Fight for Her Read online

  Fight For Her

  by

  Sara Hazel

  Copyright 2020 Sara Hazel

  Cover designed by Sara Hazel

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced

  in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Sara Hazel

  Visit my website at https://www.sarahazel.com

  Drake

  *

  I walk up to the entrance of Michaelina’s Italian Ristorante and a very big guy in a suit greets me by putting his hand up to stop me from going in.

  Michaelina’s official business hours are over for the day, but I’m not here for a plate of ravioli.

  “Mr. Fierro, I think you don’t want to go in there right now,” the big guy says.

  I hadn’t told anyone was coming, and I don’t know this guy, so I’m not sure how he knows me. We must have met at an underground fight at some point. Or maybe he saw me fight. If that’s the case then he knows what I could easily do to him.

  “I need to speak to Boss Vera.”

  “He’s a very busy man, Mr. Fierro. And he’s taking care of family business right now. And you’re not family anymore. I’m told you chose to break your bonds with us. I asked about you, ya see. I was a big fan of yours. I saw you almost every night at Joe’s.”

  “Good for you. I’m going to see the boss tonight,” I reply. “Even if I have to knock you out and leave you on the sidewalk.”

  “I said he’s dealing with family business.”

  The big guy grabs my arm and tries to push me away from the door. But I’m rooted to the ground. In hundreds of fights, no one ever managed to move me. Most of my fights were over in a minute or two, and they always resulted in my opponent being knocked out. Surely, a “big fan” like this guy ought to know that.

  “Ok, have it your way,” I said. “We’ll fight right here on the sidewalk.”

  He lets go of my arm and laughs. “I’m not fighting you. Are you crazy?”

  “Then let me in.”

  “I can’t let that happen. Not tonight. Not till you make a proper appointment. You know who to call.”

  It’s my turn to grab him now. Despite his size, I still easily manage to slam him against the wall, hold him in place with my body, and wrap my free hand around his throat. I squeeze just enough to get my message across.

  “Are you going to let me in now?” I ask.

  He gurgles as I squeeze his throat harder. I’m not playing anymore. But watching him struggle to breathe does cause me to take pity on him. I let go of his throat and take a step back. It takes a solid minute for him to catch his breath and get his voice back.

  “Right this way, Mr. Fierro,” He says as he holds the door open for me.

  I smile. “Look at how easy that was.”

  Michaelina’s is a small restaurant in the front and some much larger offices in the back down a dark hallway past the kitchen. I head straight for the office where I know I’ll find Boss Vera. I pay no attention to the goons in the restaurant area. I hear the big guy grunting and gasping for breath behind me.

  “You shouldn’t be doing this, Mr. Fierro. The boss is very upset with you as it is. And he’s gonna be even madder now that you’re interrupting his chat with his daughter.”

  “He can talk to his daughter later,” I reply as I reach the office door.

  I open the door and a young woman gasps. Boss Vera — a very round gentleman in his seventies — stands up.

  An armed guard in the corner of the office aims his gun at me. “You want me to shoot him, boss?”

  “No, Francesco, it’s fine,” Boss Vera replies.

  “He insisted, boss. I couldn’t stop him,” my still gasping for breath friend says.

  “It’s alright, Matteo. I know this man very well. He’s an old friend.”

  Boss Vera holds out his hand. Every finger is covered in a gaudy ring, but the one he wants me to kiss is a large ruby ring he wears on his gnarled index finger.

  “Sorry to interrupt family time,” I say.

  “Close the damn door and get out of here, Matteo,” Boss Vera says as he drops his hand. He knows I’m not the kind to kiss his ring, but it never stops him from trying, anyway.

  The door slams shut behind me. My eyes lock with the frightened young woman as she holds herself as still as possible against the wall. But I’m mesmerized and I can’t take my eyes off her. My eyes naturally scan every inch of her thick curvy body. Her long black hair currently hangs over her front. The slick shine makes me want to run my fingers through it. For a moment I can’t remember what I came here for. This is not like me at all. I shake my head and look away from the girl. She must be Boss Vera’s daughter, which makes it even worse that I’m staring at her. Still, just my brief look at her was enough to cause me to throb and stiffen in my jeans.

  Once I regain control of myself, I watch as Boss Vera takes a seat behind his desk. He plops down with a loud huff.

  “Drake, it’s been five years since I last saw you. Thank you for keeping up with your monthly payments. Everything is fine, so I don’t understand the reason for your visit.”

  “Cut the crap. You know exactly why I’m here. Lately I’ve noticed I’m being followed all the time.”

  “Take a seat, Drake,” he says. He looks at the girl. “You too, Princess. Don’t look so scared over there. Drake won’t hurt you.”

  The girl takes a seat. I have to admit that the idea of sitting next to her right now appeals to me. I have this odd and instant desire to be as close to her as I can get. Boss Vera has a beautiful and captivating daughter — one I’m going to have to do my best to resist.

  The fighter in me knows not to sit down though. I need to be ready. “I’ll stand, thank you.”

