Knock Out (Worth the Fight) Read online

  Knock Out

  By Michele Mannon

  Logan Rettino never imagined she’d fall so far. Dropped by her ex on national TV, she’s gone from prima ballerina to ring card girl, reduced to revving up the crowds before MMA bouts. However distasteful she finds her new job, it pays well...and she needs the money if she’s ever going to rebuild her life. Promised a huge bonus if she can convince a brooding, gifted welterweight to keep fighting, she’ll do whatever it takes to earn his trust.

  Keane O’Shea is unbeatable in the octagon. A former marine, he fights with a ruthlessness no gym jockey can match. He knows his brutal strength is too much for the delicate ex-ballerina, regardless of how fascinating he finds Logan’s tight dancer’s body. But one private performance and he’s drawn to her in a way he can’t—or won’t—resist.

  As Logan discovers the heartbreaking truth that lies beneath this handsome warrior’s rage, she’ll need to forfeit everything she thought mattered for the one thing that matters the most: saving Keane from himself.

  89,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  It’s unbelievable to me that the holiday season is here already. I feel as though I was just stuffing myself full of holiday cookies, spiced wine and all of the wonderful chocolates sent to me during the holidays. But here we are again in what some call the season of joy, while others call it “the season where I avoid all shopping malls for at least two months.” If you’re one of those avoiding all of the seemingly endless holiday tasks, preparations and shopping, let us help you procrastinate with another fantastic lineup of books. If you’re one who revels in the season of joy, not to worry, these books will only add to your enjoyment of the season.

  This month, we have so many returning authors who are fan favorites, I’m not sure where to start. So instead, I’ll start with those who are new, either to readers, to Carina Press, or both. Beginning with debut author Michele Mannon, whose book first came to my attention two years ago during a cold-reads session at a meeting of New Jersey Romance Writers. During that session, I gave Michele some suggestions for strengthening her opening and she worked on it for several months before going on to win a few contests and eventually pitching it to me, at which point I acquired it with great enthusiasm. I hope you’ll check out her fantastic love story of a former ballerina turned ring girl and a brooding, sexy fighter in Knock Out, book one of the Worth the Fight trilogy. And don’t mind me while I claim partial credit for the opening line...

  Joining Michele with a debut book is Timothy S. Johnston and his science-fiction thriller. It’s Agatha Christie meets Michael Crichton in The Furnace as homicide investigator Kyle Tanner travels to a remote space station to solve a mysterious death that may have enormous consequences for the human race.

  Our third debut author makes her appearance in one of my annual holiday collections. These have become a tradition at Carina Press, and one that I love, since I get a chance to work with a new variety of authors every year. This year, we have four collections. Last month saw the release of two of them: Gift of Honor, a military holiday collection, and Season of Seduction, an erotic holiday collection.

  This month we release the two contemporary holiday collections, and it’s in For My Own that Shari Mikels makes her writing debut with her novella Christmas Curveball. Joining her in this contemporary romance collection are new-to-Carina author Kinley Cade with her novella Kissing Her Scrooge, and fan-favorite Alison Packard with A Christmas for Carrie.

  In the second contemporary romance holiday collection, returning authors Christi Barth, Brighton Walsh and Kat Latham join together to offer some holiday love and forgiveness in All I’m Asking For with their novellas Tinsel My Heart, Season of Second Chances and Mine Under the Mistletoe.

  Also new to Carina Press this month are authors Keri Ford, Ann DeFee, T.C. Mill and Daryl Anderson, each offering up something different for reader entertainment. Keri Ford brings us a fun contemporary romance in Never Stopped Loving You, in which the heroine has to remind herself: don’t date your friends—and definitely don’t ever date your friend’s brother. Ann DeFee’s Beyond Texas is a fast-paced contemporary romance of mystical lights that dance across the desert as the hero and heroine, Cole Claiborne and Twinkie Sue Carmichael, discover love while thwarting an evil cult, giving new meaning to the old saying “Don’t Mess with a Texan.”

  In T.C. Mill’s male/male fantasy novella, Gardens Where No One Will See, Nemaran’s gentle attentions inspire Renad to go beyond the boundaries he’s set for himself for so long—but can they help him break free of even crueler bondage?

  And last in the new-to-Carina category, Daryl Anderson is on the scene in Murder in Mystic Cove. In this new mystery, a former Baltimore homicide detective thought she’d put murder cases behind her—until she discovered a resident in her father’s retirement community shot dead in his golf cart.

  Returning to Carina Press with contemporary romance Love Me Not, Reese Ryan introduces us to struggling artist Jamie Charles, who finds refuge from the painful secrets of her past in her art and prefers living on the edge—without the complications of love—until she encounters charming ad exec Miles Copeland, who is harboring his own dark past and is determined to have her heart.

  Fantasy romance author Shawna Thomas has the third installment in her Triune Stones series, Journey of Wisdom. It’s not too late to catch up before the series wraps up with the last book, Journey of the Wanderer, in February 2014.

