36. Chapter 36

I stayed out of most of the meetings she held this week. After the news of the fight on Saturday, I couldn’t look at her without wanting to kidnap her and run away. What the hell was she thinking? This is insane. Why would a judge agree to something like this? How is this even legal? Well, I’m not watching it, that’s for sure. I don’t care how powerful I make her feel. She’s insane. I know she had an appointment with my mom this week but that wasn’t going to help do anything. I need to find out if I can get any information about what was going to happen there. I decided to call Grant.

“Hello, Roman.”

“Grant. Have you heard the news?” He sounded tired.

“Yes. It’s all over the TV and social media.” I shook my head.

I asked, “Why is she doing this?”

“She thinks it’s for the betterment of women. To let them know they aren’t powerless against these predators.”

But why does she have to be the one to do this?

“I get that, but do you think this is a good idea? This guy is dangerous.”

“I’ve looked into him and his family. If you don’t want to hear this, you should hang up now.”

“Why stop now, just tell me.” Fuck do I really want to hear this?

“Tanner’s been arrested on multiple occasions for abuse against women. Physical and drug related. He’s gotten off every time because of his brother. This time the woman didn’t back down. That’s the only reason anything happened to him. Alex is the one who took the plea deal for the lower sentence. She knew she’d have to go through a trial to get the five years and they’d just let him out early, so she decided to bait him so she could ask for more severe terms.”

Well, damn, she’s a smart girl, isn’t she. Except for the part where she’s going to fight a violent abuser. I laid my head down on the desk.

“Grant. Do you think she can beat him?” I mumbled into the desk.

Grant laughed. “You don’t? I thought you knew her better than anyone?”

I thought about that and watching her fight in the ring at the gym. I guess I was only paying attention to the times she got hit over the times she was doing the hitting. Maybe she can do this .

“Well, you’ll have to let me know how it goes.” How can I possibly watch that when I can’t even watch her with people who didn’t want to hurt her.

“I’ll do that. Don’t worry about our girl, Roman. She’s going to figure this out.”

Two more days till show time. The door to my elevator opened and in walked Harrison and Amelia.

“Hey guys, how are you?” I’m sure this is just more feeling sorry for me and worrying about Alex.

Amelia said, “We’re fine. How are you? I’m sure you’ve seen the news and social media and know what’s going on, right?”

“I did, yes.” I leaned back and stretched my arms out on the back of the sofa.

“Are you going to try and stop her?” Harrison demanded.

Why do people think I have any power to stop this? “Why would I do that?”

“I don’t know, maybe because she’s getting into the ring with a psycho?”

Not sure which one of them was more psycho, to tell you the truth.

“You know she did this, right? She got a judge to agree to this.” They looked at each other like that was impossible.

Harrison commented, “That can’t be true. No judge would ever do something like this, would they?” Apparently, they would.

“I mean, I know she’s been training and working out or whatever, but this is dangerous. Why would a judge turn this into some kind of hunger games?” Amelia sounded alarmed to say the least. I shook my head. That’s a damn good question. Maybe this judge should be looked into also.

“I don’t know, I wasn’t there, and I won’t be at the insane spectacle either. ”

Harrison seemed a little uncomfortable when he said, “Well, I’m going to support the girl. Too many people are calling her crazy and insane…" He tipped his head directly at me and I smiled "…and I don’t want that getting in her head, so Amelia and I are going.”

“Thank you.” After they left, I stayed up a little while longer trying to extend this day as long as I could— then I saw the text. She wanted me to pray for her to show my support. I will always be here to pray for you sweet girl, always.

Saturday morning came quicker than expected. I reread her text several times when I woke up. I was still on her 5:00 am wake up time, so I had plenty of time before her fight to decide if I was going to be there.

***

ALEX

I kept myself busy all week with work. I was getting tired of everyone saying I was crazy, and I couldn’t win this fight all over my social media, so I turned it all off. I didn’t watch the news, and I didn’t talk to any of the reporters outside my apartment building. Grant made sure they left me alone at work and said he would work on the ones at my building too. Not sure how he was going to do that but if he could then that’s spectacular.

