Chapter 15
Take You Home
Ciara
“You ready to go?”
I look up from my duffel bag and find Dylan standing in the doorway watching me. I nod my head and lick my lips. I’m still trying to figure out what the fuck happened since winning that last match.
One minute I was fist pumping as I was called as the winner. The next I was careened into the ground. As I hit my head, it was like my memory was jogged. Images of Dylan filled my head on a loop.
A sense of safety filled me. I know for a fact he’s someone I can trust. I used to have so much trust and love for him. He was my friend. However, I still don’t know what happened to take that all away from me.
“Um, yeah, Daliah went to the bathroom. I’ll be ready when she gets back. I have to collect the purse,” I reply.
He snorts. “You think I’d let you collect all that money with the vultures in here tonight? Dimitri and Nashawn will meet us at the back door, where my car is waiting.”
“Why?”
He tilts his head as he smiles at me. Those stupid butterflies start all over again. I clench my fists at my sides.
“Why am I looking out for you? It’s what I do. I’ve always protected you.”
“What happened? How do you know me?”
“Let me get you out of here and I’ll answer anything you want. Are you hungry?”
“Yeah, I could eat, but I need to get home. Ciarán is with a sitter. His birthday is tomorrow. I should get home.”
“We can order something when we get there.”
“Huh?”
“I’m taking you home. This is New York, baby. You should always have security when transporting purses from events like this.
“It’s a known fact that Vega pays in cash and all the fighters walk with something. You’re a target tonight.”
“Thanks, but you don’t have to. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at your gym. Ciarán wants to train there. I’m thinking about signing him up for his birthday.”
“Cool, I’ll have Taegan take care of both of you. Your membership is on me. I want to talk to you about an opening I have on our team, but tonight I want to fill in those gaps for you,” he says.
I squeeze my thighs as his words come off dripping with something raw and dirty sounding. It sounds like he wants to fill more than a few gaps in my memory. I shake my dirty thoughts off and push my feet forward.
As I get to the doorway, he places a hand on the small of my back. I look up into his eyes and my breath is stolen away. God, he’s gorgeous. The blond soul patch works for him as it amplifies his sensual bow-shaped lips.
I hadn’t noticed it before, but now, as I’m focused and he’s this close, I can take in all his handsome features. Dylan is fine as fuck. His lashes are super long and wispy, giving his blue eyes a sexy, dreamy vibe.
“Phew, I’m ready. That restroom line was killer,” Daliah says as she appears.
“Taegan is with Dimitri and Nashawn; she’ll meet us at the car,” Dylan says.
Daliah looks between the two of us and gives me a questioning look then winks. I chew on my lip, but allow Dylan to lead me out to the car waiting for us.
He opens the front passenger door and nods for me to climb in. Taegan appears with Dimitri and Nashawn and passes me a second duffel as I sit with my gym bag between my legs. She then climbs into the back seat with Daliah.
I watch as Dylan climbs his big body behind the wheel, looking like he has all the confidence in the world. Damn, I didn’t know I had a type. I have never been into guys.
To be honest, something has always held me back from getting into them. It just didn’t feel right. It’s like there has always been someone out there for me who would be worth the wait.
I can’t help thinking that Dylan may be that someone. My cheeks warm when he reaches to place his hand on my thigh as he maneuvers out onto the street.
“Ya can drop me at me car, love. I have an early morning,” Taegan says from the back seat.
“Expect C … Ariel and Chris at the gym in the morning. They’ll be joining. I’ll take care of their paperwork for membership,” Dylan replies.
Looking at his profile, I smile. He’s not sure if Daliah knows my real name and he’s protecting me and Ciarán. I appreciate that.
I cover his hand and give it a gentle squeeze. He glances at me quickly and returns my smile. I can’t help biting my lip and ducking away as my cheeks heat.
“Aye, about time.”
Dylan chuckles and I get the feeling I’m missing out on an inside joke. I shrug it off as the comfortable seat and his hand on my thigh bring me a sense of peace. My lids grow heavy, and I snuggle deep into the warmth of the seat.
Dylan
“Chris has been so excited for his birthday. I’m so glad Ariel was able to win so big,” Daliah gushes for the millionth time as she perches on the edge of her seat.
