Chapter 28: Engaged
*Just a friendly wager between myself and the governor. – Senator Brennan Tully*
It was not a title fight. And other than the ones that came with her, Taz doubted that anyone was there for her. About half the club had come. Patch, Brute, Toad and Trig had all reached out to clubs in the area for places to stay while Kevin and Taz each received a hotel room, with Riffraff staying with Taz.
Prior to the fight, Kevin was allowed in the locker room because he was her trainer. Toad was allowed because he was listed as her manager. Celt was allowed because he was her lawyer. Brute, Knuckles and Scrapper were allowed because they were her relatives. However, Riffraff was stopped at the door.
Taz held on to his hand, not wanting to be separated from him. But security stood firm. Celt, dressed in a very expensive suit, stepped forward and demanded to speak to whoever was in charge. They all stood there waiting for the Bellator rep and Celt sent several text messages on his phone.
“I’m sorry,” the rep was saying again, “it’s safety protocol.”
“He is her fiancée.” Celt cut in and noticed that the rep was considering the obvious age difference.
“Really?” the man said eyeing the couple.
“Sean!” a man in a dark suit said stepping forward.
“Rogers.” Celt said shaking the man’s hand.
“The Senator would like to wish Taz luck before her fight. But we would feel better if it was in the locker room. What’s the hold up?”
“They won’t let Riff in.” Taz said staring at the secret service agent.
“Really? By the way, congratulations on the engagement.” The agent said as he shook Riffraff’s hand. Then he turned to the rep. “We need to secure the locker room. We’ve already vetted him. Other than approval from the secret service, what more is needed?”
The rep could think of no further arguments and simply nodded for them all to be allowed in. Rogers spoke into his wrist and was almost immediately joined by another agent as the group entered the locker room.
“Hey, Celt,” Taz asked quietly. “When did I get engaged?”
“About four minutes ago.” Celt replied with a grin. “It worked.”
“I think I had more to do with that.” Rogers countered as he and the other agent checked the locker room.
Twenty minutes later, she wore her skin tight long-sleeve shirt and coordinating shorts. The shirt had a picture that Ink had drawn out of a devil with rainbow colored hair. Her last name was emblazoned above the devil on the back and Taz was written across the front with the T having devil horns and a tail on the Z. Around the bottom of the shirt, in small print, was the club’s slogan.
May the Saints bless us as we do the Devil’s work
Her shorts had her sponsors listed on the side. Since she signed with Bellator, the list had grown from two local sponsors to 14 in total.
The senator had come to wish her luck. That shocked her, but then she assumed that he would go to the other fighters also. Celt confirmed that yes, he would see the others, but he was there to see her. She was confused until he explained with a little laugh that the senator was his maternal uncle and he decided to come see what his family was going on about.
Currently, she stood with her arms around Riffraff’s waist, his own arms were around her also. Her head rested on his chest with his cheek resting on top of her braids. She was barefoot making her shorter than her usual few inches. He was leaning against a wall with his legs spread for her to stand between them.
Kevin called for her to come get her gloves on. As she moved away, Riffraff held her close and tipped her face up to him. He kissed her until they were both breathless.
“What if I lose?” she whispered.
“Then you train and try again next time.” He answered.
“With us.”
Smiling he gave her a light kiss before whispering in her ear, “Then we wait a little longer. I’m not going anywhere.”
Taz smiled at him as she stepped away and went to finish getting ready. As Riffraff watched her walk away, he decided that he wasn’t going anywhere.