I didn’t interact with Roman when I was at his office in meetings. I was engrossed in putting together the new non–profit that Harrison and his investors were helping me get started. The meeting with the Burrow Township residents was amazing. Almost everyone was on board. Only some of the residents decided to go their own way and not be a part of it. They thought we were relocating them to a dump, and I couldn’t disagree, but I had a clear vision. I also had Shay and Darius so versed on the project they could practically do it themselves. That was part of my plan because I didn’t want what was going on with me to overshadow the project.

Every day after work I went to the MMA studio and had Bruce keep me focused. Raphael was my new sparring partner, and he taught me a lot more than I already knew. The Friday before the fight the whole team had a surprise for me. They had a potluck with balloons, cards and the most important thing, their support. I was ready.

On the way to my car, my phone started ringing. It was Harrison. I answered, since it was probably something to do with the non-profit.

“Hey Harrison. What’s up?”

“Alex, I know Roman doesn’t want to be there tomorrow, but I do. I want to make sure you know you have the King’s support. All of them.”

I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold back the tears for too much longer after hearing that.

“Thank you, Harrison,” I managed to choke out.

He said, “I talked to your brother Edward after he reached out to Roman, and he’s going to be there too.” Now the tears are flowing. My brother never called me to tell me he was coming. I just figured they thought I was nuts too and wouldn’t want to see it. I could barely get out another thank you.

“See you tomorrow.” I sat in my car and cried.

When I got home, I took a long hot shower, changed into comfy sweats, ate dinner and cried some more. This was the loneliest feeling in the world without Roman, and he wasn’t going to be there tomorrow either. I sent out one text before I decided to go to sleep for the night .

ME: “If you pray for me, that will be enough to know you’re with me and support me.” I waited for what seemed like forever for a response, but it was only about one minute…

ROMAN: “Always.” Thank God.

***

The alarm scared me this morning. I thought I was in the ring, and it was time to fight. Tanner seemed even bigger in my dream. I needed to wipe the sweat off my head and get in the shower. I’m not going to the gym this morning. I’ve had plenty of workouts this week.

My phone was blowing up with texts, but I only looked at two of them. The one from Jack telling me to meet him at his house so we could ride together, and the one from Bruce telling me to meet him in the office as soon as I got there. I threw the phone in my purse and didn’t look at it again. I had to stay out of my head, and I didn’t need anyone telling me not to do this. There was something I needed, however. I ran back to my bedroom and grabbed that gold cross Mrs. Santoro gave me out of my jewelry box and threw it in my bag.

Jack and I pulled up to the back door of the studio and entered there. We went straight to Bruce’s office. We didn’t want to get caught up in any questions from reporters.

Bruce said, “Alex, are you ready?” I took several breaths as I thought about what I was about to do.

“I guess I better be.”

Jack said, “I’m going to go out there for a minute and see who’s here.”

As soon as Jack was out of earshot I said, “Bruce, I’m going kill this guy.” He looked a little scared .

“What do you mean? Like literally?”

Yes. My hands were shaking, and I could barely breathe.

“I don’t know. I’ve never felt rage like this in my entire life. I don’t think it’s good. I need to know someone’ll stop me if I go too far.” He grabbed both of my hands and first told me to calm down and breathe.

“What if you’re just fighting back?” He tried to reassure me.

Self-defense is definitely not what I’m talking about right now.

“If he’s still fighting, then that’s not what I mean. I mean if he’s out cold and I keep going.”

He started laughing. Not helping at all. Does he think I can’t knock him out? Right now, I know I can.

“If he’s out and you’re still going after him, I’ll make sure to stop you, since the only rule is the fight ends if someone is out or gives up.”

I let out a deep breath and someone knocked on the door. I turned around and Roman’s mom was standing in the doorway. My heart sank. I didn’t think she would want to see this.

