7. Marcie
CHAPTER 7
MARCIE
THAT NIGHT – THE BARE KNUCKLE FIGHT
W alking into Glitz for the first time since my party stirred up memories—some good, others I’d rather forget. Like throwing up everywhere, and then Anton walking away the next morning. That was the last time I’d seen him. I’d been actively avoiding him since, making excuses that I was busy whenever friends invited me somewhere we might cross paths.
After finally admitting it was time to let him go, I’d kept my distance. But it had been so bloody hard. I’d lost count of the nights I cried myself to sleep, wondering why things couldn’t have worked out between us. And now, I was about to see him again for the first time, and I wasn’t sure how I’d make it through the night.
My nerves were frayed as I tugged down the hem of my short black dress—a form-fitting number Claire had bought for my birthday that matched perfectly with the black heeled boots and clutch Derrick and Nick had given me. I’d been saving them for a special occasion, and tonight was the night. Although, when I’d first put them on, I wasn’t quite sure they were the right choice for a bare-knuckle fight. Looking around, though, I was relieved to see that everyone else had dressed up too, and my outfit wasn’t out of place after all.
“Hey!” Claire waved at me from across the room.
I hurried over to where she stood with Luca and a few of our other friends. They broke away from the group and came over to me.
“We’re heading to the bar. Want a drink?” Claire asked.
“Just a coke. I’m driving,” I said, watching as she linked arms with Luca and beamed up at him.
Seeing them so wrapped up in each other sent a pang of sadness through me. I wished I could have what they had. Tears threatened, but I pushed them back, plastering on a smile as I continued towards the rest of my friends.
“Glad you could make it, Marcie,” Miki said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.
His fiancée, Eilidh, did the same, and I smiled at her. “How are you? And how is the bump?”
“About ready to pop, I think. I swear this little one is doing cartwheels in my stomach. I’m not getting much sleep, and I’m always needing to pee, but otherwise, we’re both doing well,” she replied, her hand stroking her baby bump while Miki grinned beside her.
Ash and Gracie came over, each carrying one of the twins.
“Hey, how are you?” I asked, giving them both a kiss on the cheek.
“We’re great, thanks. It’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you,” Gracie said, smiling warmly.
“I’m sorry, I’ve just been so busy these past few months,” I replied, forcing a smile.
“Hmm, hmm,” she said, clearly unconvinced. “Well, don’t be a stranger. These little ones need to bond with their auntie Marcie. Especially if you’re going to babysit.” She grinned, and I laughed, loving being called ‘auntie.’ With no siblings of my own, I’d never expected that title, but both Claire and Gracie were as close as sisters to me and I was honoured that Gracie had decided we’d both be ‘aunts’ to her twins.
“And how are these gorgeous bundles of joy?” I smiled at the babies.
“They’re doing great,” Ash chuckled. “Though they’ll be even better once they sleep through the night.”
I made silly faces at the babies. “Hello, little ones, I’m your auntie Marcie, and I can’t wait to babysit you,” I cooed, leaning in to baby talk with each of them.
The little girl’s face scrunched up, and it looked like she was working on something in her nappy. “Although I’m not looking forward to changing nappies,” I chuckled.
“Whoa!” I cried, laughing as her little fist shot out, narrowly missing my face. I guess she didn’t like that.
“Check out that left hook,” Vlad said, as he approached.
“They’re both going to be fighters, that’s for sure,” Ash grinned.
“Good evening, ladies,” Vlad greeted us, nodding at Ash and Miki.
“Evening, Vlad,” we replied in unison.
“Have you placed your bets?” he asked, leaning down to stage-whisper behind his hand. “I have it on good authority that the tall, muscular Russian is bound to win,” he added with a wink.
“I’ve already placed mine on that very contestant,” Gracie laughed.
Vlad’s lips twitched as he nodded his approval.
“Funnily enough, so have I,” Ash grinned again.
“Well then, I’d better go place mine too, especially now that I’ve had a special tip-off,” I said, amused by Vlad’s playful mood. I hadn’t known he had it in him. Usually, he was so stoic; seeing him smile and joke with us was an eye-opener. I guess bare-knuckle fights put him in his element—who knew?
