She loved him. She wanted to be with him forever.
For now, he wanted her to stay.
Remaining realistic, especially after he’d mentioned love, just wasn’t possible. All problems aside, she beamed with optimism. Not that she’d pressure Denver by telling him her feelings. Never that. He had a fight to prepare for and more than enough of her emotional baggage already dumped on him. From here on out, she wanted to make their relationship easier.
About pleasure instead of the past.
Determined to make it work out, she talked with Yvette and Harper about good recipes for what the guys could eat during training. Denver informed her that he’d be helping in the kitchen and everywhere else. He was not a man to sit while a woman waited on him—unless he got his turn waiting on her, too.
She was still undecided what to do about Carver when he struck again.
After work, Denver had picked her up and they’d headed to the rec center. Stack was there, teaching a self-defense class that was attended by both Vanity and Merissa. Off to the side of that, Cannon and Miles worked with some high school boys on grappling moves. Yvette and her adorable dog, Muggles, watched from the sidelines.
It was a festive, busy group—until someone called in a fire that didn’t exist. Fire trucks and police cars arrived with a lot of fanfare. Everyone was evacuated, and the only blaze found was a small one in the Dumpsters behind the center, easily put out and with no real damage done.
Yet hours were wasted as everyone milled on the curb out front, giving the firefighters a chance to do a more thorough search inside.
Unsmiling, his mood grave, Denver kept Cherry’s hand locked in his while she spoke with an official, explaining that it was likely Carver who had made the call. That admission brought about a dozen questions. As she shared what information she could, Denver repeatedly scanned the area.
Cherry suddenly realized that Cannon, Stack, Armie, Miles, Brand and Leese all did the same. It disconcerted her to see that they’d formed a protective semicircle around the rest of the group. They each looked alert, incensed and...ready.
At least they were taking Carver’s threats seriously, she decided, even while her worry expanded. She also noticed that Leese now appeared to be part of their group. Since she considered him a nice enough guy, she was glad.
The official took notes, including Carver’s phone number. Through her repeated apologies for the bother, he reassured her that he understood.
And even though their time had been wasted, the firemen remained cordial, too, as they finished up their search.
In fact, not a single person looked at her with accusation, but no one needed to. She knew what had happened, and it devastated her. The rec center was not only special to the fighters, but also to much of the community. And it had now been violated— endangered—in a terrible way.
Because of her.
After the interview finally ended, Denver caught her chin. He tipped up her face and gave her a contemplative once-over. “Soon as they finish checking into things, we can head back in.”
She nodded.
“You’re all right?”
“Yes.”
His thumb teased over her cheek. “Your face is hot.”
“I’m...wrecked.” And furious. “This should never have happened.”
In contrast to his black scowl, Denver sounded gentle when he said, “No, it shouldn’t have.”
“I need to apologize to Cannon.”
“No.”
She looked around and knew the awful truth. “I need to apologize to all of them.”
Now both of his big hands held her face. “You didn’t do this, so you have nothing to apologize for.”
She tried a reassuring smile. “You might think not, but everyone else—”
“Will agree with me.” After a quick kiss that was so tender, it left her confused, Denver called over Armie and Stack. “I need a word with Cannon.”
“Got it.” Armie took her arm and stepped her back a little closer to the wall of the rec center.
Stack flanked her other side.
Then they both went back to surveying the crowd and surrounding area.
It was ludicrous how they shielded her while Denver strode over to Cannon. She could have told them that Carver was a coward at heart. Never would he step into the crowd of badass fighters.
No, when Carver came after her, he’d do so when she was alone. Only...Denver never left her alone anymore.
Sighing, she dropped back against the brick wall and closed her eyes. How long could her growing relationship with Denver last under the strain of Carver’s dark shadow?