Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

Darcy woke feelingsleepy and content. She startled when she realized she was still in her silky dress. She'd fallen asleep in Nick's arms on the loveseat. He must've carried her to the bed and tucked her in. The image of that was intimate and impressive. Nick was in control of himself and seemed to care deeply for her.

It was already light outside. She stretched and went to take a quick shower, then dress for the day. What did one wear to the sparring match that could win her charity a million dollars and was being fought by the man she was falling in love with?

She bit her lip to hide a squeal. Was Nick for real? He seemed far too perfect, and she was gone over him.

Nick was genuine. He'd never turn cold and cheat on her and devastate her like Johnny had. She trusted him.

Wow. She trusted him. Had she ever truly trusted anyone since her grandfather died? She loved her children and the missionaries who worked with her, especially Gary and May, but to fully trust a man with her heart like she did Nick … it hadn't happened. Even originally with Johnny. She'd been more infatuated with him and fascinated with his family and the security he offered.

A soft rap came on the door. She slid into a pretty white sundress and secured her locket in place, then rushed to open the door.

Nick.

He beamed at her, his deep-brown eyes capturing her completely. "Good morning, beautiful."

She threw herself against his chest and arched up to kiss him. The kiss was needy and full of all the trust and love she felt for him. When they pulled apart, his eyes were wide. "Wow. That was some good morning greeting."

Biting at her lip, she hoped she hadn't been too impulsive.

His grip on her tightened. "I've been trying to figure out how to make it work to be with you after this week. If kisses like that are on the table, I'll work even harder."

"Nick." She kissed him and then pulled back and admitted, "I love you."

"Oh, Darcy." His eyes were now full of wonder and hope. He bent and captured her mouth again, lifting her off the floor and kissing her for a beautifully long time.

"Sorry to interrupt," Jagger said.

Nick set her on her feet and glared at their friend. "No, you're not."

Jagger laughed and pushed at his hair. "I actually am. I really like you two. But we need to load up on the helicopter. The yacht couldn't make it all the way to Miami in one day. Mercedes's jet is at the Cancun Airport waiting for us."

"Sounds good," Nick said. "Do you need anything from your room?"

"None of it's mine." She was sad to leave this yacht where she'd found and fell in love with Nick Jacobs. "Let me grab some sandals."

He released her. She hurried into the closet and slid into some pretty leather sandals. Glancing around, her gaze fell on the white dress from Cozumel. She wanted to take it with her, but it wasn't really hers and she didn't want to be carrying a dress around.

Walking away, she let worry crowd her mind. What if this idyllic time with Nick was all coming to an end and by next week she'd be longing for him and by next month she'd realize he'd schmoozed her just like Johnny had? Nick wouldn't come for her, and when she stalked him on social media, she'd see photos of him with all the beautiful women he was currently dating.

She exited the suite and Nick was there waiting for her. His deep-brown eyes lit up as she approached. Those eyes were sincere and invested in her. How could she doubt him for a moment?

She couldn't, and it was silly to waste one second of their time together stressing about their unknown future.

Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

He kissed her back, infusing warmth and hope into her. He released her and took her hand, guiding her up the steps. "I'm not sure how I'll survive without you," he said softly.

Darcy put a hand to her heart. "I feel the exact same."

Nick stopped at the top of the stairs. "I promise you, Darcy. I will try to resolve this job as quickly as possible and come for you."

"I believe you." She studied him, and something in his eyes made her uneasy. "Do you believe yourself?"

"I want to. It's just … this criminal has been eluding us for years. He's sneaky, really good at covering up his filth."

Her stomach dropped. "So it could be years before you could come for me?"

"No." He shook his head. "I'll come visit as soon as I can, and I'll pray hard for a resolution to this job so I can figure out how to be with you even more."

"I'll pray too." Darcy nodded at him, resolve edging out the concerns.

"Thank you." He squeezed her hand and walked her to the dining area to grab some breakfast before they flew out.