With another wink, he turned to Miki. “I’m going to get changed.” Miki nodded, and I watched Vlad walk away. His muscles rippled under his tight black t-shirt, and I realised I’d never noticed them before, probably because they were usually hidden beneath the suits he wore as Miki’s bodyguard. But now, the way they stretched the fabric was, frankly, distracting. If I didn’t already have the hots for Anton, I might’ve been left a panting mess.
“So, how do I place a bet?” I asked Ash. I wasn’t much of a gambler, but I was definitely going to support Vlad. Wonder if he’ll be fighting bare-chested? Lord, I hoped so. I bit back a snigger at the thought. I might’ve been celibate waiting for a certain Mr Sexy Soldier to notice me, but I sure as hell wasn’t dead. Images of hot, sweaty men pummelling each other danced through my mind, and suddenly the room felt too warm. I tried not to fan myself. Oh, my—I was definitely going to enjoy the show.
“I can put a bet on for you,” Ash said, pulling me back to the present.
“Oh, great, thanks.” I handed him a hundred quid.
“We’d better give these two to Nonna to take home before the fight starts. See you later, Marcie,” Gracie said as they walked away with the twins.
“We should go join our Irish guests. Enjoy the fight, Marcie,” Miki told me as he and Eilidh said their goodbyes and headed over to a lively group gathered around several tables. I guessed they must be the Irish Mafia—the Bratva’s new allies. An older man stood to shake Miki’s hand, making room for him and Eilidh to join them.
Luca was there with Claire, chatting to two young men. One of them, dressed in shorts and a robe with his hands taped, was clearly Vlad’s opponent. He was a bit smaller and a few years younger than Vlad, less muscular too, but scrappy and radiating a dangerous aura that said he wasn’t to be underestimated. Still, my money was most definitely on Vlad.
Standing alone, I scanned the room, convincing myself I was just taking in the atmosphere—not impatiently searching for Mr Sexy Soldier, even though I knew he wasn’t here yet.
The space around me pulsed with electric anticipation. Glitz had shed its usual refined glamour, transforming into something raw and unfiltered for tonight’s fight. The dance floor was gone, replaced by tables draped in dark linens arranged in a wide circle around a boxing ring at the centre, each seat offering a perfect view of the action to come. Tall bar tables lined the back, giving the standing crowd a place to gather with drinks in hand. The overhead lights were dimmed, casting an edgy glow across the large room, while subtle metallic accents gleamed under the spotlight directed at the ring.
Derrick had done an incredible job at organising this event, just as I’d expected him to. He’d been my assistant since I started Exquisite Events, but he was far too skilled to stay in that role. As excellent as he was as an assistant, he’d make an even better partner. The company had more work than I could handle now, and I was ready to expand. As soon as my lawyer drafted the paperwork, I was going to ask Derrick to come on board as a partner so we could grow the business together.
I was still lost in thoughts about the future when Claire and Luca returned to my side, pulling me back to the present. Luca handed me my drink with a smile.
“Sorry we took so long. Luca was talking to Sean and Finn, the two Irish lads who were in prison with him,” Claire explained, speaking about them casually, with no hint of discomfort. I guessed she really had come to accept Luca and his role in the Bratva after all.
“I’m glad you had them there to watch your back,” I told Luca. I really was. If it hadn’t been for them, Luca might not have survived his short stint in prison. The MP had been determined not only to ruin Luca’s reputation, but to have him killed. I shuddered at the thought.
Luca gave me a wry smile, clearly aware of how close he had come to the edge. “Yeah, they’re a good couple of guys, and I think our alliance with them will be a good thing for everyone,” he said, pulling Claire close. “But it was this beautiful, sexy lawyer that really had my back. Without her determination to free me, the MP might have had his way and killed me.”
He leaned down, kissing and nibbling at Claire’s neck, making her giggle. I grinned at the sound, so unlike Claire. Luca had most definitely thawed the Ice Queen out, and watching her turn into a puddle of gooey love in front of my eyes made me want to laugh.
Despite the difficulty of the last few months, it had clearly brought them closer. I guessed some good had come out of all the mess with the MP after all.
