Chapter Five

Despite the fact that she’d only slept for a few hours, Violet was wide awake at her normal trainer’s time. Routine was a hard thing to break and she rued the fact that 5 a.m. came so fast. She was hard pressed to leave Peyton’s bed, though. It was quite possibly the most comfortable thing she’d ever slept on in her life. She quickly dressed, being extra careful to keep quiet so as not to wake him. Before she left his condo, she left a note on the kitchen table.

At the gym. Couldn’t sleep. See you this afternoon!

Thanks for the most beautiful night.

V

She stole silently out the door and bounded down the porch steps to the gate. She looked back as she opened it, half-expecting to see him watching her. There was no one. She smiled a little sadly to herself and jogged over to her car.

The drive to the gym was a twenty-minute affair that went by in a blur as she considered all that had happened last night. All the years keeping everyone out, feeling so utterly broken… And Peyton had traversed those walls to bring light and life into the void that mercilessly hounded her.

She snapped her game face on when she pulled into the gym’s lot. As she strode into the athletic complex, she ran into two of the fighters from Peyton’s camp. She didn’t know their names, but one was an alternate in Dezzy’s weight class. Dezzy had beaten him last year in what could only be called an embarrassing fight. They both glared at her and went to their own practice area of the huge arena-like gym. Violet returned the glares, happy when Gorski’s meaty hand clapped onto her shoulder.

“Mornin’ boss. You’re late,” he chided, tugging her in the direction of the Phenom offices.

“I am not,” she rebutted with a laugh.

“Manny said he isn’t going to be in until about 8:30. Dezzy is taking the next couple weeks off. Said he talked to you last night about it and you approved. Kid is gonna work himself to death if you let him. Danny Adams is doing his morning cardio and Gary Mathias is lifting with the other guys,” Gorski filled her in as she unlocked her desk and drew out her work laptop.

She sat down and typed in her password.

“Good. Did Mathias and Adams get weights before they started working out?” she asked after a moment, watching the home screen turn on as the laptop woke up.

“Yes. Mathias is actually a pound under, and Adams only has a couple more to drop.”

“Excellent. I’ll go talk to ‘em. How’s your wrist?” Violet asked, noticing the injured wrist was wrapped. “Did you get x-rays?”

“Yeah, no fracture. The doc said he thinks it’s just sprained. Told me to wrap it and not overly use it.”

“Good. No heavy lifting with it and take a week off sparring with it.”

“Will do, boss. Hey,” he added in a hushed tone, his eyes darting around to make sure no one could hear. “Did you really spend the night at Peyton’s?”

“Gorski!” she shouted, then lowered her voice as she added in a whisper, “That’s none of your business.”

“I’m just tryin’ to separate the truth from lies, Vi. Good to see for once a juicy rumor was true.”

“I’m glad you’re so amused. Who told you?”

“Dezzy said someone broke into your place last night when he called in this morning. Said you’d been on a date with Peyton and that you’d gone back to his place to be safe.”

Violet nodded, “Yeah. That reminds me, I need to call the police.”

Gorski also nodded, adding, “I agree. That’s nothing to mess around with. What if it’s Intimidation fucking with you for stealing Peyton? You know they’re holding you responsible,” he said as he sat in the chair across from her at the desk.

Violet rolled her eyes. Of course they’d blame her!

“They shouldn’t have told him to throw his title shot so they could make more money off his loss.”

Gorski’s eyes grew wide and he hissed, “They told him that?”

“Shhh!” Violet replied on a hoarse whisper, instantly realizing her mistake. “I don’t think that’s exactly common knowledge and I’ll make your life hell if you say a word.”

He laughed at her threat.

“Fuck ‘em. Peyton’ll win. We’ll all see to it that he’s the bad assin’est of ‘em all.”

“I don’t doubt him. And I’m really glad he’s joining us. He’s better than that. He deserves a good camp and we’re one of the best.”

Gorski bumped her fist with his as he rumbled, “Fuckin’ right we are. I’m gonna go get back to work. Intimidation pukes are watching us right now. Watch out for Decker. He’s seriously pissed.”

Violet hugged him and waved him away, going back to her computer and pulling up the schedules she’d made in spreadsheets for her fighters. She printed out a couple things to hand out and then headed over to where Adams finished up the second of his four runs for the day.

