Bad Boy Protector

Bad Boy Protector Gia Lane Copyright Copyright © [2023] by [Gia Lane] All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Contents Dedication 1. Chapter 1 Kira 2. Chapter 2 Ricardo 3. Chapter 3 Kira 4. Chapter 4 Ricardo 5. Chapter 5 Kira 6. Chapter 6 Ricardo 7. Chapter 7 Kira 8. Chapter 8 Ricardo 9. Chapter 9 Kira 10. Chapter 10 Ricardo 11. Chapter 11 Kira 12. Chapter 12 Ricardo 13. Chapter 13 Kira 14. Chapter 14 Kira 15. Chapter 15 Ricardo 16. Chapter 16 Kira About Author Also By Gia Lane Dedication To my late mother Marcia, who loved MMA fighting. Chapter 1 Kira I breezed into the building of Fighter’s Only Magazine. The coolness of the air conditioning mixed with a flowery fragrance from the office welcomed me. My office always made me smile. Not everyone gets to see their dreams come true. I dropped my purse on my oak desk and stood by the window, contemplating the breathtaking view. Life had been going well for me lately and I was progressively rising in my career, a real up-and-comer. I had fought hard to be the magazine’s top MMA writer; it was no easy feat. I adored the sport, and the role had been my dream since I graduated college. On that particular day, Dwayne, my boss, was supposed to hand me a new task. I wasted no more time, I grabbed my notepad and pen and headed to his office. He was on the phone when I entered, so I waited until he hung up the phone. “Hey, Dwayne," I said in a bubbly tone, my eyes bright with excitement. "I’m ready for that new project, give it to me." He smiled, “You’re going to owe me after this one.” “My god Dwayne, let’s cut to the chase.” “Great, because I just landed you the first interview with Ricardo Matos. It’s his debut with UFC in the United States.” My heart sank and my stomach tied into a knot. I zoned out from my surrounding and I felt myself slip away. Shocked, I croaked, “No way.” Dwayne kept speaking, not noticing my growing anxiety. “Right. You don’t get a better opportunity than this kiddo, now go out there and get us a great feature," he said. "You're due to his locker room tomorrow night before the fight.” I was speechless. I mean, it was a great opportunity, but there was no way I could interview Ricardo. The very idea made me sick to my stomach. He finally stopped going on about how amazing of an opportunity it would be for me, for the company and looked at me. “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you celebrating?” He mimicked me jumping up and down. I giggled. “I just can’t do it,” I whispered shaking my head. That was true, even for a million bucks, I couldn't do it. Just when I thought life was getting back on its tracks, reality leaps out to slap me in the face. “What? Of course, you will. I have complete faith in you. I hired you for a reason.” He stared at me, comfort lingered in his eyes, he probably thought I was nervous. I wished that was all there was to it. “No, I mean, I can’t," I looked him straight in the eye, trying to make him understand. "We have history, Dwayne…we were once close and things between us didn’t end well." Dwayne averted his gaze and pinched his brow. "I don’t want to see him ever again. I can’t do it. Just have someone else interview him.” Finally, we locked eyes. “Kira, you must do the interview. I have no say in this and neither do you. This is why you're a professional. You must be able to separate your professional life from your personal life. Just interview him and settle your personal affairs later. " I nodded. "Also, I know we are friends but that doesn't mean you get to pick and choose your tasks. This is an important interview for all of us and I won't hesitate to put a more capable writer in your position if you take my friendliness for weakness. So, please for the sake of our friendship and your job, get your ass to the fight tomorrow.” Dwayne was being extra hard on me unlike any other time before. Though he was my boss, we ended up developing a friendship because of how hardworking I was. By the way he was talking to me it was clear that he really meant business. I swallowed hard. Without another word, I left the office, my skin blazing. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to throw up or trash my office. What was I going to do? I could not imagine seeing Ricardo again. The love of my life. My very first love. Once upon a time I could hardly wait to see him. I couldn't wait to be lost in his eyes or engulfed in his embrace. But the warm feelings of love were long gone. I couldn’t wrap my head around the awkwardness of speaking to him ever again. He had been in Brazil for years now, and it hadn’t occurred to me that he would be back in the United States to invade my world again. Could it be payback? Was ruining my career his way of getting back to me? What was I going to do? I paced around the office, starting to break out into a sweat. I needed a plan for tomorrow night. Ricardo couldn’t - wouldn’t - know he had that effect on me. I needed to keep my distance. I can do this; I was a pro, as Dwayne pointed out. Right? “Seriously, Kira, what are you going to do?” Rebecca, my best friend, questioned me. She was the only one who could comfort me whenever I was down.