She came right over and hugged me. “You be careful in there. I know you can do this, but I would’ve never wished for it.”

I held the emotions back and said, “Lisette, will you still help me when this is over? I have something to ask you, after.” She put her hands on my face.

“Of course I’ll help you, as long as you need me to.” Now I can do this.

I grabbed the gold cross from my bag, held it in my hand, closed my eyes and just said, “God Help Me” then put it back in my bag. I don’t know if there is a God right now but what the hell could it hurt.

** *

ROMAN

I pulled into the parking lot of the MMA studio, and it was packed. There were news trucks and cars everywhere. What a fucking circus. At least no one would know I was even there. I pushed through a crowd of people and stayed on the back wall. I could see the ring from here. I could see Harrison and Edward, in the corner talking to Alex who was already in the ring. She looked really calm. Maybe I missed the fight, and she already won. I’m not that damn lucky though. I saw Matt and Jack talking to an older gentleman, I didn’t know, and I could see Grant and Mr. Santoro with Shay and the other people from the real estate office. I didn’t see her father anywhere, or her brother Patrick, either. Didn’t seem like those two would have the stomach for this. Hell, I didn’t have the stomach for this.

The crowd in here was unreal. Who did this? Who would want to expose this kind of archaic behavior? It had to be Tanner. Only someone like him would want to prove what a piece of shit he was in the spotlight like this. Right as I was thinking that, someone bumped my arm. I looked to see Marcus Ellington had stopped next to me to chat.

Oh wonderful, this ought to be fun.

He muttered with a nasty smirk on his face, “You and your family have been nothing but a pain in our family’s ass for as long as I can remember. I look forward to watching my brother beat the shit out of your girlfriend for the whole world to see.”

My family has been a pain in your ass? That’s some bullshit considering I didn't even know about you until now.

“Interesting. First of all, I never even knew you existed until this year. Second, everything that happened to your family was of your own doing and third, I don’t have a girlfriend.” I said while looking past him trying to keep watch on Alex .

His laughter was not of the funny variety, “Ahhh maybe she needed a real man and she’s hoping my brother manhandles her in there.”

Maybe there’s going to be two fights here today.

I mimicked his laughter and responded, “Personally, I hope she kicks the living shit out of him. My bet’s on the girl. Wanna make a wager?” Baiting crazy people isn’t really the best idea. He had an evil gleam in his eyes and turned to face me.

“What might that be?” A wager with the devil sounds like a really bad idea, but I feel like this is the season for making bad decisions.

“She wins, you retire and get the hell out of my city.” He laughed a more than sinister laugh. I mean, who the hell is this guy and his family anyway? Can’t just be a disgruntled deceased ex employee’s kid or even just a corrupt politician. This has to go deeper than that.

“I know my brother. I’ll take that bet. But when Tanner wins, you retire, and King Construction closes for good. And by win I mean my brother does permanent damage.”

You mean permanent damage to Alex? I might kill this guy.

My heart was hammering, and my blood was pumping but I put my hand out and said, “You’ve got a deal.” We shook hands and I’m sure my grip let him know I was coming for him next. He took a voice recorder out of his pocket and held it up in front of me.

“I have it on tape. Looking forward to never working with you again.” I smiled knowing he would either doctor that recording or he was going to have to let the world hear how he hoped his brother permanently damaged a woman in a fight.

“Same.”

Come on Alex. Now I feel sick. What the fuck did I just do? I’m sure the plan all along was to try and hurt Alex and now I’ve given him more reason to do just that.

** *

ALEX

As I was getting ready to walk out, Bruce stopped me at the door.

