How To Heal A Heartbreak

He’s never run from a fight, and he’s not about to start now. Holden Blackwell, former MMA fighter and current all-around problem solver for the rich and famous, never expects for his ex to appear in his office, asking for his help. Sure, Claudia Fairmont haunts his dreams—and his waking hours—but she hates him, with good reason. Once upon a time, she swore that he’d be the last man she ever needed. Unfortunately, he’s the only one who can help her now. The fighter with the tats and muscles for days broke her heart. Crushed it in his powerful fist. She’d vowed never to go back to him, but, now she has no choice. Danger is stalking her. And if there is one thing that Holden can handle? It’s danger. After all, he was the one person who always made her feel safe. She could very much use some safety in the madness of her life. But safety comes with a heavy price. Temptation. Secrets. And a second chance? To unmask the threat, Holden has to slip into Claudia’s life and stay intimately close. Luckily, he has the perfect plan already in mind. They’ll pretend to be reunited lovers. He’ll act as if he wants her desperately. That he can’t live without her any longer…A situation that is not far from reality. Because while he’s more than ready to eliminate any and every threat to her, Holden also has plans of his own. An agenda that is long, long overdue. Step one: Get close to Claudia. Step two: Prove that he can be the man she needs. Step three: Eliminate every threat. Step four: Heal the heart he broke. This is the biggest and most important battle of his life. It doesn’t matter how many rounds he has to fight, he will go to the mat again and again for Claudia. There is no one who matters more to him, and he will prove himself to her. So ring the bell and let the match begin… Danger. Romance. Steam. Fun. Another Wilde adventure is waiting for you as this hero goes rogue in order to reclaim the love that he lost. Fight dirty? Get bloody? Bring it. Holden is more than ready to show just how bad he can be for the good girl he lost. No cliffhangers. HEA guaranteed. By Cynthia Eden This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real people, places, or events are not intentional and are purely the result of coincidence. The characters, places, and events in this story are fictional. Copyright ©2023 by Cindy Roussos All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form without the express written consent of the author except for the use of small quotes or excerpts used in book reviews. Copy-editing by: JRT Editing (build 2) Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page How To Heal A Heartbreak Prologue 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 Epilogue Author’s Note About The Author Prologue “He’s not here.” Claudia Fairmont shook her head, sending the gossamer wedding veil sliding over her shoulders. Her grip tightened on the blood-red roses in her hand. The bouquet shouldn’t have felt so heavy, but suddenly, everything felt heavy. Her brother’s jaw locked. “We’ve got a church full of people, but no groom. The ceremony should have started an hour ago, and we can’t keep the guests waiting forever.” “Something is wrong,” she whispered. “Damn straight something is wrong.” His eyes, the same icy blue shade of her own, narrowed with fury. “The asshole has left you standing at the altar. I told you he was trouble. Told you he was no good from the very beginning, but you wouldn’t listen to me. Because you thought you were in love.” She dropped the bouquet and reached for her phone yet again. She’d been trying to call Holden ever since she’d first received word that he wasn’t at the church. She’d called. Texted. Even checked at the local hospitals. “He wouldn’t do this to me.” Cooper surged forward. His hand closed around her wrist. “He would. He has.” No, no. She knew Holden. “We have to call the police—” “We did that already. There’s been no reported accidents. No news about anyone matching his description. I even called and had a neighbor check Holden’s place.” His grip tightened. “He’s not there. He’s gone.” She jerked free of his grip. Claudia took a quick step back and nearly tripped on her train. “Let me just try to call him again.” Her trembling hand lifted the phone to her ear. Fear made her tremble. Not anger. Holden wouldn’t do this to me. She knew him. Trusted him. Loved him. Holden wouldn’t just stand her up. Something had to be terribly, terribly wrong and— “Claudia.” He’d answered. Holden finally answered her call. Her breath expelled in a relieved rush. “Holden! Thank God! I was so worried about you!” Silence. “Holden?” Her stomach twisted. “Are you okay?” “Not going to make it to the church today.” She almost fell. The shock was so great that her knees just gave way. Luckily, Cooper locked his hands around her shoulders, and her brother’s strong grip held her upright. “You’re…what?” Pain knifed through her. “Holden?” This could not be happening. No way. “Sorry.” Just…sorry? That was all? That was— Click. He’d hung up on her. Her breath shuddered in and out, and the pain spread through her whole body. In shock, Claudia stared at the phone in her hand. The loud drumming of her heartbeat echoed in her ears. Over and over and over. And her thundering heartbeat seemed to be echoing Holden, saying over and over…Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. “Claudia?” Her brother lightly shook her. “Look at me.” Her gaze swung to him.