She talked with him about the upcoming fight, making sure that he wasn’t dehydrating himself too badly. She also listened as he discussed his concerns and any weaknesses in his game plan. He was a grappler by trade and was fighting a very technical striker. He’d been working on his footwork and striking speed but hadn’t sparred with anyone that was as tall as the guy he was going to be fighting against. He was worried that he wouldn’t get the distance right for his strikes. In the end, she set up a quick clinic for him with one of their tallest guys, who happened to be an excellent striker.

Once done with that, she went over to watch Gary Mathias in a sparring session with a guru from another gym. The guy was a judo specialist, helping Mathias prepare for his match up the coming Friday. When he was done, Violet checked him over, making sure there was no soreness or tenderness in his joints. He was well known for developing tendonitis in his elbows and forearms.

After she was done with Gary, she went through the different stations set up on their area of the enormous athletic complex, checking in with other fighters in training and the other trainers, coaches, and support staff. She was walking back to her desk when Manny and Taylor strode in through the gym’s front doors. Taylor squealed on sight and sprinted over to Violet, enveloping her in a giant hug. Manny was calmer with his approach, though he also hugged Violet.

“Oh my god, girl. So you have to tell me how your date was and don’t you dare skimp on juicy details!” Tay gushed as she sat down in the chair across from Violet.

“Uh, Tay—not here. There are too many ears perked.”

“Aaaoowwww, c’mon!” Tay whined, looking around to see that two of the ring girls, Destiny and Janelle, were nearby and definitely listening. “You’re no fun.”

“Actually, I wanted to ask you something first. Were you in my apartment last night?” Violet seized the opportunity before the whirlwind could go off on another tangent.

“Uh, no? Why? You know I’d call, girl. Besides, you were out with Peyton. I was under a gag order from both Manny and your brother to leave you the hell alone,” Tay said.

Violet’s face drained of color and she abruptly sat down on the nearest bench, her arms folding over her stomach to calm the sudden roiling sensation.

“What’s wrong?” Tay asked, rushing immediately over and resting a hand on Violet’s shoulder.

Violet took a couple deep breaths to steady herself and sat back upright.

“Someone was in my apartment last night while I was out with Peyton. I was hoping it was you or Dezzy.”

“Are you sure?” Manny asked, picking up the conversation as he returned from talking to Gorski.

“Yes. I locked my door and double-checked it. I always do, since that psycho broke in last time. Peyton watched me do it. When we got back, it was unlocked.”

“Call the cops,” Tay immediately commanded. “Call them and get them all over this. Why the hell didn’t you call them last night?!”

“I agree, Vi. Is he out of jail yet?” Manuel asked, referring to the stalker.

“No, he doesn’t come up for parole for another three months,” Violet sighed, feeling very much like a broken record.

Tay whistled under her breath, “Y’all don’t think it could be somethin’ to do with Peyton? Intimidation is a bunch of mean mother fuckers. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was one of them tryin’ to mess with his head.”

Manny shook his head and pressed his index finger to his lips, indicating that Tay needed to speak quieter.

“If it was any of them, I’ll be placing special calls to my father and uncles. I don’t think they’re stupid enough to mess with this deal. And if they are, I’m more inclined to believe they’re jealous, not politically driven,” Manny quietly said, ensuring that the closest eavesdroppers couldn’t hear.

“Well, it’s settled then. I’m going to call the police right now,” Violet said, picking up her phone and searching for the LVPD’s non-emergency line.

“Good. When you’re done, come over to my office. I want to go over some things with you regarding this whole mess with Peyton,” Manuel said, taking Taylor’s hand and leading her away.

“Don’t think you’re off the hook, girl,” Tay sing-songed as they walked away.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Violet muttered, punching in the Las Vegas Police Station’s number and waiting as the call rang through.

*****

He lay there with his eyes closed, not wanting to wake up and find that last night had all been just a dream. He breathed deeply, seeking the scent of her perfume. It was then that he realized the spot beside him was no longer warm. He sat up abruptly, eyes desperately searching the room.

Sunlight poured in through the thin drapes that hung at his windows. The air conditioner hummed at full power, foretelling of the extreme heat outside. The alarm clock on the bedside table read almost noon. How had he slept so long? They’d fallen asleep around two thirty. Normally he was lucky if he could sleep a full six hours without waking.

