Chapter 49

Marcus wakes with a sore body.

His ribs rage when he breathes.

His skin feels too tight and sensitive.

His muscles burn; the chafing stings.

In short, he’s a fucking mess—and he has no one to blame but himself.

Himself… and Nick Dermont.

The arrogant bastard. Fired? What bullshit is that?

Even now, just thinking about it makes him want to punch the wall, when he should have gotten it out of his system by now. God knows the fifteen grand he wins in the ring last night should be therapy enough. He beats every opponent Sutter puts in front of him, and yet the rage still simmers.

And not just because of what Nick does, but how he does it—leaving it to Gabriela. Making her throw down the gauntlet, when Nick knows full well she wants him on the project, not to mention they’re dating.

“Dating.”

The word feels too small to hold what he feels for Gabriela. He leaves because he can’t bear the thought of losing it in front of her. And