It certainly was doable and wouldn’t take much financially to make this a stable non-profit that wouldn’t have to scrape by to make ends meet.

Rubbing my eyes, the door opened and Mia walked in. “How’s it going in here?” she asked, wrapping her arms around my neck and settling in my lap.

“Good. I have a plan and just spoke to my Ma and the landlord.”

“Oh?”

“We’re going to make it happen, Mia. I already have the wheels in motion.” I leaned back in the chair, lifting her to move with me.

“You don’t waste any time, do you?” She rubbed her nose against the tender skin of my neck and inhaled.

I cupped her ass and squeezed. “You’re going to owe me something big for all this.”

“What do you want?” She smirked.

“I’m going to think long and hard about that before giving you a definitive answer.”

“You do that. I just wanted to say hi. I have to go, there are a bunch of people out there waiting to be seen.” She patted my shoulder before trying to climb off my lap.

I pulled her back down, running my lips down her jaw. “I want some sugar first.”

She laughed and rolled her eyes. “Only a kiss.”

“What else would I mean?”

The kiss was soft and sweet. I smiled as she winked at me before walking out the door.

I spent the afternoon jotting down notes, making lists, and calling everyone I knew to help make this place the best it could be. It would be Mia’s dream and her little bit of serenity.

Chapter 25

MIA

It was finally the night – Michael’s MMA match.

I wanted to look stunning.

Picking through my closet, I found my favorite black pencil skirt, a white cami and my kick ass Jessica Simpson peep toe heels. I spent extra time on my makeup and straightened my hair.

I felt tense as I drove to the arena to see him before his fight. I sat in the car for a few minutes to calm my nerves before I made my way to the doors. My stomach gurgled as I followed the extra tall security guard through the backstage area to a door that read “Michael ‘The Iceman’ Gallo.”

After knocking on the door, I smoothed my skirt, wiping my hands against the soft material. My legs were wobbly as I waited for someone to open the door.

Why in the hell was I so nervous? I didn’t like the thought of Michael fighting another man, but my stress level was high enough that someone would think that it would be me stepping in the cage.

The door cracked opened and Rob smiled. “Hey, Mia,” he said, opening the door.

“Hey, Rob,” I said, as I entered the dimly lit room.

“Yo, dude, Mia’s here,” Rob yelled causing me to jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to yell in your ear.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I’m just jumpy.” I saw Michael sitting in a chair looking more stiff than normal and turned to Rob. “Is he okay?”

“Yeah, he’s doing great. He gets moody before a fight.”

Nodding to Rob, I moved toward Michael, stopping in front of him. I placed my hand on his head, running my fingers through his hair as he kept his eyes pointed at the floor. “Michael,” I said, as I stroked his hair.

He didn’t say a word but reached out and wrapped his hand around my calf. He slid his fingers up my leg and under my skirt, gripping my thigh roughly.

“No sex before the match,” Rob said before walking out.

His eyes slowly moved up my body, stopping at my breasts before settling on my face. His grip tightened as he pulled me closer, resting his head against my abdomen.

“You okay, Michael?” My hand stilled in his hair.

“I can smell you,” he said hoarsely.

“Dick,” I said, as I swatted his back. “You had me freaked out and you’re being a pig.”

His body shook as his laughter grew and filled the room. “I’d rather pound your tight, wet pussy than beat this guy's face to a pulp right now.” His fingers slid against the edge of my panties and stopped.

“You can have me all night long after you win your match. The quicker you end it, the sooner you’ll have me in your bed,” I said with a shaky breath.

His finger glided across the satin material of my underwear and rubbed against my clit. My breath caught in my throat as I stood before him, lost in his touch.

“We have a few minutes and I know just how I want to spend them,” he said, wrapping his other arm around my waist.

His fingers dipped inside my panties as I fisted his hair and closed my eyes. My head tipped back as he brought me to the brink of orgasm. My body swayed as his grip increase, steadying me.

My calves stung from the tension and the orgasm that was just out of reach. I opened my legs as far as possible in the restrictive skirt and leaned into his touch.

“You want to come?” he asked roughly.

“Yes,” I pleaded.

“After I kick some ass.” He smirked, removing his hand from my panties, dragging the wetness down my leg.

“Fuck,” I muttered.