Peyton clambered out of bed and ran to the kitchen to get his cell phone off the counter. When he got there, he realized that it was in his jeans, which were back in the bedroom. The note on the table caught his eye and he smiled. At least it was proof he hadn’t just dreamt it all. He read the pretty flowing handwriting of which he was so fond, his smile widening.

He grabbed one of several pre-made smoothies from his fridge and walked back into his bedroom, sipping his breakfast while he set about getting ready for the day.

Once he finished his smoothie, he snatched his cell phone from the crumpled jeans that lay on the floor. He’d missed 3 calls. There was one from Dezzy earlier that morning, one from Manuel, and one from Violet, the last of which had only been 20 minutes ago. He decided to save calling her back for last. Chances were she was with Dezzy and Manuel anyway. He walked out to the living room and plopped lazily down on the couch, hitting the call back icon on his phone.

Dez’s phone rang five times before finally going to voicemail. It wasn’t unusual. He wondered if Dez had gone to the gym, despite saying he wouldn’t. His sister had gone, after all. She was a diehard workaholic.

She was arguably one of the best sports physical trainers in the business. Manny had once told him she had the magic touch. Peyton hadn’t laughed; he believed it. Violet could make just about any ache or discomfort disintegrate with her touch alone. Then again, he was incredibly biased in that respect. Whenever she touched him, it brought every nerve ending to attention and all traces of malaise vanished.

He hung up without leaving Desmond a message and scrolled down to Manuel’s missed call. It rang twice before Manuel answered.

“Hey! You’re finally up!” Manny greeted him warmly, his tone teasing.

“Yeah, slept better last night than I have in ages. What’s up?”

“I have the lawyers coming in at two today to oversee the finalization of the trade deal. That work for you?”

“That’s perfect. I’m gonna get showered and head on over. Is Vi there?”

“She left about twenty minutes ago to meet the police at her place. Was anything taken?”

“I don’t think so. There wasn’t even a scratch on the lock.”

“Hmm,” Manuel grunted before being silent for a moment. “What if they didn’t come in through the front door? She has a deck with French doors, right? What if they left through the door but came in from the deck?”

Peyton sat up abruptly, saying, “There might be surveillance of that. There are cameras all over the outside of those buildings. That’s how they caught the stalker last time. I’m going to head over there and see what they’ve found. I’ll be up at the gym by two.”

“Alright, let me know. Talk to ya later.”

“Later.”

As soon as he hung up, he bolted for the shower. The water had barely had time to warm before he was lathered head to toe and rinsing. He brushed his teeth while he wandered around his room getting clothes from his closet and underwear from his dresser. He donned everything quickly and was out the door within twenty minutes of ending his conversation with Manuel.

When he reached Violet’s apartment, there were two cop cars parked next to her car. She stood on the meticulously manicured lawn in front of her condo with four city police officers, two of whom took notes on their tablets. One of the cops had a German Shepherd lying at his feet, panting in the dry heat of the Nevada afternoon sun.

They all turned as he approached, the police officers all appearing nervous. The one standing next to the German Shepherd even rested his hand on the butt of the pistol holstered on his hip. Violet reassured them that Peyton was friendly and they visibly relaxed.

*****

“No, it’s okay. He’s a friend,” Violet said as Peyton approached.

The police officers relaxed and the highest ranking one turned to her again.

“Miss Anderson, we will go over those surveillance footage and increase patrols in the area. I’m sorry we can’t do more—nothing was taken, so there’s really no justification in bringing the crime lab down.”

Violet nodded and politely said, “I understand. Let me know what you find.”

She shook the hand that he extended as Peyton reached them.

“Good afternoon, officers,” he greeted them.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Ashley. Congratulations on your victory the other night,” the officer with the K-9 said, offering his hand.

Peyton smiled and shook it, asking, “Did you find anything?”

All four officers shook their heads. The leader spoke up.

“It doesn’t even appear the lock was tampered with. Either they used a key or came in through the balcony.”

“I’m thinking the balcony. It’s pretty easy to access with the lattice work for the vines,” another officer said.

The cop with the K-9 spoke up, “I didn’t see the lattice work. I’m going to go check it out, see if any of the wood is broken. Could have happened when they climbed up.”

“Good idea,” the head officer said, motioning for the others to follow him. “We’ll check it all out ma’am. When we find anything, we’ll give you a call. Have a good afternoon.”

