My heart beat in my ears, muting the driver's voice. My surroundings blurred. The honking of the cars pierced through my foggy brain and the headlights blinded my eyes. I shut my eyes tightly and clawed at the door.

"I'm proud of you." 

Hunter's voice echoed in my head out of nowhere.

Hunter.

I gasped and took a deep breath. The driver had stopped in a red light and was looking back at me. My surroundings returned.

Get your shit together, Sapphire!

"I'm fine," I said, and gave him the adress.

He just kept looking at me. "I think it's better if you find another cab, ma'am."

"I'll give you a thousand dollars," I said. "Just get me there as fast as you can."

His eyes bugged out. "You're shitting me."

"No," I said. "Do you know Hunter Jamison?"

He scoffed. "Who doesn't?"

"I'm his fiancé," I said, though he technically hadn't proposed yet. But those were just technicalities. Right?

He narrowed his eyes. I wonder if he'd seen me on TV or something. Because my picture had been all over social media and Sport shows after Hunter's fight.

"Ten grand," he said.

What a greedy ass. "Five," I said. "But you have to hurry."

He grinned and turned. "We'll be there in ten."

I had to keep my eyes firmly on my lap. Seeing the scenery move just made me realize I was in a car, and I wasn't driving!

Then I remembered the guy I'd knocked out. How much anesthetic had I put in that syringe? I couldn't even remember properly right now. Oh God. I really hoped I hadn't killed him.

The cab driver lived up to his promise. Ten minutes later, the cab screeched to a halt in front of the club. I opened the door and jumped out.

"Hey!"

"Wait here!" I called over my shoulder.

The cab driver cursed something. But he didn't drive away. I ran past the bouncer, but he held onto my arm and pulled me back. "Whoa there. There's a line-"

"Sapphire Milton," I said. "Check, my name should be on the list."

He scrolled through his tablet. "I don't have a Sapphire Milton. But there's a Sapphire Jamison." He narrowed his eyes. "Wait, you're Jamison's-"

"Yes!"

His eyes widened and he pushed the door open. "Go on."

Sapphire Jamison. This was not the time for Hunter's sense of humor! He probably told them the name before this shit happened.

I shoved my way into the crowded club, music blasting my ears, heading to the door right next to the bar counter. There was another bouncer there.

"Sapphire Jamison," I yelled.

He nodded and opened the door for me. Heart racing, I stumbled inside. The door closed behind me, closing off the thud of music in favor of cheers and loud conversation. The place was crowded. I went straight to the colosseum-style ring.

Down there, in the middle of the ring, Hunter was curled on the floor. There was so much red on the white floor I had to blink, thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me. Oh God. He wasn't moving. My knees threatened to buckle. I rushed down the steps, almost tripping on my feet, pushing past people and waitresses on the way.

"Hunter!" I called over the ruckus. Before I reached the last step, I was stopped again by a man. He pushed me back. "Hey! No spectators past-"

"Get off of me! Hunter!" I called out.

"Let her through!"

We both turned to look at the man. Antonio. I'd never been so glad to see the asshole's face. The bouncer let go of me, raising his hands.

"What happene-"

I walked right past Antonio. Coaches and some spectators stood around the ring. I shoved my way to the front, receiving more than one insult and glare. I didn't see or hear anything past the sound of Cullen's kicks connecting with Hunter.

He was curled around himself, covering his head. Blood glared under the bright lights overhead.

"Hunter!" I called, leaning on the ring's floor and hitting it with my palms. "Hunter!"

Screw it. I tried climbing under the ring's rope, but someone grabbed me before I could.

"No!" I kicked my legs back, connecting with something. "Hunter! He's going to kill him! Stop!"

Cullen stopped and looked over his shoulder at me, shock and confusion written all over his face. That was when Hunter peeked through his arms. Everything else disappeared. Blood covered his face, and one eye was swollen shut. But he saw me. His dark gaze met mine.

"Get up!" I called out, hoping he could hear me over the noise. "I'm fine. Fight back!"

Realization dawned on him. His lips formed my name. And a switch flipped off. Hunter kicked Cullen's legs from under him.

Taken off guard, Cullen dropped to the ground. I shrugged off the man's hold and watched the fight, my heart in my throat.

Hunter jumped on him. He sat on top of Cullen's belly and punched. Punched. Punched. Blood spattered everywhere. The crowd went crazy.

Cullen, somehow, managed to throw him off. He was obviously in a much better condition compared to Hunter, who was limping as he scrambled to his feet.

Cullen charged forward with a roar. I held my breath. Hunter was too hurt. What if-

My worries were crushed under the impact of Hunter's right hook. Cullen might be in a better condition, physically speaking. But Hunter was pissed.

He didn't care if Cullen's punches landed. He just kept attacking. Vicious, unforgiving strikes. There were no rules. No forbidden shots. It was pure, undiluted vengeance.

It ended in minutes. Cullen tapped out. But Hunter didn't stop. The referee tried to pull Hunter off of him, but Hunter pushed him back. Two more men got in the ring and helped the referee reign in Hunter.

Cullen was an unconscious, bloody mess.

It was over. It was over.

My knees turned empty. I flopped on the ground and started sobbing.

I couldn't control it. Everything just came crashing down on me, and I couldn't stop the sobs. So I just I covered my face and cried. Seconds later, I felt a searing body surround me. Hunter.

I held onto him. My hands slipping on his damp skin. His sweat coated my palms. The noise of the crowd melted away.

