So, how do we like FighterWard? Isn't he swoon-worthy? Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the first chapter and now, we're going to find out more … What happened to our dear FighterWard?
What I own: Way too many books and not enough time to read them … how many books have you read so far this year?
What I don't: Twilight
Chapter Ten
Sitting on the couch in Marcus's condo, Edward stared sightlessly out the window, overlooking Lake Michigan. After dumping Victoria and arguing with Aro and Caius about his future at Volterra, he was done. He was done with the Volturi and done with Chicago. Hell, he may be done with fighting.
What was the point?
Marcus came out with two glasses of bourbon. His lips were pursed. "Aro is fighting tooth and nail about you breaking your contract."
"I have a month left on that damned contract," Edward grumped. "I'll pay whatever penalty."
"I know you want out, but I still suggest you get an attorney," Marcus pressed. "My brother is a ruthless bastard. I would leave with you, but he's got my balls in a vice."
"What are you talking about, Marcus?" Edward asked, putting his glass down.
"Do you think I'd choose to be my brother's private doctor for his fighters?" Marcus snorted angrily. "Don't get me wrong, I get paid handsomely, but I'd get paid more if I wasn't being blackmailed by my brothers."
"You're kidding," Edward gasped.
"I'm not," Marcus huffed. "When I was much younger, as a resident, I had an affair with one of the nurses. I was married to Di, but she was resentful of my hours as a resident. She hated that I had so little time for her. After a nasty fight, I slept in an on-call room at the hospital. When I got up, I went through the motions at the hospital and at home, but there was a new nurse. A new, sexy nurse who was all over me. I liked … loved … her attention."
"You had sex," Edward surmised.
"Yes, we had sex, but we had more. We had a relationship. While I was at work, I had Amelia by my side. She was everything that I wanted Di to be, supportive, excited, caring, loving, sexy and so much more," Marcus breathed. "While we were carrying on with our relationship, Amelia got pregnant. Di doesn't know that I have a child with Amelia, a girl … Maria, named for my mother."
"And you don't have children with Di?" Edward asked.
"Di had endometriosis and couldn't maintain a pregnancy, despite our best efforts to have our own child," Marcus grimaced. "Don't get me wrong, I know I was awful, and I made horrible decisions, but I loved Amelia and adored Maria. They were what I truly wanted out of a marriage. I loved Di, but I never had that deep connection that I shared with Amelia."
"Why didn't you divorce Di? Clearly, you were unhappy in the relationship."
"There was some underhanded, back-room deals made that had been done with the creation of Volterra with Di's father. My brothers knew about Amelia and said that if I tried to leave Di, we'd lose everything," Marcus grumbled. "I didn't believe them, until I saw the contract Aro signed with John, Di's father, who was the financial backer for the gym. They also blackmailed me … I'm so entrenched in this bullshit …"
"What happened to Amelia and Maria?" Edward questioned.
"I moved them far away. I saw them as much as I could, going on 'business trips and conferences'," Marcus sighed. "It wasn't enough. Amelia said that she wanted more, a marriage, a promise of forever, but I couldn't give it to her, as much as I wanted to. I couldn't. We ended it. That happened almost twenty years ago, but my brothers still dangle my relationship with Amelia over my head and threaten to spill the beans to Di, even though our marriage ended years ago."
"You're not divorced, though," Edward frowned.
"On paper, Di and I are married. I live here, in this condo, while she lives in the mansion in Glenview. We meet up once every couple of weeks to have the obligatory social outing, but our marriage is one of convenience and not of love. Even if I wanted to reconnect with Amelia, she's moved on and married another doctor. I have no relationship with my daughter. I'm still her father and I've sent child support, paying for her college education, but she doesn't know me because of my brothers," Marcus explained brokenly. "Before they got started in this fighting thing, I was on track to be a neurosurgeon. I was the best of my class, but Aro and Caius needed a general practitioner, focusing on sports medicine. They essentially use me for my prescription pad."
Edward arched a brow. "Steroids?"
"Among other things. Why do you think we're the best in the Midwest? Not every fighter is as disciplined as you, Edward. Fuck, Caius wanted me to drug you without your knowledge, but I refused. I've done some underhanded things, but I have my integrity. Drugging a patient without their consent? I'd lose my license," Marcus spat angrily. "Besides, you're better than all the other fighters in the goddamned gym. Combined."