He held my shoulders and I felt like Rocky. He instructed me, “Put your blinders on right now. It’s packed out there. It’s loud, it’s obnoxious and not everyone is rooting for you. They aren’t important. The only person you’re doing this for is you. Whatever noble reasons you have for doing this is great, but right now it’s all about you and getting the job done. Nothing else matters.” I took a deep breath, bobbing my head. I pushed all the other thoughts out of my mind and let all my rage and anger for what Tanner and his brother have done totally consume me. My body was shaking so badly on the inside that I almost didn’t think I’d be able to go out there. Then I remembered to get control and focus and a calm like before a storm, came over me and I knew I was ready.

Bruce walked out with me. He was right about needing blinders though. This place was filled wall to wall with people and cameras flashing. I know I wanted it to be a circus, but I guess I didn’t think it would be this bad. I focused on just getting to the ring. I saw Tanner outside the ring talking to his people with a damn smile on his face. He just knew he had this in the bag. I can’t wait to prove his ass wrong. I smiled when I saw Harrison and Edward by my corner talking to Raphael. I was still in my sweats when I got in the ring and went straight over to my corner. It was literally my corner because I used a Sharpy to carve initials there the first time I got laid out in that corner. The thought was humorous, but I couldn't use that to my advantage in here.

Edward reached out his hand and I grabbed it immediately. He smiled and said, “That is one dumb dude over there. Make sure everyone else knows it too.”

I laughed and Harrison said, “Who created this zoo?”

I smiled acknowledging that it was me.

He said, “You better fucking win then!” while shaking his head. I nodded, but I couldn’t talk right now. My only thoughts were about what I was planning to do in the ring— this fight was between me and Tanner.

Raphael climbed into the ring and whispered in my ear, “I’ll let you punch me in the face next time we spar, if you win.”

I laughed and said, “Let me?”

He smirked and said, “Of course I’d have to let you. Not like you could do it on your own.”

I shoved him away and nodded. I knew he was trying to keep my head in the ring. He didn’t want anyone giving me soft inspiration. I looked over at Matt and Jack who were talking to the judge. They all had their arms crossed and their faces were full of serious expressions. I couldn’t think about that though. I needed to stay right here in this ring full of rage. I looked in the only direction I needed— right at Tanner. Just his face was enough to enrage me. I could feel heat rising through my body. I couldn’t hear anything else going on around me other than the blood rushing through my ears. He was talking and smiling to his attorney and his brother. So, Marcus the politician showed up to watch his brother beat up a girl. That’s probably not going to look good for his next political campaign. I’ll have to make sure I get a hit in for him, too.

I decided not to look around anymore until Bruce came into the ring followed by Tanner. No one else was allowed in there. I was still wearing my sweats— Tanner had on a tee shirt, shorts and gym shoes. I was wearing my normal training attire, which was a sports bra and short spandex shorts underneath. I was trying to provoke him as much as possible.

Bruce looked at Tanner and treated him like any other fighter, not some sick predator and said, “Are you going to wear those shoes in the ring? I would suggest taking them off, so you don’t trip on your laces.” Tanner rolled his eyes and huffed out a laugh then walked to his corner, taking his shoes and socks off.

When he came back over, he snarled, “Better?”

I don’t know if I would take an attitude with Bruce. He might be a professional, but I’m sure Tanner remembers being manhandled by him already.

Then Bruce said, “Yes, now what about your shirt? Do you really want your opponent to have that kind of leverage against you? She could use your own shirt as a weapon.” He darted his eyes at me and licked his lips. Bile came up in my throat, but I forced it back down.

“She’s wearing a sweat suit. I think it’s fair, don’t you?” With that I removed my sweats and watched his eyes get predatorial. That’s exactly the reaction I was trying to invoke. He smiled and licked his lips again as he removed his shirt. God, he makes me sick to my stomach.

He said, “Should I take my shorts off too? Maybe we should just do this naked.”

He’s one sick motherfucker and all these people watching. I could feel the evil intent coming off him. Deep breaths. I could tell Bruce didn’t like it, but he was trying to keep things fair.

