Free Fight for Me by Jessica Linden

about his bastard of a father for years. His mother, though, he thought of her frequently. She’d still be alive if it weren’t for him.
    “They’re dead,” he said bluntly, with enough finality to signal the topic wasn’t open to further discussion.
    “I’m sorry,” she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “My mother passed when I was young. Car accident.”
    Compassion and understanding showed in her eyes, and he looked away, overwhelmed by feelings that were long out of use, that he thought were broken inside him.
    He cleared his throat, wanting to keep the conversation moving. “X’s stable of fighters grew, and eventually he expanded his business into other areas, but I was never involved in that. Well, mostly. By the time I realized what a cocksucker X was, I was stuck.”
    She laughed bitterly. “I know all too well about being stuck. What finally made you leave?”
    “He wanted me to throw a fight. So I . . . left.”
    “I assume it wasn’t on good terms.”
    He shrugged. “You might say that.”
    Things had looked good from where he had stood—over X’s limp body. His only regret was not kicking his ass years ago.
    “And that’s why his men are after you.”
    “I suppose,” Knox allowed. “No one’s ever left before.” At least, not against X’s wishes. Sometimes Knox thought it would be easier to be a crappy fighter. Then X would’ve cut him loose long ago.
    Then again, fighting was the only thing he’d ever been good at.
    Natalie nodded and balled up her burger wrapper, then tossed it in the trash can. “Anything else I should know?”
    “There’s a price on my head.”
    “So every thug in the city is looking for you.” Worry was threaded through her voice.
    He flexed and released his fists. “Probably. It’s definitely enough to tempt some to seek me out.”
    He was worried that someone would try to take him out and claim the money. And certain individuals would think nothing of shooting through Natalie to get to him.
    His gaze shifted to her delicate features, igniting a fiery resolve inside him.
    That would not happen.
He’d put this target on himself, and he would not let her take the fall for it.
    “I hate to be the bearer of more bad news, but . . .” Natalie grimaced, then filled him in on what she’d learned from the recent broadcast. Her shoulders slumped as she spoke, and Knox wrapped his arm around her, pressing his cheek to her hair and inhaling her scent.
    “That was quick, but I’m not all that surprised. I spoke to one of my contacts,” Knox said. “X had a meeting with your father.”
    She frowned, turning to look at him. “My father never mentioned him, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t know each other. I don’t know what to believe about my father anymore. I used to think there was a line he wouldn’t cross, but after he sent those men after me . . . I just don’t know.”
    Knox pressed his lips to her forehead. “Well, they certainly know each other now.”
    “What are we going to do?” She looked up at him with her trusting big blue eyes.
    Knox stared at her grimly. It pained him that he didn’t have an answer to her question. When he’d been beating the shit out of X, he’d been living in the moment. He hadn’t thought ahead, and there was no way he could have anticipated his current predicament.
    Never in a million years had he pictured someone like Natalie walking into his life.
    “Look at us—two fugitives on the run.” She attempted a feeble smile. “So I guess we might as well stick together, huh?”
    “That was never in question.” His eyes locked on hers. “I’ll keep you safe.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her chin and he ran his thumb over her lips.
    Her eyes widened and her breath hitched.
    Damn, she set him on fire, and she had no fucking clue how sexy she was.
    “I don’t want you going anywhere without me,” Knox said fiercely. “You’re mine to protect. I