And he could lose a marriage without losing himself.
Derek had challenged him to survive five minutes in a ring.
But the most important fight had never taken place at Apex Predator.
It had happened afterward, in the quiet hours when Cole had to decide whether he would spend the rest of his life seeking approval from people who didn’t understand him.
He had finally stopped fighting that battle.
His knee still carried the damage of an old war.
His heart still carried the memories of a marriage that couldn’t be saved.
But his future belonged to him.
He was Cole Mercer.
A husband once.
A soldier once.
A salesman once.
A survivor always.
And finally, without needing anyone to recognize his strength—
he was his own man.