Finally, Bruce growled out in his burly deep voice, “I think this is good. Now the rules are that the fight’s over when one person taps out or becomes unconscious. We have all kinds of security in this building and paramedics if necessary. I’m not going to say keep the fight clean, because the premise of this was dirty from the beginning, so don’t kill each other is all I’m saying. When I leave the ring, you won’t start fighting until I ring the bell. Do you both understand?”

We nodded our heads while staring into each other’s eyes. His had nothing but blackness behind those blue eyes.

As soon as Bruce was out of the ring, I was standing toe to toe with Tanner. I had to look up to see his face. He was smiling, creepily at me, and he leaned down to whisper in my ear.

“I’m going to knock you the fuck out and then fuck you right here in the middle of the ring, right in front of your boyfriend hiding on the back wall back there.”

Oh my God, Roman’s here .

I whipped my head around to see him and as soon as our eyes locked, I felt this searing pain on the side of my face. I went down to my hands and knees. Then another pain in my side and then a loud smacking sound and a sharp pain right on my ass.

***

ROMAN

Seeing her in the ring with him is unsettling. I don’t know how I’m supposed to watch this, but it would literally drive me crazy not knowing and waiting for someone to tell me after. My mom spotted me, and she came and stood on the back wall with me.

While keeping my eyes peeled on Alex, I asked, “How is she? Did you see her before this?”

She said, “I did. She has something to ask me after this is over.”

Hmmm, I wonder what that could be.

“Do you know what it is? Never mind, I shouldn’t be asking. ”

She just smiled and said, “I think this is closure for her.”

Closure from me? “For what?”

She reached out and patted my arm. “I don’t know. Maybe that’s what she wants to talk about”.

As I was looking back toward the ring Bruce was leaving it, and the room was getting quiet now. Alex was standing really close to Tanner and he was whispering in her ear. She abruptly turned around and our eyes locked and it made me smile.

Oh, shit babe, I’m so sorry!

He punched her right in the face then kicked her when she was down and smacked her on the ass. I’ll bet that smack on the ass sealed his fate.

I needed to get up there. My mom grabbed my arm, and someone pushed me up against the wall.

Raphael was right in my face and curled his lip. “Stay the fuck away from that ring. He just used you to distract her. What do you think would happen if you go over there now? Let her work this out. I told you she can take a hit. He ain’t no fighter, he's a weak ass bitch who hits women.”

I was shaking mad now, but he was right, I was only going to distract her more. My mom had tears in her eyes when she saw what had happened. It was everything I could do to look up again and see the rest of this.

Raphael patted my shoulder and said, “Take a deep breath and just watch. I’ve trained her all week.”

I don’t know if that should make me feel better or worse. I knew Raphael didn’t take much pity on his opponent or even his sparring partners. I watched him punch Alex in the face too.

But then she was up and with that eerie look in her eye.

Now, babe, go get him!

** *

ALEX

Fuck, I think I have a broken rib but smack my ass and we have a real problem. Why is that pissing me off so much right now? I should’ve known he was going to fucking cheat, Bruce didn’t even ring the bell. He’s pleased with himself right now, so that’s a good distraction. I think I heard Harrison ask if I was okay and my brother ask if I was going to let that asshole do that to me.

It’s fine, I’m fine.

I’m not going to let anyone do anything to me. I’m not going to let Tanner touch me ever again.

Tunnel vision was back, and I couldn’t feel any more pain. I stood up and shook myself off. At this point it was just a game. Do I screw with him and make this a good show, or do I take him down fast and fierce? I think a little embarrassment would be good for him. I could taste blood in my mouth, and I looked right at him, as he smiled. I smiled back, wiping the blood away. I tuned out everyone else in this place, it was just me and him now.

I said with a nasty smirk on my face, “So, how did you like my ass for the second time?”

He laughed and said, “I can’t wait to do it again.”

“I bet you can’t, except the next time it will be your ass, and the hand will be attached to a guy in your jail cell named Bubba.” That wiped the smile off his face, and he came at me. I moved just far enough to slap his face and trip him at the same time. He went flying down to the mat and jumped up fast, putting his hand to his face like he couldn’t believe that just happened .

