47. Max
CHAPTER 47
MAX
I ’d never been to Vegas before, and I didn’t exactly know what to expect. It’s just…a lot. Riding in the car on the way to the hotel, a lot. Checking in, a lot. All the people, a lot. I’m trying not to feel overwhelmed, but once we’re in our suite, that becomes even more difficult, because again it’s…a lot.
“What’s this?” I try to take it all in, but I’m failing. This isn’t a normal hotel room. This is a penthouse, and it brings me back to when Carson would make me go with him to events. This is the type of place we would stay in. When it was the two of us, it was too much. But for the four of us it makes more sense.
“It’s where we’re staying, only the best,” Caine insists, tugging me into him with a hand around my waist.
“No distractions for you until after the fight,” Adam snaps.
I hear Caine’s annoyed growl before he slips his hand lower, grazing me in between my legs. “killer isn’t a distraction; in fact, I think I’ll be more distracted if I don’t get to feel her come before tomorrow.”
I turn around, pushing him away, which only makes him smirk.
“Nope, no distractions because you need to win,” I tell him, standing my ground even though with the way he’s looking at me like he wants me to be his next meal, I would easily fold. Luckily, he steps back.
“You’re right. I do need to win, and I know exactly what my prize is going to be.” He looks me up and down, making it obvious what that’s going to be.
Not wanting him to somehow turn this around and distract me , I take my bag into one of the bedrooms that I’ve decided to claim as mine. Then, I mentally prepare for whatever this weekend is going to hold.
As I stand here, I can’t help but think back to all the things that led me here to this point. The memory of the day I left comes back full force as I remember everything that happened.
“You’re not even ready yet? Honestly Maxine, what have you been doing?” My mom sounds exasperated, and I can’t get my hands to stop shaking from the nerves.
“My hair took longer because you told them to do an updo instead.” I do my best to hide any sign of distress right now. Though, I’m sure I could just blame it on the day, it’s not the truth.
Today’s the day I’m leaving.
I’m getting out of there and running away.
Finally.
After months of planning and being so careful not to let anyone find out, it’s finally going to happen today. I just need to be alone. Once everyone is in the church waiting for me to meet my dad who will walk me down the aisle, I won’t be there.
If it all works out, I should be on the road and heading to my new home before they even notice I’m gone. But I have to be quick. There can’t be any second guessing, or any hiccups in my plan. Everything has to work out perfectly or I’m going to get caught. I know my punishment will be even worse than just being made to spend the rest of my life with Carson.
I don’t want to be forced to spend one more night in his bed. Or to deal with the venom my mother spews at me on a daily basis. Or hear my dad tell me that marrying Carson is the only job I have for this family.
I can’t deal with it anymore. I need to get out.
“Let’s get you dressed, and hope you even fit into this still.”
I bite my tongue to prevent myself from saying anything, even though I want to, but I’m just reminding myself it’s almost over. I’m almost out of here. I just need to stick to the plan.
Stepping into the dress that was already at least a size too small when we bought it, my mom forcefully squeezes me into it and makes sure to express her disgust at how difficult it is to zip it up at the top.
“Thought you were on that diet, Maxine.”
“I was,” I grunt.
“Then you should be skinny enough to fit in this.”
I don’t say anything because if I do, it’s going to come out harsher than it should and that’ll only cause more problems.
I’m almost out.
“There,” she announces. “Where’s your veil?”
“I got it. I’ll see you out there.”
“I’ll help you.”
“I want it to be a surprise.”
She looks at me skeptically, clearly wanting to argue more. But after looking me over one more time, and clearly approving of what she sees. She must determine that whatever I do won’t fuck me up enough to drop below her standards, so she leaves.
And the timer starts now.
This is the last time I’m going to see any of these people again.
“Come on, Max, we’re going to walk the strip while these two prep for tomorrow.” Drew pulls me from the memory, and I paste on a smile I hope looks genuine while I agree.
I wish I could shake the uneasiness as Drew leads me through the crowd at the arena while we get to our seats. There’s just so many people, and the only thing keeping me grounded is Drew’s hand in mine.
Once we get to our seats, I glance around and lean over to Drew. “Are all the fights this big of a deal?”
“No, the amateur ones aren’t like this. This is a pro fight; it’s recorded and televised and shit.”
“Televised?” I look around, trying to find the cameras to make sure I’m not seen by any of them.
