Stand of Redemption by Cathryn Williams Read Free Book Online Page A

resistant to the idea before; however, after last night, she was starting to rethink things.
    “Nick, I can take—” Zane started to say, but Nicholas cut him off.
    “I got it.”
    Zane gave him a questioning look, but then simply nodded and walked to one of the rings.
    After Nicholas went toward another of the rings, Ty walked on one side of Ria, showing her the observation area.
    “How’s your head?” he asked.
    She reached up to feel it and winced when she pressed down too hard. “It’s okay, just sore. It’s just a goose egg now.” Ria grimaced as she recalled how close she had come to being raped. “It could have been a lot worse if you hadn’t shown up when you did.” Ria looked at Ty gratefully.
    “Ty, get in the ring and warm up,” Nicholas yelled from across the room.
    Ria came to appreciate the dedication of the men as she watched them work out. It was grueling and physical. She’d had no idea it required skill until she saw the blood from Ty’s busted lip and Lane’s nose. She had somehow thought it was all fake.
    After they finished, the men disappeared behind one of the doors. Nicholas was the first to reappear.
    Ria couldn’t take her eyes off him. She thought he was spoiled and believed himself entitled; however, there was no denying his good looks.
    He knelt down in front of where she was sitting. Ria tried to control her breathing; she didn’t want him to see the effect his proximity was having on her. When he reached up to feel the back of her head, she waited for the pain from his touch, but he was gentle; she could bar ely feel his fingers lightly grazing over the lump.
    She looked up at him and stared into his blue eyes. He brought his hand around and tucked some of her hair behind her ear then slid his hand under her chin and lifted it up. Now she couldn’t hide the heavy breathing. She felt goose bumps cover her body at the softness of his touch.
    “Are you going to be okay?” he asked with so much concern Ria felt herself tear up at his sincerity.
    She swallowed and nodded her head. “Yes,” she whispered.
    He ran his hand down the side of her arm and squeezed her hand. “Good. I’ll give you a ride home as soon as I finish; we were just taking a break. Then I’ll see that your car is taken care of.”
    Ria nodded, wondering why he was taking the time to take her home himself when he could have easily had someone else do it. Although they were still strangers, she couldn’t help hoping she had been wrong about him. Maybe they both had gotten the wrong impression of each other.
    He had to feel the same way, or why else would he want to talk? Or, at least, she hoped he did. She wanted her old job back.

 
    Chapter 6
     
    “Now go for the sweep,” Nick yelled at Ty.
    Nick was wrapping up the training session. He was rushing the session, not wanting to keep Ria waiting too long. With his arm still in the sling, Nick couldn’t spar with Ty, so one of the other guys had volunteered to stand in. Zane was good about giving the volunteers some free training when they helped out; therefore, it benefited all parties.
    Nick watched Ty do as he was told. He was able to get his partner on the ground and quic kly shift into a submission hold. Nick was impressed with his progress and knew he was ready for his first real fight.
    “That’s good for today. Nice work, Ty. I’ll talk to Zane about setting you up for a fight.”
    He saw Ty’s face light up, but then watched him try to play it cool. God, had he ever been that young?
    “Thanks, Nick,” he said stiffly.
    “No problem. You deserve your chance.”
    Ty nodded in response. “I’m ready.”
    Nick turned to step out of the ring and looked for Ria. She was at the water fountain, taking a drink, giving him a clear view of her tight ass in that short skirt. He took a moment to appreciate the view then quickly looked around. He growled to himself. He wasn’t the only one noticing the view.
    What the hell was she doing working