I held both hands out to the side and said, “You like to hit women? Here I am motherfucker, come get me.”

He ran at me again and this time I moved to the side and kicked him right across his stomach. He doubled over. I slapped his ass as hard as I could before pushing him over with my foot. I didn’t take my eyes off him or listen to anything else going on around me. I was going to finish this as soon as he got back up.

He stood and turned around with pure evil intent and said, “I’m going to fuck you right here in the middle of this ring, bitch. In front of all these people including your boyfriend.”

I don’t think so, you sick fuck.

“Oh, you’ll definitely be between my legs, but I don’t think you’ll like it,” I spit out then gave him a wink.

“I’ll definitely like it between your legs. I’ll make sure you can’t walk for a week.”

I laughed. “Do your worst.” I felt sick having this conversation, but I needed to keep him focused.

The last vision of Tanner’s face that I had was when he was coming at me with nothing but pure hatred and violence running through his veins. Then he was on his back, I had both legs wrapped tightly around his arm and neck while pulling his other arm far above his head, listening to the tearing of ligaments and the sound of bone separating from the socket. I could hear the the bell over and over again, and figured he must be unconscious when his pathetic screams stopped. But when I got up and saw his face again, I lost control. I jumped on top of him, straddled his chest and punched him repeatedly. I was so focused and out of control at the same time, I couldn’t stop until someone literally had to remove me. Bruce had his arms wrapped around me and I swear I was fighting him, trying to get free and end Tanner’s life.

** *

ROMAN

Oh shit, I’ve seen the eerie Alex before, but not this one. This one is scary and cold.

Raphael said, “What do you think now?”

“That I’m a little worried for Tanner now.”

He started laughing and my mom decided to go find my dad and sit down. I don’t know what they were saying to each other in the ring, but it didn’t look like Alex was too worried about it.

Did she just slap him in the face and throw his ass to the ground? Damn, she’s just fucking with him. I was worried about their size difference but she’s treating him like a ragdoll out there.

How did you like that little slap to the face Tanner?

The sound of the ‘Oh’s’ and ‘Oh shits’ from the crowd was deafening. Lights flashed and cell phones being used for photography was so distracting to me. I wondered if Alex knew any of it was happening. She was excellent at tuning things out. Poor Tanner just got a taste of his own medicine. I bet she washes her hands with bleach after smacking his ass. I wish she would just get this over with though. I can’t stand seeing her that close to that asshole.

Now the crowd was laughing and chanting Alex’s name. She must’ve said something funny that he didn’t particularly like. She looked so focused up there. She was staring right at him, without blinking. I wonder what she was thinking.

Just then Raphael patted me on the back and said, “I know that look. He’s done. ”

He was right. As soon as Tanner took a swing at her, she had his arm in her hands and spun him around quickly, pinning him down on the floor. Her legs were wrapped around his neck, locked at the ankle. She didn’t look like she was breathing, and her face was so red. I could see every muscle in her body engaged. He was done all right, but she wasn’t letting up. Someone needs to ring that damn bell before she kills him. I was starting to get nervous and then the bell started ringing and she got up. She didn't, however, walk away. She jumped on top of him and started wailing on him.

I pushed away from Raphael and ran over there as Bruce finally got in the ring, pulling her off him. Tanner’s brother and lawyer were yelling at her and Bruce saying that they would sue her if he died or had any kind of permanent damage. I wonder if he was referring to the same permanent damage he was hoping Tanner inflicted on Alex? They were saying she cheated because she had training and knew how to fight. The paramedics were now in the ring working on Tanner. My mom was in the ring with Bruce and Alex trying to get her to calm down. I watched Jack and Matt walk over to Marcus and Tanner’s lawyer with an older man and some other people who looked like they were with him, including a few police officers. Shit. Were they there to arrest Alex?

