Ending the Fight (Gloves Off: Next Generation #4)

Chapter 1

WREN

The afternoon air was thick with the sweet scent of spring flowers, and I could feel the golden rays of the sun warming my skin.

A few months ago, I never would have thought I’d be sitting by a pool in California talking to one of the most famous actresses in the country.

But Peyton wasn’t that to me; she was more like a sister—we were brought together by tragedy, and now she was having twins with her husband, Ethan.

Her gaze turned to me and she pushed her sunglasses onto her head, revealing her emerald-colored eyes. “Do you want to grab some smoothies after we soak up a bit more sun?”

I glanced at her round belly before answering. “Are the babies hungry again?” I teased, referring to the two handfuls of peanut-butter-filled pretzels she had just devoured.

She playfully pursed her lips. “What are you trying to say, Wren?”

We both laughed and I shook my head. “Nothing. But if I ever decide to have kids one day, I hope I look as good as you do in that yellow bikini!”

She eyed me curiously. “Kids, huh? When did that happen? Last time we talked, you said you weren’t ready for any yet.”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “I still want to focus on my career first, but it’s nice to know that if I ever do settle down, I’ll be able to give them something much better than what I grew up with—no foster homes or anything like that.”

Peyton’s smile faltered. “I’m sorry you didn’t have a family of your own growing up. No kid should have to struggle the way you did.”

My life wasn’t all cupcakes and rainbows, but I survived.

“I’m stronger because of it, Peyton,” I assured her. “If I didn’t have such a hard upbringing, I doubt I would’ve been able to help you when we were in Louisiana.”

I could see the goosebumps on her arms, and she rubbed her hands over them. “And I will always and forever be grateful that you came into my life,” she replied. “I still remember everything about the day we met.”

So did I.

I remembered it very well. I thought I had been offered the dream of a lifetime, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Leaning my head against the lounge chair, I closed my eyes, and the memories came flooding back.

“Please, make yourself at home, Ms. Langston,” Martin Fairchild said to me.

I gazed all around the foyer of his mansion, at all the crystal chandeliers that had to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“Don’t mind if I do,” I replied, following him down an opulent hallway adorned with expensive paintings.

A big, bulky-looking guy with a shaved head was standing guard at the end of the hallway.

Of course, a man like Martin Fairchild would surely have his fair share of bodyguards.

He was a big-time movie producer, and I was in his home.

How the hell did that even happen? Not only did I get accepted for the movie role, but I’d also get a massive paycheck.

I wouldn’t have to worry about money for a very long time.

I just hoped to hell the old man didn’t expect me to jump into bed with him.

That shit wasn’t going to happen. I’d turn down the movie role in a heartbeat.

Martin stopped in front of a door and opened it slowly. “I have someone here for you,” he said to whoever was on the other side. “I figured you could give her some pointers.”

I had no clue who he was talking to, but I figured it was probably an acting coach. Martin knew I had no acting experience. All I knew about the movie role was that they were looking for female fighters.

Martin flourished a hand at me and beckoned for me to go inside. When I stepped past him into the room, my mouth dropped. Standing just a few feet away from me was the famous actress, Peyton Emerson, dressed in a simple pair of black leggings and an oversized green sweater.

“I have to be dreaming. Peyton Emerson?” I said, staring at her in awe.

Martin nudged me further inside. “I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.” I glanced at him over my shoulder, and he continued, “When you’re done, your room is right next door. I had your things put in there.”

My mind was reeling with everything going on. I could only nod and hope I didn’t sound like an idiot. “Great. And thank you for choosing me. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.”

Martin smiled. “Yes, it is. Make sure you get some rest. You have a busy day tomorrow.”

The second he shut the door, Peyton stalked past me and opened it wide. The guy standing guard barked a rude response, catching me a little off guard.

“Problems, Ms. Emerson?”

Peyton huffed and glared at him. “You have no idea,” she spat before slamming the door in his face. I would have gotten an attitude with him as well.

There was a fainting couch across the room, so I strolled over and sat down, propping my feet on the edge. Martin said I could make myself at home, and that was exactly what I was going to do.

“What’s your name?” Peyton asked.

I folded my hands behind my head and stared at the ceiling which had golden swirls painted on it.