Violet shook his hand and he offered it to Peyton when she released it. They watched the officers walk around back before Peyton abruptly took her into his arms. She smiled at him, wrapping her own arms around his shoulders.

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“Are ya okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I didn’t even think about the balcony. I’ll be making sure to lock those doors too from now on. You’d think by now I’d know better.”

“This ain’t Kansas anymore,” he warmly chuckled, tucking a stray wisp of her hair behind her ear.

“There’s no place like home,” she laughed, nuzzling his nose with hers. “C’mon. I’ve locked everything up and need to head back to the gym.”

“Yes ma’am. I have a date with destiny.”

At that, Violet turned to him, puzzled as she asked, “You’re going out with one of the ring girls?”

“Oh ha-ha,” he sarcastically laughed. “Ya know better, darlin’.”

Violet giggled, “Just checking. One can never be too careful.”

He gave her a quick, light smack on her derriere, causing her to jump.

“No, one can’t.”

“Mr. Ashley!” she gasped at the gesture, thumping him lightly on the chest.

“Miss Anderson!” he faux gasped right back. “Look who’s teasin’ now!” he grinned, releasing her but taking her hand in his as he started walking back to their vehicles.

Violet laughed, her cheeks flushed. She allowed him to open her car door for her and he stole a quick kiss as she sat down in the driver’s seat.

“I’ll see you at the gym,” she said softly.

“You bet,” he murmured, closing her door.

She waited until he’d left his parking space before she decided to follow. The past week felt like a dream. Like perhaps things were too good after she was so used to Murphy’s Law fucking up her life at every turn. She couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to go horribly wrong, especially now that she’d managed to find happiness again.

It made her second guess things. It made her start looking for ways that things could go wrong. What if he tired of her? What if something happened and this was all just a façade?

Violet pushed those thoughts from her mind. She shouldn’t be wallowing or borrowing trouble with worries over things that hadn’t even happened yet. Tommy was gone, but she wasn’t. She had to live this life and she was done squandering it.

She hardly realized that she’d stopped the car when the tapping on her window brought her back to the present. Peyton watched her with a worried expression through the car window. She offered him her best smile, collected her purse, and exited the vehicle. He took her arm and planted a quick, sweet kiss on her cheek as he led her towards the doors of the enormous complex where at least four different fighter camps prepared for upcoming fights.

She stopped before the doors, her eyes meeting icy blue ones that held such contempt it stole her breath and stopped her heart. Marty Decker stood outside the entrance with three other Intimidation Factor fighters, all eyes on her and Peyton. Marty’s were on hers, the heat of the hatred with which he regarded her scorching her in place.

As she stopped, the resolve in Decker’s eyes faltered. He turned his head, his chin dropping, and he walked away towards where his car was parked in the crowded lot. Peyton gently tugged her arm and she reluctantly followed, turning her head to watch Decker’s sulking form disappear into the cabin of his car. He peeled out of the parking lot as the gym’s doors closed behind her and Peyton.

“Don’t worry about them. They’ll get over it,” Peyton softly said, his brow knit with worry. “Hey—ya okay?”

Violet turned to look at him, losing herself for a second in that crystalline blue-green gaze.

“Yeah, I’m good,” she managed.

“It’s been a long couple of days. Ya sure?”

He faced her, his hands on her shoulders as he sought to look more deeply into her eyes. She knew she could never hide anything from him. He read her like a book.

“I’m good,” she said with a bit more conviction. “Just gonna take some getting used to. I don’t like being hated. I don’t care who trains with whom. I’ll help anyone who asks, so long as they don’t ask me to bring my own people down in the process.”

They walked over to Violet’s office and she sat in her chair, jiggling the mouse on her computer with a quick couple of flicks of her wrist to bring it out of sleep mode. Peyton sat down in one of the chairs across from her, his posture staunchly erect. His visage bore the tells of nervous excitement. His eyes were icy as he stared past her, lost for the moment in his own thoughts.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked after a moment of watching him.

“Just…going over things in my head. This is a big decision.”

“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to,” she said softly, reaching across the desk to rest a hand on his arm.

He offered her a strained smile, the ice in his gaze melting momentarily for her.

“Yes, darlin’. I do. They’re gonna destroy me if I don’t throw this title. I’m tired of being a puppet. I want control of the strings, and if this is what it’s going ta take ta get control of my life and my career again, well then, I gotta do it.”