He said he'd figure out how to be with her, but Nick's security ops were his purpose and his life. Even if he resolved this job, wouldn't there be others that needed his expertise? Could they ever be together full-time like she dreamed of? She had no clue, and no matter how she tried to push the worries away, she worried.

Darcy sat on a folding chair not far from the sparring ring in a temporary outdoor arena set up on the flat sand of Daytona Beach. A large crowd was assembled around her on bleachers that had been brought in. Hays was to her right, Mercedes and Shawn to her left. Poor Mercedes looked paler and more haggard than she had five days ago.

Jagger and Nick were on a flat stage of sorts with ropes around it to form a sparring ring. They both had on headgear and their hands were wrapped, wearing shorts and no shirts or shoes. Even Nick's incredible shape couldn't distract her from how nervous she was. She wanted him to win, but she wanted him to not walk away from her even more desperately.

Mercedes had used a microphone and Shawn held her up as she introduced and bragged about each of the men a few moments ago. Now it was time for the final challenge of the week. Time for Nick to fight a highly trained Navy SEAL with a million bucks for Open Arms on the line. Darcy was glad she didn't have to swim, fly, or sled today, but watching this fight had her nerves sharpened as finely as any of the events this week.

The referee said something to the men. They grinned at each other, bumped fists, and stepped back. A bell rang, and the fight was on. Darcy leaped to her feet, unable to sit still and watch.

Jagger and Nick traded punches, knees, and kicks. They went hard at each other. She knew they both liked and respected each other, but it was obvious they were holding nothing back and winning was their focus.

The crowd had also surged to their feet and were screaming, hooting, and clapping. Most were cheering for Nick, which she appreciated. She and Nick had said a quiet prayer before the match, and she prayed again now.

With a fake of his left hand, Jagger landed his right fist into Nick's nose and blood sprayed everywhere. Darcy cried out. Nick simply brushed at his nose and focused on the battle. He was strong and brave. She could hardly stand to watch him get hit, but she couldn't look away either.

Nick split Jagger's lip and now they both had blood running down their faces.

A bell rang, and the men backed away to their corners. They were handed towels and water. Upbeat music played, and the crowd danced and cheered.

Darcy cried out with relief and sank back into her chair. Hays sat next to her. She grabbed his hand. "Thank heavens it's over. Will the judges choose who won now?"

"That was only the first round," Hays said, smiling at her.

"No way! How many rounds?"

"We decided on three," Mercedes said from her other side.

"Unless one of them knocks the other one out," Shawn added.

Darcy cringed. She had to watch that two more times?

Please protect Nick and Jagger. If it be Your will, let Nick win.

A bell rang, and the men strode to the middle of the ring to duke it out again. Darcy jumped to her feet, clenching her hands together and bouncing. The second round was more vicious, and she could swear it lasted longer than the first. She didn't want anyone knocked out, but that might be more merciful than the pounding they were both taking. They both seemed exceptionally skilled at fighting. From her untrained eye, it appeared to be an even fight so far. Would Nick be bruised and broken?

The round finally ended, and Jagger and Nick both staggered to their corners. The music turned on again. Was Nick okay? She stayed on her feet. Her body trembled from nerves. She wanted this to be over. She didn't want to interrupt Nick in the middle of his battle, but when he looked her way, she made a heart with her hands and mouthed, "Praying for you."

Nick grinned and mimicked the heart shape with his own hands.

"Ahh," she heard the audience murmur behind her. She realized every eye was on her, but she didn't care. All she cared about was Nick. He was her warrior and her love, going to war to win for her. If only they could be together after this was over.

The bell rang and Nick strode forward, confidently moving in for punch after punch. Both men moved like they were born to battle it out. It was brilliant and vicious at the same time. Jagger had more mass than Nick and they were evenly matched with skills, but to Darcy it looked like Nick was fighting with his heart. Fighting for her. She fell deeper in love and prayed even harder for him.