“Wren Langston.”

“Do you have a phone on you?”

“Nope. They took it as soon as I stepped into the house.” They didn’t want me taking videos and posting them on social media.

“I hope my room’s as nice as this,” I gushed.

“Talk about the lap of luxury.” I turned to her and smiled.

“Not to mention, I get one-on-one time with Peyton Emerson. You’re the last person I expected to be here.

Guess there’s more to Hollywood life than I thought.

” I sat up and rested my elbows on my knees. “Talk about a dream come true, though.”

Peyton shook her head, her expression serious. “I wouldn’t call it that.”

“Maybe not for you,” I challenged. “But for someone like me, it’s a life changer.” She had no clue what it was like not to have anything.

Peyton moved closer, her voice low and eyes pleading. “And I’m not here of my own free will,” she explained. “I was kidnapped, along with Ethan Jameson. Do you know who he is?”

I knew all the UFC champions; I wanted to be one someday.

Narrowing my gaze, I burst out laughing. “Of course, I know who he is. What is this, a joke? You’re kidding me, right?” I scanned the room. “Where are the cameras?” I thought she’d laugh with me, but my face fell when she didn’t. “You’re serious?”

She nodded and sat down beside me on the fainting couch. “Sadly, I am. What do you know?”

Now that I thought about it, I didn’t know much other than how much money I was getting.

“I know I’m going to fight and get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to do it,” I said with a shrug.

Peyton stared right into my eyes. “You’ll be fighting men, Wren. You’re playing the role of my mother. She was a competitive fighter when she was younger.”

My eyes widened. “I was right, then.”

Peyton’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

I couldn’t deny the excitement coursing through me. “When I saw the website about the auditions, there were videos of a woman fighter. It looked exactly like your mom. I knew it couldn’t be her, but the fighting style was exactly the same.”

“You know who my mom is?” she asked.

Clearly, she didn’t realize how amazing her mother was. “Seriously?” I scoffed. “Your mother’s a legend. I’ve studied her moves my entire life. She’s the only role model I had.”

I didn’t like seeing the pity in her eyes.

“Tell me everything,” she begged. “You said you saw a website about the auditions. How?”

“I have a friend. Well,” I said with a shrug, “he’s more than a friend.

He’s practically my brother; his name’s Parker.

We ended up in the same foster home several times over the years.

When we turned eighteen, we left that life behind.

It’s been hard, staying in hotel rooms here and there.

Sometimes we’ve had to sleep on the streets.

But, anything was better than what we dealt with our entire lives.

Anyway, that’s enough of my sob story. You have better things to do than listen to it. ”

“Hey,” Peyton said, setting her hand over mine. “I’m no better than anyone. Keep talking. I need to know what you know.”

I blew out a sigh. “The website. Parker is kind of a hacker. He’s stolen money a few times from accounts, but only a little here and there if we were having a rough week.

It just so happened that he came across the website one day.

It mentioned the auditions for fighters and stunt doubles.

I love to fight, so he thought it was something I could do.

And if picked, we’d get the chance to win three hundred thousand dollars.

I couldn’t pass that up. That money could do so much for us. ”

“With the other women, did you talk to them much?”

I nodded. “Most of them, yeah. They’re just like me. Hard up for money.”

“What about families? Do any of them have husbands or kids?”

“Hell no,” I said with a snort. “They were pretty much loners, doing everything they could for a buck. Damn good fighters, though. Guess that’s how you have to be when you live on the streets.”

“What else was on the website? Did it lead you here to this house?”

I shook my head. “Oh no, there was only a phone number. When I called it, I was told I had to pass the interview first. It turned out where I had to meet the guy was only an hour from where I lived.”

“Where did you meet this guy? And when?” she questioned.

“Charlotte,” I answered. “North Carolina. At a hotel downtown. It was three weeks ago.”

Her lips pursed as if she was deep in thought. “Were you not scared to meet a stranger in a hotel room?”

That was one of the least of my worries. I shook my head in reply. “No. When you’re someone like me, you get used to fighting off men. I’m not a stranger to violence, Peyton. I’ve had to escape a lot in my life.”

Peyton blinked a few times as if trying to hold back tears. “I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine.”

I didn’t want her to feel sorry for me.