Page 17 of Ignite
I lingered just outside the cage, fronting up for my scheduled fight. No Championship points for this one, just a wad of cash if I won. I would take either considering I was saving the lot. For what, I wasn’t sureyet.
The cage opened, and I strode in, my gaze raking the crowd as I circled. Fixing the Velcro around my wrists, I tested the flexibility of the wraps over my knuckles. That was when I saw her. Ali. She’d come back, and my lips curved into asmile.
My gaze flickered to the guy standing next to her, and I scowled. Some normal-looking douche who probably ran drugs here on the side. He looked thetype.
He was checking out her tits, but she was oblivious, her gaze glued to me. My change in expression caused her to look to the side, and she smiled awkwardly at the pervert. She was too polite. It would get her intotrouble.
Cursing, I turned away and shook out my arms, flexing my fingers. I pitied the poor guy I was fighting tonight. He was going to getsmashed.
I toed my line, facing off against Rocket. He was a small guy and not as built as I was, but it meant he was quick. He was also a complete smartass, who needed a good smack in the mouth, but I had to be careful. Anything went with him, and he tended to resort to dirty tactics when he couldn’t get the upper hand. It could spell trouble for me if I wasn’tcareful.
Narrowing my eyes at him, I decided I didn’t give a stuff. My patience had worn so thin I could see right through it, and the view wasnasty.
The bell rang, and I launched myself forward with a roar, my fist slamming into his face. The impact jarred right up my arm and snapped his head to the side. He ducked as I swung back with my left, and he countered with an uppercut that connected with myjaw.
My teeth clacked together, forcing my head back, and I slipped, landing flat on my back. Stars exploded in my vision, and I rolled to the side as Rocket brought down his knee. He slammed into the concrete, and I winced at the sound of flesh and bone colliding against the hardsurface.
The crowd let out a collective ‘ohh’ and hissed, but Rocket was back on his feet as soon as I’d rightedmyself.
We circled, and I studied his gait. He was limping, his kneecap likely broken, but he was still alert, which meant he wasn’t tapping anytimesoon.
We exchanged blows, Rocket getting in a lucky punch. His knuckles grazed my eyebrow, opening up an old cut. It started to bleed, dripping down my face and onto my chest as we danced around oneanother.
I had to get the fuck out of this cage already. All I could think about was Ali and that pervert. He’d probably convinced her to go off someplace quiet so they could ‘talk.’ It was guy code for ‘I’m going to feel you up and finger your pussy in this dark corner and later, let’s find a private place so you can suck mydick.’
Anger clouded my vision, and I shoved Rocket off me. He slammed against the side of the cage, rattling the chain link. Before he could get his footing, I was on him. My fist pounded into his temple, and he dropped, flopping like a ragdoll.
Knockout.
The crowd roared, hundreds of feet thundering on the bleachers. I’d just pulled the move of my underground fighting career, but all I wanted to do was get the fuck out ofthere.
Pushing past the referee before he could grab my arm, I gestured at the security on the cage to open up. The moment the door swung open, I strode out, my bare feet slapping on the concrete floor. I didn’t even stop to grab a towel to wipe the blood off my face, I just growled as people parted to let mepass.
Spotting Ali, I almost threw down then and there. The guy was still standing next to her. They were talking, and although his hands were nowhere near her, she was smiling at him. The moment he looked up and saw me prowling toward them, his expression faded, and he backed away. Ali turned, her pretty brown eyes meeting mine, and her smilefaded.
I didn’t like other men touching her, and I especially didn’t like the way it made mefeel.
“What’s wrong?” sheasked.
“Nothing,” I replied. “It’s just… Don’t forget what this placeis.”
“I know,” she said, her frown deepening. “I know exactly who these peopleare.”
A crowd was gathering at the sight of a fighter causing a scene outside of the cage. Grasping her arm, I led her out back, away from pryingeyes.
“You’re bleeding,” she complained. “Shouldn’t you do something aboutthat?”
“I’m not a pussy, Ali,” Isnapped.
She flinched as my words hit her. “What’s up with you? Did I dosomething?”
“No… You didn’t doanything.”
Her gaze fell to the floor, and it was like she just switched off. Her invisible barrier slammed down, and the Ali who’d been coming out to play was shoved back into herbox.
“I hardly know you,” she said quietly. “I have no illusions or expectations… You were just being nice. Ijust…”
Last thing I wanted was a relationship or an attachment to her or anyone, but her words cut more than any punch I’d copped in the cage. I was such abastard.
