Just then, I hear a familiar voice yelling as I circle the ring again. Keeping my eyes on the fireman, I listen to Shelby scream my name over the crowd.

She's cheering for me, and by the sound of her voice, she's really fucking into it.

Shelby

I hate seeing him get hit, but I love watching him knock the other guy back. I thought I would hate this, but the way Rafe fights is sexy as hell. He doesn't just hit to beat the other guy, but you can see the turmoil he's fighting with every punch. It's not about winning for him. It's about beating up the demons inside as well.

When he spots me cheering for him, there's a new fire in his punches. He only takes one quick jab to the chin, but I notice how he dodges it enough that the guy's fist glides off his skin.

I bet it still hurt, and yet, it looks fun as well. Adrenaline rushing, pulse pounding, hitting someone as hard as you can and feeling the power in your punches. There's something about it that entices me, and I know how wrong that is. I'm supposed to help people, not want to beat them up.

Vic steps up beside me. "You know, we do have some lady fighters come out. Not often, but they do."

I shake my head at him. "This is definitely not for me, Vic."

"You say that, but I see the way your eyes light up. This is what we were made to do, my darling. Fuck and fight."

I have to fight the blush in my cheeks. Vic is attractive, and if I wasn't already so overwhelmed with Rafe, I might have considered letting him make the moves on me, but since I enjoy turning him down so much, I glare at him.

"Well, one of those is already taken care of, thanks."

He grins at me, a knowing smile. "No, it's not. Not if the rumors about officer Nolan are true. Why do you think he loves to fight so much?"

When I glance back at the fight, I notice they're taking a break, getting water, and the other guy looks much worse off than Rafe. In fact, all I notice about Rafe is the moisture pooling on his brow. Otherwise, he looks pretty comfortable.

But Vic's words are sinking in. How does everyone know his secrets? It seems very unfair to me that everyone should feel the need to know what is so private to him. An overwhelming desire to defend him makes me turn toward Vic and say, "I assure you. The rumors are wrong."

Then I turn back toward the fight and just as they ring the bell, I scream for him again.

Only a few moments later, Rafe throws a hook that sends the other guy to the ground. When he doesn't get back up, the crowd erupts, and I can't help but yell along with them. Vic starts collecting his money, and I'm too distracted with rushing through the horde to get to Rafe.