  If you’re looking to spice up your holidays with a BDSM erotic romance, The Dom Project by Heloise Belleau and Solace Ames will keep you warm, even when it’s cold outside. When buttoned-up university archivist Robin Lessing agrees to spend one month submitting to a sexy, tattooed colleague, she presents her new Dom with a firm set of rules. But once they begin their stimulating sessions, it’s not long before she’s ready to beg him for more—much more.

  Also this month, we have three powerhouse fan favorites with new books. Shannon Stacey returns to the Kowalskis with the much-anticipated Love a Little Sideways. When Drew Miller had a casual rebound fling with his best friend’s sister, he thought she’d go back to New Mexico and stay there, but now Liz Kowalski has come home to stay, and Drew’s feelings for her might not be as casual as he thought.

  After a two-year wait, Lauren Dane is back with Blade to the Keep, the follow-up to Goddess with a Blade. Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. With the power of an ancient goddess in her belly, she’s the perfect candidate to re-negotiate the fragile Treaty keeping the peace between the Vampire Nation and the last line of defense for humanity, The Hunter Corporation. And she’s got to do it as she attempts to manage a politically awkward romance during a trip back to a place she escaped nearly fifteen years before. No pressure.

  Wrapping up this month is The Principle of Desire, the final book in the Science of Temptation trilogy from Delphine Dryden. 1 Sexy Switch + 1 Nerdy Newbie = A Master Class in Seduction.

  Last, no matter what your religion, or what you celebrate, books are a common bond, so from all of us at Carina Press, we wish you a wonderful season of reading. May there be incredible books, stories and characters on your ereaders all year long!

  We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to [email protected]. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.

  Happy reading!

  ~Angela James

  Executive Editor, Carina Press

  www.carinapress.com

  www.twitter.com/carinapress

  www.facebook.com/carinapres
s

  Dedication

  To my mother

  For being the grounding force in a family of dreamers; for telling me at a young age to be fearless and that I could be whatever I wanted to be; for being such an amazing person; and for being more than just a parent, for being a true friend. Love you, Mom.

  Acknowledgments

  I’d like to thank my editor, Kerri Buckley, for her hard work, terrific feedback, encouragement, and for loving my story as much as I do. Thanks to my critique partners and wonderfully talented friends at www.thevioletfemmes.com, with special thanks to Joanna Shupe and Jenna Blue for their helpful suggestions and for drooling along with me over my hero, Keane. Thanks to the New Jersey Romance Writers for all the support and opportunities to grow as a writer.

  Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our soldiers who risk their lives for our country, and who often arrive home with wounds deeper and less obvious than their physical injuries. According to the Associated Press*, one out of eight soldiers returning from Iraq and/or Afghanistan suffer from PTSD, but only half seek assistance. If you would like more information about how to help veterans suffering from PTSD, please visit http://www.homebaseprogram.org/general-information.aspx.

  *(http://www.nbcnews.com/id/5334479/ns/health-mental_health/t/returning-soldiers-suffers-ptsd/)

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  OCTAGON GIRL: Responsible for announcing mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts by hoisting a numbered card overhead and walking around the eight-sided cage

  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  “Yo, it’s the fuckin’ ballerina.”

  The shout rang out from high up in the back row of the jam-packed arena.

  Logan Rettino notched up her chin. No matter how many times fame reared its ugly head, no matter how many times a stranger’s eyes lit up in recognition, she’d never get used to her ever-growing notoriety and the steady chipping away of her private life. Her secrets.

  A classic Van Halen song boomed out of the loudspeakers and the crowd went berserk. Sammy Hagar crooned loudly, prodding her onward toward the eight-sided cage they called the Octagon. She tried to shake it off, hoping she’d read the crowd wrong, that they still considered her just a half-naked ring babe with a sign. Step by agonizing step she headed down the ramp and into the main belly of the arena, until disbelief numbed her nerves and gave her pause. Inhaling sharply, she looked around.

  Hundreds of widened eyes swung her way and, in one simultaneous swoop, lowered to her chest. Though no one gave voice to the words that followed, they didn’t have to—their broad smirks said it all.

  The ballerina with the huge knockers.

  Great, just great. If tonight’s raucous crowd was this thrilled about a notorious ballerina turned ring card girl, you could bet no place was safe.

  Logan might have become the fan favorite since her debut as Octagon Girl a month ago, but she was also broke, desolate and weary from the endless media attention, which didn’t exactly make this job a cakewalk. Now that her ex Pierre’s vicious lies were prime-time news, and these MMA fans knew who she really was, all she wanted to do was hightail it back up the ramp and keep on running.

  No, she couldn’t claim to be New York’s most promising ballerina any longer. But hell, the show must go on, right? That’s what she was being paid good money to do. Just walk around the edge of a cage and hold up a sign.

