Hard Love: A Bad Boy Fighter Romance by Megan West, Kristen Flowers Read Free Book Online

another they had to leave Chicago.

 
      If she felt it was too late to get out now,
she could only imagine how it would be after more time had passed. After some
thought she agreed; although somewhat reluctantly.

 
    “I’ll talk to Moretti
before the fight,” Nathan told her.

 
 
 

Chapter Five

 
    The night of the
fight finally arrived. It had been a tumultuous time leading up to it, mainly
because Emma was incredibly nervous. She knew Nathan was too, but he didn’t
show it. He was being strong for her and for the sake of appearance. As she watched
him lock up the moving truck that was packed with all their belongings and
ready to go, she realized her questions about the relationship had mostly been
answered.

 
    Now there was a
real chance for them to have a future together. They kept the moving truck at a
storage unit just outside of the city ready to go for their escape, so they
hopped into his car and drove down the highway toward The Ring.

 
    The moment of
truth was fast approaching, but Emma wasn’t as jittery as she thought she would
be. All of it seemed so surreal. It was also Nathan’s confidence and strength
that brought a comfort to her.

 
    Once they arrived,
Nathan went directly to the locker room to get ready for arguably the most
important fight of his life. The fight wasn’t just against his opponent,
‘Tiger’, but also against Nick. She was more worried about the latter than the
one he’d be going toe to toe with in the ring.  

 
    Emma undid another
button of her top to show off some cleavage and put on her poker face. If this
was going to go off without a hitch, she had to play her own part in it. So she
went to the betting booth and sat next to Laura, who was already taking bets
for the big event. She made small talk, as usual, and leaned forward to show
some enticing cleavage to the men recklessly betting away their cash. She was
doing it on purpose because she knew Nick was keeping an eye on her and she
could see him scoffing at her actions.

 
    Now he certainly thought she was a whore, she thought
with a little giggle. It was right then that Emma got a text from Nathan
letting her know the deal had been officially made with Alex. Her stomach did a
little flip. This was really happening. The plan was already in full action and
there was no turning back now.

 
    It was only a
couple minutes later when none other than Alex Moretti walked up to Emma’s
window. There were three men with him, one on each side and the third behind
him. It was quite obvious they were his bodyguards. It alarmed her to figure
out he knew who she was even though they had never officially met, but then she
realized that was to be expected. He cleared his throat and leaned forward,
placing his elbow on the little ledge sticking out the booth window.

 
    He quietly placed
his bet on Nathan before loudly saying, “He is the best fighter in the city.” His gaze lingered on Emma for just a moment
before he winked and turned around. Her throat felt scratchy as she nervously
swallowed against dryness. She could tell he was subtly sending her a message—Nathan
better win, or else.

 
    As soon as Moretti
walked away, the first bell of the fight rang. Emma and Laura closed up the
booth windows and got organized to walk out for the fight. This was the part
Emma always hated the most, but tonight she felt an even greater dread for it.
The crowd was bigger and louder than usual. She noticed a lot were there
cheering for Nathan, but Tiger had plenty of fans of his own. He was regarded
as the second-best fighter in Chicago, after all, and this was no small event.
In fact, this was pretty much the big time when it came to underground fights.
She wanted to feel proud of Nathan, but the situation just didn’t allow her to
do so in earnest.

 
    The two men in the
ring started moving back and forth, looking intensely at one another. She knew
each was sizing the other up and thinking of when to throw