Page 115 of Pulse
“And it’s really that brutal? No rules?”
There was no reason to cushion what I was going to say next. He’d see it once my fight began. “The bouts only end when one fighter taps out or can’t continue.”
He sucked in a deep breath.
“Dad?”
“You’ve gotta take it slow,” he said with a grimace. “I’ve got shell shock.”
I watched as his gaze ran over the scene before him. The crowd of people, the bookies along the far wall, the bar and finally the cage. It looked slap dash, like it was stuck together with sticky tape, but that thing was solid. It had to withstand hulking fighters smashing against it after all.
“This is my world Dad; I know what I’m in for.”
He nodded and stood a little straighter. “Have you fought this Fury before?”
I grinned, knowing Dad had switched into coach mode. “Yes. Ash has seen her fight as well and we’ve been training with that in mind.”
“Good.”
“She’s like my twin,” I went on. “Same height, build, skill set… We’ve come up with some tactics that might throw her.”
“She would be thinking the same thing. There’s a lot of money riding on this from what I hear. She’ll most likely try everything to get the upper hand.”
“I’ve already anticipated that.”
“Be ready for everything Ren.”
I smiled. “You’ve got it Coach.”
“Hey Reign!”
I jumped as I was tapped on the shoulder and glanced up to find one of the referees.
“Fifteen minute call,” he said. “Better get a move on.”
I nodded my understanding and my gaze caught on Ash’s.
“Good luck,” Dad said. “I’ll be watching from the stands with Josie.”
“I love you Dad.”
“Go,” he said, his eyes getting all misty. “Go and make me proud.”
Ash threaded his fingers in mine as he led me through the crowd and out into the change rooms. They’d been totally blocked off since it was the Championship and as we came in, Fury glanced at us from the far side of the room. She nodded once and turned her attention back to stretching out her muscles.
Ash opened my locker as I stripped down to my sports bra and shorts. Sitting on the bench he gestured for me to stand in-between his legs. He grasped my hand and began strapping me in for the fight ahead. The whole thing seemed so…final.
“I knew he’d come around,” Ash murmured.
I cocked my head to the side. “You did, huh?”
He grinned, his green eyes flashing. “He wouldn’t miss his daughter’s Championship. No matter what shithole it was in.”
“I guess that puts the full stop on our messed up relationship.”
“It ain’t so messed up anymore Spitfire.”
I smiled down at him. “Thank fuck.”
