Read Online Possession by Jennifer Lyon - Free Book Online Page B

pushed her to work harder. “True, the risks are higher, but so are the rewards. If Ana and I can create a good buzz with the trailers, get on a baking show, then I can build on that. By the time I expand, I’ll have that going for me.”
    She’d really thought this through. “I can help you achieve your dream. I have contacts to get you on those shows as well as help you raise your bakery profile. You’ll need capital to—”
    Whipping her head around, she pulled her hand. “No. Thanks, but no.”
    Keeping her hand tucked in his, he tried again. “Kat, I have an entertainment arm to SLAM that gives me excellent resources—”
    “Absolutely not.” She stopped tugging her hand and faced him. “I appreciate the offer, but I need to learn how to expand and manage multiple businesses, not have someone else hand it all to me. You’re doing enough by teaching me to fight and conquer my panic attacks. That’s key. If I can’t overcome them, then I’m not going to do the rest.”
    Satisfaction unfurled in his chest, surprising him. He’d meant it that he’d help her. He’d done it for his other plus-ones. But Kat didn’t want his money or power. She wanted him and the self-defense lessons he could give her.
    “Besides, I have an investor.”
    Sloane stiffened. “Who?”
    “My brother. He said if I expand, he has some money he can invest and he’ll cosign a loan.”
    “Marshall?” While her parents and David treated Kat like she was a brain-damaged embarrassment, her brother had appeared more caring. “How did that come about?” Far as he knew, she hadn’t seen her family.
    “I wanted to talk to him about David.”
    Sloane listened as Kat described her conversation with her brother. She ended with, “I almost chickened out and didn’t tell him my theory. I didn’t want to see him look at me like my parents do.”
    “So what made you take the chance?”
    “Because if I didn’t and something happened, how would I live with that guilt?”
    Sloane didn’t have an answer. His guilt over Sara had had a chokehold on him for nearly fourteen years.
    * * *
    What kind of winery had a cage for mixed martial arts fighting inside a huge domed building? Kat allowed herself one or two sips of wine, struggling not to feel out of place. Sloane’s black suit accentuated his powerful frame as he easily commanded the entire room—even from inside the octagon cage. Four other men wearing suits and death stares were spread behind him.
    “The Inaugural Caged Thunder Event, The Pro Vs Amateurs Slam , will be private and exclusive. It will not be televised or recorded in any fashion. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and only for a select few. The amateurs that get into the cage for their shot at a SLAM contract for representation? They will be risking their very lives against these proven fighters.” Sloane dropped his hand holding the mike, his gaze scanning the crowd fanned out on the custom stadium seating.
    Kat sucked in a breath, seeing another side of Sloane. The performer and the fighter who had fought in front of thousands. He knew how to work a crowd. She leaned forward in her seat, as captivated as everyone else in the room.
    “Tonight, we’re auctioning off one hundred tickets. Once those tickets are gone, no more will be available for this exclusive event. You may enter your bids with my assistant, Liza…” he gestured to the woman a few feet from him, “…this evening until midnight. All the proceeds will go to Fighters to Mentors. There will be no administrative costs. Rolling Thunder Winery and SLAM Inc are covering those.”
    Sloane quickly introduced the fighters who would each go up against two amateur fighters. The ultimate prize, if any of the fighters were good enough, was for a contract for SLAM Inc to represent the fighter.
    “Liza will explain how to enter your bids.” Sloane handed off the microphone to his assistant.
    Kat barely listened, riveted on Sloane as he leaped down from the