Page 32 of Spark
“Okay. I’m sorry, but I can’t take this anymore,” I said, reaching for the remote and searching through the TV options for the sports channel. “If you really want to pique my entertainment, you’ve got to walk in my neighborhood.”
Eventually, I finally found what I was looking for—UFC title fights. Holly gasped.
“You enjoy this barbaric nonsense?” Holly asked in shock. I laughed.
“It’s not barbaric, Holly. It’s a competitive sport. It’s not like they’re gladiators who are forced to fight, you know.”
“Yeah, but it’s just so… dangerous.” She wore a look of near disgust on her face.
“So is driving. Imagine if you had a skill, Holly, something you were really good at, but you had no way of really putting that skill to use, no way to really benefit from it unless certain circumstances finally presented themselves. That’s how it is for these fighters. They have so much skill, but no one to use it on unless someone attacks them. The cage is their way of proving to themselves that their talents are worth something.”
“Hmmm…” murmured Holly. “I guess that makes sense.”
“Exactly, now watch because this shit… is awesome.”
* * *
What a fucking day. After re-negotiating two shipment contracts with the Cubans and a heated debate with the Jamaicans about the best water routes to take for drop-offs, I’d had more than enough bullshit for the day. At least our profits had been through the roof for this past month thanks to the nice little report I got from Ron this morning. I was on my way to my office when I heard female shouting coming from the entertainment room.
“Hit ‘em! Hit ‘em! What the hell are you doing?! Move!” I heard Jaden’s voice loud and clear and headed over to the entertainment room to find out what she was doing. I found Hank and Preston standing beside the doorway watching Jaden cheer on some MMA match on TV.
“What the fuck is she watching?” I asked Hank.
Hank cleared his throat nervously. “Uh, UFC, sir,” he said with a nod. I almost laughed.
“Watch, watch, watch,” Jaden said to Holly as she pointed at the TV. “Watch this kick… boom! Now, that’s talent. Tornado kicks are tough to pull off in the octagon.”
“Wow, you seem to know an awful lot about this stuff,” beamed Holly.
Jaden shrugged, her focus moving to Holly’s hand as she began painting what looked like a second coat onto her nails. I thought I was hallucinating for a second. Was Jaden actually painting another girl’s nails?
“Having fun in here?” I asked aloud as I rounded the couch. Both their eyes snapped up to me in surprise at the announcement of my arrival.
“Mr. Davis,” Holly piped up, while Jaden eyes remained on me as I moved to sit down next to her. “Yes, Jaden and I were just watching some old UFC title fights.”
“Really,” I said, my eyes never leaving Jaden’s. “And are you enjoying the fights?”
“Oh, yes. Very interesting,” Holly replied, that stupid smile never leaving her face. “Jaden’s been explaining all the rules of the sport and the moves and techniques of the fighters. She knows her stuff,” she said proudly.
I smirked. She had better know her stuff.
When Jaden made no comment, I looked down at her hands to notice the bright light pink color she had chosen for herself.
“Pink?” I asked her with a soft smile.
She gave me a smirk. “You’re welcome.”
Well, now that was surprising.
“I like it. You were right in your ability to do your own nails.”
“I still like Anya and Irina,” she said quickly, her eyes turning up to mine, big and hopeful. “I can’t do the acrylics like they can.”
I sneered at her. “Worried they might lose their value?”
Jaden formed her mouth into a tight line as she clenched her jaw. “Yes,” she said sharply, glaring at me. So fucking cute.
I folded my arms and leaned back on the couch, watching her with a smile. “Don’t worry, Jaden. I have a feeling they’ll be around for a long time as long as the rules are followed.”