Page 84 of Beyond the Cage
Mannie motions to Cameron and I slip off his lap, allowing him to stand. While he goes through his warm-up routine, I watch the two figures on the screen. It’s the second round, and Corey is getting his ass handed to him. Mikhail is relentless. He slams Corey to the mat and gives him a series of kicks to the stomach. Corey curls up into the fetal position while Mikhail struts around the cage like a peacock. Circling back to Corey, he picks him up and pushes him against the cage, face first. The camera zooms in on his face, which is a mass of blood, gashes, and lumps. His eyes are swollen shut. I grimace at the sight. The camera angle changes and shows Mikhail bending Corey’s arm behind his back. I hold my breath because I know he’s going to break it. The officials start scrambling for the cage, but it’s too late. The bone gives way and Corey cries out in anguish.
“Oh, my God!”
I stare at the screen and watch as Corey’s bludgeoned face wrenches in agony. Cameron approaches, watching the screen and clenching his jaw in anger. Taking my hand, he pulls me to my feet and into his arms.
“You’re next, Jackson!” Mikhail shouts into the camera.
I can’t speak. All I can think about is that Cameron will be in the cage with that…thatmonster. I shudder at the thought, holding on to him tightly, and pressing my cheek to his chest.
“Don’t worry. He’s fought the bastard already…and won,” Mannie says. “Knocked him out in the second round. Krushchev might be nasty, but K.O.’s the better fighter.”
I raise my face toward his. I love him so much…I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to him. He strokes my cheek and gives me a smile meant to reassure. It doesn’t work. I don’t want to let him go, but Mannie announces that it’s time.
“Wait!” I call after him.
Running to him, I grab his neck and pull him down to me, pressing my lips to his in a not-so-gentle kiss. He returns it, cradling my face in his large hands. Breaking away too soon, he rests his forehead on mine.
“Be careful.”
After one last kiss on my cheek, he turns away.
As I watch his retreating back, Jared touches my arm. “Let’s go.”
I allow him to lead me into the arena and to my seat, where Chels and Damon are waiting.
She takes one look at me and curls her arm around my shoulders.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m scared,” I admit.
“Oh, honey…he’ll be fine. You’ll see.”
I know. But this isn’t the fight I’m worried about. The lights go out and the screaming begins. It’s time. The screen above the entrance flashes scenes from Cameron’s previous matches in the competition. He doesn’t do his usual routine, instead walking purposefully down the ramp. The lights come on and I catch the expression on his face. I thought he looked menacing that first night, but it’s nothing compared to this. He’s downright scary. When he enters the cage, he circles it like a predator…my lion, stalking his prey once more. He looks so at home up there…comfortable. I need to remember this is what he does. This is why he trains every day. He’s the best, right? Yes. He is.
Watching him, I don’t even realize his opponent has entered the arena until he approaches Cameron. Jason Wong. He’s pretty good, too…and a clean fighter. The bell goes off and they walk toward each other.Ugh!I can’t watch! I cover my face with my hands and listen. I hear blows landing and the crowd cheering. Chels is cheering next to me, so at least I know he’s not the one getting hit. The noise of the crowd hits a fever pitch and Chels grabs my arm. The bell goes off.
“Come on!” she yells.
She pulls my hands from my face and I peek at the cage. Jason is out cold on the mat and Cameron is standing over him. This means…Mikhail. I feel sick. He walks out of the cage and someone in the crowd hands him a piece of paper. He motions to the camera man to come closer, shoving the paper into the lens. It’s a picture of Mikhail. Cameron stares into the camera and rips the picture in half, then proceeds to drop the pieces on the floor and stomp on them. The crowd goes off again, chanting his name.Great. Way to poke the hornet’s nest, Cameron. I need to stop.Have a little confidence in your man, Jasmine!My man…who happens to have tomorrow off. I know the perfect way to get my mind off the impending match. I slip my arm through Jared’s, and the four of us make our way back to Cameron’s room.
Pushing the door, I step inside, barely containing my excitement. “Daddy –”
I stop in my tracks at the scene before me. The chit. Not only is she in here with him, but she’s sitting on his lap. Half naked. Her dress is bundled around her waist, exposing her huge, fake tits. What’s worse is that his hand was an inch away from said tits. If I had walked in a few seconds later…
“Oh,fuckno!” Chels exclaims.
The chit stands and fixes her dress with a conniving smile. Jared moves past me and hustles her through the door, while Chels goes off on her. I stand here like an idiot, staring at him in disbelief. When my wits return, I calmly close the door. I overreacted the first time I saw her, so I’m trying really hard to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m not going to ask you anything. I’m going to give you one chance to explain to me what I just walked in on.”
When he reaches for me, I pull back.
“Don’t…touch me.”
He runs his hands through his hair and takes a deep breath.
“Tell me what happened.”