Harrison grabbed my shoulder as I was headed toward them and said, “Hey there. I didn’t know you were coming. I think you need to wait right here.” I pulled out of Harrison’s grip and Edward came over and stood in front of me.

He said, “Roman, this isn’t the time. Let them handle this.” I calmed down and turned around.

“You’re probably right. I wasn’t even supposed to be here.” Maggie and Abby came over and each gave me a hug. I couldn’t stand this. I was just pacing in a circle .

Maggie said, “I’m speechless. I knew she was mad, but I never expected something like that. That was scary.”

Abby said, “She needs help dealing with whatever it is she’s got going on in that head of hers.”

That was for damn sure.

“I know. We broke up Saturday because of it.” They seemed to have already known by the look on their faces.

Maggie said with tears in her eyes, “We had to cut her off too until she figures this out.”

Abby said, “I don’t want to lose my friend.” They both had tears streaming down their faces.

When the place started clearing out and Tanner was on his way to the hospital, I saw the paramedics working on Alex’s ribs. I guess that kick to the side must’ve broken them or bruised her. I started walking over toward her, but my mom and Bruce stopped me.

Mom said, “Roman, she’s going to the hospital in a minute to get some x-rays. Let’s wait until she’s been looked at and comfortable. The hospital is going to keep her overnight in case she has a concussion, and she said she’ll take visitors then. She doesn’t want to talk to anyone right now. Especially you— those were her words.”

I guess I can understand that.

“Can I go over with you later?” I still wanted to make sure she was okay.

“I’m going with her right now and I’ll text you later if she wants to see you.”

At least my mom will be with her. I nodded and went back over to talk to Harrison and Edward. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to Bruce. I felt like he egged this behavior on when he agreed to help her.

Jack and Matt came over and Matt said, “Hey Roman. I didn’t think you were coming. ”

I shook my head and said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have.”

Jack said, “Good to see you man. She was probably glad to have you here.”

Really, she doesn’t want to see me.

“I don’t know about that. I’m probably the reason for the broken ribs.” No one laughed and I said, “Was the older gentleman someone important? I noticed he was watching intently.”

Jack said while rolling his eyes. “He’s the judge who signed off on this pit fight.”

Fuck, so a judge really did agree to that.

“Who would do that?”

He huffed with a smile on his face while shaking his head, “He did his best to talk her out of it. Basically, he said it was nuts, but I think Tanner pissed him off and Alex was very compelling in his office. You know she told the judge she wasn’t in there for herself. She was in there for all the women who didn’t think they could get justice against a ‘predator’ like Tanner. He didn’t even blink after that. He grabbed his pen and signed on the dotted line.”

“Damn, she’s a determined lady, isn’t she?”

A voice behind me said, “Yes she is.” I turned around to find Grant and Alessandro. I nodded and shook both of their hands.

Jack said, “While I’ve got all of you here. I just wanted to let you know that Alex won’t be dealing with any legal action from this fight, so the only kind of worrying you need to do is about her state of mind. It’s not good. We nipped the legal shit in the bud, but she’s got some work to do on herself. The judge already said the paperwork he signed from this nonsense will prohibit either party from suing.”

Well, that was a breath of fresh air. Alex sure did go to extreme measures to make shit happen, didn’t she ?

After Alex and my mom went to the hospital, we all decided to meet at Maggie and Matt’s house to wait and see if Alex was up for visitors, otherwise hopefully she would let us come see her tomorrow.

***

ALEX

Bruce’s arms were still tight around me like a vice grip but someone was holding my hands. When I got focus again I saw that it was Dr. King. That’s when I let out my breath and a horrific cry and let go of the rage and anger. Bruce let me go and I collapsed onto the mat. I was hyperventilating and crying. That was awful. I could’ve killed him and I would have if someone hadn’t stopped me. Oh my God, what have I done?

Bruce was telling me it was ok, that Tanner was going to be fine. I couldn’t breathe.

