Pushing the Limits by Jennifer Snow Read Free Book Online Page A

nearly empty and he heard a familiar voice on the television in the sports-betting zone behind him.
    Erik Johansen, the MFL’s matchmaker, was sitting on the set of
Against the Ropes
’ evening newscast. “Mrs. Consuelos has every right to be angry, and it’s not unusual to see protesters outside of the event center before the fights. But it won’t affect the amazing fight night we have lined up, and security will be on site as usual,” he was saying.
    Dane sighed. Eva Consuelos was more involved with the fighting world now than she’d ever been when her husband was fighting. The emergency-room nurse had started an anti-MMA campaign called Fighting Kills and she often attended the events, protesting. The group was small and consisted mainly of other mothers, wives, and family members whose loved ones had gotten injured or killed through the sport.
    Behind Erik, the news reporter showed footage of the last protest outside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino before the previous month’s fight card.
    â€œMrs. Consuelos, what are you hoping to achieve with this protest here tonight?” the on-site reporter asked her.
    Dane’s grip tightened on the coffee cup as the camera landed on her tired, angry expression.
    â€œThe same thing as always. To generate awareness about the dangers of the sport. To ask more people to join our cause and help put an end to this deadly, barbaric, and senseless activity.”
    As he turned away and headed back toward the club, Chris’s voice came over the radio. “Dane, you on shift yet? I could use your help with a situation near the bar.”
    He checked his watch, tempted to ignore the radio for the remaining six minutes of his off-duty time. “Let me guess. Lee’s cousin and his entourage?” he asked, picking up the pace instead.
    â€œYeah.”
    Inside the club, a thick crowd had gathered near the bar. Yelling could be heard above the loud hip-hop music as he pushed his way through, and Jax was leaning against the wall, arms folded. He shot him a look that mirrored Dane’s thoughts.
    Fucking rich, arrogant assholes. What the hell did they have to fight over?
    Lee’s cousin was once again the smaller of the two, but that didn’t stop him from being inches from the other man’s face—his finger pointed, his mouth spitting insults.
    The other guy wasn’t saying a word, but his eyes were growing darker by the second.
    Small Guy was about to get an unexpected right hook as a birthday gift any second.
    Dane stepped between the two as the birthday boy shoved the bigger guy. “Hey! Enough,” he said, holding an arm out to hold each of the men back, all the while remaining acutely aware of the suffocating crowd closing in around them. “Everyone, back up!” he yelled.
    â€œStay out of this,” Small Guy snarled.
    â€œYou know you have to take this shit outside.”
    â€œIt’s my fucking birthday, I can take this anywhere I want,” he said, his breath forming a hazy cloud that smelled of tequila.
    â€œYou need to calm down,” Dane said, releasing his hold on the other guy and focusing on Lee’s cousin. The bar owner really needed to set some ground rules if he continued to let this guy in.
    Small Guy swung at him, and, though caught off guard, Dane sidestepped the weak attempt at a jab and grabbed the guy’s arm, holding it firmly against his back.
    â€œLet go, asshole.”
    â€œNot until you calm down.”
    The guy struggled to break the hold, and another man stepped forward, rolling his sleeves and removing his Rolex, handing it to his girlfriend before approaching, his eyes narrowed.
    Oh, they had be kidding . . .
    Holding Small Guy, he reached an arm out to the bigger guy approaching.
    The crowd stepped back.
    Right. Now they give them space. “Look, this doesn’t concern you. Stay where you are,” he told the other guy.
    â€œThis does