Hurt: A Bad Boy MMA Romantic Suspense Novel Read Online Free Page A

to him? A lot. But did I want it? Did I want some kind of underground, bad boy, fighter in my son’s life? How would that work? The night I met Noah, the police showed up. I had to run out of the back door of the abandoned building and dive into the backseat of a car. I didn’t even know who was driving the car, I just went with the flow of things.
    It was a craziest night of my life.
    But did I really need that madness in my life?
    I stood and gently put Jude back in his crib. He’d sleep until morning. He was a great baby like that.
    I left the room and let out a long sigh.
    A calm feeling washed through my body.
    I liked it. It didn’t happen all that much.
    I crossed the hall and opened the door to my mother’s bedroom. With any luck, she’d be sleeping too and I might actually get a full night’s sleep.
    No such luck.
    I opened the door and found my mother face down on the floor…
     

8.
     
    (Noah)
     
    The first beer tasted great. The second was even better. The whiskey burned like it used to do. I turned the shot glass over and put it on the bar. I dug in my pocket for some cash - the cash I had when they took me inside.
    The bartender put a hand to the bar and shook his head. “No, man. You’re clear. You drink for free.”
    “Thanks,” I said.
    The bartender got me another beer.
    I turned and looked around the bar. Full of life. Full of freedom. I felt different though. My mind, my body, it wasn’t used to all this yet. I had always thought about the moment they’d let me go. When I’d get my clothes back. When I’d step out of those doors and just walked away, free. I thought I’d cheer, scream, throw the finger to the building.
    You know what I did?
    I choked up.
    Because guys like Bo were still inside. Good men. I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to Bo either.
    “Noah?”
    I turned and Benito’s right hand man, Dante, stood there. He was in a fancy suit, a gold watch on his wrist. He had scars on the left side of his face from a fight gone bad. He and I had stood side by side many times, going into the circle, fighting for our lives and a way to earn.
    “Holy shit,” I said. “You? In a suit?”
    “I got promoted,” Dante said.
    “I see that, man.”
    “I see you survived.”
    “In one piece,” I said.
    “Come on,” Dante said. “Benito is waiting for you.”
    I walked with Dante. “What happened to you?”
    “The financial impact was hard at first,” Dante said. “I found a different way to help with Benito and his family. I also did a little research and it turns out my great-great-great-great-something came from the old country. Same village as Benito’s old man. Fucking perfect.”
    “So you’re in,” I said.
    Dante looked at me and grinned. “I’m in. My mother wasn’t an Irish whore like yours.”
    “Hey,” I said. “Watch your tongue. My Ma was a saint. She put up with a lot.”
    Dante put a hand to my shoulder. “I know, brother. I just wish… you and me…”
    “I’m good at what I do, Dante. And you don’t look all that bad in a suit.”
    Dante stopped at a door and grabbed the knob. He knocked with his other hand and then opened the door. He nodded for me to go inside. I grabbed the side of his face and pinched his pudgy cheek.
    I entered the office and Dante shut the door. When I looked to my right, I saw Benito with his back to me. He was a short man, but possessed a shit ton of power and presence. I hadn’t seen him since before the fight. A long goddamn year and so many months. He didn’t come when I got arrested. He didn’t come to the trial. He didn’t come to visit. All of which I understood. He needed to clear his name and image.
    “Benito?” I asked.
    He turned, just slightly, and I saw the woman in front of him. On her knees. Her hands at his legs. Taking care of him with her mouth.
    “Oh, shit,” I said. “Sorry.”
    I backed up and put my hands up.
    “No,” Benito said. “Don’t fucking move.”
    With that said, Benito