Dr. King said, “Alex, we’re going to have you looked at by the paramedics now.” I nodded but couldn’t stop crying. I became the monster I was fighting. I was still choking on sobs when the paramedics came over and asked me the usual questions if I was hurt and I shook my head until one of them touched my side and I flinched. That fucking hurt . They told me they thought I had at least one broken rib and would need to go to the hospital to be looked at.

Finally, I stopped crying. “Dr. King, will you go with me to the hospital? I need to talk to you.” She nodded and I pleaded, “Please tell Roman not to come. I wish he hadn’t seen any of this. In fact, I don’t want to see anyone right now, Ok? Maybe later but not right now.” What the hell would I say to anyone?

Bruce and Lisette left me with the paramedics and that’s when I could feel the adrenaline leaving my body and the actual pain creeping in. I thought I was going to pass out. My jaw and my side were on fire.

I hoped all these people saw what a monster Tanner was, and the power of popular opinion would keep him far away from Cincinnati when he finally got out of jail. I also hoped that other pieces of shit just like him knew they were on notice, because I planned to teach self-defense classes at Bruce’s studio. If I can arm every woman in this city with the ability to take on an attacker, I will.

They helped me out of the ring and wanted me to get on the gurney. I didn’t want to, but they were taking me to the hospital in the ambulance, so they told me I had to be strapped in to ride in there. I told them I needed my doctor to ride with me, so they got Dr. King. She held my hand all the way to the hospital.

On the way there I said, “Lisette, I’m so sorry for hurting Roman. None of this felt like me. It felt like a part of me had broken off and had a mind of its own. I felt like I was going crazy.”

She just nodded and listened.

I said, “I need to be locked up.”

She smiled and said, “I don’t think you need to be locked up. I do think you need a break, though. Let me talk to a friend of mine. They own a retreat in Indonesia. In Bali.”

I smiled and said, “That sounds like a vacation for nutjobs.”

“Kind of. There are no padded walls. In fact, there’s not a lot of walls at all.”

“Is it like ‘Naked and Afraid’? I get dropped off in the middle of nowhere and fend for myself?” She laughed, and for the first time in a long time, I genuinely laughed too .

She said, “No. It’s a place with no alcohol, no electronics, and no self-deprecating behavior. You just have to spend time with you.”

“How long is this rehab?” I let out a much-needed cleansing breath.

“Forty-five days,” she said, so matter-of-factly, I realized she must have some serious knowledge of this place. Must have sent a lot of her nutty patients there.

“When do you think I could get in?”

The sooner the better. I needed to get on with my life now.

“I’ll talk to my friend and see if I can get you in immediately. In the meantime, I want you to stay in the hospital on the psych ward. I’ll admit you. There’s a nice private room that I use for my special patients. Only you can allow visitors. You’ll need to give me the list of those you choose. I’m going to have some exercises for you to do while you’re waiting for your place at the rehab center.”

Lisette had called ahead and had the room reserved. They took me straight to x-ray and got that over with. I had two cracked ribs and a fractured cheekbone. Nice work, Alex. I mean who would do that to themselves. What I did was sadistic, I have to admit.

As soon as they wheeled me back to the room, I changed into the hospital gown then sat in the bed and wrote out the list of visitors that I would accept and when. Lisette had gone to call the rehab center to see when they could take me. My list consisted of my dad, my aunt, my brothers, Abby and Jack, Matt and Maggie, Shay and the boys, Ella and Darius, Grant and the Santoros, Bruce, and Harrison and Amelia could come any time. Roman was on the list too, but I wasn’t ready to see him yet so I indicated that I would let Dr. King know on that one.

She came back and said, “Alex, you’re all set for a week from Monday. Can you get everything in order before then? ”

I nodded and thought about how this must be the reason I worked so hard with Shay and Darius to get them ready to take things on without me.

“Thank you, Dr. King. You saved my life.” She came over and hugged me tight.

“No sweet girl, you saved your own life.” She kissed the top of my head and left.