“I’m sorry.”

His cheeks redden. “I saw you in the donut shop a while back. Your friend was saying your boyfriend was a billionaire. I thought maybe if I pushed you harder, he might pay off your loan. But you were so nice. I couldn’t go through with it.”

I slump against the door frame. “He’s not a billionaire. And he’s not my boyfriend anymore.”

Sergio gives me a half smile. “Trouble in paradise?”

“We didn’t gel. He needed trust and I couldn’t give it. He’s a violent guy. I was afraid he would hurt me or try to control me.”

“Sounds like Ty. I heard he got your file. That guy is crazy. Always in trouble with the law. Always pounding on people for no reason. Flies off the handle for the smallest things. Threatens people to get his way.”

I take a seat in the chair near the door and frown. “Max isn’t like that. I’ve never seen him hurt someone who didn’t deserve it or ask for it. He never threatened me. He’s controlling in a protective kind of way. He wanted to pay off my loan and I wouldn’t let him.”

Sergio’s eyes widen. “Sounds like a decent kinda guy. Too bad it didn’t work out.”

Understatement of the year.

“I almost quit this job after the first day,” he says. “I’m not Ty. I couldn’t do what he does. I couldn’t handle the screaming and swearing. But we needed the money. My mom told me sometimes you have to see to the heart of a person. Look below the surface. So when they were swearing at me I would listen, and I would try to find out what they were really afraid of. I couldn’t do anything about it. I still had to collect the debt. But it helped me deal with the anger on the surface. And when I could make it easier, I did.”

My breath catches in my throat. I have seen to the heart of Max. I have seen his kindness and compassion. His fierce need to protect. He would never hurt me. I was just afraid to believe it.

“My mom is all I have,” he says quietly. “My dad died when I was little. No brothers or sisters. The rest of the family is in Italy.”

Tears stream down his cheeks, but this time he doesn’t turn away. I fish around in my purse for a tissue and see the fax receipt.

Suddenly I have an idea. A windfall for Sergio. Forgiveness for me.

I hand Sergio the tissue. “I think I may be able to help you, but we’ll need to go to your office and intercept a fax. And I need a ride to a fight club in Ghost Town.”

“You a fighter?”

My lips curl into a smile. “I am a fighter and I’m going to fight to win back my decent kinda guy.”

Chapter 26

Don’t you dare leave me again

Sergio pulls up outside the front doors of Redemption. His face is tight with emotion. Max’s payment went through, and now that we retrieved the fax, it won’t be sent back. His mother will have a new heart and a chance at a longer life.

“Are you sure you want me to leave you here? It seems kinda rough for a girl like you.”

“It’s perfect for a girl like me.”

Sergio leans over and grabs my hand. “I don’t know how to thank you. I was such a bastard on the phone, and it killed me. I wasn’t lying when I said you were the nicest debtor on my list.”

“You’ll have to thank Max. He’s the one who made the payment. I told him once I thought people were essentially good. It never occurred to me I wasn’t giving him the same benefit of the doubt.”

“Good luck.”

“Bye, Sergio. Stay in touch and let me know how your mom is doing. You know where to find me.”

I close the door and race over to Amanda, waiting at the entrance.

“I finished up at work just before I got your text,” she says. “I got here just a few minutes ago.”

“Where the hell have you been?” Obsidian booms when we push open the door. “I stalled the lockdown as long as I could. The main event is about to begin. Grab your kit and let’s go.”

“That’s one hell of a voice you’ve got there.” Amanda follows us to the first aid room and waits while I grab my kit.

“He’s g*y,” I say over my shoulder.

“Doesn’t bother me.”

Obsidian laughs. “I’ve already got twice as much trouble as I need, but when I’m free again, kitten, I’ll look you up. I’ve always had a soft spot for angels.”

We race through the training area and head toward the ring. Redemption is packed. Standing room only. The air is thick with anticipation. The club smells of stale sweat, cheap perfume, plastic mats, and disinfectant.

We skirt around the crowds and make it as far as the pen before Jake blocks our way. A black bandana holds back his mass of curls and the light glints off his oiled six-pack, visible above his low-slung jeans.

His eyes flick from me to Amanda and back to me. “Where the f**k were you? You’re too late.”

In the distance, flesh slams on flesh. The crowd cheers.

“Get out of the way. I need to see him.”

Jake folds his arms across his chest. “He doesn’t need to see you. Not now. He delayed the fight as long as he could. After I told him I called you, he was sure you would come. He didn’t want to fight unless you were here. Now, you’ll just be a distraction. You’ll never change his mind.”

“I’m not here to change his mind. I’m here to support him. And if he gets hurt, I’ll take care of him.”