Harlequin Superromance March 2014 - Bundle 2 of 2: The Secrets of Her Past\A Real Live Hero\In Her Corner (60 page)

“This...this is phenomenal,” her father said, clearly in shock. “I've always thought Hadrian Blackwell was against women fighting in the UFF.”

“Congratulations,” Marco said warmly. “You're gonna be great, Bella.”

“You're kidding, right? You're trying to give us all heart attacks?”

“No, Luca. For real. They're making the announcement in Las Vegas on Thursday. I'll be at the press conference with Ayumi Kamino.”

“Merda...”

“Luca!” her mother exclaimed. Bella heard the distinct sound of her mother slapping her brother's arm. “Watch your tongue!”

“Do you have any idea what Fulvio is going to say about this? Bella, he's going to flip out.”

“Be happy for your sister,” her father warned. “This is a wonderful opportunity.”

“Yeah, don't be jealous, Luca,” Marco said.

“I'm not jealous.” Luca sniffed. “I think it's great. But she's not the one who has to live with Fulvio's moods and ranting. If you think I'm going to tell the old man, forget it.”

“I'll tell him myself,” she said. “He should hear it from me.”

“No,” her father cut in. “I'll tell him. He's still mad from the last time you talked. You need to stay positive and focus on training.”

So Fulvio still held that grudge. Her happiness dimmed and she sighed. “Thank you,
Papai.
”

“I'm a phone call away if you need me to go there,” Marco said.

“We all will,” he father added staunchly. “All you have to do is ask.”

Bella's heart warmed so quickly it almost cracked. She'd thought the family had been against her all this time—after everything that had happened between her and Antonio, then her and Fulvio, she thought they'd dismissed her, turned their backs on her. But they were happy for her. They were supporting her in their own way. Maybe the story would've been different if Fulvio had been there, but for now, she knew. She swallowed thickly. “Thanks. But...I have the whole team here at Payette's helping me out. The next few weeks are going to be hard, but I'll manage.”

“We're family, Bella. No matter what happens, we're here if you need us.”

Tears burned the backs of her eyes. “I'll let you know.”

“We'll tell the others and tune in to your press conference,” her mother said. “But we'll let you go for now. Take care of yourself, Bella.”

“Stop riding your bike,” her father commanded.

“Drink lots of water.” Marco's advice was always practical.

“And don't get knocked up!”

“Luca, one of these days...”

“We love you,
querida,
” he father interrupted, “and we're proud of you. Do your best.”

After she hung up, Bella got into the shower and let her tears fall. She had her family's support...so why did she still feel so alone?

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

K
YLE
WATCHED
AS
Bella repeatedly tugged the hem of her blouse and rubbed the tops of her high-heeled shoes against the back of her calves. It was Thursday afternoon in Las Vegas, the day of the press conference. All around them, people rushed to and fro. Bella danced out of everyone's way, trying to make herself small in this bustling environment. Kyle kept her close, one hand floating near her shoulder or waist to keep her from drifting too far away. She looked as if she were about to bolt.

“Nervous?” he asked.

She looked at him with wide eyes, her lips pursed so tightly they disappeared against her pale face in spite of her makeup. Gently, he squeezed her taut shoulders. “Hey. Relax. I'm right here, and Joel's on the other side. Worse comes to worst, we'll tackle any reporter who asks you a stupid question.”

She nodded and blew out a breath. “Thanks for coming here with me.”

“I would've been here tomorrow anyhow.” He didn't want it to be a big deal. He'd promised to make up for his inadequate training. Being there when she needed him was a part of that.

“Kinda stupid, isn't it?” She grimaced down at her heels. “I've been in front of bigger crowds in less clothing, but I'm sweating like balls right now.”

He chuckled. “I used to feel the same way at these big press things. Just relax and be yourself. They'll love you for it.”

She scoffed. “They barely know me.”

“Hey,
I
barely know you, but I'm rooting for you.” He cleared his throat and clapped her on the shoulder. “You'll do fine.”

When the conference started, the balding stage manager brusquely ushered Bella out. There was a vacant, wild quality about her forced grin, and she'd started plucking at her blouse again.
Breathe,
Kyle silently told her, taking a deep breath himself.

She met his eye, a panicked look clear on her face.
Help.

He winked and made a cross-eyed kissy face, and she burst out laughing.
Ah, there she is.

Camera flashes bathed her in blinding light as the UFF president drew her in for a half hug and a peck on the cheek.

Something inside Kyle pinched, and he folded his arms over his chest with a frown.

“You keep doing that and people will start thinking you're jealous.”

He jumped as his sister, Jessica, sidled up next to him. “Jess.” Standing a good three inches taller than Kyle and wearing a sequined top, hot-pink tights and electric-blue stilettos, he wondered how she'd been able to sneak up on him so easily. “What are you doing here?”

