“Some say he’s already hit his peak. There are arguments for and against bringing him on board.”

Deacon didn’t have a vote since the Black Arts MMA program had become a separate entity from the dojo. As a jujitsu instructor, he had a say in the new hires. As a fighter . . . he kept his mouth shut and did what his trainer told him to do. “So you called to freak me out because I don’t have enough shit on my plate right now?”

“No. I called because I hadn’t heard from you and I was worried.”

“I’m eating my veggies, washing behind my ears, changing my underwear every day, and working out,” he snapped.

“Such a smart-ass. Which means you’re not okay. So for a second, you will suck it up as I step outside my role as your trainer and speak as your friend.”

Everything in Deacon seized up against advice he didn’t want and likely wouldn’t take. “Huh-uh, Maddox. You had your say one time where Molly was concerned, and it fucked everything. I’m here because her grandma is dead, her relatives are assholes, and she’s alone. I’ve been there, man. I know how much it sucks. I could have a title fight on the line tomorrow and I still wouldn’t walk away from her. I won’t ever walk away from her. She needs me, and I sure as fuck need her.”

A soft gasp sounded behind him.

He whirled around. A white-faced Molly stood five feet away.

A pause. Then Maddox sighed. “I get it. I wish I didn’t, but I do. Take care. I need you back here no later than four days from now.”

“Understood.” Deacon hung up and pocketed his phone before he reached for Molly. “Hey. I tried not to wake you.”

“Did you mean what you said? About not walking away from me?”

“Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”

“But . . .”

“What?”

“But I don’t want to distract you from your career, Deacon. Maddox already—”

“Maddox can suck it,” he said hotly. “I set you aside once before, and I ain’t gonna do it again. Period. Understand?”

“It’s so soon in our relationship! I didn’t think you—this—was serious.”

“I don’t do half-assed, babe. If we’re in this . . . we’re in this.” He stared into her eyes, trying to mask the worry in his own that his feelings were more one-sided than he liked. “So are you in or what?”

“I’m in. I’m so in.”

“Good.” He wrapped her in his arms and breathed a silent sigh of relief when she rested her cheek against his heart.

After a bit, she said, “I heard some of what you said. Sounded like you’re no stranger to grief.”

Her statement didn’t demand his response, so he said nothing. They’d talk about his demons another time, when her sorrow wasn’t so fresh and raw.

“Is that why you don’t talk about your family?”

“Probably.”

“You have relatives worse than Jennifer and Brandi?”

“My cousin Clive makes them look like angels.”

“Are you close in age to him?”

“He’s a year younger than me.” He wanted to drop it, but he forced himself to share something with her. “Tag, my only other cousin on that side of the family, is three years older. He’s not so bad. I can stand him. Even when he’s always been too fucking cocky for his own good.”

He felt her smile against his chest. “No wonder you got along with him.”

Deacon swatted her ass.

She laughed softly.

It lightened his load to hear her laugh.

“Is Maddox upset you’re not in Denver training?”

“He’ll be fine as long as I’m back in four days.” He tilted her head to look into her eyes. “When’s your grandmother’s funeral?”

“Tomorrow.”

“So soon?” That forced him to revise his plans for dragging her back to bed for the rest of the day and all night.

“Surprised me too. But we have a small family and we’re all here, so there’s no reason to put it off. I guess she had it all planned out. Her death wasn’t as unexpected as I’d thought.”

“Babe. I’m sorry.”

Molly’s hands slid up his chest. “I was kinda hoping you’d still be next to me when I woke up. We could pick up where we left off Saturday night.”

As much as Deacon wanted her, and fuck did he ever want her, he needed her to come to him with a clear head, not with a heavy heart. He clamped his hands on to her hips, holding her body away from his. After pressing a kiss to the hollow beneath her ear, he murmured, “Gonna be wild exploring this heat between us. But it’s not happening tonight.”