Fiery Fighter Daddy by Scott Wylder
CHAPTER TWO
Scott
I led the woman into my private locker room. She was still trembling, not that I blamed her. I could hear them outside plain as day and I knew it was the same couple I had spied during the bout. That sort of behavior pissed me off to no end.
The locker room was empty aside from us. “What’s your name?” I asked as I packed up my things. I had just showered and changed and was ready to head to the hotel for the night.
“Hazel,” she said.
“Do you have anyone to call or a place to go?” I asked. “I can give you a ride.”
She shook her head. “I don’t--,” a look of panic crossed her face. “No,” she said.
I rubbed the back of my neck, thinking. “That’s okay,” I said. “Look, I’m staying at a hotel down the street. I can get you a room there, no problem. You can stay there and regroup.”“Why are you being so nice to me?”
I knew it probably looked bad that I was going above and beyond for a complete stranger, but I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t stand seeing women in trouble like that.
“I just want to make sure you’re all right,” I said. “I don’t want anything in return. Nothing like that. I just hate seeing people in trouble. Especially when I can do something to help.”
She nodded but she didn’t look convinced. “Thank you,” she said.
My manager, Jack, came in. “Scott, what’s taking you so long? The press are--oh hello.” He looked at Hazel with a sharp eye. “How did you get in here?”
I sighed. The last thing I wanted to do was talk to the press right now. “This is Hazel. I invited her in. Tell the press that I want to recover from my bout in peace.”Jack frowned. “You weren’t even that banged up. They’re going to know something is up.”
“Then let them speculate. I don’t care.”
Jack frowned, glancing at Hazel, “Can I talk to you in private for a second?”
I let my manager pull me aside. “What is going on?” he whispered. “You’re not the type to pick up a groupie after a bout.”
“She’s not a groupie and I’m not picking her up,” I said. “She just needs help. Tell the press whatever you want, but I can’t talk to them right now. I need to get her to my hotel.”
“She needs help and you’re going to sleep with her?”“Jack, we’ve known each other for three years. Give me more credit than that.” Jack always had my best interests at heart but after years of smoothing over scandals from his various clients, he always jumped to the worst-case scenario. I tried to not take it personally. “I’m going to check her into the room next to mine.”
“Oh yeah, the room next to yours. No one’s going to suspect a thing.” He rolled his eyes.
I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Just work your magic with the press. It’s going to be fine, okay?”
He grimaced but nodded. “Fine. You’re my favorite client right now. Don’t fuck this up.”I grinned. “I’m your favorite, huh?”
He gave a slight smile. “Yeah, yeah, don’t let it go to your head.”
He glanced at Hazel and gave her a slight nod before leaving the locker room to face the press.
I grabbed my bag. “Okay, let’s go out this door. There shouldn’t be any reporters or photographers on this side.”
“Do you have to duck reporters and photographers a lot?”
“Usually not. But I’ve been winning a lot more of my bouts lately and there’s speculation about me taking the championship title. So, there is more press than usual,” I shrugged. “Let’s get out of here, though. You look exhausted.”
Exhaustion was an understatement. She looked like she was about to collapse. When was the last time she had a good night’s sleep? I couldn’t imagine that she slept well often when she had the likes of Todd as a boyfriend.
She obediently followed me out the door and to my rental car. She kept her eyes down on the ground, her arms crossed protectively in front of her. My chest tightened. I knew she was a little scared to be around me. She must really have nowhere to go if she’s coming with me.
“Do you want something to eat before we go to the hotel?” I asked as we got into the car.
She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”
I cast a critical eye over her slightly gaunt frame. I had a feeling she got about as much food as she got sleep. I would make sure she got room service tonight or tomorrow; I wanted to make sure she ate before we parted ways.
We rode to the hotel in silence. She leaned against the window, her eyes drifting closed. I couldn’t help but glance at her time and again. She looked so fragile and innocent. Something about her brought out the Daddy instincts in me. Not that I would ever tell her about that. She needed comfort and a little bit of help. That was it.
I noticed her during the bout even when I was should have been listening to Jack between rounds. I caught the interaction between her and her boyfriend out of the corner of my eye. The way he glared at her and how she shied away told me all I needed to know. Honestly, I was glad I heard them after the bout and was able to put a stop to it. The thought of her going home with him and being subjected to his wrath in private made me sick.
By the time we reached the hotel, it was getting late. I parked the car and we dragged ourselves out into the cold night air. She shivered almost immediately. She only had a thin jacket on. I took off my own jacket and handed it to her. “Here. This will keep you warm.”
She shook her head. “I’m o-okay.” Her teeth chattered as she spoke.
“No, you’re not,” I said. “Please just wear it. For me.”
Hazel nodded hesitantly and put the jacket on over her own. It practically swallowed her as she wrapped it around herself. “Thank you,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it.”
Once we were inside, I booked her the room next to mine. It was a luxury suite just like mine, where she should be more than comfortable and, hopefully, she would get a good night’s sleep.
I led the way to our rooms.
“Your room has a door that connects to mine,” I said. “If you ever need me, all you have to do is knock. And luxury suites get room service privileges around the clock. At this time of night, you’ll probably only have access to premade sandwiches, but it’ll at least fill you up.”She bit her lip. “You didn’t have to go through all of this trouble for me. I feel bad you got me a suite. I would have been fine with a regular room.”“I know,” I said. “But I want you close by in case you need me for whatever reason. And I want to make sure you have access to food tonight.”
“But I don’t think I’ll be able to repay you for this.”“You don’t have to. I meant it when I said I don’t expect anything in return, understand? I just want to make sure you’re safe. Okay?”
She nodded but she didn’t look convinced. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”“It’s really no trouble. Don’t worry about it.” I smiled gently at her. “Get some sleep, okay?”
She nodded. “Goodnight, Scott. And thank you again.”
“Goodnight, Hazel.”