Nodding, Armie started kicking and punching harder making the most of the remaining minutes. Off to the side, he saw Yvette chatting with Harper, Muggles sprawled on his back beside her feet.

"I knew you'd be at the rec center," Vanity said.

"Yvette's here, too. Did you want to talk to her?" "Did I call her cell?"

"No. You called mine."

"There you go. Must be you I want to talk to, huh?"

Wondering what she wanted, he went over to stand by the reception desk. "So what's up?"

"I agree, Cannon. Let's get right to the point."

Had he been rude? "I didn't mean-"

"Now that the s.c.r.o.t.e is gone-"

"s.c.r.o.t.e?" Cannon asked.

"Yeah, you know, short for s.c.r.o.t.u.m, aka Heath."

He laughed outright. "I know what it means, and yeah, Heath is as gone as a man can be and still draw breath."

"Exactly. So anyway, since I don't need to keep tabs on his sorry b.u.t.t here in Cali-"

"I never meant to saddle you with that."

"It was my pleasure. Now, are you going to let me tell this or not?"

"I am," he promised. "Go ahead."

"I was thinking I'd visit," she blurted.

Worried about her reception? h.e.l.l, as Yvette's best friend, he wanted to meet her. Thanks to their phone conversations, he felt as though he already knew her. "You're always welcome." As he looked out the big front window, a flash of long blond hair caught Cannon's attention.

"Yeah? Anytime at all?"

"Absolutely." With a phone to her ear, the blonde paid a cabbie, then threw something in the big trash can out front of the rec center.

Probably another woman signing up for the women's self-defense cla.s.ses. They'd start right after Armie finished his fight. The promo was out, and already Denver and Stack had offered to lend a hand, which probably accounted for how women had rapidly filled the cla.s.s roster.

"How about...now?"

Lost in thought, Cannon said, "Sure." Forgetting the woman on the street, he grabbed the water bottle and a towel and headed to Armie. "When does your flight come in? We'll pick you up."

"No need." She cleared her throat. "I'm here."

"Here?"

"Well, behind you, actually."

That was when he realized how quiet the gym had gotten, everyone staring toward the door.

The blonde.

He turned, and sure enough, there she stood. A Barbie look-alike, Yvette had said. He wasn't that familiar with Barbie, but yeah, he saw it.

Wearing a short denim skirt and a white halter, her blond hair hanging to her a.s.s, her long legs tanned and shapely, she put away her phone while taking in the rec center.

The fact that every man there ogled her didn't seem to faze her.

When Yvette squealed, Cannon's first thought was another threat. Then he saw her dashing over to Vanity, saw Vanity do her own girl squeal and run to meet her halfway.

They did a few circles, still making that high-pitched female sound of excitement. Muggles danced around them barking in maniacal delight, though he doubted the dog knew what the fuss was all about.

Cannon smiled and knew it. Then he looked around and saw every other dude smiling, too.

Beside him, still huffing, Armie asked, "Friend of Yvette's, huh?"

"Vanity. She's from California."

"She's ready to start a stampede."

Yeah, true enough. The fighters were all edging closer, ready to claim introductions.

He glanced at Armie. "Not you, though, huh?"

Before replying, Armie finished off the water bottle. "She's a little too much fluff for my tastes."

Though he knew it wasn't what Armie meant, he said, "No tats or piercing?"

"Cotton candy all the way." He clapped Cannon on the back. "You'd better go head off the ma.s.ses."

Agreeing, Cannon approached with his hand out. "Vanity?"

"Oh, pfft." She pushed his hand aside and gave him a hearty hug. "Oh, my," she said, her hands going over his back and down toward his a.s.s. "Yvette, you're right. Very studly."

He freed himself with a laugh. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

Yvette winced. "Well..." She looked at Vanity, then back to him. "I knew."

Sheepish? What was she up to? If Vanity was here just to help her pack, they could both forget it. Somehow he'd convince Yvette to stay.

Hands on his hips, resistance mounting, he said, "Well, what?"

Rolling her eyes, Yvette took his hand. "It's better discussed in private." And she dragged him off with a lot of fanfare.

