Damaged and the Dragon (Damaged #5)

“Nick might not be used to nice things and people sticking with him. You can make things okay by telling him why you want him to stop. Help him understand and let him choose. I think he’d choose you if he didn’t feel cornered. He’s more relaxed since you guys got together.”


“How do you know so much about me and Nick?”

“Win has a big mouth.”

I smiled. “I might have ruined the best thing I ever had.”

“Or you had your first big fight with the best thing you ever had. Only one way to find out.”

“I’m going to hug you now. Try not to get addicted to it. I give great hugs.” Harlow grinned and hugged me back. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“Thanks for giving Winnie a job. She was losing herself again after the bastards took us. You’re helping her get back what they stole.”

Leaving Harlow, I walked outside to wait for Nick next to his Harley. I didn’t know what exactly to say to him, but I would make it right. Losing him wasn’t an option.





Chapter Twenty Two ~ Nick


After Bailey gave me the ultimatum, I was filled with both rage and fear. Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised by her temper. I couldn’t believe she asked me to choose her or my freedom.

As I walked into the cage for my second fight, my fear overwhelmed my rage.

I walked away from Bailey.

For a year, I imagined us together and the reality was a million times better. She made me feel like a normal man. With Bailey, I didn’t need to hide, but I’d lost her.

My opponent noticed my distracted mood and took full advantage. Punching me in the face then gut, the guy quickly shoved me onto my back. The crowd roared in enthusiasm at the unexpected turn in the fight. They loved surprises and I was getting my ass kicked when I shouldn’t.

Looking up at the guy, I was exhausted in a way a nineteen year old should never be. My life pounded me down like this guy and I’d chosen to walk away from the only good thing I’d ever known. I was born into shit by no fault of my own. Now with one mistake with Bailey, I’d chosen to embrace shit forever.

This guy wasn’t the reason I was miserable, but I hated him. He was my enemy who kept me from happiness. If I could get past him, I might catch up to Bailey and make her understand. Maybe I’d fucking beg her for another chance. Whatever it took, my future wasn’t in this cage with this loser.

Rolling onto my knees, I wobbled to my feet before he could knock me down again. The guy waved his arms around, encouraging the crowd to cheer. I didn’t blame him for the pride in his eyes. He beat Dragon so easily and must have felt like a true badass. Unfortunately for his surging ego, he was standing between me and my woman.

Blood gushing from a gash over my left eye, I could barely see. My head hurt and I think he’d sprained my wrist when he stomped on it. Physical pain was something I could survive. The desperation for Bailey was something new.

My fist met the guy’s jaw, striking a shocked expression across his face. Diving for him, I used my body weight to pin him to the ground. My fists smashed down at anything I could see through the blood in my eyes. Finally, Axel pulled me off the guy.

As the crowd roared, he forced me into the locker rooms where I grabbed a towel. I tried to wipe blood from my eyes, but only made more of a mess. Once Axel brought me a wet towel, I cleaned up enough to see Bailey was gone.

“I don’t know where she went,” Axel said. “Just let the doctor look at your eye. You’ll need stitches then you can chase down Bailey. It’s not like you don’t know where she lives.”

Waiting grudgingly, I struggled for the words to make Bailey understand. By the time the doctor finished stitching my eye, I couldn’t feel past my fear. Life was better with Bailey. I slept when I knew she was nearby. She made me happy, but I’d walked away from her.

A long hall led to the back parking lot where my Harley waited. Axel offered to drive me home, but I waved him off. Still parked next to my Harley was Bailey’s SUV. When I approached, the door opened and she slid out.

Freezing at the sight of her, I didn’t know if the guy knocked me out and I was dreaming. Bailey looked beautiful in the moonlight and I smelled her in the breeze. While she was perfection, Bailey’s expression told the story of my battered face.

“I was bluffing,” Bailey said as her lower lip trembled. “I just wanted to protect you, but I shouldn’t boss you around. It was a bluff though. I can’t give you up because I love you too.”

Staring at her through my swollen eyes, I saw everything I needed to be happy. Yet I had given her up for less than an hour and the pain was unbearable. Since no words could express how I felt, I erased the space between us and cupped her face. She looked delicate and angelic next to my battered hands.

Kissing her softly, I felt such relief when Bailey returned my affection by wrapping her arms around my tender ribcage. With every kiss we shared, my fear eased and our future brightened.





Chapter Twenty Three ~ Bailey