Violet nodded and squeezed his arm reassuringly before turning back to her computer screen. She brought up the MMA fan forums for their league of fighters. The biggest headline in the forum was the new contract deal Peyton “Ice” Ashley was rumored to be signing. She began reading comments from the sport enthusiasts on that forum.

She should have known better.

It hurt to read what some of them said about both her and Peyton. They said she was the bait to bring in better fighters to the Phenom camp so that they could establish a more dominant role within the league. They accused Peyton of disloyalty to Intimidation Factor. They doubted Peyton’s resolve in this momentous move. They bashed her, some even calling her a meal-ticket-seeking slut.

She realized after a moment that Peyton read over her shoulder. He turned her chair so that she faced him instead of the computer.

“Why’re ya reading that shit? These fucking posers don’t know their heads from their asses,” Peyton asked, unable to keep the venom from his voice.

He rarely cussed, so it was jarring that he’d unleashed even that much vitriol. Violet smiled and touched his cheek with her hand.

“It’s good to know where you stand in the community.”

“They aren’t the community. The fighters here, the league officials, the referees, the people in the fighters’ corners—they’re the community. Not these little pricks who only know the half of the story that they want ta believe.”

Manny appeared then with his lawyer, Peyton’s lawyer, and the league president behind him.

“I don’t want to interrupt, but Peyton, your future is waiting. Violet, you are more than welcome to sit in while we go over the contract terms.”

Violet remained seated as Peyton moved to follow Manny and his current entourage. Peyton and Manny turned when they saw she did not follow, both of their gazes questioning.

“Comin’?” Peyton asked, offering her his hand.

“With all due respect, gentlemen, I believe my presence in this highly sensitive situation would serve to exacerbate any present misgivings people are having,” she tactfully replied after considering them a moment.

She remained in her seat.

“Violet—you’re part of this,” Manny said. “You oversee the wellbeing of all of Phenom’s fighters.”

“I support Peyton in any decision he makes. But I would be much more comfortable if you carried out this business without me,” Violet softly but firmly stated.

Uncertainty flickered in Peyton’s eyes and she wanted to kick herself for how selfish she sounded. Before she could speak, Manny interjected.

“If you think it best, for both your position and Peyton’s,” he said, smiling warmly at Peyton.

“I’m not going anywhere—I’m here no matter what. I think that for both of us, our professional and individual reputations would be greater preserved if I stayed out of this meeting,” she said, trying to bring back the confident warmth to Peyton’s eyes.

“Vi—I really want ya there,” Peyton said, his voice almost pleading.

“Miss Anderson has a point,” the league president, Stan Sveboda, spoke up. “Given the heyday the MMA community has been having with this whole business, I think it is wise indeed if she remained out of the decision—at least publicly.”

Both Peyton and Manny nodded, and without a single word more, they all turned and walked into Manny’s office. A flurry of violently conflicting emotions whirled within her, unsettling her stomach as she watched Manny and Peyton talk in Manny’s office.

A pile of papers sat in front of Peyton while Peyton’s and Manny’s lawyers and Stan loomed behind him. A pen twitched nervously between Peyton’s fingers as the five men discussed the terms of Peyton’s new contract with the Phenom camp.

Violet was terrified. She was excited. The ramifications of Peyton’s decision were both rewarding and dangerous. She worried about his reputation as well as her own. It was undeniable that she belonged with him. She had never connected with someone on the level that she had with Peyton.

But a relationship with an up-and-coming celebrity gone public…

People inevitably talked and their tongues were razor sharp. The glares from Intimidation Factor were full of icy malice. They called her the honey pot. The lure. They accused her of seducing Peyton. He’d scolded her for even listening to what people said, but unfortunately their views did matter to the sport. It wasn’t so much that she was worried about the effect such gossip had on her; she worried more desperately that it would worm its way into Peyton’s head.

She sat at her desk, staring emptily ahead as her thoughts consumed her. How could she maximize Peyton’s potential without hindering him? Oftentimes, fighters trained in complete isolation. They had no contact with their significant others, family, and friends for several weeks up to several months before a pivotal fight in order to devote themselves purely to training.

Then there was the fact that she oversaw the physical therapy and conditioning of the entire Phenom roster of around two dozen fighters. It would be very difficult indeed to stay away from Peyton professionally, let alone personally.