Uncaring that everyone watched.

Cannon wasn't sure what to make of that.

Vanity called after them, saying, "Don't worry about me." With purring undertones, she added, "I'm sure I can entertain myself."

That was all the invitation she needed to issue before a half dozen fighters converged on her. Knowing Armie would oversee things, Cannon went along willingly with Yvette.

In the break room, she turned him loose and, avoiding his gaze, took a seat at the table. Muggles started dancing, wanting her to hold him. She pulled the dog up to her lap.

Cannon didn't sit. He crossed his arms and stared down at her. "What's going on, honey?"

Still not looking at him, she drew a deep breath, blew it out slowly. "I've been thinking about things. About... the future."

No way. He angled his head, watching her warily, arguments already forming for why she should stay. Forever.

With him.

Two fingers in her hair, she whispered, "I've read over my grandfather's letter so many times."

Guilt softened his stance-but only a little. "I'm sorry I kept it from you."

"He asked you to. And I understand why. From the beginning, my only intent in coming home was to take care of things so you wouldn't be bothered by the ways he'd obligated you."

How could she still have things so wrong? "I've never been obligated." Though he'd certainly taken advantage of the gift her grandfather had given him. "I was here for you." Always.

A sad smile flickered into place. "I know. Even after everything you'd already done for me, Grandpa sort of tangled you up in that again, too."

"No. I never-"

"For so long now, you've been protecting me."

"d.a.m.n right." Because he loved her.

"But..." She lifted her shoulders. "The threats are over now, so you...you don't need to anymore."

Like h.e.l.l. "What about the trial?" Gathering steam, he reminded her, "You hate being the center of attention."

"I'm getting better at it." She bit her lip, then cleared her throat. "But speaking of that... Everywhere you go, you're the focus, right?"

Was she worried about getting caught in the spotlight? He wouldn't lie to her, but he also didn't want to give her reservations. "A lot of times, away from the fight crowd, no one knows who I am."

"But if a woman accompanied you to a fight-"

"Yeah. Maybe." Fighting the urge to scoop her up and hold her close, he admitted, "The camera might find you occasionally, especially during a t.i.tle fight."

She smiled. "Which is coming up very soon."

He nodded. Not that he was thinking about that right now with Yvette keeping him guessing. "You shouldn't worry about-"

"Cannon." She looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Just let me say this, okay?"

"Fine." Determination pulsed through his blood. "But you'd better say things I want to hear, honey."

"You don't have to protect me anymore."

Wrong. "I'm always going to want to protect you, because you're important to me."

She breathed faster. "You have so many wonderful fans."

"True." He took a step closer. "But I want you."

Laughter from the outer room drew her attention, and she glanced that way before facing him again. "And so many good friends."

Another step toward her. "They're all blessings." Softer. "I want you."

"You have a busy life, a thriving career, money and-" "And you. I want you, Yvette."

She straightened her shoulders. "Well, I want to make plans."

He opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't give him a chance.

"I want to be with you. And...and I don't want you to go to Harmony without me."

Wow. After so many straight jabs, she blindsided him with that quick combination. "The p.a.w.nshop-"

"That's why Vanity is here!" She rushed to her feet, setting a grumbling Muggles aside. "She'll run it for me when I need to be away."

Had she arranged everything? "When you're away with me?"

"Would that be okay?"

Better than okay.

"Because I know this was all sort of forced on you-"

"Not even close." It was past time he set her straight on a few things. "You know I gave Rissy her house, right?"

"Yes. But what does that-"

"And I bought my own house in Harmony. Free and clear."

"Wow." She swallowed. "I didn't realize-"

"I don't need a share of your grandpa's house, or anything from the p.a.w.nshop. But I wanted to be with you, so I went along for the ride."

"The ride?"

"Staying at the house with you. Claiming half the p.a.w.nshop so you couldn't just sell it off." He touched her chin. "I used the excuse your grandfather gave me to make my move on you."

She sputtered a laugh, saw he was serious, and her brows went up. "But...I've always been crazy about you. You knew that."