Fighting Chance - Ember-Raine Winters & Faith Ryan Read online

  Fighting Chance

  Faith Ryan & Ember-Raine Winters

  Fighting Chance (Rock Hard Gym 5)

  Copyright © 2019 Faith Ryan & Ember-Raine Winters

  Cover Design: Always Inked

  Editor: Randie Creamer

  Formatter: Ember-Raine Winters

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Epilogue 1

  Epilogue 2

  Chapter 1

  Connor

  It’s late and mommy is crying. She puts her finger up to her lips begging me with her eyes not to say a word. Nodding and mimicking the gesture, I hold my little arms up to her as she leans down to pick me up out of my race car bed. I whimper as she carries me over to the closet. I don’t like the closet. It’s scary.

  She rocks me before setting me in the corner of the closet. Kissing my forehead, she whispers close to my ear, “I love you baby. No matter what you hear, I need you to stay here okay? Promise.” I nod because she told me not to talk.

  I curl into a ball and try to be as small as possible as she walks out, leaving the door slightly cracked. The soft glow of the nightlight barely shines through the door so I’m not in complete blackness.

  “Who are you?” I hear mommy yell from the living room. It has me holding my head and covering my ears. She doesn’t sound scared, but I’m terrified. I hear a muffled voice but can’t make out any words. “He’s not here.”

  A sinister laugh breaks through the room and it causes a whimper to burst through my throat as tears stream down my cheeks. Something is happening, something bad. Mommy screams and I hear a loud noise that makes my head hurt and then nothing but silence.

  I wake up in a cold sweat nearly screaming. That damn nightmare has been getting worse, not better. Even fifteen years later, that night plagues me. The night my mother was murdered.

  Uncle Ricky told me that my father killed my mother and that’s why I came to live with him when I was three. The problem with that is, I remember the events of that night and I never once saw my father in the apartment.

  I took him at his word because honestly, I’d been three when it happened, and I couldn’t trust the memory of a three-year-old. Who would?

  Rubbing a hand over my face I get out of bed. I will be forever grateful to Max and Layla for getting me out of that situation. Uncle Ricky was a monster and I was surprised when he let me go. I’d been his meal ticket since I was fourteen and he’d decided that I was old enough to fight.

  It’s still dark when I head down to the gym and start punishing a bag. It’s the only way I can work off the excess energy from one of those nightmares.

  I can still see the blood as I hid in the closet hoping whoever was there wouldn’t find me too. I don’t remember much of my life before that day. I can’t remember the color of my mother’s hair or the sound of her laugh. I couldn’t tell you what my dad looked like. I’d stopped asking Uncle Ricky about them because it made him angry and he’d punish me after.

  I hit the bag over and over again until my arms get tired, and my breathing is labored.

  “Nightmares?” Max startles me.

  “How’d you guess?” I start the process of unwrapping my hands and flexing my fingers.

  “My bag looks like it’s being punished. If you keep this up, then I’m gonna need a new one.” He grins at me as he moves closer.

  “I think…” I trail off. What is it that I want to say?

  “I think you need closure. It’s the only way to heal. If you want, I can help you find some information about them.” That’s the thing about Max. He’s a good person and always willing to help, but he’s already done so much for me, the idea of asking him to help me with this feels wrong. He’s already so busy with the gym, I just can’t ask that of him.

  “Nah, it’s fine. I’m sure there’s public records somewhere that will help me with my search. You have enough to deal with.”

  “Okay kid, but if you change your mind, or just need to talk, I’m here for you.” Nodding my head, I turn to leave. A shower sounds amazing. I need to wash the sweat and grime from my body before heading to school.

  I’m taking classes at the local college and helping at the gym. I also train in my free time. I have no idea how I’ll find time to start my search, but I realize Max is right. I need this. If I’m ever going to get over my past, I need to confront it.

  Chapter 2

  Ceara

  I rush out the doors of my early morning psych class, my short legs pumping their hardest to lose the men following me. It’s pointless; I’ll never be able to outrun them, but that doesn’t stop me from trying.

  Every day for the last month, I’ve been trying to escape my babysitters. I thought going to college meant freedom, but in some ways I’m even more restricted. Seriously. I can’t even use the communal bathroom in my dorm without one of my father’s men standing outside like a creeper.

  The girls that live on my floor love it. As much as I hate them following me around and the lack of privacy, I can admit that Theo and Marcus are more than nice to look at. Okay, fine. They’re hot as fuck, but it still annoys me that my father pays them to babysit me. It’s not like the worries from the city will find me here in Rockmound, Tennessee.