“Earth to Violet, it’s your brother,” broke through her thoughts like the strobe of a lighthouse through the thick haze of a heavy mist on the coast.

“Sorry. I was—thinking,” she distractedly replied, exiting out of the forum and shutting her computer down.

“Why the hell aren’t you in with Peyton and Manny? Peyton’s signing everything right now.”

“Dez—what am I doing? I could jeopardize both his and your careers—”

“You stop that right now,” he said, his tone playful, but an underlying sternness told her there was no room for argument. “No one else has stood by me the way you have and pushed me like you have. You’re the reason Peyton’s gotten this far. You’re his motivation. Yeah, he might want that belt, but it’s your recognition he really fights for. No one in this gym doubts that for a minute, not even the Intimidation assholes.”

Violet was quiet a moment. She spoke once her thoughts were sufficiently collected.

“But what if I’m more of a distraction now? He needs to be focused. This is a huge fight. He is going for the title, and if he gets it, he’ll have every fighter in the division after him. I don’t doubt him, but he’s going to have to open a whole new level—”

“Why are you trying to talk yourself out of being happy?” Desmond interjected. “Is he really what you want or did you just finally manage to talk yourself into feeling something for someone again?”

“How can you say that? You know how I feel about him,” Violet stuttered, stung by the bite in his voice.

“Then quit second guessing. Peyton’s worst distraction occurs when you’re not there. You are his focus, Vi. You are his reason for winning,” Dez said, his tone warm and apologetic as he squeezed her hand.

“I’ve just…I know things about Peyton. Things he hasn’t told but a handful of others. I could become his weakness. Make him vulnerable.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Has he ever told you about his career before he signed with Intimidation?”

“Not really,” Desmond replied. “He wrestled in college, like me. He even fought Sean Stacy.”

“Then it’s not my place to say. There’s just—quite a bit more to this changing of camps than simply moving up the MMA ladder.”

“That’s vague,” Desmond groused. “I know Peyton’s got a history he isn’t proud of, but he should be. He couldn’t have done anything wrong enough to feel the shame he does.”

“We’ve gotta make him realize that.”

“Well we’re not going to achieve that by separating you.”

She smiled at him and said with a shrug, “We’ll see.”

“We will. And quit reading those stupid fucking forums. Prepubescent kids shouldn’t have clearance to post their opinions on there. They know jack shit about the real situation and it’s none of their damn business anyway. Quit letting them get in your head,” he said, ruffling her ponytail.

“Thanks baby bro.”

“Anytime, old lady.”

She watched him go, smiling as he adjusted the brace under his shirt. She was glad that he was at least listening to her. The sounds of a deep conversation ending brought her back to watching Peyton and Manuel. Peyton signed a stack of papers before him. He looked up then, as though he felt her gaze. She smiled at him and nodded her approval. He returned the smile and went back to signing the paperwork, his movements more driven and certain than they had been a second ago.

Was Dezzy right? Would forcing him to train away from her hurt him more than it would help him? She desperately wanted to do what was right by him. To give him every edge she could to make sure he was at the pinnacle of his game. She knew he was capable of being a champion. But she also knew that if his focus faltered, his fall from grace could be disastrous.

She smiled again as Peyton emerged from the office, Manuel and Taylor directly behind him. They stopped at her desk and Gorski and Desmond came over to join them.

“Peyton is officially a Phenom fighter!” Taylor jubilantly cried, throwing her slender bronze arms in the air.

“Yes ma’am, I am,” Peyton said with a grin as she engulfed him in a huge hug.

“Welcome to Phenom, Peyton,” Gorski said, offering his hand and giving the smaller man a giant grin.

“Thank ya, sir,” Peyton drawled, firmly grasping the offered hand and shaking it.

“Alright Mr. Ashley. We’ll see you in two weeks on this side of the gym,” Manuel said with a smile. “Congrats on joining an awesome team, Peyton.”

Peyton shook Manny’s hand, saying, “Thank you very much. It’s the highest of honors.”

Taylor jumped up and sat on Violet’s desk then, blocking her into the corner of her office and barring her view of Peyton, Manny, Gorski, and Desmond.

“What did the cops say?”

“A whole lotta nothin’,” Violet replied wearily.

She really wanted to be in on the other conversation, but Taylor successfully usurped control of the situation.

“What the hell, girl? Don’t they have surveillance there?”