“Doesn’t feel so good, does it, Doc?” he laughed, before sticking his fingers in his mouth, licking them clean.

I glared at him. It was funny when I did it to him. To leave me like this now felt downright cruel.

“You’re a bastard.”

My entire body had been tense and he made it so much worse. I was wound so tight at this point I worried walking would cause me to orgasm. I ached that badly.

He patted my ass as he stood and wrapped me in his arms. The warmth of his naked flesh seared through my thin silk camisole. “We’ll finish after I win. I want to take my time with you tonight.”

I rubbed my cheek against the smooth skin of his pec. “I should hate you right now, but I can’t.”

“You two done in there?” Rob yelled, knocking on the door.

“He’s a pain in the ass,” I said, sighing against his chest.

“I know.” He kissed the top of my head, burying his nose in my hair. “Yeah, come in.”

Rob plopped down on the couch across the room and watched us.

“I better go, Michael. You have to get ready and I need to find my seat.” I peered up at him, getting a last look of his beautiful face. I worried it would be bloody and bruised the next time I touched it.

“I’ll text Izzy to meet you in the corridor.” His kiss burned my lips as he crushed his mouth against mine. “Thanks, Mia, for coming.” The smug asshole winked. “I know you hate the very idea, but you being here means a lot to me.”

“No other place I’d rather be.” I slid my hand down his arm, moving away from him. “Oh, and Michael?”

“Yes.”

“Kick his ass, handsome,” I said trying to help him relax.

He winked and his smile made my heart melt.

Fuck, I hated the thought of that beautiful face being hit. I hated everything about what was about to unfold before my eyes.

I waved to him with a faint smile as I left. I could hear the cheers of the crowd echo through the corridor backstage. I followed the noise, finding Izzy waiting for me near the arena entrance.

Her mouth moved as she waved for me to follow her, but it was so loud I couldn’t hear her words. I smiled and nodded before following her to the seating area.

“Down front,” Izzy yelled in my ear, as I look around the arena.

The crowd was larger than I would have expected for a MMA match. Not everyone had such great disdain for the sport as I did. I hated the idea of two men beating the crap out of each other for a title, but I promised Michael I’d be here.

The entire Gallo family, with the exception of Mrs. Gallo, sat in the front row looking as anxious as I felt.

“I found her,” Izzy said as we sat down.

They were a stunning family. The men were all cut from the same cloth. Handsome, rugged, and muscular and the sister was a spitfire. Even Mr. Gallo was classically handsome and didn’t show his age.

“It’s nice to see you again, Doc.” Joe said, a couple seats away.

“Call me Mia, please. I see you’re getting around better these days.”

“Physical therapy works wonders. I wouldn’t miss this fight for the world. Suzy would have had my balls if I didn’t bring her tonight.” He turned and kissed her cheek as she kept her eyes glued to the cage.

“Hello, my dear,” Mr. Gallo said, taking my hand, planting a soft kiss on it. “You’ve missed some matches already.”

I winced as I watched them clean the floor. There was blood and sweat everywhere. “This isn’t my idea of entertainment, Mr. Gallo. I’m only here for Michael,” I said trying to stop my stomach from spilling its contents. “Where’s Mrs. Gallo?” I asked.

“Oh, she hates the very idea of him fighting. She stayed home tonight to read. So, how’s he doing? Is he ready?” he asked.

I shrugged as butterflies filled my stomach. I hoped he was ready because I really couldn’t take watching him being beaten. “He seemed pretty calm when I left him to finish preparing.”

Our conversation was interrupted as the announcer spoke, “Ladies and gentleman, the heavy weight match you’ve all been waiting for is about to begin.”

The crowd stood and the screaming made my eardrums throb. Loud music began to play and I knew it was Michael’s song, "Bodies" by Drowning Pool. It had been playing in his dressing room before I left. I covered my ears as I stood, facing the back of the arena.

“Weighing in at two-hundred and sixty pounds I give you the one, the only, Michael ‘The Iceman’ Gallo.”

The crowd screamed before chanting Ice Man, Ice Man.

Michael wore a black silk robe as he entered through the dark curtain and started to walk down the aisle. The crowd went crazy as people tried to grab him on his way down the ramp into the arena. Blood curdling screams from female fans professing their love to him made me laugh. I could see how this could be an adrenaline rush.