Page 18 of Marked By Blaze

We start by circling each other, sizing each other up, and I can't help but smile at the familiar ritual. He throws the first punch that connects, and I feel the impact resonate through my body. It's fucking exhilarating.

“Really? That’s all you’ve got?”

Axel moves in closer, and I can feel the adrenaline surging through me. I throw a quick jab to test his reflexes, and he dodges to the side with a swift movement. I spot the grin on his face as he counters with a right hook aimed at my ribs. I pivot just in time, feeling the rush of air as it whizzes past me.

Blood rushes through my veins as we exchange a few more jabs, each of us trying to find an opening. He feints to the left, and I instinctively shift my weight, but he quickly switches direction, landing a solid punch to my shoulder. The impact sends a shockwave through my arm, and I can't help but laugh.He tries for a combination of quick jabs, aiming for my head, but I duck low, launching a swift uppercut that catches him off guard. It lands squarely on his chin, making him stagger back slightly.

“Fuck. Now why would you try to fuck up my face, Blaze?”

“That ugly mug? I thought it’d be an improvement.”

He grins with blood on his teeth before lunging with fury, throwing a series of punches that come fast and furious. I managed to block a few, feeling the sting of his strikes, but I can't help but admire the man's speed.

We trade blows, each landing a couple before I feel the energy seep out of me. We both drop to the floor, panting. I clutch my aching shoulder, and he touches his split lip. The little crowd disperses with the excitement now over, leaving us in the ring nursing our injuries.

“All this for a girl?” he snarks, and I flash him a scowl without heat. “You’ve been terrorizing the prospects for some girl you barely know?”

“What are you? My therapist?”

“I let you beat my ass and nearly break my nose. You owe me an answer.”

“Let me,” I scoff. The man is built like a tank. I figure you don't need to lift weights when you spend all day lifting engines out of cars.

“Seriously, Blaze. You can't keep doing this. You have been a pain in the ass for days, and now the prospects are afraid to even approach you.”

“They have you, don't they?” Axel simply shakes my head at me, which makes me feel like an asshole. Fuck, he's right. Again. With my head clear after burning off my frustration, Ifigure it’s time to take stock and think. “Have you ever had feelings for a woman before?”

Something like longing crosses his face, but it's gone before I can read too much into it. “We're not talking about me.”

“Well, I'll be damned, you have.” I smirk, suddenly curious. I’ve never know Axel to pay much attention to the fairer sex. “Who was it?”

“A story for another time,” he says, making it clear it's a touchy subject he's not ready to visit at the moment. Any other time I would push him as he often does me, but I already have my own shit I need to deal with.

Like the girl that's been avoiding me.

Every morning, I have her favorite breakfast delivered, and when she's at work, I let myself into her apartment to check on things and fix anything broken. Her landlord is a worthless piece of shit and doesn’t do the bare minimum to maintain the building. How the fuck was she taking ice cold showers, risking her health for God knows how long? Ingrid doesn't take care of herself, and she’s too quick to accept poor treatment from others. I've had to stop myself a million times from restocking her fridge or breaking someone’s jaw for mistreating her. That would alarm her if the rest hasn't already. She won’t fucking let me take care of her openly, and it’s driving me crazy.

“She's hiding,” I manage, dropping flat on the ring floor.

“So? You lure her out.”

“You think I haven't tried?” I hiss, feeling a fresh wave of frustration set in. Ingrid is certain that she's unlovable or something, and there's no convincing her otherwise. Someone fucked with her mind, and I would happily bury them if only she gave me a name.

“Are you giving up?”

“Fuck no! No one touches her but me.”

“Then you have your answer. You keep trying until one of you gives in,” he says, climbing to his feet and walking over to me. Axel extends his hand to help me up, and I take it. “I heard a rumor that the party ends at eight. Now get the girl, so you can get your head on straight and stop scowling at everyone.”

He doesn't need to tell me twice.

I've given Ingrid enough time to come to terms with the fact that I'm not going anywhere. And tonight, I plan on setting things right once and for all.

“Thanks, man,” I say as we head out. I figure I can make a quick detour to my room to clean up and change. I’m one of the senior club members still living in an apartment in the clubhouse. I never felt like I had a reason to move out or buy a house, even though I have more than enough money for it. Maybe Ingrid will finally be my reason to change that.

The trip up to my apartment is quick, but it still takes all my self-control not to peek into the bar as I head upstairs. I manage to get ready in less than twenty minutes, but as I'm about to go back downstairs, Saint calls me. There's trouble that needs my attention. Two members of a rival MC have been spotted in our territory. It's obvious they are here to cause trouble and need a reminder to stay away.

I glance at my wristwatch, wincing when I realize it's a quarter past seven already. Fuck, I want to be there when Ingrid leaves the club so I can escort her home safely, if not by her side than following in the shadows like I’ve been doing every day for nearly a week.

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