  I push through the crowded sidewalks and make my way to the library. Once inside I head to the lower level and the archives. I am fascinated with true crime and find solace in reading through the different cases on file. The basement area that makes up the lower level is darker, the lighting a lower wattage than the rest of the building, making it easier to have the illusion of privacy. It’s the one place I’ve found where I can feel as though no one is watching me.

  Theo and Marcus blend into the shadows and watch me from between the shelves, instead of hovering like they do in more crowded areas. It probably helps that no one else is ever down here.

  “Hey guys,” I call out to them. “You want to get me some lunch? I’ll be fine here by myself. I promise I won’t leave this area.”

  When they step into view, I make a cross over my heart with my finger and smile. I’m positive they will shoot down my request. It’s become a game; I ask for them to get me lunch so I can have some alone time and just breathe, and they give me an excuse why they can’t. They’ve been getting creative with their responses; the last one being that bigfoot was spotted on campus grounds. Yep, they used a myth to explain why I couldn’t be left alone.

  “Cece,” Theo uses the nickname I hate. “You know we—"

  Marcus cuts him off and surprises the shit out of me. “I think we can get her lunch just this one time Theo. Besides, I’m sick of the prepackaged meals we’ve been eating the last few weeks. C will be right here reading about another murder. She’s not going anywhere and no one else is coming down here. Let’s go grab us some real food for once.”

  Theo squints his eyes at me as if that will allow him to see my future and whether I will remain safe in his absence. Just when I’m prepared to admit defeat, he sighs, “Yeah okay. Just this once, Cece. Don’t expect this to become a daily occurrence. And don’t tell your father, he’ll kill us. I mean that literally.”

  “I won’t tell,” I squeal and rush at him, wrapping my arms around him in a grateful hug. “Thank you, Theo.”

  He gently pries my arms from him and sets me away. I see a smile attempting to break through his tough mask, but it only lasts a second. “We’ll be back in twenty minutes. If you have any issues call us.”

  “Yes, sir.” I mock salute him and then roll my eyes. “I’ll be fine down here by myself. Go get us some food. I could use a juicy burger, with bacon.”

  I’m practically salivating at the thought of a real burger. This day is looking to be better than I thought. Alone time and a bacon burger, what more could a girl want.

  After Theo a
nd Marcus leave the archive area, I head over to the cold case files. Cold cases are my favorite. I like to make up my own theories on what happened from the little evidence provided.

  Grabbing up a file, I start to read as I make my way over to the table I have claimed as my own since late August. As I turn the corner, I hit a wall. A hard, warm wall. A wall that is not a wall, but a chest sculpted of muscles that are barely contained behind a black t-shirt with the words Rock Hard Gym across the front.

  I feel my cheeks heat before I glance up into eyes the color of emerald jewels. Adjusting my glasses, I go to step back and trip on my own feet. The file flies out of my hands and papers scatter across the floor, but I don’t land on my ass. Strong arms catch me and pull me back into that rock-hard chest.

  With my glasses smooshed against my face, my hands clench into his t-shirt and I take a deep breath to apologize. When I inhale, I get a whiff of him, sweat and laundry detergent. Clean and dirty, and sexy as hell.

  “Umm, not that I’m complaining that a cute girl is hanging all over me, but I like to at least get a name before she sinks her nails in me.”

  I’m confused by his words until I take stock of my body and the fact that when I clenched my hands into his shirt, I dug my fingernails into his chest.

  Mortified, I release him and jump back. My cheeks heat again, and I know that my pale skin is turning scarlet, physically revealing my embarrassment.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  The words come from behind me followed by the sound of a gun cocking. It appears my babysitters are back.

  Could this get anymore humiliating?

  Chapter 3

  Connor

  The gun doesn’t scare me, but I immediately step in front of the girl who just completely turned my world on its head.

  She’s gorgeous.

  Her red hair falls in waves down her back as her big brown eyes widen at the man’s voice. It’s as if she knows the man cocking the gun in the middle of the library archives. I can’t help but wonder if this guy is here because I’ve started digging into my mother’s murder, but I won’t let the cute little redhead get caught up in my mess if that’s what this is about.

  The girl, who still hasn’t told me her name, rolls her eyes at my protectiveness. “Theo, I thought you were leaving.” She glares at the mountain of a man.

  “Yeah, I leave for five minutes and you’re already getting yourself in to trouble. Who is this guy?” He still has the gun in his hand, but thankfully it’s down at his side instead of pointed at my head.

  “I don’t know him; I literally ran into him right before you walked in here pulling guns and acting like a Neanderthal.” The girl is spirited I’ll give her that. But, what does it say about her that she didn’t even flinch when the big man pulled out the gun?

  “Look, I don’t want any trouble. I was just doing some research when I heard a noise and came to investigate. All I did was keep your girl from falling, no need to start pulling weapons. I apologize.” A bark of laughter startles me, and I spin around to see the girl bent over laughing, practically gasping for breath.