"I'm sorry that your brothers are such maniacal assholes. I knew Aro and Caius were fucked up, but what they did to you is unfathomable," Edward said with sympathy. "At least, I can legally get out of my relationship with them. You're stuck with them. They're family … fucked-up family … but family, nonetheless."
"Ain't that the truth?" Marcus deadpanned, downing his drink in one gulp. "We need to get you out of Volterra and in a place where you can thrive."
"Then, I need to get out of Chicago. With the bullshit Victoria pulled with cheating on me and the beat down I got from Demetri, I can't …" Edward trailed off. "I want to continue fighting. I'm good at it. I'm not ready to hang up my gloves, though I know I'll have to do so sooner rather than later."
Marcus got up, picking up his iPad and scrolling through something. "Here … I think you'll like it at Bull Dog MMA Fighting Club," he said, handing his tablet to the younger man. "Carlisle Cullen, who actually wanted to get into sports medicine, is the physician there. We met in medical school. He's smart and can help you with your recovery. Plus, Charlie 'Bull Dog' Swan is one of the best coaches in the country."
"But, I'm not an MMA fighter," Edward argued.
"They train all types of fighters, from boxing to MMA to other martial arts," Marcus said. "They run a clean gym. I think you'd like it there."
"In Seattle?" Edward barked, reading the information about the gym on the tablet.
"It's out of Chicago," Marcus smirked. "Pack up your shit, get in your car and get the hell out of dodge."
"I have to sell my condo, find an attorney, address the Aro and contract thing, find a place to live in Seattle …" Edward ticked off with his fingers.
"Focus on getting out of your contract. Jason Jenks is one of the best attorneys in the business. He can help you with my brother," Marcus said. "He's the one who managed to get me paid for my services. My brothers were … well, they didn't want to cut into their bottom line. But, the whole anti-slavery thing made them realize that I needed a livable wage. He actually got me a hell of a lot more, thankfully."
"Okay," Edward agreed. "What about the rest?"
"How much do you like your condo? The furniture?"
"I like the layout but Victoria, the cheating bitch from hell, she decorated it. I've been staying at the W Chicago Lakeshore since I walked in on her fucking her boy-toy."
"So, you wouldn't mind selling the place furnished?" Marcus asked.
"Not at all … new city, new home, new, untainted furniture," Edward snickered. He finished his bourbon and Air-Dropped the website for Bull Dog MMA Fighting Club to his phone. "I'm going to head to my hotel."
"Call me if you need me," Marcus said, shaking Edward's hand. "Despite the tight spot my brothers wedged me into, I'm on your side."
"I know and I appreciate it, Marcus," Edward smiled. Marcus had been like a father figure for him. He was more his father than his own sperm donor, who was more interested in getting his next drink.
After a good night's sleep, a six-mile run and some strength training, Edward contacted Jason Jenks. He'd had an attorney when he first started working for Volterra, but she'd retired to Boca Raton. Jason was more than willing to bend over backwards to get Edward out of his contract, but he recommended to have someone look over his finances if Aro was as shady as Marcus made him out to be, he'd probably be pilfering money from Edward's accounts. Edward added that to his mental checklist, but he needed to put his condo on the market and prepare to move across the country to Seattle, if Charlie Swan agreed to train him.
Things moved quickly after that. Edward called Charlie Swan, who was eager to work with him and they made arrangements to meet in a month after Edward closed out his life in Chicago.
Jason Jenks brought down the hammer on Aro Volturi, severing his professional relationship with Edward. Jenks also got Aro to pay handsomely for Edward's injuries that he'd suffered with the fight with Demetri, since it was a work-related injury. The hospital bills and rehab were not Edward's responsibility, but Volterra's.
Jenks was expensive, but he was worth every penny.
Edward's condo was sold within a week, with all the furnishings. He packed up his personal effects, clothing, and trinkets from his childhood. The morning he left Chicago, he had breakfast with Marcus, promising to keep in touch with his doctor and adoptive father. After that, he signed all the paperwork for the condo sale, handing over the keys, garage door opener and deed. The money had already been deposited into his account, which he'd use to purchase his new place in Seattle.