After dropping Taegan off at one of our warehouses where she left her car earlier, I’m headed to Harlem, where Ciara lives. Daliah has given me their address as she sits rambling excitedly about Ciara’s wins and all she’ll be able to do for the kid now for his birthday.
Ciara sits in the passenger seat, fast asleep. While she’s knocked out, I’ve learned money has been tight for her. She’s not working at the moment and every dime she does have goes toward her little brother Ciarán.
I admire how she takes care of the kid. My brothers and sisters would have done the same for me if something ever happened to our parents. Knowing how much she loved her da, I feel bad for her.
I want to make up for everything she’s lost as much as I can. I glance over at her as I stop at a light. She’s so beautiful. It’s like looking at a sleeping angel.
My fingers itch to trace her hairline or run over her braids. I wasn’t surprised to see her with the cornbraids when I entered the arena, but I was taken aback by how much they changed her appearance. If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have recognized her at first.
She’s pretty no matter what, but the braids give her face a sharper look. When she walked into my gym with her hair down, her face had a softer look. There was a sort of innocence I remember from when we were little.
After the ass whippings she handed out this evening, the fiercer look of the braids is fitting. I’m proud of her. Those matches weren’t easy, but she made them look like anyone could have won them.
She’d probably be amazing in a regulated fight. I have no doubt she’ll be replacing Cadlha on the roster. After the way we lost that tournament because of her last year, there’s no way she’s representing us this year.
It hits me that I don’t need to win the tournament anymore because I’ve found Ciara. She’s sitting right beside me. However, she needs the money.
I plan to win and hand it over to her. She can pay off her brother’s tuition and stash money for his college fund. I plan to make sure money isn’t something she ever has to worry about again.
“I love the way you look at her. She does so much for her brother, but I would love to see her do something for herself. You know what I mean?” Daliah suddenly says.
I glance up in the rearview mirror to find her watching me. I grin at her, then focus back on the road as the light changes. We’re not far from their place now.
“I think I do. This is you guys up here to the left, right?”
“Yup, that’s us.”
Lucky, I find a parking spot and pull my car in before I climb out and grab my gym bag from the trunk and then move to collect Ciara and her things.
As I’m placing my bag across my body, Daliah climbs out of the back seat.
I move to open Ciara’s door and Daliah reaches in to take the gym bag from between Ciara’s legs.
I grab the duffel full of money then lift Ciara into my arms. She’s so small in my embrace, but she proved how mighty she is in that ring tonight. My body hardens as her soft one melts into mine.
I try to think of anything but her as we make our way into the building and climb onto the elevator. Lifting my gaze to the ceiling, I begin to count to a hundred. As we ride up, I realize I’m the happiest I’ve been in years.
Daliah starts to snicker in the other corner of the car. Looking at her, I then lift a brow and give her a questioning look. She smiles back at me.
“We could throw a party once we get to the apartment and she’d probably sleep right through it. She hasn’t even so much as stirred,” she laughs out.
I shrug my shoulders. “I’ve waited this long. I’ll be here when she wakes.”
“I’m dying to know what’s going on between you two. Ugh, the suspense is killing me.”
I chuckle. “You’ll have to wait for her to tell you.”
Daliah pouts as the elevator dings and the doors open. She steps out and turns left. I follow her up the hall as she takes her keys out and opens a door in the middle of the hall on the right-hand side.
I take note of the door number as she pushes in and holds the door open for me to follow. Looking around, I take in the apartment and nod. The place is nice.
“You’re the babysitter,” I say to Ross as he stands from the couch and stretches.
“Vega,” we both scoff at the same time.
I give him a nod, letting him know I’ve got it from here. Ross shrugs and begins to collect his things to leave. He looks at a sleeping Ciara in my arms and gives me a questioning look.
“Did she win?”
“She killed it,” Daliah gushes.
“Cool, cool. The kid went to bed thirty minutes ago. He tried to wait up.”
“Thanks. I’ll walk you out,” Daliah says as she bats her lashes at Ross.
Looking down at Ciara, I decide to sit on the couch with her in my arms. I don’t know where her bedroom is, and I don’t want to violate her by undressing her without her permission.
I get the feeling she’s not going to wake anytime soon. Maybe Daliah will help me to change her and get her into bed once she gets back and gets settled in.
“I’ll take care of you, gorgeous. Sleep tight,” I murmur.