“‘Nice to see you, Jess. It's been so long, oh, and sorry for blowing you off in New Orleans.'” She tossed her bleached-blond bangs out of her eyes. “I'm working. I'm freelancing with a cosmetics company who's sponsoring the Starlight gala thing. A few clients asked me to come down to get them gussied up, too. Maybe you haven't heard, but I'm kind of a big deal.” She sighed as her gaze cut across the stage. “I was hoping I'd get to do Bella Fiore's hair. That mane looks like a waterfall of sex and dark chocolate. She's your client, right?”

Kyle wiped a hand across his mouth. “So you just happened to take this job when I was coming down to Vegas?”

“You make it sound like I'm only here to stalk you.”

He eyed her suspiciously. “Are you?”

She gave him a withering look. “You think I took a job just to see my little brother? Puh-leez.” At Kyle's rigid look, she gave a dramatic sigh. “Of course I want to see you, Kyle. You're family. But you've made your feelings about me pretty clear.”

He looked away. “That's not fair. And you know I didn't mean it like that.”

The gap of silence between them widened as Ayumi Kamino ascended the stage. The room got quieter. She shook hands with Hadrian and clasped hands with Bella perfunctorily before everyone took their seats. As Hadrian made the official announcement and provided the press with the details of the UFF's first female fight, Ayumi surveyed the crowd as if every reporter in the room were her opponent. Bella's smile had relaxed a little more. She didn't look quite so hunted.

“Okay, so I'll admit, I took this gig 'cause I was curious about what you do,” Jess said quietly. Kyle cast her a sidelong glance, a little surprised. Since when did his sister take an interest in anything he did? “But I didn't even realize that client you were talking about was the chick who'd be fighting.”

“That ‘chick' has a near perfect win-loss record. She's good.” He didn't know why he was being so defensive. But Bella was more than some chick. “She'll take the belt home. You watch.”

“Speaking of home, Mom's wondering why you haven't called.”

“You've been talking to Mom?”

“She called me, said you didn't go home for Thanksgiving. And you still haven't made plans to visit over Christmas. She's still miffed you missed last year.”

“She could've called me.”

“You could've called her. You
should've
called her.”

He turned away sharply. “Excuse me, I need to concentrate on what Bella's saying.”

Jess grabbed his arm. “Look, whatever's been going on, I get that you don't want to talk about it. Dad didn't raise us to put our problems on other people. I sure as hell had stuff to work out, even though I could've used a little support.” Her nostrils flared. “But when you don't call home for months and months and Mom resorts to calling me for info...” She blew her bangs out of her eyes and shook her head. “I'm worried about you, squirt. Everyone is.”

Kyle's tone was as tight as the fist around his heart. “Tell Mom I'm sorry. I can't make it down this year. Bella's got less than ten weeks to train for this fight and I need to be with her.”

“Kyle, it's Christmas.”

“There'll be other Christmases.”

“And a
bah humbug
to you, too.” Jessica huffed. “At least call her yourself.”

He conceded with a short nod and tuned back in to the press conference.

Hadrian took questions from the reporters. They were fairly easy—how do you feel about being the first women to fight in the UFF? What do your families think about you fighting?—but then Quinn Bourdain stepped forward. The redheaded reporter in her burgundy suit stood out against the field of mostly male reporters.

“Bella, you're going to drop to the 145-pound division, but you've previously said you would never compromise yourself to pander to the business. What's changed?”

Bella sat still a moment, then leaned toward the mic in front of her. “I don't recall ever saying that.”

“You said it to me in early November for a feature I did on you. Quote, ‘I won't lose weight to please people.'”

Bella sent a brittle smile toward the reporter. “I think you misunderstood me, Quinn. That was in the context of body image, not business. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me to show the world what I can do, and I'm very honored that Hadrian asked me to sign on with the UFF. That said, I will do whatever necessary so that I will be ready to take on my opponent. I admire Ayumi very much and look forward to meeting her in the cage.”

Quinn looked like she was about to ask a follow-up question, but Hadrian moved them on and pointed at another reporter who had his hand up.

“Bella, you're coming off a notoriously bad defeat in New Orleans against Betty Heimer,” he said a touch snidely. “Critics have said your performance there wasn't worthy of a spot on a UFF card. How will public opinion affect your game?”

She drummed her fingers on the tabletop, though she looked as though she'd rather drum her knuckles on the guy's skull. “People will always doubt me, same way they doubt any fighter. Every fighter has bad days, and that was a very bad day. But I learn from my mistakes. I know I'll bring my A game in February.”

The reporter added, “Ayumi, do you have anything you'd like to say about Bella's performance in New Orleans?”

The woman sat forward, her eyes sharp. “It's true, fighters have bad days. They make mistakes. But if she makes the same mistakes in our fight, I'll be very disappointed. I want to
fight
her and I want her to know my full strength by the end.”

Bella tilted her head and smiled. “Bring it on, Ayumi.”