“Yeah, they’re going to go over the footage.”

She nodded and asked, “So you going back there tonight?”

Violet was silent a moment. She hadn’t even thought that far ahead yet today.

“I honestly—don’t have a clue right now.”

“If you want, you can stay in one of our guest bedrooms,” Taylor offered, “Unless of course you’d prefer another man’s bed.”

Violet furiously blushed.

“Tay, you’re far too brazen,” she nervously laughed.

“Oh come on! You promised details! Was it ah-mazing?”

“Tay, leave her alone,” Manny’s voice spoke up, laughingly reprimanding his bride-to-be.

“Yes, dear,” Taylor impishly giggled, sliding off Violet’s desk onto her nimble little feet. She grinned devilishly back at Violet as she walked away. “Don’t think you’re off the hook.”

Before she could retort, Violet was tugged into a familiar, strong embrace.

“Would ya mind tellin’ me what the hell that was all about?” Peyton softly asked, hurt lacing his tone. “Ya had every right ta be in that room.”

Violet searched his eyes for a moment, her conflicting thoughts mirrored in her eyes. A moment passed before she abruptly brought his lips to hers. It was a brief but deep exchange that left both of them shaky.

“I’m trying to do the right thing,” she murmured, stroking the back of his neck, her forehead resting against his.

“Right thing pertainin’ ta what?” he breathlessly asked.

“You. Your position. Your career.”

“I need ya ta understand. Vi, we’re in this together now,” he whispered feverishly, cupping her face in his hands.

She studied his face for a moment before responding.

“I know, Peyton. But what if I become a distraction? What if—”

“No,” he swiftly replied, holding her more tightly to him. “I can’t do this without ya.”

“Are you sure? Because the moment I become a hindrance, you’ve gotta do what you need to make sure you stay focused.”

“Duly noted, ma’am. But I swear, I do my best when you’re around.”

“I know,” she said, smoothing her hands down his chest. “I want to see you succeed.”

“Darlin’, ya already are,” he said in the same heated whisper.

Someone cleared their throat behind them and they pulled apart to look in the direction from which the sound came. Manuel smiled at them, Taylor at his side, and Gorski and Desmond stood behind them. Desmond grinned from ear-to-ear.

“I don’t want to interrupt, but there are a few arrangements that have to be made yet,” Manuel said, motioning them to follow him.

Violet allowed Peyton to lead her after Manny and Taylor, his palm resting reassuringly on the small of her back. Gorski and Desmond lingered at her desk, talking to each other about recent injuries, fights, and their training. Nervous butterflies flitted around her stomach and she quelled the urge to vomit. What other arrangements was Manny talking about? This should have been a cut and dry deal. She worried about the strings that might now be attached. What exactly had Peyton agreed to?

Taylor left Manny’s side as they reached the door to his office. She beamed at Peyton and Violet before bounding off into the gym, no doubt to mingle and gossip.

Manuel closed the door after them, motioning them to sit. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Violet did as he instructed. Peyton’s fingers laced through hers and he drew her hand to rest on his knee. Manny sat down across from them at his desk, his smile radiant.

“Violet, it has come to my attention that in the past three years since you’ve been working on putting Dezzy on the map, you have not taken any sort of leave,” Manuel said after a moment.

“I had—plenty of time off before that,” Violet replied, fear rising within her.

Was he firing her? Is that what this was? She couldn’t believe it; after all they’d gone over together that morning alone…

“When was the last time you took time for yourself, to relax, de-stress, and get yourself back to good?”

“Manny, don’t fire me,” she said, sitting forward. “I’ll do anything—“

His laughter cut her short.

“I wouldn’t dream of doing something like that. I’d have an enormous uprising on my hands. None of my fighters would stand for that. What I am offering is this: After Adams and Mathias fight, I want you on a plane. I don’t care where you go. And I don’t want to see Peyton’s, Dezzy’s, or your face in Vegas for at least two weeks.”

“You’re sending me—us—on vacation?” she asked, shell-shocked, looking from Peyton to Manny.

Peyton squeezed her hand.

“Sort of,” Peyton answered for Manny.

“I’m putting you on respite. The stress of the past few years, and especially the past few months, is more than enough to warrant a vacation,” Manny said, pulling something out of the top drawer of his desk.

It was an envelope, which he promptly slid across the desk to her. She took it and opened it, finding a credit card inside with her name on it.