The MP was how we referred to the corrupt politician and UK government member, Timothy Evans-Hughes, who had tried to set Luca up. From what Miki had told me, he’d been an enemy of the Bratva for years, working behind the scenes with others to exact revenge on them for something that happened about twenty years ago when they first arrived in the UK. I didn’t know all the details, but the MP had been a thorn in the Rominov’s side, and they were determined to take him down.
But his issues with them weren’t the only reason he had to be stopped. The guy was twisted—downright evil. He ran a company, Darkest Desire Productions, where rich, perverted bastards paid to hunt men and women for sport. The Bratva might be criminals, but there were lines they didn’t cross, and hurting women or murdering innocents was one of them. To think he had once been one of my clients… I shuddered at the thought.
When Miki was formulating a plan, he came to me for help, and I was glad I had been able to aid in bringing the madman to justice. The Rominov’s had used an event I was arranging at the MP’s country estate as a distraction for a heist—one that would get the information they needed to bring the bastard down. They used one of my catering trucks to pull it off. I’d played dumb, pretending the truck had been stolen and used as a getaway vehicle, and luckily, the MP hadn’t suspected my involvement.
The MP had also been a client of Anton’s, and it was through that relationship that Luca had got in undercover as one of the MP’s personal bodyguards. Unfortunately, Luca’s disguise was eventually compromised after the MP was arrested. In an act of pure revenge, the MP killed one of Luca’s ex-girlfriends and framed him for the crime.
Thankfully, Luca had been exonerated and was now free. The MP had been killed in jail just a few days ago, and with him gone, and no longer a threat, we could all finally breathe easy again.
As I sipped my drink, a sudden prickling sensation washed over my skin, making me more alert. I glanced across the room, instinctively searching for the source of the shift in my awareness. There it was. Anton had arrived. It was as if my heart had its own Anton radar, tuned perfectly to his frequency. The minute he was near, everything inside me went off like an alarm—every nerve ending lit up, telling me he was close.
He was chatting with Miki, but it was his gaze that found me. My heart leapt at the sight of his gorgeous face.
Anton’s eyes locked onto mine, and my breath hitched. I longed to walk over to him, to speak to him after all this time, but I knew better than to approach.
I fiddled nervously with the earrings he’d given me for my birthday. I’d hardly taken them off since. Could he see I was wearing them? My body warmed at the memory of when he’d told me they reminded him of my eyes and called me beautiful when he gave them to me. Compliments from Anton were rare, and I’d cherished every single one.
That unruly lock of hair fell over his forehead, and he pushed it back in annoyance. I fought back a smile. God, I wished I could be the one to do that—run my fingers through his hair, tug his head close to mine, and kiss him.
Turning away quickly, I snapped my eyes closed and tried to shut down the thoughts. Shit, I had to stop doing this. I was only torturing myself with things that could never be.
Claire and Luca were still caught up in each other next to me, and while I was happy for them, I couldn’t help feeling like a third wheel.
Thankfully, just when I needed them, Nick and Derrick appeared.
“Hey, sweetie,” Nick greeted me, kissing me on the cheek.
“Hi, Nick,” I replied, trying to shake off the tension.
“Derrick, this place looks amazing. I’m so proud of you,” I said, pulling him into a hug.
“It does, doesn’t it? Derrick’s got a great eye for detail,” Nick added, his smile full of pride as he looked at Derrick.
“He has indeed,” I agreed, smiling warmly at Derrick.
“I learned from the best,” Derrick said, dipping his head slightly towards me, and I beamed back at him, feeling a rush of satisfaction that he thought I was worthy of that accolade.
“The dark blue tablecloths were my contribution to the décor,” Nick said, his grin widening.
“Yes, dear, your contribution was invaluable,” Derrick teased, chuckling as he leaned over to plant a kiss on Nick’s cheek.
My eyes flicked to where Claire and Luca were kissing in a dark corner, completely oblivious to the fight and everything going on around them. Like the guys beside me, their ease with public displays of affection was both enviable and heart-wrenching, and once again, I wished I could find what they had.
“Did you guys place a bet?” I asked, needing to distract myself from the sexy blond soldier who kept invading my thoughts.
“We did, on Vlad of course,” Derrick said with a wink.
