“Round two,” the ref yells. “Fight.”
Focus. We move close, fists raised. Del Toro throws a hard right. I don’t block it. It connects with my jaw. Lightning shoots down my neck. The buzz in my head is now a battle cry. I’m gonna kill this fucker.
I hit him with double strikes to his stomach. He steps back, gasping for breath. He comes at me with a quick jab to my ribs. Pain blasts through my side. I double over, but stay on my feet.
We circle each other. He throws a left. I dodge it. He’s open. One right hook would knock him out. I punch his ribs. He stumbles. I’m dying to finish this. I could take him down right now. Easily.
My eyes lock on his fists. He sweeps at my leg and connects. Pain throbs in my calf. I hop to regain my balance.
I unleash my restraint, my right fist slamming into his reddened ribs. He grunts and doubles over. My hands drop to my sides with a satisfied smile. Fuck, that felt good. I lock eyes with Raven. Hers widen, and flick past me. I spin. His right knee flies up, I move back, but it’s too late.
Two-hundred-fifty-seven pounds of force slam into my head.
Pain explodes at my ear. Bright white light flashes behind my eyes. My vision recedes. I stagger. My body hums. My mind empty, but for one thought.
Annihilate.
Del Toro steps into my space. I throw a right. My haymaker connects with the sweet spot on his jaw. His mouth guard flies in an explosion of blood and spit. He goes down.
Rag-dolled.
Game over. Oh, fuck.
Thirty
Raven
“Ladies and Gentlemen, your new UFL Heavyweight Champion, Jonah ‘The Assassin’ Slade.” The announcer’s words reverberate in my soul, raising the hair on my skin.
He won.
I drop to my seat as everyone around me stays standing. The voices of the fans are slow and slur in my ears. Their faces contort with the force of their excitement. I blink and grip the sides of my chair.
He won.
Katherine leans down and hugs me. My body shakes as she continues to jump up and down. She says something, but submerged in my misery, I can’t understand her. I absently nod, my focus distant, as I force my brain into action.
What do I do now?
I can’t think of anything. Except him. My body aches for him, wanting to be held, to cry in the safety of his arms. Together.
We can face anything as long as we’re together. It’s not too late to run. I could go somewhere remote, live low for a few years until Dominick loses interest. Tiny sparks of hope flare. That’s what I’ll do. I need to get to Jonah and get out of town. Now.
A jolt from my hip sends me to my feet. I press the pocket of my shorts to feel it vibrate. My phone. Who would be calling me now? I check the caller ID. New text from Guy? Guy doesn’t text.
Hello, Darling. If you want to save his life, you’ll follow Candy. Failure to comply will end him. Slowly. You have five minutes. –D
He has Guy. Holy shit!
Dominick has him. That’s why he never showed. My breath catches on a sob. I grip at my neck and swallow hard. He’ll kill him if I don’t cooperate. I don’t have time to get to Jonah.
“Four minutes and counting.” Candy grips my arm firmly.
I glare at her hand. She’s in on this. Lying bitch.
Katherine continues to cheer as she glories in her son’s victory. Her love for her son shines in her radiant smile. That same love that poured over onto me, even if only for a day. And now it’s over.
Candy tugs my arm.
“Get your fucking hand off me!” My demand is firm, but soft enough for only her to hear. “I’m coming.” I rip my arm from her grip. “Just let me say good-bye.” I don’t give her an opportunity to respond and turn to Katherine.
I let the love in her face reflect in mine and muster a smile before leaning in to be heard over the crowd. “Candy said Jonah wants me back in the dressing room. She has a pass so she can take me back.” I lean back from her to look in her face.
“Oh, of course, honey. You go congratulate our boy. I’ll meet you guys at home.” The pride in her smile aches in my chest.
I throw my arms around her neck and hug her good-bye. “Thank you, Katherine, for everything.” My throat swells as I muzzle the emotion that fights for release.
“Oh, well,” Katherine says, seeming surprised by my sudden burst of affection. “Thank you for making my Joey so happy.”
Released from the hug, her smile’s shadowed with concern. I nod with forced confidence then face Candy.
“Okay. Take me back.”
My legs are heavy as I trail behind Candy up the stairs. We pass through the double doors and into a long hallway.