Wrestling Desire 2 (A Contemporary Romance) by Michelle Cary Read Free Book Online Page B

not better in a few days I’ll drag her ass to the hospital just to be sure.”
    “Good.  You know I love that girl of yours quite a bit.  Watched her grow up, I did.  Her father was one of my best friends.  It was hard on all of us when he died, but Em ma, well she took it just a bit harder than the rest of us.”
    “I can see that.  She get so sad when she talks about her parents that I try not to bring it up.”
    Gene gave his statement a nod.  “Yeah, she’s a sensitive one.  I didn’t see her doing well in a foster home so I decided I’d take her and Bryan in.  She only had a couple of years left until she turned eighteen, but she and Bryan, they needed a home.”
    Holt cocked his head to the side and stared at Gene.  “Emma told me you’re like a father to her.  That’s part of the reason she has such a hard time saying no to you.  She wants to please you.”
    “And now you.” Gene leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “I’ve love those kids like they were my own.  Which is why having to deal with Bryan has been so difficult.  If he’d been any other wrestler I would have just released him from his contract and been done with it, but Bryan has always been a bit reckless and hot tempered.”  Gene sighed.  “I suppose they all get that temper from their father.  Derek is the same way when he gets angry, but Derek and Emma both have level heads.”
    Holt noted the faraway look in Gene’s eyes.  The older man appeared to be losing himself in his thoughts, something that didn’t happen too often. “Speaking of which, what are we going to do about Bryan?” he prompted.
    A crease appeared in Gene’s forehead as he looked over the desk at Holt.  “We’re going to let him stew.  He has to learn that a shot at the championship is earned not demanded.”
    Holt figured Gene would say something like that, but he was getting slaughtered in the media.  “I’ve already seen some of the reviews from last night’s show.  I’m being vilified.”
    “So what if you are?”  Gene pushed forward and rested his arms on the desk.  “It’s not the first time you’ve been vilified in the fan’s eyes.  Hell, Holt being a troublemaker goes with your persona.”
    “Yes, but being called a coward doesn’t.  The reviews are stating that the only reason I won the title is because Derek was hurt and I’m afraid to face Bryan, which is why I did what I did. You know I won’t back down from any contender.  I can beat Bryan fair and square.”
    “Yes, I know you can, but this is also a ratings bonanza.  Tell you what.  Let’s let this and Bryan stew for a few weeks and then I’ll give him a shot because you asked me to.  We’ll make sure to get the entire conversation on camera so the fans know he’s getting his title shot because of you, not because he earned it.”
    A few weeks was longer than Holt liked, but part of being in this business meant playing to the fans and right now they loved the story line.  “Okay, in a few weeks then.”  He pushed up from his chair and paused.  “Do you have Derek’s number?  I want to call him about Emma.”
    Gene nodded.  “See my secretary Brianna.  She’ll get you the number.”
    “Okay.  Oh and I assume you realize Emma won’t be working for the next few days.”
    Gene’s face slid into a sad smile.  “I assumed as much.  Jill can handle it and I’ll get Marissa to give her a hand if she needs one.  In the meantime you take care of our girl.”
    Holt opened the door.  “I plan to.”  He’d barely stepped outside when something knocked him back against the wall and pain bloomed in his jaw. 
    “You son-of-a-bitch.”  Bryan grabbed Holt by the shirt and landed a second punch, this time connecting with Holt’s eye.  A second wave a pain shot through Holt’s skull, pissing him off.  He let out a yell, then promptly brought his knee up catching Bryan in the groin. 
    Bryan released his grip on Holt and