Nick leaned down and whispered, “And I also put the same amount on the Irish guy. You know me, I like to cover all bases,” he added, a mischievous grin pulling at his lips.
I shook my head and laughed at our ever-cautious Nick.
A screen lowered on the far wall, offering those of us standing at the back of the room a good view of the entertainment.
“It’s about to start,” Derrick said, nudging me and gesturing toward the Irish guy entering the ring with a microphone.
The place buzzed with excitement as he introduced the contenders. Sean O’Brien, the Irish guy, entered first to raucous applause from his supporters, with a great deal of good-natured jeering from the Russians. The Irish were definitely a rowdy lot. It was obvious from the way many of the usually stoic Russian men banged loudly on the tables and shouted in support of their man that they weren’t about to be outdone by their new allies. I grinned widely and added my voice to the mix when Vlad made his entrance.
The two men squared off, milking the moment for all it was worth, obviously enjoying the attention and the anticipation of a good match to come.
The Irishman acting as referee held up his hand, and the crowd quieted down before the match commenced. Sean’s first blow was easily dodged by Vlad, but it was clear from the outset that the Irishman was taking the offensive. He was bloody relentless. Vlad took it in his stride, backpedalling and parrying each blow with methodical efficiency. His smile and the amused glint in his eyes told me he was relishing the chance to tire his opponent out. He was mesmerising to watch.
“Come on, Vlad!” Trigger yelled, and the crowd erupted as Vlad landed a right hook to Sean’s jaw. Blood flew from Sean’s mouth, and I winced at the sight, yet couldn’t pull my eyes away.
The atmosphere was electric as the bare-knuckle fight unfolded before us. The crowd roared with each brutal punch, the sound echoing like thunder in the high-ceilinged venue.
My skin prickled again, and my eyes sought the source once more.
Anton was nearer the front, but he wasn’t watching the fight. Instead, his gaze was fixed on me, intense enough to send a shiver of pleasure through me. Why was he looking at me like that? I wished he wouldn’t. His continued mixed signals were my undoing.
I averted my gaze, desperately trying to focus on the adrenaline pulsing through the room, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Anton.
After not seeing him for months, I figured it’d be easier to move on. But now, here he was, staring at me. The tension between us hung like a noose, tightening with each passing moment. I didn’t know what to make of it.
“So, where are you heading on your big date tomorrow night?” Nick asked over the noise.
“Well, I’m not sure I—” I began, but Derrick interrupted, sensing immediately that I was having second thoughts.
“Marcie, you should really go on that date,” Derrick urged, nudging my arm as we watched Sean double over from the force of a punch to the gut, the shockwaves rippling through the audience. I winced, feeling an unexpected pang of sympathy for the fighter, as if the blow had landed squarely in my own stomach.
“I don’t know…” I hesitated. The idea of going out with someone else while Anton’s presence still lingered in my mind felt wrong.
“I’m not sure I’m ready. I haven’t dated in so long, I’ve lost my confidence.” The fighter recovered from the blow, shaking off the pain, but I wasn’t sure I could do the same. Anton’s rejections had been hard to bear, and I had to admit, they’d knocked my belief in myself. To be honest, between that and my stalker situation, I wasn’t exactly in the best place when it came to men. Did I really want to open myself up to someone else?
“Marcie, you’re a catch! Any guy in his right mind would be happy to date you, and you deserve to meet someone who’ll treat you properly,” Derrick’s boyfriend chimed in, his tone light yet insistent.
His words hit harder than the fists in the ring.
“Come on, Marcie. Just think of it as a fresh start,” Derrick continued, his enthusiasm for the idea unwavering.
But before I could respond, I noticed Anton a few steps away. His posture stiffened as he overheard our conversation, a shadow of irritation crossing his face. My stomach flipped as he started making his way toward us.
“Marcie, can I talk to you for a second?” His voice was low, almost a growl, cutting through the noise of the fight.
“Uh, sure,” I replied, forcing a smile as I stepped away from Derrick and Nick. My heart hammered in my chest, uncertainty swirling.
Anton pulled me aside, his body radiating warmth, and the intensity of his gaze pinned me in place. “I heard you’re going on a date tomorrow night. Is that true?”
