Page 65 of Demons in My Bed
Rhodes brought his hand to his mouth, and when he brought it forward, there it was. First blood. The little doll had drawn first fucking blood. The two of them were on their feet now, staring absolute fire at one another.
“How’s the lip feel?” she taunted.
He was done going easy. Using a burst of his enhanced speed—which was technically against the rules—he quickly landed a hit.
“You motherfucker,” Palmer cursed, spitting a wad of blood out of the ring onto the floor. She grinned though, showing off her bloody smile, and I groaned.
“Fuck me, that’s hot,” Ash gritted out, eyeing our girl hungrily.
“How’s the lip?” Rhodes mocked, winking at her.
Then, all hell broke loose. For two minutes straight, they threw everything they had at each other. Both of them were covered in blood and bruises. It made no sense; the type of fighting skills she had weren’t learned in some backyard brawl. This was professional-level fighting, and I realized she should have fought us much harder than she had that night in the maze.
They were stumbling around now, both exhausted beyond what was productive. They swung at the same time, neither one bothering to block the incoming hit. Probably because they were too fucking tired. Their punches landed at the same time, knocking both of them stupid.
“Fucking idiots,” Ash rumbled, white-knuckling the rope now.
At least they were both finally on the fucking floor, and the ref could count it down.
“Both of you better stay the fuck down or so help me,” Ash barked at the two panting fools in the ring. Palmer whimpered and rolled onto her side, which drew a strangled sound from Ash’s throat. “I can’t be in here. I’m two seconds away from shifting. I need some air. Get them into a car and get home.”
Felix was practically vibrating as he stared at the blood everywhere. Usually, it only really bothered him if it was on his body, but it always hit differently when it was people you cared about who were bloodied.
“Tal, why don’t you and Felix ride back on the bike?” I asked, working through a plan of action in my mind.
He nodded. “Yeah, you can carry them out and ride in the SUV with Ash. Good plan.” Talon tapped Felix on the shoulder, snapping him out of his daze. “Let’s go, bro. We can get some first aid shit set up for when they get home.”
Felix’s face was so pale, I was concerned he was going to pass out.
“Hey, Lixy!” Talon slapped him, getting him out of his head. I literally saw the moment his brain came back online.
“The fuck, man?”
“Let’s go. We need to set up at home so we can play doctor tonight.” Talon clapped his brother on the shoulder and then walked away, heading outside. Felix tossed one more look back at Rhodes and Palmer, wincing at the state of them.
“See ya in a bit, Mishy,” he said, giving a half-assed wave as he followed Talon.
“And it’s a tie tonight between these two! Who would’ve thought the woman who captured his heart could also knock him on his ass?” Queen Prissy chuckled into the microphone, earning plenty of laughs from the crowd.
I stepped up onto the platform and swung my leg over the ropes. Staring down at them, I shook my head. Palmer though, crazy ass that she was, cracked a smile that was stained red. She really looked like she’d gone ten rounds with the devil and ended up winning the right to sit on the throne.
“How’d you like that, Mishy Bear?” she slurred, barely able to talk. Whether that was from swelling in her mouth or a head injury, who could say? Probably both.
“You’re a liar,” Rhodes breathed, holding his ribs as he sat up.
She laughed and then groaned. “And you’re a little, baby, monocle bitch who just got his ass beat by a woman.”
“Enough.” My tone was dark and final. I was annoyed with both of them, putting on this bullshit fight—it showed discord between our crew. I didn’t like it at all. I bent down and scooped Palmer off the mat like roadkill. “I’m taking her out to the car. I’ll be back for you.”
“Fuck that. I can walk myself,” Rhodes replied, pushing himself to his feet and swaying. I wasn’t going to argue with the stubborn bastard.
“If he can walk, I can walk too,” Palmer challenged, wiggling in my arms.
My demon woke up, zeroing in on Palmer. I needed her to shut the fuck up. Breathing hard, I left the ring, ignoring the shouts from the crowd. “I swear to all that’s cosmic,kukola... If you don’t stop moving and shut your mouth, I will turn that ass redder than the seventh circle of hell and then stretch it out with my hand.”
I didn’t look down. I couldn’t see her face right now. All I knew is she’d stopped moving and didn’t say another word.Good.
We busted out of the barn into the cool night air, and I sucked in a deep breath, not slowing as I stomped over to the SUV.
