Read Online Paradise Fought: Abel by L. B. Dunbar - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: L. B. Dunbar
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was destined to pay.
“Why are you trying to get back into this? When Montana died, I thought it would be a new start for you.” Lindee’s voice was hesitant. She knew we’d lost everything. She also knew that when I left for college, I wanted a new life. I didn’t want to be just Montana’s little sister. I wanted to be me. The break was easier to make when we were at school, but when I was home, people recognized me. When we were at the fights, fans knew who my mother and I were. People did things for me and my mother because of Montana.
After his death, only a few remained loyal. His manager helped us iron out the financial fiasco that Montana had left us. His trainer checked in daily, until my mother blamed him for not taking care of her son. Montana’s coach was my mother’s first sexual mistake post-Montana. He was almost as distraught as her at the loss of him.
“I just want some answers, Lindee.”
She stared at me with her almond colored eyes. We’d hardly disagreed, but when Montana died, I was angry. I was convinced he was dead on purpose. He was killed. Lindee didn’t agree. Over time, she came to the conclusion that it happens; fighters can die in the ring. I, however, was not satisfied. I believed Montana had been set up. I believed his death was intentional. I wanted revenge.
“We already have answers, Elma. Let it go. Please,” she pleaded, twisting in her desk chair. She’d been facing her books, rubbing lotion on her arms, while I spoke from my seat on her bed. The coroner’s investigation eventually ruled Montana’s death as accidental. He’d had an aneurysm from swelling caused by an unhealed concussion. I still didn’t believe it. Montana was excessively health conscious. He knew his body inside and out. He wouldn’t have fought if he thought he wasn’t safe. It was a risk he wouldn’t have taken. The concussion had been months earlier, and Montana’s trainer had ruled him fit to fight.
“By the way, have you ever heard of an Abel Callahan? Like, did Cain have a brother?”
“Not that I know of, but I didn’t study the family history of other fighters. It’s a common enough name. Google him.” She was concentrating on her other arm, spreading lotion as she spoke.
“I already did. I didn’t find anything.”
I paused for a moment.
“I still want to go to the fight, regardless. Plus, Thor will be there,” I sing-songed, returning back to my initial intention. Lindee knew I had a crush on him. She laughed at my obsession with the dirty blond, buff god, who was thick in body and head. She didn’t understand what I saw in him, other than a toned body, and I jokingly questioned if I should desire anything else. Lindee knew I didn’t believe looks were everything, but it never hurt to admire. She didn’t know about my failed attempt at seducing him.
“Besides, Cade Preston will be there, too.” I wiggled my eyebrows, hoping Lindee got the hint. I’d been subtly pushing her toward him. Preston was Silicon Valley royalty, which made him perfect for Lindee and her self-righteous parents. He wasn’t my type, with his green eyes and black hair, but the mysterious look of him was a possibility for Lindee. It was so opposite from Montana, whose dirty blond hair and blue eyes had matched mine.
“I have studying to do,” she moaned. Lindee wanted to be a nurse. It was in conflict with what my brother had done. She wanted to patch people up, while he had been tearing them down.
“One night off won’t hurt you. Come on, Lindee. It will be fun. You need some fun. Please,” I whined, folding my hands in prayer as I begged her, while I batted my eyelashes.
“Fine,” she laughed. “No wonder your brother gave you everything,” she muttered, but smiled.
“You’re going to wear yourself out,” Shepherd warned me as I stared at myself in the mirror. It wasn’t true. I’d moved up in rank, and tonight’s fight was against someone less equal than my skill. I’d
“Why are you trying to get back into this? When Montana died, I thought it would be a new start for you.” Lindee’s voice was hesitant. She knew we’d lost everything. She also knew that when I left for college, I wanted a new life. I didn’t want to be just Montana’s little sister. I wanted to be me. The break was easier to make when we were at school, but when I was home, people recognized me. When we were at the fights, fans knew who my mother and I were. People did things for me and my mother because of Montana.
After his death, only a few remained loyal. His manager helped us iron out the financial fiasco that Montana had left us. His trainer checked in daily, until my mother blamed him for not taking care of her son. Montana’s coach was my mother’s first sexual mistake post-Montana. He was almost as distraught as her at the loss of him.
“I just want some answers, Lindee.”
She stared at me with her almond colored eyes. We’d hardly disagreed, but when Montana died, I was angry. I was convinced he was dead on purpose. He was killed. Lindee didn’t agree. Over time, she came to the conclusion that it happens; fighters can die in the ring. I, however, was not satisfied. I believed Montana had been set up. I believed his death was intentional. I wanted revenge.
“We already have answers, Elma. Let it go. Please,” she pleaded, twisting in her desk chair. She’d been facing her books, rubbing lotion on her arms, while I spoke from my seat on her bed. The coroner’s investigation eventually ruled Montana’s death as accidental. He’d had an aneurysm from swelling caused by an unhealed concussion. I still didn’t believe it. Montana was excessively health conscious. He knew his body inside and out. He wouldn’t have fought if he thought he wasn’t safe. It was a risk he wouldn’t have taken. The concussion had been months earlier, and Montana’s trainer had ruled him fit to fight.
“By the way, have you ever heard of an Abel Callahan? Like, did Cain have a brother?”
“Not that I know of, but I didn’t study the family history of other fighters. It’s a common enough name. Google him.” She was concentrating on her other arm, spreading lotion as she spoke.
“I already did. I didn’t find anything.”
I paused for a moment.
“I still want to go to the fight, regardless. Plus, Thor will be there,” I sing-songed, returning back to my initial intention. Lindee knew I had a crush on him. She laughed at my obsession with the dirty blond, buff god, who was thick in body and head. She didn’t understand what I saw in him, other than a toned body, and I jokingly questioned if I should desire anything else. Lindee knew I didn’t believe looks were everything, but it never hurt to admire. She didn’t know about my failed attempt at seducing him.
“Besides, Cade Preston will be there, too.” I wiggled my eyebrows, hoping Lindee got the hint. I’d been subtly pushing her toward him. Preston was Silicon Valley royalty, which made him perfect for Lindee and her self-righteous parents. He wasn’t my type, with his green eyes and black hair, but the mysterious look of him was a possibility for Lindee. It was so opposite from Montana, whose dirty blond hair and blue eyes had matched mine.
“I have studying to do,” she moaned. Lindee wanted to be a nurse. It was in conflict with what my brother had done. She wanted to patch people up, while he had been tearing them down.
“One night off won’t hurt you. Come on, Lindee. It will be fun. You need some fun. Please,” I whined, folding my hands in prayer as I begged her, while I batted my eyelashes.
“Fine,” she laughed. “No wonder your brother gave you everything,” she muttered, but smiled.
“You’re going to wear yourself out,” Shepherd warned me as I stared at myself in the mirror. It wasn’t true. I’d moved up in rank, and tonight’s fight was against someone less equal than my skill. I’d
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