“Yeah, I am,” I replied, crossing my arms defensively, trying to steady my breathing despite the heat of his proximity. I wasn’t sure about it, but I wasn’t about to tell him that.
His brow furrowed, annoyance slipping into his voice. “What do you know about this guy?”
“Enough. I met him at one of the events I…”
“Who is he? What does he do?” Anton interrupted, his voice sharp, his eyes narrowing.
“That’s really none of your business,” I told him, my hackles rising. My heart raced, frustration bubbling under the surface.
“Didn’t you learn anything from last time?” Anton’s tone was low, but there was an edge to it that made me bristle.
“What?” I snapped, my hands moving to my hips as my body stiffened.
“You’re not going out with some random guy who could do anything to you. I won’t let you!” Anton raised his voice, practically screaming at me, his fists clenched at his sides.
“You won’t let me? Seriously? What the fuck, Anton?” I couldn’t believe the audacity of him.
“Shit. I’m fucking this up,” he muttered, running a frustrated hand through his hair, his eyes momentarily closing in exasperation.
“You certainly are!” I retorted, my voice rising with anger.
How dare he question me like this?
“You have no say in who I date or don’t date, Anton,” I shot back, trying to push him away emotionally as much as physically.
“Like hell!” His voice was a growl, thick with frustration.
“You are not my dad. Hell, you’re not even my bodyguard anymore, and you sure as heck are not my boyfriend. You made sure of that.” My voice cracked, the strain of shouting the truth slicing through me. “So, you have no right to interfere in my life.”
In an instant, his hand clamped around my arm, his grip unyielding, anger flashing in his eyes.
“No right? No right!” His voice was taut, barely restrained as he gave me a slight shake. “I have every right. I… I…”
“You what, Anton?” The words burst out, my anger sharp and relentless. I yanked my arm free, glaring at him. “You’re the one who pushed me away! You made it clear you weren’t interested.”
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I saw the war raging within them—a fighter caught between striking and holding back. He hesitated, his voice dropping, quieter now but still tinged with frustration. “You don’t understand, Marcie. I want to… but I just…”
“Stop sending mixed signals! It’s tearing me apart,” I snapped, my chest tightening, heart pounding.
He swallowed hard, blinking, but said nothing. The silence was deafening, the battle in his eyes painfully clear, but I was done waiting.
“You either want me, or you don’t, Anton. It’s that simple,” I said, my voice cracking as emotion clawed its way to the surface.
“It’s not, Marcie…” His voice faltered, and he dragged a hand through his hair, his frustration spilling over.
I clenched my teeth, fighting to keep my composure. “You can be my friend, but you can’t keep acting like this is more unless you’re prepared to make it more. Like I said, you either want me, or you don’t. Life is for living, Anton, and if you can’t commit, then I need to try to move on.”
The words caught in my throat, tears threatening to spill. Desperate to escape before they betrayed me, I turned away. But Anton stepped forward, closing the distance between us. His voice dropped to a whisper, ragged and urgent. “Please, just hear me out. I don’t want you with anyone else. It scares me. I can’t lose you.”
I shook my head, anger and something softer battling within me. His words sparked a flicker of hope, but I couldn’t let it grow unchecked. “Then stop running from me. Tell me what you want.”
His gaze softened, his mouth opening as if to speak, but no words came. The silence stretched, thick and suffocating, the weight of it pressing on my chest.
“Well?” I demanded, my voice shaking with rage and desperation. “What do you want, Anton?”
He swallowed, his eyes searching mine, but still, he said nothing. His silence told me everything.
Bitterness surged, extinguishing the last flicker of hope. “You want to know what I want?” My voice was low, trembling with quiet fury. “I want someone who knows what they want and isn’t afraid to claim it. I’m done waiting for you to decide if I’m worth it.”
I turned on my heel, anger propelling me into the cool night air. The chill bit at my skin, but it did nothing to ease the turmoil roiling inside me. I drew a deep breath, desperate to steady myself, yet the confusion and hurt clung to me like a second shadow. I wasn’t sure what scared me more—leaving him behind, or the part of me that still, despite everything, wanted to stay.