Claiming The Prize (12 page)

Vance continued, “Well, this was
certainly an impressive victory for you tonight.
Welcome to the
AMMAO.”

“
Thank you.
I am glad to
have the opportunity to fight here, and I thank the fans.
I would
like to thank Guy Antolini, team Anto-Engage, and all at First
Strike.
I would also like to thank my team in Bratislava,
Spar-Slava, and my sponsors.
Their support and guidance has made
this night possible for me.”

“
Congratulations!
Ladies
and gentlemen, Drago Zadrovec.”

Drago waved, leaving the octagon.
He
had accomplished the first step on his journey to a world title.
Exuberant fans cheered and reached to touch him as the team made
their way out of the limelight.
Drago did not notice the pain of
his slightly swollen nose, nor the ache of his ribs.
All he felt
was elation.
Five fights, he thought.
Grace by his side.
He was on
top of the world.

But would she remain so if he lost?
He
determined never to find out.

* * *

Back at the hotel's banquet hall,
music filled the air.
Dozens of bodies reveled on the dance floor
under the synchronized light show, and the bar was surrounded.
White swags of satin hung from portable frames, partitioning the
tables near the dance floor from those outside it, and the bar
outside the club was peopled by a slightly more subdued
group.

Drago took a deep breath before
entering with Yves, Ike, and St.
Clair.
What he desired was a quiet
night with Grace and maybe a small celebration with Guy and his
team.
But he accepted the necessity of his presence here.
Training
full time, maintaining his gym, paying his team and trainers, not
to mention living and travel expenses took money, a lot of money.
Coming off a win tonight would guarantee the interest of new
sponsors as well as ensure continued support from current ones.
As
one introduction merged with the next, Drago kept one eye on the
entrance, scanning the crowd for Grace.
Anto had left after seeing
Drago back to the dressing room and watching over his physical exam
to accompany his daughter back to their rooms.
Why was it taking
them so long to arrive?

Even in the climate controlled hall,
the press of bodies created a sweltering heat.
The black silk,
V-neck shirt clung to his chiseled form, showcasing his physique,
and the sight was not wasted on the women in Drago's vicinity.
Red
lips, carefully coiffed hair, and exposed cleavage converged on him
from all sides.
Ike and St.
Clair were already on the dance floor.
Only the Friar remained with him, keeping the onslaught from
overwhelming him completely.
Continuing to exchange pleasantries,
Drago did his best to satisfy polite conversation without appearing
rude.
When Grace entered the ballroom the chatter around him faded
into the recesses of his hearing, his senses distracted in drinking
in the sight of her on her father's arm.

Grace was smiling as her father,
instantly besieged with congratulations, led her into the hall.
Not
able to see over the heads of the crowd, she gave up her perusal
for Drago for the moment.
Guy had advised them to tread carefully
if they wanted any privacy concerning their engagement, but all she
could think of was seeing him, being near him.
The slide of the
thin, gauzy material over her skin brought to mind the feel of his
touch on her arms, and she shivered in spite of the heated
air.

Her dress was a mixture of orange and
yellow hues, creating a soft watercolor effect on the fabric, and
it complimented her tanned complexion.
Sheer and feminine, the
dress's petite, wispy sleeves covered only the tops of her
shoulders, and the deep angle of its neckline bared the
yellow-orange camisole beneath it.
A wide belt encircled her tiny
waist, and from there the material flowed down, stopping just above
her knees, hinting at the curves of her hips and thighs, but not
revealing their secrets.
Open-toed, slingback heels the color of
her belt added two inches to her height and called attention to her
shapely calves.

Guy conversed with Danny McGovern and
his wife in the growing circle of business associates as Grace
tried to look around once again for Drago.
Disappointed at not
locating him, she resigned herself to the conversation in front of
her when she felt the weight of Drago's hand at the small of her
back and breathed in his intoxicating scent.
Icy heat radiated up
her spine, raising the hairs on the back of her neck.

Stepping forward to stand at her side,
Guy announced, “Ah, here he is!”

Mac was the first to extend his hand
in greeting, which Drago shook enthusiastically, never breaking
contact with Grace's body.

“
A pleasure to meet you,
Zadrovec!”
the promoter exclaimed.
“I know a few reps here that
would be glad to talk business.
Have Anto bring you by my office
Monday.
I'll make some introductions tonight, and we'll have a few
offers to look at then.”

“
Thank you,
sir.”

Mac laughed.

“
I like him Anto!
He sure
doesn't say much.”

Guy gave his half grin and
nodded.

Again, Mac chuckled.

“
No wonder you took to him.
He's a chip off the old block.
I didn't think they made them like
that anymore.”

The talk turned to more festive topics
as longtime business associates enjoyed the party.
Guy Antolini's
eyes followed as Drago escorted Grace to get a drink, and he knew
their engagement would not be a private affair for long.
The man
guarded Grace possessively as if they were on a dark street
somewhere, he mused, sparking a grin on his face.
Publicity, he
could worry over, but he would not have to worry or wonder if his
daughter was well loved.

