Theirs to Keep - Maya Banks Page 0,67

tightly he was holding Elle and how fierce his expression must be. Rage had clouded his mind. And gut-wrenching fear of losing Elle.

“Go for your run,” Cade said. “I’ll take care of Elle. Go clear your head. You’ve got to get back into your routine.”

Elle stirred in his arms and pulled her dark head away, her eyes finally reflecting calm…and determination that had been lacking moments earlier. It was as if she’d pulled out of the fog of sleep and was now fully aware and in the present.

“Go,” she said softly. “I’m okay. You’ve got to do this, Merrick. It’s too important to let go of. You—we—can’t let what happened ruin this opportunity. You’re at the top of your game. This may be the only title shot you get. You’ve worked too long and too hard to let it slip through your fingers at this stage.”

He stared between Cade and Elle for a long moment as he carefully considered his words. It was a matter he’d given a lot of consideration to over the last few days.

“Sometimes goals and ambitions change,” he said. “Sometimes what you want in one stage of your life isn’t what you want—or need—in the next stage. And sometimes your heart lies in other areas.”

Cade frowned. Elle’s lips pursed, and her eyes narrowed in puzzlement.

“You’re not saying that this is no longer what you want, are you?” Cade demanded. “You’d honestly give up before you ever take a shot at the title?”

Merrick didn’t respond right away. In no way did he want it thought that he was rendering snap judgments.

“I’m not saying anything other than things change,” Merrick said calmly.

Elle slid to her knees in front of him. She took his hands in hers and cradled them to her chest. Her gaze found his, and her eyes burned with sincerity. And worry.

“Please don’t do this because of me,” she choked out. “I know how much you want this, Merrick. You’ve eaten, slept and lived this ever since I came here. I’ve watched you train tirelessly. I’ve seen you spar with some of the best. I’ve witnessed a remarkable change in you as you’ve become more centered and focused. Everyone in your camp believes that this is your time. That this is the fight where you take it all. I believe this is your time,” she added softly.

He slipped his hand over her jaw, cupping her cheek and caressing the silky lines of her face.

“What I care most about is you. Not a title. Not validation or recognition. I love you, and I want what’s best for us. Not me. Us.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “You can have us both, Merrick. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. Cade and I stand behind you, and we believe in you.”

She glanced up at Cade and then returned her gaze to Merrick. He sensed her hesitation, and then her chin jutted out, and she pressed her lips together in a firm, determined line as if she’d grasped the courage to say what she wanted.

“If Cade and I took over most of the office stuff, it would leave you free to train. Exclusively, I mean.”

Merrick frowned, and she reached her finger up to hush him by placing it over his lips.

“I know this is yours and Cade’s business. But you have a great opportunity ahead of you. And if you win? You aren’t going to be out monitoring clients’ businesses. You’ll be training. You’ll have endorsements. Your life is going to change.”

His frown deepened, and he glanced at his best friend and the woman they both loved.

“Maybe I don’t want things to change,” he said quietly.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“CAN WE TALK?”

Merrick turned from the window where he’d been standing and after a brief hesitation gave a short nod. “Where’s Elle?”

“She’s in the shower, so let’s make this quick.”

Cade shoved his hands into his pockets and exhaled deeply. “Look, I get it. The thing with the fight and training. And Elle. I do. But I think you’re making a mistake, and I’d hate to see you make a decision you later regret.”

Merrick’s lips twisted, and he remained silent and brooding. Typical Merrick. Especially when he had something on his mind.

For a long moment, neither man spoke, and Cade was content to let Merrick stew until he finally broke and talked about it.

“I’m too old for a career in mixed martial arts, and we both know it,” Merrick finally said.

Cade lifted one brow. “That was the last thing I expected you to come up with.