Round and round they went—hitting, kicking, using their knees, dancing with each other in the most brutal of artistic matches. It seemed they were both drawing on reserves the average person didn't have. The battle grew more intense, and she feared it was building to a knockout.

Darcy cheered for Nick and prayed and felt like years were shaved off her life from the stress of watching him pummel and be pummeled. The fight was far too even. Unless one of them somehow knocked the other out, she had no clue how the judges would decide.

Finally, finally, the bell rang. Nick and Jagger bumped fists again, then stumbled into each other, barely staying on their feet as they gave each other a brief, manly hug. The crowd cheered wildly.

The men were both smiling, but they looked exhausted. Darcy had no clue how either of them were standing from the countless hits they'd taken and the energy they'd expended.

Mercedes and Shawn went to confer with the referee and what she assumed were judges. The crowd settled, and Nick and Jagger took towels and water bottles from their helpers, drank and wiped at their faces, then poured some water on their heads. They were chatting with each other, and Darcy was grateful they still looked amicable. At the first of the week, she'd thought Jagger would try to destroy them. He'd worked hard, because that was who he was. She didn't blame him for doing his job, and she really liked the guy now.

Not the way she liked Nick, but nobody had ever wrapped up her heart like Nick did. He glanced down at her and smiled and winked. She grinned back at him. He was glistening with water, sweat, and blood. He was tough, protective, and all she wanted. Was there any world where they could be together? He was concerned that his ‘job' might take years. She'd wait for him. Of course she would. She was plenty busy with her children and the years would pass, even if she ached for him.

Shawn helped Mercedes through the ropes, then climbed through himself. He all but carried her over to where the two men stood. She held a microphone up, her arm trembling. Shawn held her up with his arm around her waist.

"Thank you for coming …" She took a breath. "And supporting the final challenge of our Chance for Charity …" Another breath. "Impossible Thrills!" Her voice was tinny and weak, but the mic worked wonders.

The crowd screamed their approval.

"All eight episodes will air this fall, so don't miss any of them."

More cheering.

"Please, you've all signed the disclosure and promised not to share the results with friends or on social media, so keep those phones off." Mercedes smiled sweetly.

Darcy wondered how that could happen. She was sure the word would spread, but that wasn't her issue to worry about.

"Now." Mercedes leaned into Shawn more heavily, as if she couldn't stand on her own two feet. "I know what you're all waiting for." She grinned, inhaled and exhaled. "The judges' verdict on this well-fought battle."

Raucous cheering and screams for ‘Nick' or ‘Jagger.' More for Nick in her mind, but Jagger was impressive too, and she was certain many women in the crowd were drawn to him. They'd better stay away from Nick, though. She smiled at her own possessiveness.

"After three rounds, the judges have reached a decision. The winner, by unanimous decision, is … a tie!" Mercedes cried out.

Everyone froze for a second, stunned. It made sense as the battle had appeared even to her, but a tie? A tie against Jagger was still a win in her mind. What happened now?

"The parameters of Impossible Thrills were that Darcy and Nick could only lose one event." Mercedes looked at Darcy. "With this tie, they only lost one other event. Open Arms and Darcy Saint win a million dollars."

Darcy whooped and leaped to her feet. She punched both fists in the air and screamed herself hoarse. They'd won! She was so happy. For her children. For her ability to help more children. For Nick. He was her hero.

Jagger grabbed Nick's hand and threw their clasped hands into the air. The crowd went insane. The men gave another back-slapping hug, but then Nick was focused on her. He darted across the space, and she rushed to the edge of the ring.

Nick plucked her off her feet, over the ropes, and finally she was in his arms.

"We won!" she screamed. "I love you!"

Nick grinned, then he dipped his head and kissed her. The crowd's cheering wasn't nearly as loud as the cheering inside her own heart. She loved him. He'd won the money for her. Somehow, they had to be together. It was meant to be.