"Shh, it's okay. You're okay now."

People spoke around us, and Hunter answered, but didn't let go. It took me a few minutes to calm down. I pulled back and looked at my hand. It wasn't sweat. It was blood.

There was blood in my hands. Blood on his face. On his ear. On his chest.

There were so many things I wanted to say, but all that made it past my lips was: "do you have ten grand?"

He blinked his one eye, the other one a mess, and gave me a smile.

*** **** ***

After Hunter was patched up in a private back room, we left. Hunter had two big ass suitcases full of money. I was numb to the sight. He just opened one of them and told me to take what I needed. I took one stack of bills.

Hunter didn't let me go outside without him. We dragged the suitcases, followed by a couple of his guys, and went out. We found the cab driver still waiting. He wasn't too pleased he had to wait, but the sight of ten ground quickly gained his forgiveness.

He gave Hunter a freaked out look. Hunter didn't look any better after cleaning the blood. We got in his car and took off.

I wasn't driving.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Hunter asked. We were in the backseat of his SUV. The two guys in front were members of his team I vaguely recognized. I guess they, too, got a good cut out of his illegal fights.

"Yeah," I said.

I still had to avoid looking at the window. And my stomach was queasy. But I was over my paralyzing fear. I guess shock therapy worked like magic for me.

The man in the clinic flashed in my head. I gasped. "We need to stop by the clinic!"

"Okay," Hunter put his hand on my knee and squeezed. He told the driver the adress and turned to me. "Why?"

I gulped. "I tranquilized one of those guys who were there," I said. "I-I don't know if I used too much anesthetic? If I did, then he might-"

"Shh, Calm down. Breathe," Hunter said, holding my shoulders. I realized I was hyperventilating. I closed my eyes. Breathe.

In. Out. In. Out.

Hunter hugged me to him. And the pinched feeling in my guts lessened. But it did not completely disappear until we reached the clinic and found it empty.

There was no trace of the guy I'd drugged or his friend. Surprisingly, despite the broken glass and lock, no one broke in and stole anything. People probably thought the place was already broken into, so any thieves didn't bother.

We watched the video surveillance footage to find out that after my escape, the guy who'd chased me returned to his friend. He called someone. About fifteen minutes later, he showed up in a truck. They picked the unconscious guy up, who still looked only drowsy and not fully unconscious, and drove off.

They also took my wallet and phone, but that was a small price I was willing to pay for things to end up this way.

Hunter was safe. I was safe. And my clinic was only going to need minor repairs, nothing that would hinder business. I was grateful I hadn't had any overnight patients.

Once home, I left Hunter with the two guys near the trunk and went inside.

Stevie and Brownie were right at the door. I smiled and sat down on the ground, hugging them and petting them, grateful beyond measure that the day ended well.

Hunter limped in to find us like that. He sat down right next to me on the floor.

"Hey." He looked at me, absently petting the dogs.

"Hey," I leaned my head on his shoulder and just closed my eyes. It seemed like a horrible nightmare. "Are they gone?"

"Yeah. They got their cut," he said.

I sighed. "I just want to burn all that stupid money for everything that happened."

Hunter chuckled. "I don't think burning ten million dollars is going to make you feel better."

"Screw you," I grumbled.

"You already do."

I raised my head and glared at him.

He chuckled and gently pushed my head back against his shoulder. "We'll donate the rest of the money to charity. Pick one you like."

"The rest of the money?"

"Carlson and Fabian both have three kids," Hunter said. "I gave them enough to take care of their college and some more. The rest, we'll just give away if you're not comfortable keeping it."

I sighed. "It's your money."

"It's our money," he shot back. "Also, don't ever put yourself in danger again. You should've just waited until the fight was over."

"I was going to do that," I said. "But I heard the guy speaking to someone on the phone. Cullen was basically trying to kill you. And I'm so damn glad I showed up, otherwise he really would've."

"Still, you put your life at risk-"

I raised my head again and glared at him. "Don't. You would've done the same for me."

He sighed and kept quiet for a moment, then he said, "I don't want to make the same mistake and wait another ten years. So... will you marry me?"

I laughed. I couldn't help it. It was so out of left field, it just made me laugh.

Hunter smiled and raised his eyebrow.

"Sorry," I said, slapping a hand on my mouth. "I just didn't expect it. What? You're not getting down on one knee to propose?"

He looked at his right leg and winced. It was swollen under the sweatpants. "No kneeling today."

"I'm just kidding," I mumbled. I leaned over and kissed him. "Yes. I'll marry you."

Hunter grinned, then froze, his eyes on something over my shoulder. I looked back to see Tux sauntering towards us. He sniffed at my pants. After seconds, he sat down and looked at me. Hesitantly, I held out my pointer finger. He leaned forward and sniffed at it. I held my breath.

Then Tux rubbed his face against my finger.

My eyes welled with tears. I scratched the cat's neck, feeling like nothing else in the world mattered beyond this moment. He finally trusted us enough.

Hunter and I exchanged a look. He smiled. And it was a smile of pure joy and hope.

It was a long journey, but our cat was finally learning to live. Just as we did.

--- ---- ---

Last chapter!

Thank you guys for reading along as I wrote this story. I appreciate every one of you! Thank you for commenting and voting!

I still haven't written an Epilogue yet. But if you want, I could write it, and maybe a bonus chapter? let me know what you want to read.

Love you all, and thank you  <3 <3 <3 

M.B.