“Manny, I can’t accept this.”

“It’s already yours. Consider it a bonus for helping make our fighters the best in the business.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You deserve it, Violet. Take it and run with it, okay? I mean it. I don’t want your face in the damn gym for two whole weeks, starting the minute Mathias is done with his fight. I’ll make sure Dezzy stays the hell out, too,” Manny stated, standing up and offering her his hand.

She took it, firmly shaking it, and said, “I didn’t tell you this, but my sister Elaina is coming on Friday.”

“How long will she be staying?”

“I don’t know exactly. But she didn’t want Tay to know. If we leave after the fights, we’ll miss seeing her, and my niece.”

“Then Monday I want you guys gone. I won’t say anything to Tay,” he said, standing and ushering them to the door. “Have a good evening. Don’t worry about coming in tomorrow. Mathias and Adams are doing great and I’ll oversee them personally. Weigh ins are in three days. If they aren’t ready by now, they never will be.”

He closed the door as the three of them exited his office, locking the door behind them. Violet and Peyton walked back to her desk. She grabbed her keys and purse in silence, Peyton behind her every step of the way. Most of the other fighters and trainers had already left for the day. Only a few die-hards and late-risers still inhabited the gym.

“Vi?” Peyton asked as soon as they’d walked out the gym doors.

They watched Manny’s truck leave the parking lot. He chirped the horn at them before pulling out onto the road.

“Hmm?” Violet replied, looking over at him.

“I didn’t suggest the vacation.”

Violet laughed, “What does that have to do with anything?”

He shrugged then drawled, “Darlin’, with all that’s goin’ on, I just don’t want ya to think that I’m—”

She grabbed his hand and pulled him to her.

“You don’t have to make excuses to be with me. Even if you did plan it, what would it matter?”

Peyton smoothed his hands down her arms.

“I know. I’m not. I dunno what I’m tryin’ ta say. I’m just…I’m so scared that somethin’ will happen that’ll jeopardize all that I’ve done. All that we’ve done.”

Violet smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She understood his worry, as she feared the same.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“I know,” he said, resting his forehead against hers and closing his eyes.

“Well then what’s the problem?” she asked, pulling away as he opened them again.

“I can’t afford ta lose ya.”

“Why would you lose me?”

He was quiet a moment, staring into her eyes, and she saw the conflict massing within.

“It scared me ta death when ya didn’t sit in with me. I thought—for a minute—that ya were backin’ out on me. That now that I was with Phenom, you’d want ta call it quits. You’re a professional, Vi. I get that. But we only just got started and it damn near broke my heart right there.”

Tears welled in her eyes. She never knew a man to be so up front about his thoughts and feelings before. Tommy had always been one to keep things hidden. Peyton was definitely not Tommy, in many, many ways.

“I didn’t mean—Listen. We’ve got it figured out now. I’m in your corner, like it or not. Professionally and personally.”

“That’s all I’ve wanted since day one, darlin’.”

“Good. Now, where are we getting dinner? I’m hungry,” she laughed, following him as he started moving towards their vehicles.

He laughed, “Well, I know this great little place with authentic Deep South home cookin’.”

“Oh really?” Violet teased, stopping at her car.

“Yes ma’am. The cook makes a mean batch of fried chicken and the tastiest damned spuds ya ever put in your mouth,” he replied with mock seriousness, opening her door for her.

“So where is this awesome place?” she asked, sitting down in the driver’s seat and tossing her purse on the center console.

“It can be anywhere, so long as there’s a kitchen with all the right ingredients,” Peyton said, leaning on her open car door and smiling down at her.

“Well, I know a place just like that. Except there’s been a lot of breaking and entering going on,” she suggested.

“Not while I’m there, there won’t. I’ll swing by my house and grab some things and meet ya back at your place,” he offered, pushing away from the door.

“Sounds good,” she conceded, smiling as he leaned down to plant a quick kiss on the top of her head.

“See ya in a bit, darlin’.”

She closed the door and waited until he had started his truck before putting her own car in gear. She decided to stop by the market near her home to pick up things she knew she didn’t have in her refrigerator and kitchen that he would undoubtedly need.

It was something she had done several times when Peyton had come over to cook for her and Dezzy. She was excited—Peyton was a master chef. She was also nervous at the prospect of being alone with him again and it was something she looked forward to becoming accustomed to.