  “Suit yourself. And yes. My men have been following you. But it’s only a friendly check up. I hadn’t seen you in so long. I just wanted to know how you’re doing. And it seems you’re doing very well.”

  “I pay you every month to stay away from me. I’ve given up on this life. The payments are to be my only ties to you. That’s what we agreed to.”

  “I’ve decided I want you to work for me again, Drake. And I won’t take no for an answer. My daughter Amelia knows that no one can ever say no to me. Right, sweetie?”

  “Yes, daddy,” she whispers softly.

  “She’s getting married soon. To a fighter like you. He makes me a lot of money, so the least I could do for him was let him bang my daughter. That could have been you, Drake. But you gave it all up.”

  Hearing that Boss Vera is just giving his daughter away to some fighter — some creep most likely — just makes me want to erupt in anger. But I take a deep breath and maintain my cool.

  “And I’m never getting back into fighting. I’m a businessman now. The payments will continue and that’s all you’re getting out of me.”

  “You’ve stayed in great fighting shape all this time. Think what you could do if you get back into your old training regimen. I helped you build your business. I own you, Drake. You’re going back into fighting and that’s it. I can have you erased out of existence if you refuse me, Drake.” Boss Vera slams his fist on his desk at the last part.

  I want to grab Amelia by the hand and run from this place with her. We could go somewhere her creep of a father and his thugs will never find us. And we can spend our days in bed making beaut
iful babies.

  “I’ll think about it,” I say as I get up. “Amelia, it was nice to meet you.”

  “You too,” she says softly.

  “Well, Jesus, Drake. I just told you the girl was getting married soon. The least you could do is congratulate her on her upcoming nuptials.”

  “Daddy,” Amelia squeaks.

  I can’t do it though. I can’t congratulate her on the fact that she’s being forced to marry someone she doesn’t want to. I don’t even know the girl, and I already know that she deserves infinitely better than the hand life has dealt her.

  “Amelia, congratulations on getting out of your father’s house. Once dear old dad is dead, you can get a divorce and be free of your terrible husband too.”

  As I reach the door, I catch her looking at me. She flashes me a quick smile, and that seals the deal for me. There is something special about Amelia Vera.”

  “You’ll see your money on the twenty fourth as usual,” I say as I leave.

  “You have three days to decide, Drake!” Boss Vera shouts after me. “Three days! Fight or I’ll have you killed.”

  *

  I go home and try to forget about Amelia, but it’s impossible. The memory of her sunflower scent hangs in my nose. When I was sitting next to her, I didn’t get the chance to appreciate the experience, but now I can lie in bed dreaming of Amelia while wide awake.

  I hardly sleep at all. My problems with Boss Vera are the least of my worries. My mind has now chosen to obsess over Amelia and think of a solution for getting her out of the mob lifestyle she was born into.

  Now it’s morning and I’m upstairs at one of the gyms I own. I’m beating up on a punching bag while imagining the bag is Boss Vera.

  “Drake!” My assistant Jessica calls to me.

  I land one more punch on the bag, and whirl around to face her. Jessica is on the other side of the room by the door, and standing next to her —

  is Amelia Vera.

  I can’t believe it.

  I walk quickly towards the two women. “Thanks, Jessica. I’ve got this from here.”

  “Oh, I was just giving her a tour of the gym. She said she knew you, so I thought we’d say hi.”

  “Go take a break, Jess. Get some more coffee. Or better yet — drink water. I worry about you staying hydrated while drinking that coffee all day.”

  “Whatever,” Jessica replies as she heads off.

  “Let’s take this to my office, Ms. Vera,” I say as I lead her down the hallway.

  “I hope you don’t mind that I came here. I just have no other options,” she says. Her voice cracks, and she sounds like she’s going to burst into tears.

  “Sweetie, were you followed on your way here? You heard your dad last night. He’s got guys on me day and night.”

  “I know. I don’t care about his thugs,” she says. “I need your help.”

  I lead her into my office and then lock the door behind us. I gesture for her to take a seat and she does. But I continue to stand.

  “Did your father send you, beautiful?”

  “What? No. Of course not…” she says.

  “You understand, I had to check. I believe you though.”

  “I need you to say yes to my father’s request to fight again. You can challenge the guy he wants me to marry to a fight — and then beat him so badly that he’ll become an embarrassment to my father, and I won’t be forced to marry him anymore. I convinced my dad to tell me his stories of you last night. He says you’re the best he’s ever seen. Then I went on the internet and watched videos of your old fights all night —”

  “My old fights are online?” I had never bothered to look.

  Amelia nods. “You’re literally the only chance I’ve got, Mr. Fierro,” she says.

  “Amelia, you’re a sweet girl, and I hate to see you get forced into marrying someone against your will. But I gave up fighting a long time ago.”

  “My father plans to have you killed if you don’t say yes to him.”

  “He can try,” I reply.

  Amelia drops her head into her hands and sobs. Which kills me to see and hear. I don’t like that she’s having to go through this. Not one bit. But fight for her father again after I’ve worked so hard to stay out of it?