  Ultimate Fighter fans were gathered at Pittsburgh’s Mellon Arena for what was being billed as “The Rumble on the Rivers,” a mixed martial arts match-up showcasing the best fighters around, along with a few amateurs striving to make a name for themselves.

  Logan was somewhat familiar with boxing and wrestling but Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu sounded more like frou-frou drinks at a suburban chain restaurant than fighting styles. Hey, whatever floats your boat, as long as it pays the bills. Logan knew little else about the world of ultimate fighting, except it paid well for everyone involved. With four bouts under her belt, most of her overdue medical bills had been paid off.

  Becoming an Octagon Girl was her ticket toward restoring some semblance of her prior life. Money earned to pay off debt, then save toward the bigger dream of opening her own dance school.

  If she could just make it through this bout.

  Her knuckles tightened around the Round One ring card as she braced it high overhead. Making her way up the stairs, her pink Nike sneaker caught, and she missed a step. Stumbled, really. Having one’s troubles aired in front of an audience had a tendency to do that, make someone falter.

  Logan’s spine stiffened. As she climbed the final stairs to the cage, the crowd saw a radiant smile, plastered there on her face from years of practice. A dancer’s determination to never let them see the pain.

  Just you wait, Pierre. Payback is a bitch. If it wasn’t for him sweet talking her into that ridiculous reality TV show, she’d be on stage at Lincoln Center right now.

  This was not the type of fame she’d aspired to. Public perception of her had belly-flopped into something much uglier. Something of Pierre’s making. Infamy eclipsing her hard-won public admiration. All that commitment and self-discipline, blood, sweat and tears. For what?

  Considering the crowd’s reaction tonight, “make Pierre suffer” shot to the top of her bucket list.

  With a defiant toss of her curly blond hair, she leaped up onto the thick mat and positioned herself on the wide rim just outside the fenced-in cage.

  The crowd burst out, chanting, “Luscious Logan, dance for us!” For a second, the nickname gave her pause. During her last—and final—ballet season, the audience had dubbed her “Lovely Logan.” Evidently, that woman was no more and instead, she had morphed into something more lewd.

  Yes, this audience was unlike any she’d ever imagined. But they wanted a show. They wanted her to dance. It was all the encouragement she needed. Might as well give them something worth talking about.

  At the next corner, she paused. Lengthening her body with arms stretched upward, she came up on her toes. Three perfect pirouettes caused the crowd to come to its feet.

  For a moment, she was back on stage...a real one.

  Encouraged, a genuine smile replaced her seasoned performer’s tight grin. She leaped sideways, toes pointed downward, and landed gracefully. A perfect landing near the ledge and a hair’s breadth away from her eager fans a few feet below.

  She spiraled and danced across the narrow space to the next corner in perfect rhythm to Sammy’s crooning lyrics. Gracefully kicking out her legs, she arched backward. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the appreciative nod of a well-dressed woman in the front row. Evidently, she wasn’t the only one out of place in this crowd.

  No, this is my place. The present. A high-paying job I need to keep at any cost.

  With masterful precision, her arms circled in a clean rotation as she made for the next corner. The ring card rotated as well, neatly missing the mat as it made its way back overhead
.

  “Luscious Logan, dance for us!” The loving audience fist pumped the air—another first for her, in a long, long list of them.

  She danced toward the eighth and final corner, and cameras flashed. Blinking from the sudden burst of light, she spotted the flurry of activity flanking the steps, blocking the only exit. For a split second, she considered fleeing and turning back the way she’d come and well away from the unwelcoming clutches of a gossipy media.

  Win them over, Logan, just like you’ve always done.

  A determination ingrained in her as a young, aspiring ballerina, seasons of performing for sold-out audiences, and the fact that she’d not only fallen short of completing her last televised performance, but she’d actually fallen—been dropped, to be more precise—made her relish the moment.

  She finished with flourish, her heart pounding deep within her chest. As the music faded, her legs bent into a perfect plié.

  With eyes closed against the pumping fists and camera lights, she stole a moment to breathe in the long awaited, elusive applause. Though instead of sweet roses, it smelled stale and thick with sweaty testosterone.

  “Hey, Octagon Girl, is it true you fell on America Gets Its Groove On?” Felix Dexter inquired into his mic, his voice resonating loudly from the direction of the broadcaster table running alongside the cage.

  Felix thrived on narrating a bout’s play by play, most times well before a punch was thrown. How he imagined the fight would unfold, like a little boy boasting about a new video game yet to be opened.

  Seemed he found something else to be the expert on.

  Her eyes snapped open and she glanced his way. The dirty laundry was about to pile up. His question made her clutch the sign to her bosom, protectively. And not a moment too soon.

  Felix waved a large notecard in her direction, and prodded, “Is it true Pierre LaFeur couldn’t catch you because of your big boobs? He was recently quoted as saying ‘It’s Logan’s fault, for her inability to shift her body so her partner can catch her...without interference.’”