Let Me (O'Brien Family, #2)(46)

“I don’t want anyone touching you,” he told me. “I mean it, Sol. No one’s going to hurt you, especially around me.”

I recognize where his protectiveness stems from, as well as his rage. That doesn’t make it any easier to witness.

That rage is so pronounced, I can sense it behind his smiles and soft touches, and I’m not alone. To avoid trouble, Killian arranged for all the fighters training with him and Finn to have a separate changing area. Finn lost his mind on another opponent and his trainer following his last match. Killian was worried what Finn might do if someone was looking for trouble, but also what his fighters might do as well.

Finn is well-liked by a lot of the other professional fighters, especially the ones who’ve trained alongside him, and who’ve followed his career. They’re just as capable of starting fights in defense of Finn. And an all-out brawl between MMA fighters is the last thing anyone wants backstage.

“Do you think you might pass out?” Wren asks me as I continue to take in Finn.

I consider her comment. Finn is so . . . mine. I shake my head. “I’m more worried I might climb into the cage and jump on his opponent’s back.”

“No, shit,” Wren says, sounding impressed. “Hey. Been there too many times.”

“I’m going to advise you against that one,” Sofia says, laughing softly. Her humor vanishes when she glances up at the screen.

Once more the crowd in the arena is losing their minds, the commentators yelling to be heard. “Oh!” Finn’s brothers yell at once.

A super heavyweight fighter who Killian faced years ago, is lying motionless on the mat, his jaw dangling off to the side. I rise slowly with Wren, clutching my heart.

“He broke his jaw,” Angus says. Out of all the things that occurred in tonight’s bloodbath, this is the one he can’t seem to watch. He abruptly turns from the screen and marches to the opposite side of the training area, tossing the donut in his hand in the trash.

Everyone is silent. Dead silent. But I can’t blame them. I’ve seen my share of fights and you can consider me a fan even long before I started dating Finn. But I’ve never seen back to back matches end like this.

I point to the screen when Curran the cop edges my way. “Is this, um, common?” I ask.

I really don’t have to ask seeing how wide his eyes are. “Nope. I’ve never seen so much shit go down in one night.” He hurries out the door when someone knocks, shutting it behind him.

“Bad juju,” Angus says. “That octagon is cursed or some shit.”

“Nice, Angus,” Wren says, rolling her eyes.

I start to pace, only to determine I’m better off sitting. But as soon as my butt touches the couch, Curran rushes back in and I’m back on my feet.

“Finn, it’s time,” he says. He turns my way. “If you’re going to watch, now’s the time to take your seats.”

Almost silently, and stoically, Finn’s brothers and the girls start piling toward the door, stopping only to hug Finn, murmur words of encouragement, and cross themselves as they step away! I know they mean well. I was raised Catholic, too, but this whole funeral vibe they have going on is doing little to soothe me.

I walk cautiously to Finn, trying to work up my courage to say something inspirational. But when he grips my hips and yanks me to him, all my words become jumbled beneath that stare I so adore.

“Hey,” he says, resting his forehead against mine. “How you doing?”

My arms tighten around him. “I’m scared,” I admit.

Like always, he grins. “You worry too much, you know that?”

His easy tone lifts my mood slightly, yet it does nothing to stop the tremble in my voice. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, or this face.”

He chuckles. “I’m not sure about my face, but I’ll be all right. I promise. Just promise you’ll be waiting for me when I’m done.”

“You know I will,” I assure him. “No matter what.”

Finn kisses me then. It’s not quick, nor is it innocent. It speaks of our time alone in bed, those moments when the world stops spinning with problems and angst and all that matters is our bare bodies merging as one. At first I was shy about his show of affection in front of his family. But as we grew closer it just seemed right, becoming something I expect and desire.

“I love you,” I whisper when he pulls away.

“Cool,” he tells me once more. But as he continues to hold my gaze and catches sight of my fear, his smile vanishes. He knows I’m terrified. “It’s going to be all right,” he tells me softly.

He means what he says. Yet as I leave his arms and walk out with his family, I can’t be sure it’s a promise he’ll be able to keep.





CHAPTER 18


Finn



MMA followers in general are loud, fanatical, and so full of energy you can feel it. Tonight is no different. Everyone is pumped and eager for more action and blood, their need for it luring me to the octagon like a predator to its prey.

I’m ready. I’m willing. I’ve got this.

The moment I yank my T-shirt on, I head for the door. I know Sol’s scared, and I hate that she is. But right now the best I can do to assure her is to step into the octagon and get the job done.