Page 83 of Wrath

“So, what time should I get there?” she asks as I’m tying up my boots, ready to leave.

“Get where?” I frown back at her in confusion, she knows it’s not safe to leave the compound, we’ve spoken about that enough times.

“To the fight, where else would I be going?” She places down her pencil and laughs.

“The fight…? Eden, there's no way you're comin’ to the fight.” Now it’s my turn to laugh.

“Aaron, there'sno wayI’m not gonna be there.” She shakes her head and stands up. “You’re fighting to get my business back. I know we’re not supposed to leave the club but this is different, and there will be plenty of members there to keep me safe.”

“Eden, nothin’ about an illegal fight is fuckin’ safe. The people there to fight, and the ones who spectate, are dangerous.”

“So, what am I supposed to do, sit here twiddling my thumbs and worry about what's happening to you?” I can see she’s angry and understand why, but it doesn’t change anything.

“I won’t be able to focus if you're there. I’ll be too worried about ya, at least if you're here I’ll know you're safe. I can make sure you get regular updates, but you just can’t be there.” I step over to her and pull her close to me. “Please, don’t fight me on this,” I beg because the last thing I wanna do is leave on an argument. I've only got three hours before we have to be at the old factory where the tournament’s taking place. I need a clear head for what I’ve got coming.

“Please?” I ask again when she shows no sign of letting up.

“Fine.” She looks pissed as she huffs out a frustrated sigh. “I’ll see if Peyton and Alicia wanna hang out. I’m gonna need something to distract me.”.

“I know it’s not what you want, but it’s how it’s got to be.” I hook my finger under her chin and force her head up so I can kiss her before I leave.

“Do you really have to go now?” she asks, the worry in her eyes is crippling, she really doesn’t want me to go through with this.

“I need to work on a few things before we show up. But don't worry, I’m gonna win this thing,” I promise, looking deep into her pretty, blue eyes, and trying to convince her with a smile.

“I know you are.” Tears fill them all the way up as she bravely smiles back at me, proving she can’t stay mad at me for long. After kissing her lips one more time, I lift my cut and training bag from the bed and head out the door.

“You ready for this?” Ruckus is trying real hard not to look nervous when me and Raze show up at the old factory. The place is already crowded, and my own nerves are starting to kick in. I’ve never been anxious before a fight, but then, no fight has ever mattered as much as this one.

“Did Freddie show?” Raze looks serious as he searches the room.

“Yep, and he’s every bit as sure of himself as I remember. I can’t wait for you to sit him the fuck down.” Ruck seems as tense as I am, probably itching to get in the ring himself.

“Fuck, what’s he doin’ here?” I gesture my head toward Burlusconi when I see him making his way over to us.

“I heard you were fighting.” His eyes remain on me as he shakes hands with Raze.

“Yeah, and I’m ready for it,” I assure him as I lean down to sign the competitor's log before I take his hand and shake it.

“I’ve got a lot of money on you.”

“Then you're backin’ the right guy.” Ruckus kneads my shoulders as if he’s trying to get me motivated. He doesn’t need to, my adrenaline is already pumping. I’m just about ready for fuckin’ anythin’.

“We should get through to the back.” Raze tips his chin at me before looking back to Burlusconi. “Make sure ya get a good position around the ring, my boy here's gonna put on a fuckin’ show.” He slaps me hard on the chest before leading us towardthe black curtain they’ve put up for the fighters to prepare behind.

Once we're on the other side of it I start eyeing my competition. Up to now, we’ve only been able to make assumptions on who would be competing, but now shit’s gettin’ real.

“Over here.” Raze leads me over to one of the benches and forces me to sit. “I don’t want ya payin’ no one back here no mind. You stay focused on me, ya hear?”

I look up at him and nod back.

“You got this, I saw some of the names on that list, and you're gonna kick the fuckin’ ass outta ‘em without breakin’ into a sweat.”

I nod my head some more because, right now, it's about all I can do. Being here and seeing how big this place is, is making me start to doubt myself, and I can’t fuckin’ let that happen.

Raze’s cell starts vibrating inside his cut, but he ignores it and gives me all his attention.

“You should get that, it might be important.”

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