idea of two men beating the crap out of each other for a title, but I promised Michael I’d be here.

  The entire Gallo family, with the exception of Mrs. Gallo, sat in the front row looking as anxious as I felt.

  “I found her,” Izzy said as we sat down.

  They were a stunning family. The men were all cut from the same cloth. Handsome, rugged, and muscular and the sister was a spitfire. Even Mr. Gallo was classically handsome and didn’t show his age.

  “It’s nice to see you again, Doc.” Joe said, a couple seats away.

  “Call me Mia, please. I see you’re getting around better these days.”

  “Physical therapy works wonders. I wouldn’t miss this fight for the world. Suzy would have had my balls if I didn’t bring her tonight.” He turned and kissed her cheek as she kept her eyes glued to the cage.

  “Hello, my dear,” Mr. Gallo said, taking my hand, planting a soft kiss on it. “You’ve missed some matches already.”

  I winced as I watched them clean the floor. There was blood and sweat everywhere. “This isn’t my idea of entertainment, Mr. Gallo. I’m only here for Michael,” I said trying to stop my stomach from spilling its contents. “Where’s Mrs. Gallo?” I asked.

  “Oh, she hates the very idea of him fighting. She stayed home tonight to read. So, how’s he doing? Is he ready?” he asked.

  I shrugged as butterflies filled my stomach. I hoped he was ready because I really couldn’t take watching him being beaten. “He seemed pretty calm when I left him to finish preparing.”

  Our conversation was interrupted as the announcer spoke, “
Ladies and gentleman, the heavy weight match you’ve all been waiting for is about to begin.”

  The crowd stood and the screaming made my eardrums throb. Loud music began to play and I knew it was Michael’s song, "Bodies" by Drowning Pool. It had been playing in his dressing room before I left. I covered my ears as I stood, facing the back of the arena.

  “Weighing in at two-hundred and sixty pounds I give you the one, the only, Michael ‘The Iceman’ Gallo.”

  The crowd screamed before chanting Ice Man, Ice Man.

  Michael wore a black silk robe as he entered through the dark curtain and started to walk down the aisle. The crowd went crazy as people tried to grab him on his way down the ramp into the arena. Blood curdling screams from female fans professing their love to him made me laugh. I could see how this could be an adrenaline rush.

  I had the perfect vantage point to watch him. I stood with one leg in the aisle and leaned over to watch him. He stared straight ahead as he walked with his shoulders pushed back, looking bigger than ever. His lips were set in firm line and there was no happiness in his eyes. The sparkle had been replaced with fierceness. He looked mean as hell, but I knew the real man underneath.

  Michael held his fists up to the crowd as he stopped in front of me, turning to face them. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye as a small smirk danced on his lips but quickly vanished.

  The excitement of the moment wasn’t lost on me.

  He walked into the cage, stopping dead in the center. He shrugged off the robe, exposing his beautiful physique and breath taking face. The cheers grew louder, mainly from the females, as he stood there bouncing up and down, moving his neck from side to side.

  I wanted to run into the cage and jump in his arms and beg him not to fight.

  “And now we bring you his opponent. Weighing in at two hundred and fifty seven pounds we give you, Tommy ‘The Heat’ Ramirez.”

  All eyes in the arena turned as a man in a red robe emerged. He looked as big and scarier, maybe because I didn’t know him like I did Michael.

  I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat and my chest began to ache.

  Both of these men would leave bloody and bruised before this was all said and done. I worried about Michael getting hurt and his male ego if he lost.

  “Isn’t this exciting?” Izzy said, pulling on my arm.

  “Captivating and scary as hell,” I responded before turning back to watch ‘The Heat’ enter the cage and mimic Michael’s previous movements.

  “He’s going to kick Tommy’s ass,” Izzy said as she stared at the fighter.

  “I hope so.” I gnawed on my lip as I watched Michael size up the competition.

  He was ready and chomping at the bit to get his hands on the guy.

  People jumped up and down as the men readied themselves for the fight. I sat