Page 79 of The Devil's Wrath

With one last kiss, he turned and strode confidently out of the locker room, Cavan and I following close behind. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. The crowd’s roar grew louder with each step, and I could feel the energy thrumming through the air.

The announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, introducing the fighters as they made their way to the ring. Connor entered first, his entourage trailing behind him, their shouts drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. He climbed into the ring, his signature arrogant smirk plastered on his face as he waved to his supporters.

And then it was Theo’s turn. The crowd cheered loudly as he emerged from the tunnel. He climbed the steps, ducking under the ropes and then raising his fists to the crowd. His eyes found mine in the sea of faces, and he gave me a slight nod before turning his attention to Connor.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer echoed through the arena. “Welcome to the championship match of the evening! In the red corner, weighing 185 pounds, defending champion, Connor “Lights Out” McKinley!”

The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and boos as Connor raised his arms, a cocky grin on his face. He looked over at Theo, his eyes narrowing as he sized him up.

“Facing off in the blue corner, weighing 175 pounds, the challenger, The Bronze Devil!”

The crowd roared as Theo stepped forward, his jaw set with determination. He locked eyes with Connor, and the tension between them was palpable. This wasn’t just any championship fight. This was a fight for my honor. Theo’s eyes held nothing but pure wrath, and I saw the beast he kept hidden inside him coming to the surface.

Vera approached me, her red hair gleaming in the lights. She sat in the chair I’d saved next to mine in the VIP section and grabbed my hand, giving me a small smile before turning to watch the fight. I appreciated her support, knowing it might put her on Connor’s hit list.

The referee called the fighters to the center of the ring, giving them the standard instructions. They touched gloves perfunctorily before returning to their corners, but their eyes never left each other.

The bell rang, and Theo bounced on his toes, his fists raised, ready to strike. Connor came out swinging. His punches were wild and powerful, but Theo dodged them easily, moving with a fluid grace that frustrated Connor.

Theo landed a few quick jabs, testing Connor’s defenses before following up with a hard right hook that snapped Connor’s head sideways. Connor stumbled but quickly regained his footing, shaking off the blow. They traded punches, each trying to gain the upper hand. Theo’s superior speed and technique were evident. He slipped under Connor’s guard, landing a series of body shots that had Connor gasping for air.

But Connor was relentless, using his brute strength to his advantage. He charged forward, tackling Theo to the ground and raining punches on his face.

I gripped Vera’s hand tightly, my heart pounding as I watched thetwo men grapple on the mat. The referee separated them, and they retreated to their corners, both breathing heavily. Cavan wiped the blood from Theo’s face, whispering words of encouragement in his ear.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the next round, and they met in the center of the ring once more. Connor came out swinging again, but Theo was ready for him. He dodged and weaved, his movements fluid and graceful, making Connor look clumsy. He landed a series of quick jabs and a powerful uppercut that sent Connor staggering back.

Connor wasn’t going down that easily though. He shook off the blow and charged forward, his fists flying in a flurry of punches. Theo blocked most of them, but a few slipped through his guard, leaving him with a split lip and a rapidly swelling eye.

The crowd was on their feet, shouting and cheering as the men traded blows. Each punch that landed felt like a physical blow to my own body, and I flinched as Connor delivered a vicious right hook, sending Theo reeling back against the ropes.

As the rounds continued, they circled each other, both breathing heavily, sweat and blood mingling on their skin. Connor’s blonde hair was crimson, while Theo’s bronze skin glistened under the harsh arena lights.

Theo ducked under Connor’s wild swing and drove his fist into Connor’s ribs, causing him to double over. Theo pressed his advantage, raining blows down on Connor’s unprotected face. That only served to anger Connor further. With a roar of fury, he surged forward, catching Theo around the waist and slamming him onto the mat. He straddled Theo, his fists hammering down relentlessly.

Theo pounded his fists into Connor’s side, and they began rolling, Connor forcing Theo’s head to turn toward me while he whispered something in Theo’s ear, his face twisted in a sick smile as he spoke.

Theo looked at me, his eyes darkening as he realized Connor was also looking in my direction. I caught Theo’s gaze and held it, trying to pour all my love and strength into that one look. His eyes softened for a brief moment before hardening with resolve. He gave me a subtle nod—a silent promise that he would end this once and for all.

With a burst of strength, Theo threw Connor off him and rolled tohis feet. He advanced as Connor scrambled backward, trying to put some distance between them. He pursued Connor across the ring, peppering him with jabs and crosses, wearing him down with each blow.

Connor’s movements grew sluggish, his guard dropping as exhaustion set in. And that’s when my devil saw his opening and took it, feinting with his left before driving his right fist into Connor’s jaw with a sickening crack. Connor’s head snapped back, and he crumpled to the mat, his eyes rolling into his head. But Theo wasn’t done with him. He straddled Connor’s limp body, and his fists were a blur as he pummeled him. Connor’s face was a mess of blood and bruises, his eyes swollen shut and his nose bent at an unnatural angle.

The referee dove in, trying to pull Theo off, but he was lost in a haze of fury. It took three men to drag him away, and even still, they struggled. The crowd was on their feet, screaming and cheering as the referee raised Theo’s hand in victory, declaring him the winner by knockout.

But Theo didn’t look triumphant.

His eyes were wild, his chest heaving with exertion and rage. He shook off the referee and turned to face Connor’s prone body, his fists clenched at his sides.

I stood frozen, my heart in my throat as I watched the medics rush into the ring. They knelt beside Connor’s still form, checking his vitals and shining a light in his eyes. Vera’s grip on my hand was so tight, it was almost painful, but I barely noticed. All I could see was the primal fury in Theo’s eyes and the blood that covered his body.

The medics secured Connor onto a stretcher and then carried him out of the arena. I sat on the cold, metal bench, my hands trembling despite my attempts to still them. The crowd’s murmurs faded to a distant hum as blood pounded in my ears.

Cavan and the announcer were talking to Theo, but if he heard them, he didn’t let on. Instead, he looked for me. And when he spotted me, he climbed out of the ring, ignoring the reporters and fans clamoring for his attention, with a single-minded focus.

The crowd parted for him, sensing the dangerous energy emanating from his every pore as he walked toward the VIP section . . .towardme. I stood up to meet him. He was a sight to behold—his bronze skin gleaming with blood and sweat, his dark hair disheveled, and his eyes burning with rage. He stopped in front of me, his chest heaving and his hands trembling at his sides. Up close, I could see the extent of the damage—the cuts on his face, the bruises already forming on his skin, but it was the look in his eyes that stole my breath.

Gone was the gentle, teasing light I loved so much. In its place was a dark, feral hunger that sent heat rushing through my veins. He reached for me, his bloody hands curving around my waist and dragging me against his body. I went willingly, my hands coming up to cup his face.

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