The audience chuckled and started giving catcalls. Hadrian, ever the ringmaster, cut off the questions and had the women pose toe to toe, fists raised. Ayumi's stony glower clashed up against Bella's more laid-back half smile. It was pretty clear who the darling of this show was.

“Way to go,” Joel said when they met backstage after the photo ops. “You were terrific. The cameras loved you.”

Bella nodded, and her gaze canted toward Kyle. She lifted an eyebrow. “Aren't you going to introduce us?”

He hadn't even realized Jess had followed him. “Oh. Uh, Joel, Bella, this is...my
sister,
Jessica.”

He watched for that moment in Bella's eyes. That slight widening when she realized Jess hadn't been born a woman. With her surgically enhanced body and flamboyant style, he could understand how some people might miss the little details, but there were some things surgery couldn't erase. Bella's smile widened as she shook Jessica's long-fingered hands, but there was no discernible tic that gave away her surprise.

“So, is Kyle giving it to you hard?” Jess asked.

Kyle's jaw nearly fell to the floor. Bella startled. Joel laughed.

“I mean, has he been training you hard?” Jess corrected with a violent shake of her head, then laughed. “Woo, where is my brain today? Not connected to my tongue, that's for sure.” She gave another loud guffaw and slapped Kyle's shoulder so hard it stung.

“Kyle's a good coach,” Bella said. “Did you ever get into the family trade?”

“Dad tried, but...well...” She shrugged. “It didn't stick. I was too busy designing outfits for Kyle's G.I. Joes.”

Kyle glared, but Jess went on. “Listen, I've been trying to get him to have dinner with me to catch up—maybe you can convince him to break bread with his poor, lonely big sister.”

Bella turned to Kyle. “Have dinner with your big sister,” she commanded firmly.

“Ha! I like her,” Jess declared. “Look, I gotta go. Bella, I'll see you at the gala tomorrow, right? Here, Kyle, take my card, in case...well, you know.” Her lips curved. “Good to see you, Joel. And very nice to meet you, Bella—hopefully we'll see each other again soon. Good luck with the fight.” She sauntered off, wading through the crowd like a tall ship on heels.

Joel turned to them. “I have some people I need to talk to. Bella, I'll see you back at the hotel. Your first interview starts at two o'clock—don't be late.”

“I am so sorry,” Kyle said the moment they started toward his rental car. “Jess is...well, Jess.”

“I thought your sister was cool.”

He hesitated. “You realize she's...”

She laughed. “I was fairly certain. You forget I'm from Brazil—
Carnivale
brings out all the drag queens. You're not embarrassed by her, are you?”

“It's not like that.” He struggled to explain. “Things have been awkward between us for a while. Jess—back when he was my brother, Jesse—left home when I was fourteen. My parents weren't very accepting of her...choices. They had a big fight, and then she was dead to my parents. I only talked to her a couple of times before and after the surgeries, but she never came home. Not until Dad's funeral.” A bitter taste filled his mouth.

“I'm sorry that happened,” Bella said. “It probably wasn't easy for any of you. But I think your sister's amazing. It takes a lot of guts to stand up to your family and the rest of the world to be the person you're meant to be and follow your dreams.”

His chest tightened. “I just wish she and Dad could've met in the middle. It would've made life a lot easier.” For Mom, who missed her eldest. For Dad, whose whole world had been thrown off its axis. And for Kyle, who'd been caught in the middle and forged by his father's unyielding will into the manliest of men.

He wasn't angry about becoming that man—he was proud of what he'd accomplished. He wasn't even angry that Jess had left. Who could blame her, considering Dad's reaction?

Mostly, he was angry because he was still angry. Jess reminded him of all the lessons their father had beaten into him, all the things a man was supposed to be. All the things he'd failed at....

“Sometimes,” Bella said soberly, “there's no room for compromise.”

His morose thoughts were interrupted by someone shouting Bella's name. They both halted. Quinn Bourdain ran up to them. “Bella, I'm sorry. I want to make sure you didn't take my question personally,” she said.

Bella shrugged, but she was a touch cool. “You were doing your job. But I thought you, of all people, would've understood my comment in context.”

“I did. And I do. But you're about to go under a ton of scrutiny, and that article is going to show up again and again. I thought I might head off any misunderstanding if I asked the question.”

“So you were doing me a favor by pointing out my weight disadvantage?” Bella gave her a skeptical once-over and started to turn away.

“Ryan Holbrooke's in Vegas as we speak,” Quinn said. Kyle jarred to a stop as Bella swung back around. The reporter had his attention, and she stood poised with her notebook. “The last time I talked to him, he told me something that disturbed me, and I wanted to get your comment.”

“Okay, Quinn, so tell us what he said.”

The reporter flipped to a page. “He said, Bella, that you were, and I quote, ‘a second-rate Fiore with no drive to succeed.' He also accused you of making sexual advances toward him in order to gain his attention and firing him when he didn't give you said attention. He called you ‘a supercilious diva' and said anyone who took you on as a client would get what they deserved.” Her lips twisted distastefully.