Fiery Fighter Daddy by Scott Wylder

CHAPTER ONE

 

 

Hazel

“Come on, babe, what’s taking you so long?” My boyfriend, Todd, asked from outside the car. “Nobody cares about your makeup, okay? They’re here for the fight, not to stare at you.”

“I’m looking for my cell phone,” I said. “It’s not in my purse.” I felt along the floorboards, but I couldn’t find it. I was starting to check between the seats when Todd opened the door, grabbed my arm, and wrenched me out of the car.

“Don’t worry about your fucking phone,” he growled. “We’re going to be late. You probably forgot it at home. You always forget your phone.”I clenched my jaw. “I never forget my cell phone.”He smirked down at me “Sure you don’t. Now let’s go and enjoy the fight, okay? Instagram and Candy Crush will still be there later.”I rolled my eye but followed him in. He was annoying when he was in this kind of mood, but it wasn’t worth the exhaustion of arguing. I wasn’t in the mood to get yelled at tonight. It was bad enough I was being forced to go to this fight.

I would have been more than happy to stay at home, but Todd didn’t trust me not to have visitors when he wasn’t there. He said I should be grateful he was willing to treat me to a professional sporting event and that it would be a fun, romantic date. It wasn’t my idea to have a fun, romantic date right after working a double shift, but he wouldn’t hear any argument.

We went inside to get our seats in the front row just as the MMA fighters were about to be announced. I barely paid attention to the names being called, instead zoning out as they entered the ring.

Todd nudged me. “Babe, are you even paying attention?”

“Yeah,” I said.

He glared at me. “You better actually be watching the fight, not looking at their asses.”

“I am, okay? Just back off.”His scowl deepened. “Just back off?”Shit. I just fucked up. He hated when I gave him attitude.

“We will talk about this later,” he snarled. “Now watch the damn fight.”

I turned my attention to the ring. I soon noticed one of the fighters looking into the audience. He seemed to be looking straight at me. He had piercing blue eyes that seemed to be studying me, even while his manager was talking to him. I must be paranoid. Why would he be studying the audience, let alone me?

When the fight was over, Todd grabbed my arm and all but dragged me outside. He pulled me to the side of the building, away from the parking lot and anyone who might witness what would happen next. The only thing there was a door marked “Employees Only”.

He shoved me up against the wall, a dangerous sneer on his face. I tried to shrink back from him, but the cold brick behind me prevented me from going far.

“You dare give me attitude?” He shouted. “After everything I do for you? I’m the one who got you your job. I gave you a place to live. I even take you out to fancy places for dates. Do you know how many women would kill to be here right now? And you dare snap at me and complain? Just because I don’t want you looking at other guys? Are you that pathetic?”“I was just watching the fight,” I said.

“Don’t talk back to me. I know you weren’t watching the fight. Just the fighters. What? Not enough hot guys to look at on your social media accounts?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out my phone.

My mouth dropped open. “You took my phone?”

“I had to,” he said. “How else would I make sure you weren’t cheating on me. I obviously can’t trust you, you ungrateful little--”

Suddenly the door marked “Employees Only” burst open and a man came hurtling out. He grabbed Todd and pulled him away from me. With a shock, I realized he was one of the fighters. He shoved Todd, who lost his balance and fell to the ground. Without a word, the fighter reached down, feeling Todd’s pockets.

“Hey, watch it, man,” Todd said, trying to bat his hands away, but the man didn’t even notice.

He grabbed my cell phone and Todd’s wallet, opening it to look at Todd’s driver’s license.

“Todd Evans,” he said. “I now have your name and address. You’re going to leave now. I will have you banned from all MMA events, and you will never speak to this lady again. Do you understand?”

Todd looked completely stunned. “But--”“Do you understand?” The man roared. I flinched back at his tone and a small whimper escaped my lips. I was happy he wasn’t yelling at me like that.

Todd nodded, his face pale.

The man threw his wallet back at him. “Get the fuck out of here.”Todd scampered to his feet and ran away.

The fighter turned to me and I tensed, wondering if he would yell at me too. Maybe he just didn’t want anyone making a scene at one of his fights. And Todd and I had definitely been causing a scene.

But he was looking at me with concern as he approached. “Are you okay?”  His voice was gentle and nothing like it had been a second ago.

I nodded, unable to get any words out.

He held out my cell phone and I took it in a trembling hand.

“My name is Scott,” he said. “Come with me.”