  “What’s so funny, Cece?” The man takes a step forward.

  “He… thinks…,” she can’t finish her sentence through her loud laughter. If I wasn’t so confused, I’d be smiling myself. Her laugh is contagious.

  Cece finally catches her breath and pushes her glasses up her pert nose. “He thinks I’m your girl.” She giggles and the sound is equally adorable as her movement with her glasses. She has this sexy librarian vibe that just makes my imagination run wild.

  “Why is that so funny?” he asks, and it almost sounds as if he’s hurt by her words. Her brow furrows in confusion before the man smiles at her. Most girls would melt at that smile but Cece just looks annoyed.

  “Because you’re my babysitter, not my boyfriend.”

  Babysitter? Why does this beautiful girl need a babysitter?

  “Whatever, Cece.” The man huffs out a breath but finally returns his gun to the waistband of his jeans. An audible breath escapes me.

  “Would you stop terrorizing students, please? You’re gonna make it impossible for me to make friends.”

  “You don’t need friends like that. Your father…”

  “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence.” She puts her tiny body right in front of the huge man. My hands itch to pull her back and out of harm’s way, but she knows him and he’s obviously not going to hurt her if he’s here to protect her.

  My phone beeps in my pocket and I curse under my breath. “Nice to meet you, Cece, but I’m late for work.”

  I start moving away but I feel a hand on my arm and turn to see her looking up at me with her big brown eyes. “Ceara, my name is Ceara.”

  “It’s nice to meet you Ceara.” I purr. “I’m Connor.” I hold out a hand and she takes it blushing slightly. I smirk as I walk away hearing a low growl from the man behind me.

  *****

  Running into the gym, I don’t even notice Max sitting at the front desk until he speaks. “You’re late.”

  “Shit, sorry. I got held up in the library.” I chuckle at the truth in those words. I’d literally been held up in the library. My mind wanders to the beautiful unassuming girl with the tank of a bodyguard.

  “Earth to Connor.” Max waves a hand in my face. “What’s going on with you?”

  “What? Oh, nothing. Just thinking.” I shake my head trying to clear out my thoughts of Ceara and get my head back into training.

  We have a fight out in Vegas coming up soon and I don’t have time to think about anything else. My classes and my investigation are already getting in the way of training.

  “Well, come on then. I have you sparring with Lennox today.” He nods to the mat on the far side of the room.

  I hate sparring with Lennox. He always goes easy on me because he still sees me as the same stupid kid he helped Max rescue from my uncle.

  “Why Lennox? He never challenges me. It’s like he’s pulling punches.” I grumble under my breath.

  “He’s the only one who will spar with you. The other guys in your weight class are scared you’re gonna do what you did to Micah.”

  “That was an accident. He should have tapped out.” I yell because I’m never going to hear the end of that. Micah thought he could get out of my arm bar and ended up fracturing his ulna. It was only a hairline crack, but now no one will even spar with me.

  “Just get on the mat.” Max grumbles good-naturedly.

  I’m on the mat going through the motions and Lennox is doing exactly what I thought he’d do when the hair on the back of my neck stands on end and a shiver races up my spine.

  Lennox stops, a shit eating grin on his face as he points over my shoulder. Turning, I see Ceara, her cheeks turning pink as she looks away shyly. “What are you doing here?” I smile because I hadn’t expected this.

  “You… left something at the library.” She hands me my hoodie before looking away again. It finally occurs to me why she’s blushing so hard and I smirk before taking pity on her and pulling the shirt over my head.

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter 4

  Ceara

  Holy hell!

  My cheeks are on fire, have been since I walked through the door. I don’t know what I expected when I walked into Rock Hard Gym, but shirtless, sweaty men everywhere wasn’t it. My brain was on overload and then I saw Connor. He was on a mat with another guy, rolling around and practicing what I assume are martial art moves.

  “Are you going to introduce me to your pretty friend, Connor?” The other guy hasn’t stopped smiling since I caught their attention.

  “Fuck off, Lenny! You don’t even swing that way.”

  My eyes widen and my cheeks flame for a whole other reason. Sex isn’t something I am used to hearing discussed, my father would probably shoot someone if they said the word in my presence, so the easy way Connor refers to his friend’s sexuality makes me feel more awkward than I was seeing him shirtless.

  “Yeah, yeah,” the man, Lenny, waves his hand in Connor’s direction. “Just because I like cock doesn’t mean I can’t see. Excuse Connor’s bad manners, I’m Lennox.”

  Lennox stretches his hand out to me, and I slip my smaller one into his. His grip is firm, yet gentle and when he lets my hand go, he winks at me before turning to Connor.