“Don’t worry, it’s not on any major stations or anything.”
I don’t know why that doesn’t make me feel better, but it doesn’t. I feel extremely exposed like this, and it may be irrational, but I can’t seem to shake it.
“But it’s online?” I try to keep the shakiness from my voice, so he doesn’t catch it.
“Yeah, that’s usually how the guys go back and watch their opponents, so they know how to train in the future.”
I nod, focusing ahead on the fighting cage that’s untouched for now. While we wait and the noise around us increases, I try to look around without seeming obvious as I try again to find the cameras to make sure to stay out of their line of sight.
Call me extra paranoid because I know Carson doesn’t watch MMA fights; I don’t think he’s ever even heard of them. No one in my family would either, but I don’t want there to be any trace of me anywhere that could lead to me being found. I’m just now starting to feel safe, and I’ll be damned if anything ruins that.
When the fights start, Drew has to explain a lot to me. It’s so fast paced and there’s things that don’t look like they should be allowed, but apparently, they are. I’m quickly learning that while I train the moves extremely slowly, that’s not how they’re supposed to be done.
I’m also learning that I really like watching MMA.
When it’s Caine’s match, Drew lets me know so I prepare to pay even more attention. Just seeing Caine enter with his shirt off, showing off every glorious inch of his chiseled body while Adam stays close by has me clenching my thighs together. The determined look in his eyes, the way he’s so focused as he bounces on his feet and shakes out his arms.
Then his eyes find mine, and he smiles around his mouth guard, and I almost collapse into Drew. I’m not a weak woman, even when I thought I was, but right now, seeing him like this has me ready to drop down to my knees and give this man whatever it is he wants.
That’s a weird feeling to have, especially when it comes to Caine.
Adam’s saying things to him that we can’t hear, and the way he’s so focused and in charge has my arousal pooling even more. Especially when I think about the way they both have played my body before.
Drew slides his hand around my lower back, pulling me into him, and I melt. Watching the two of them, while having Drew here next to me has me becoming a horny puddle for all three of them.
"You okay?" Drew asks against my ear.
I nod, still focused on the other two men straight ahead as the fight’s about to start.
“Fucking hot to watch them, isn’t it? With them in their element. I’ll bet your pussy is soaked right now.”
I squeak out a small noise I don’t think he can hear over the crowd and squeeze my legs together even tighter.
“I bet you’d love it if I stuck my hand down your pants and took care of that needy cunt while we watched the fight.”
I shake my head in denial, and it just makes him laugh. “The only reason I’m not going to do that is because I know how pissed Caine and Adam would be if he lost because he was too distracted watching you come all over my hand.”
His words only make me want it to happen even more, and that probably says something about me. I’m not able to reply or do anything because the fight’s starting, and my eyes are glued to the way Caine and his opponent go at each other.
This is different from anything I’ve seen from him at the gym. Of course he’s fought in front of me, but this is more intense. This is aggressive and calculated. This is him in the zone. I dare a glance at Adam who’s outside of the cage yelling out things that I can’t hear, but I can see his focus and intensity from here.
This is where they thrive. The fact that I’m getting to be a part of it and see this from them has me feeling more things than I can even try to describe. My brain is misfiring, and it all leads to one thing—the fact that I can’t wait to get them naked.
Caine’s fight continues for several rounds, both of them bleeding, but neither submitting, even when it looks like one of them might, they manage to get out of the position and turn it around. I’ve noticed they’re both slowing down, even though Caine is trying not to show it, which isn’t surprising.
The way he’s a bit slower to react, and his moves are less defined as the fight goes on, but it’s when he gets the opportunity to strike that he takes it, winning with a knockout. His victory is announced and the crowd cheers, including Drew and myself. He looks down at his opponent, his chest heaving with heavy breaths and defined muscles bulging while his tan skin is completely slick with sweat.
Caine looks out at me immediately, and even through the blood and bruises forming on his face, I can tell everything I need to know about tonight by the look he’s giving me. It’s the look in his eyes, plus the way his body is coiled and delicious looking, I can’t help my body’s immediate reaction and how much I want him. How much I want all of them.
He and Adam leave while the next fight is prepared for, and Drew and I settle back into our seats after standing in celebration. He leans over, resting a large hand on my thigh. “I hope you’re ready for a really big celebration tonight.”
I shiver at his words, but I know for a fact that I’m more than ready.