  I sit down beside her and place my hand on her thigh. She’s wearing a sundress today, and my mind immediately goes for the thought of how easy it would be to slide my hand up her dress and feel her soft skin right now. It’s becoming an obsession for me — soon to be an addiction. And it will be a tough one to shake.

  “You’re lucky you’re so damn beautiful,” I mutter.

  “Excuse me?” she replies.

  “Nothing. Forget I said that. But I’ll do it. I’ll fight for you. Tell your father I’ll do it. You can say you convinced me, because I’m sure he’s already wondering why you came to see me today.”

  She pushes my hand off her thigh, and then flings her arms around me. She surprises me with a good warm squeeze. I’m as close to her as I’ve been yet, and damn it feels nice. The bulge in my pants is growing once again.

  “I knew you’d say yes! You’re a good man, Drake. There’s one other thing.”

  I wrap my arms tight around her. Holding her feels so right. It’s such a strange feeling. Not one I’ve ever had before with a woman.

  “What else can I help you with, Ms. Vera?”

  “Call me Amelia. Please. And I need somewhere to stay. I don’t want to go back to my father. I’ll tell him I’m going to stay with you for a while, and that I’ll come back when I’m ready.”

  I let go of her. She holds her tight embrace of me.

  “Sweetheart, that’s suicide for me. Your father would never forgive me for letting you stay with me. He’ll think there’s something going on between us.”

  “So let him think that. He won’t hurt you. You’ll be fighting for him again, and he won’t want to do anything to upset me. He might be forcing me into marriage, but I’m still his princess. If I tell him I’m staying with you, then he’ll have no choice.”

  “Your father always a choice, sweetheart.”

  “If you really think I’m beautiful, then you’ll say yes.”

  “You’re very manipulative, aren’t you?”

  “I learned from the best — dear old dad.”

  I gently push her off me.

  “Fine. You can stay with me.”

  She hugs me again — this time even tighter than before. “You won’t regret this, Mr. Fierro.”

  “Drake. It’s always Drake, for you,” I reply.

  “You’ve made me a happy girl, Drake.”

  I’m pretty sure this girl is my soulmate, and I think she just might get me killed. But that’s okay. I’ve always told myself I’d be willing to die for love.

  Amelia

  *

  Drake Fierro. Champion of Chicago’s underground fight circuit. He’s never been defeated in his fight career, and now he’s on my side.

  “You don’t know what this means to me,” I say as I continue to hug him. I really don’t want to let him go. Ever. He smells like pure man to me — a woody smell like a campfire or something. It’s very comforting and I could just sit here and take it in forever if he’ll let me.

  Drake is a big muscular guy, obviously. I feel safe here. For once in my short life, I feel safe. And I need that feeling more than anything.

  “As much as I’m enjoying just sitting here like this with you, sweetheart, I think you better call your father and explain everything to him.”

  “Can you do it?” I ask.

  “Sweetheart —” Drake begins to protest.

  “Pretty please?” I say in my sweetest voice.

  “Oh, alright. But you’ll have to give me the number. I threw it out years ago.”

  I let go of him reluctantly and take out my phone. I dial my father for him and hand the phone over.

  My legs start to tremble as I sit there waiting. Drake taps the screen and sets the phone on
his desk.

  “Amelia, I need you to get home this instant,” my father’s gravelly voice beckons me.

  “Boss Vera, this is Drake Fierro. Amelia is fine. She’s with me.”

  “Drake! If you so much as touch that girl, I’ll have you buried in a box at the bottom of the ocean within the next few hours!”

  “I’m not going to touch her or hurt her in any way. You have my word. She’s not being held hostage or anything like that. She came here of her own free will to convince me to fight again.”

  “It’s true, daddy,” I add. “And good news — Drake said yes!”

  My father is silent for a moment. Then I hear something that sounds like he’s slammed his fist against the desk, as he often does whether he’s happy or upset.

  “Wonderful news! I knew you’d see things my way, Drake. And thank you, Amelia, for talking Drake into it. We’ll get you a fight setup very soon, Drake. Don’t worry about that.”

  “I’m sure you will,” Drake replies. “There’s something else.”

  “I’m listening,” my father replies.

  “Amelia is going to be staying with me for a while. I tried to talk her out of it, but she insisted. And now I think it’s a good idea.”

  “Drake, you bastard! My men are outside your gym right now, you piece of shit. I said if you harm her or even lay a finger on her, then you’re a dead man. I mean it.”

  “I’m just going to look after her, Boss. Relax. It’s what she wants.”

  “It is, daddy. I need to get out of the house. I need to be away for a while. I have a lot to think about as far as my future.”

  “Your future is secure, princess. There’s nothing to think about.”

  “Yes, there is,” I reply firmly.

  My father is silent for a few moments. He breaks the silence by clearing his throat.

  “My men will be watching you.”

  “I thought you might send your men home now that I’ve agreed to fight for you again,” says Drake.

  “Things have changed, Fierro. Amelia, if I think you’re spending too much time with this guy then I’m gonna have my guys bring you home. No questions about it. Got it?”