Page 40 of The Game

Tilly sidled up, her smile secretive.

“Where has Malachi gone?” I peered around.

“He’ll be back,” Tilly answered. “It’s my job to make sure you wait. Oh, your puppy is darling!”

Music blared from the gym’s speakers. I recognised the tune that played when Malachi walked into fights. Then the man himself burst from the locker room, a robe over his shoulders and his only other clothing his fighting shorts. Behind him, a posse of other fighters emerged, whooping and clapping to rile the crowd.

I cuddled the puppy closer, the noise probably too much for her ears. Lucille reached for her and carried her outside, along with her baby.

I stared at the ring. “What’s going on?”

Bill approached and heard me. “If he wants you, he has to earn you.”

He grabbed a mic, turning to address the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, recently, our one and only Malachi ‘The Warrior’ Hunan met his greatest competitor yet. Will the fates go easy on him in his quest to win his lady? Not a chance. Get in the ring, Malachi. Show Emmeline what she’s getting.”

Malachi passed me and stole a hard kiss then climbed into the elevated cage. He prowled around it, a second fighter named Tank entering after with Bill acting as some kind of referee.

“Fight!” Bill yelled.

Both men dropped to a fighter’s stance. With one mighty swipe, Malachi downed the other man.

Another entered in his place.

And so it went on. Every fighter in his gym had a go, a queue forming, and some even getting in lucky hits and drawing blood. But there was a reason Malachi was the best in the country, and he smiled his savage grin as he won each short bout.

A figure wove through the crowd. Annie reached me, her blonde hair messy from rushing, but otherwise my pretty, well-put-together friend. We hugged. I couldn’t hold a grudge. I didn’t want to.

She clutched my hand. “Am I too late?”

“Nope. There he is.” I gestured to Malachi in the ring.

Annie’s eyes bugged out. “God.”

“He prefers me to use his name.”

She sputtered a laugh. “He’s just so… And you’re…” She held me at arm’s length. “I was going to say different. Butyouseem different. You’re happy.”

“I am. I’m sorry you’re not.”

She huffed. “Don’t be. It was a long time coming, and I’m already seeing the greener grass on the other side. Josh never wanted me to work, but why did I struggle all those years just to have letters after my name? I want to get back into medicine. Then if you’ll set me up with one of your man’s friends, I’ll be right as rain.”

Bill’s booming voice rang out. “Last man standing, as always, give it up for The Warrior!”

A rousing cheer filled the air, and the final, laughing but defeated competitor left the ring.

The trainer peered my way.

I stood taller.

“We all know Malachi’s reputation of never letting anyone pin him down. Today, that changes. Emmeline, has he proven to be the protector you need?”

“He has,” I called.

“Then come on up and join us, sweetheart.”

I squeezed Annie’s hand and strode up, Bill helping me climb into the cage and to the padded mats where Malachi waited.

From the fights, he was sweaty and bloodied, though his chest heaved with what appeared more like emotion. It did something to my heart. I couldn’t have torn my gaze away if I tried.

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