It took about a week to drive to Seattle. With his lingering concussion symptoms, he couldn't drive for very long. Six hours was about his limit, and it had to be early in the morning, when the sun wasn't blaring in his eyes. Driving at night was a no-go, since the flashing headlights caused him pain. Upon arriving in Seattle, Edward was eager to meet with Dr. Carlisle Cullen, who could provide him with some more answers regarding his head injury.
He pushed through the last day to get to Seattle before nightfall, checking into the Hyatt Regency in downtown. Calling Charlie Swan, he planned to meet him at Bull Dog MMA Fighting Club by around nine the following morning. Charlie explained that he made an appointment for Edward to meet with Dr. Cullen for the afternoon. In the morning, he'd have to fill out paperwork to get settled at Bull Dog.
After running in the gym at the hotel and doing some strength training, Edward ordered room service and checked on the truck with his Ferrari, which he was going to sell, and his belongings. They would arrive in Seattle in two days, where they'd be stored until he had a permanent residence.
The next morning, Edward put on a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, using his GPS to guide him to the gym. He parked next to a black Range Rover. Sliding his sunglasses up, he went inside. One of the guys working out pointed out Charlie's office, and Edward strolled over to the open door. Hesitantly, he knocked on it. "Mr. Swan?"
"Mr. Swan was my asshole father," was the gruff response. A man, in his mid to late forties, with dark hair, sprinkled with grey, grinned up at him. "Edward Masen? I'm Charlie. Nice to meet you."
"You, too," Edward smiled, shaking his hand. "From first glance, this is an amazing gym. I like how you tailor your training to so many different styles of fighting."
"At first, it was a struggle, but once we got the staff to meet the needs of the clientele, it's a good fit," Charlie chuckled. "Have a seat, son."
They spent fifteen minutes, talking and getting to know each other, sharing their histories and proudest moments in the boxing ring. On top of that, Charlie said he'd love to train Edward, but only after he got the all-clear from Carlisle. It was Charlie who called Carlisle, insisting that Edward got some more extensive testing done, all covered by the gym.
They got up and Charlie gave Edward a tour of the gym, from the workout area, to sparring, and rehabilitation. Bull Dog MMA Fighting Club had it all. Plus, the vibes were nothing but positive. The trainers and fighters were not being pitted against each other. It was a family-like atmosphere, even offering classes for kids.
Walking up some stairs, Charlie pointed out various offices, including a private physical training room, an office for Dr. Cullen and a spacious, girly office. It was so out of place in the gym, but when Edward saw the gorgeous woman inside said office, he understood why.
"And, this is my daughter's office. Isabella, she's the brains of the outfit," Charlie quipped. He knocked on the door. "Little Bell?"
"Dad," she huffed, giving Charlie sneer. "Really?"
"Sorry, Bella," Charlie chuckled, walking into her office. "Bella, this is Edward Masen. Edward, this is my daughter and general manager of the gym, Bella Swan."
They shook hands and an electric jolt ran up Edward's arm, making him shudder in pleasure. He noticed that Bella's creamy skin blushed, the softest pale pink splashing across her cheeks and nose. She was little, petite, but not a waif. She was curvy in all the right places, with the perfect combination of femininity and strength. Her mahogany tresses were pulled back, draped over her shoulder in soft curls and her espresso-colored eyes were sharp.
This woman was exquisite.
Charlie left the office, giving Bella and Edward a chance to chat and fill out the paperwork for the gym. He gave her the Cliff's Notes version of why he left Volterra and what was needed before he could train here. The biggest wrench in the plan was Dr. Cullen's explicit instructions that he come to his medical testing with someone, in case he was too incapacitated to drive himself back to the hotel. He asked Charlie, but he had a session with another fighter, Emmett Cullen.
His heart skittered when Bella volunteered to help him out. It took off even more when she gave him a gorgeous smile, saying, "You're in the right spot, Edward. We're a big family here at Bull Dog," Bella grinned. "Now, let's get you set up to train, Mr. Masen."
A/N: I went over my 2000-word limit … meh … this chapter took a little longer to write, but it was fun to get both of their perspectives on their meeting. Anyway, pictures of Marcus's condo and such are on my blog. You can find a link for that on my profile. I'm also on FB: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, too: tufano79.
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Up next will be Edward and Bella getting to know each other, becoming friends.