Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(50)

“I don’t know about all of that, but I do know he’s here at the hotel. I’ve seen them together. Gabriella and I work out at the same gym and when we met, I thought we got along great. Then everything went in the shitter when she found out I was friends with your brother. She didn’t want to have anything to do with me afterward. I kept telling her I’m not like him, but she’s hardheaded. I’ll wear her down though.”

I rolled my eyes. “That would be great, maybe it would keep her away from Tyler,” I mumbled, clenching my teeth.

Groaning, Paxton ran his hands through his dark hair. “Jesus Christ, Kacey, what the hell is wrong with you?” he spat, his deep voice full of concern. “You’re not just f*cking him, you’re in love, aren’t you? Do you know what Kyle would do if he found out about this? Does Tyler even know he’s your brother?”

Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes and shook my head. “No. I was going to tell him this week before the title fight. I was afraid he’d think I was just like my brother. I knew he’d hate me once I told him.”

“But you’re not like your brother, Kacey. You deserve so much better than Tyler. He’s just as bad as the rest of the fighters. No matter what though, you know this is going to end badly, right? Tyler f*cking hates me and if he finds out we have a past, along with dumping the shit on him about your brother, it’s going to be one hell of a mess.”

Shrugging, I lifted my arms in the air. “I don’t think it matters anyway. It’s probably over. If Gabriella doesn’t mess everything up, I’m pretty sure my brother will. He’s already started playing his tricks on me.”

“What do you mean?”

We finally arrived at the hotel, and luckily, I didn’t see Tyler’s truck. Thank God for small favors. Paxton pulled us into the parking lot, shut off the car, and we both got out. Knowing my luck, Tyler would pull up any minute and see us together.

Bumping me in the shoulder, Paxton lifted his brows when I looked up at him. “What did he do, Kacey?”

When we got inside of the hotel, I took his hand and pulled him to a secluded corner so we wouldn’t be out in the open. “What doesn’t he do?” I grumbled. “Kyle’s been sneaking around trying to barge into my life. I’ve been ignoring his calls, so he said he’s going to find ways to get updates on me. Well, just the other week he did that by using someone else. I’m pretty sure you know him.”

Paxton stiffened, his jaw tense. “Who?”

“Liam. Kyle had gotten him to hit on me at the bar I worked at, so he could take me on a date. That way, he could ask me questions and Kyle would know what was going on.”

“And did you go on the date?” he snapped.

“Yeah, I did, but when Tyler found out, he called to warn me. If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know what would’ve happened. I bitched Liam out and then called to let Kyle have it.”

Paxton put his hands on my shoulders and looked down into my eyes, his voice laced in fury. “That f*cker didn’t touch you, did he? I can’t believe your cocksucking brother would do that. Liam’s worse than him.”

“Tell me about it. I heard the stories.”

Sighing, Paxton pulled me into his arms and held me tight. I laid my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist, wishing like hell that my life could be easier.

“I’m sorry about your grandmother, Kace,” he murmured softly, releasing me from his hold. “I want you to call me if you need anything, okay? You don’t have to worry about your brother with me.”

“Thanks, Pax. I’ll text you my new number.”

He smiled down at me, but then it disappeared when his gaze lingered on something behind me.

“What?” I asked. Turning around, I saw it was none other than Gabriella walking through the door. I half expected Tyler to be with her, but he wasn’t, which only meant he probably wasn’t far behind. Paxton watched her until she disappeared around the corner. I’d seen that same look many years ago, when he was interested in me.

“Just to give you a heads up, I think my brother wants her too.”

Instantly, his nostrils flared and he glared down at me. “You can’t be f*cking serious. Is he going to try anything with her?”

“I don’t know,” I replied truthfully. “But if you talk to her, I’d warn her. After what he did to her brother, I know she must loathe him. And when Kyle wants something, he’ll go after it. I think after that whole fight with Jaden, it really got him hard up.”

“Well, whatever happens I’m not going to let him anywhere near her. I’ll do what I have to do, but I’m not going to let your brother f*cking touch her.”

About that time, I turned to look at the door and Tyler stormed in, heading straight for the hallway leading to our room. Paxton saw him too and nodded his head for me to go, but Tyler turned his head and saw us, his face full of rage.

“Fuck me,” Paxton grumbled, pulling me behind him. “Here we go . . .”

“Pax, what are you doing? He’s not going to hurt me.”

“That may be so, Kace, but he’s a fighter and you’re talking to me. He doesn’t know we know each other.”

Shit, this isn’t going to be good.

I had to admit, it was sexy as hell seeing the jealous gleam in his eyes, but it was also scary with the way his muscles tightened, coiled for a fight.