* * *

The remaining two weeks passed in a
blur.
Meetings, photo shoots, and business lunches occupied most of
Drago's time, leaving Grace to explore the city of Brotherly Love
on her own.
While never much for high fashion fads, Grace couldn't
pass up an afternoon shopping at the famous King of Prussia Mall,
returning in the evening exhausted but claiming victory at having
secured much of her fall wardrobe and at traversing the acres of
retail space.
Neither could she ignore a luncheon held by Beth Ann
DuFois to raise money and awareness for autism.

Dressed in a pale coral linen skirt
and white silk blouse, Grace was the picture of summer.
White
slip-on sandals stood out against her bronzed skin, and her dark
hair was pinned atop her head in a loose twist showing off the
delicate shells dangling from each earlobe, the combination of
classic and casual styles hinting at the soft sweetness of her
personality.

Grace loved children and was eager to
help Beth Ann succeed.
It was the one area aside from martial arts
in which Grace was open and outgoing without effort.
She hoped to
have children of her own one day, and her engagement heightened her
expectations, adding a deeper dimension to their task of helping
children.

Beth Ann was tireless in her charity
work, and Grace admired the woman.
Her husband, Stephen, was
nearing the close of his fighting career, and the couple was
opening a new chapter in the world of philanthropy as the former
one inched towards its conclusion.
Kind and energetic, Beth Ann was
easy to work with.

Grace had studied all the
information the woman had sent her as well as researched on her own
in preparation for this event.
Mingling with the many guests, she
used every opportunity to steer countless conversations back to the
topic of autism, helping afflicted families, research, and known
data – and she accomplished it with a genuine charm that aided her
efforts greatly.
Turning to scan the crowd for groups she hadn't
spoken with, Grace found herself in front of Savannah
Jameson.

“
What a surprise!”
Grace
exclaimed.
“I had no idea you were involved with autism
awareness.”

“
I'm not, really,” the
young woman answered honestly.
“I'm glad I ran into you, Grace.
Carson told me all about your little incident at the gym.
I don't
know why you didn't tell anyone, but thanks.
Carson signed on with
Antonio Paola, and we're engaged.
We just want to start fresh at a
new gym.
You know...”

“
I understand, Savannah.
Congratulations.
I wish you both the best.”

Grace was stunned.
She hadn't known
about their engagement.
She wondered how much of the truth he had
told Savannah.
After the way Carson had acted, and knowing about
his positive drug screen, Grace was uneasy.
She hoped that it
really was a fresh start Carson was looking for.

Savannah smiled, lifting her hand to
show off the two-carat diamond solitaire Carson had bought her, but
Grace sensed something was not quite right behind the
display.

“
It's beautiful,” Grace
commented.

Concern for the woman before her must
have shown on her face because Savannah attempted to smile harder,
if that were possible.

“
Well, thanks,” Savannah
said flippantly.
“Look, Grace, I don't know anything about 'true
love happiness' or any bullshit like that.
Carson and I have a good
time together.
We're alike.”

Suddenly, Savannah threw her head back
and giggled, hugging Grace as if they were old classmates sharing a
juicy secret before flitting off.

Grace was left not knowing what to
think of the woman's bizarre behavior.
Her eyes were now alert for
any sign of Carson.
After her encounter with Savannah, Grace was
certain he was there.
She did not want to run into him.

Drago and other fighters were gathered
in front of Pascale's Bistro signing shirts and posters for the
young autistic boys after the promo photos.
Family members thanked
the athletes for their time and for the joy it brought their sons
to meet them.
When his gaze found Carson Khaler among the
participants, bile rose in Drago's throat with disgust for the man.
Carson looked away when their eyes met, but not before
understanding the unspoken warning to stay away from Grace.
It was
unnecessary.

Carson was obsessed with Savannah, for
he had found the one woman who beat him at his own game.
Even when
he proposed to her – the one thing he was certain would bring her
under his hand somewhat – Savannah had laughed in his face and
tossed the costly diamond ring over her shoulder without a backward
glance.
That she then proceeded to shove him back on their sofa and
suck him to the brink of exploding into her mouth over and over
until he begged for release left Carson not only unsure of her
feelings, but brought him further under her power.
For she had
never agreed to marry him, truth be told.
In the night, he had
found the cast off ring and placed it on her finger.
She hadn't yet
taken it off, which was the only reason he had any hope.
No, he
thought, the Slovak had no worries from him.
He dismissed all
thoughts but Savannah, and wondering what color panties he would
find under her dress, if any, Carson went in search of
her.

The flurry of activity around Carson
and Savannah with the announcement of their engagement allowed
Drago and Grace to slip out together quietly.
This would be their
last evening together, and neither wanted to waste a single moment.
Drago's early morning departure would separate them for an
indefinite time, and Grace wanted to capture each minute to turn
over in her mind.
After a leisurely meal with their group and talk
late into the evening, Drago walked Grace to her room.
Outside her
door they paused, not wishing to separate.