Page 124 of Falcon

Chapter 28

Faith

With each step down to the lobby we go, the angrier and more hurt I become. We landed back in California five days ago, and I never would have imagined we’d end up where we are right now.

A pre-fight party thrown by the WFC.

Falcon, and that’s who he is right now because my Marco isn’t this arrogant or reckless, has decided the fight will go on with Braxton White.

When he told me, I couldn’t contain my tears. I didn’t even try to.

I heard him fighting on the phone with Nora shortly after that, then again with Joe the moment he finished with her.

I even heard Joe say, when he came over to confront him face-to-face, he tried to have Denver Wyatt call off the fight, but he didn’t because it’s too much of a moneymaker and the doctors technically cleared Marco to fight, so at the end of the day, it’s his choice.

What a selfish, money hungry piece of trash he is.

We tiptoed around each other after he told me he was still going to fight. I made a point to completely avoid discussing it. I couldn’t stomach it anymore. Not after the things I heard the doctor say.

“Baby?” He squeezes my hand as we step onto the elevator to head up to the ballroom. “You’re quiet.”

“Mmmhmm. I just don’t have much to say right now.”

“I know you’re angry with me—”

“That doesn’t even begin to cover it, Marco. I’m angry, confused, and scared.” I stare straight ahead, not even looking up at him.

“You have to understand why I need to do this,” he says.

I finally turn to look up at his face. “I do, and I think that’s what scares me the most.”

He doesn’t get a chance to respond before the doors slide open and we are greeted with a flurry of people. Some ignore us completely, other descend upon him like moths to a flame.

How are you?

Are you all right?

How’s the head?

Still kicking, huh?

Docs clear you?

I just stay quiet through it all, only speaking when someone talks to me directly or when Marco introduces me to someone.

I meet musicians, Hollywood actors, other fighters and the like, and while all of this should excite me, all I can think about is how badly I want him to walk away from this.

“Marco?” I tug on his hand then rise up on my wedge sandals to whisper in his ear. “I’m going to find a restroom. I’ll find you when I’m done.”

“I can walk you,” he says, but I stop him with a hand to his chest. “No. Stay here. Mingle with your people. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

He cups my face in his hands and bends forward to kiss my lips softly. No matter how I’m feeling, the sensation of his lips on mine still makes me melt where I stand.

“I’ll be right here,” he says.

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