1 Last Shot (The Fight Game, #4)

by Nikki Castle

To those that have to load up with a little extra armor. You’re seen, and you’re loved.

Kane. What a ridiculously hot name.

"I got tired of always having to fight,” I add. “I needed to get away from it all." "Or maybe you were tired of surviving," she says absentmindedly, her gaze on where she's twirling her empty mug. "Maybe you wanted to learn how to live, instead."

And I realize that it doesn't matter that I barely know her, there's less and less that I wouldn't do for this girl.

Because when I'm with her, I don't have to think about the past, don't have to worry about the future, I can just be here, in the moment, with her.

You could be the greatest dancer that ever lived, and I'd still think the rest of you was more valuable."

"Give me one more, princess,” Kane growls into my skin. “Come all over my bike for me. I want it to be the only thing I can think of every time I ride it from now on."

And yet, when I look over at Isabella, I feel… peace. I feel peace in a way that I've never experienced before.

This strong, capable, extraordinary man who made something of himself after a terrible start to life. A man who still doesn’t see himself as deserving of good things.

"What on earth does unhappy Kane look like?" I wonder sarcastically as I lean down to pull the pan out and set it on the stovetop. I'm so mesmerized by the sight of our cheesy, perfect meal, I don't realize Kane has stepped up behind me until his arms go around my waist. He tightens his grip and nuzzles into my neck, and his voice is quiet when he says, "It's getting harder and harder to remember."

I've been stuck for so long in the now, focused so much on just surviving today, that it never occurred to me to look at tomorrow. Didn't think I even could.

"Jealous, princess?" Because fuck, the thought of Isabella being territorial, not in general but of me, is intoxicating.

"Kane," I whimper. "Please, I need you inside me." A growl vibrates through his chest. "And now you're begging? Fuck, princess, I'm not going to be able to let you go."

"Kane, you deserve to have someone care about you," she says firmly. "You deserve to be loved. Do you hear me? Isabella isn't settling for you. She's been choosing you. Every day. Because you're worthy of being chosen."

The unspoken meaning is clear: she's the reason I haven't drank as much lately. It's definitely not a healthy coping mechanism, substituting one crutch for another, but it's the truth. Isabella makes me want to be better.

"I know you've had a hard life," she says. "I know you've seen and experienced things that no one should ever have to go through, and I know they've made you a little hard against the world. But Kane, that doesn't mean you're broken. It just means you had to load up with more armor than the rest of us. And I don't care that we might have to spend a little extra time creating a safe environment for you. This isn’t your 1 last shot to get it right, this is us trying, every day. And some days will be good, and some will be bad, but every day, we keep fighting. Together. Because I would rather live in your world, with your arms around me and your heart against my palm, than anywhere else. I want you, Kane. Never doubt that."

But wanting to be a better person and actually being a better person are two different things.