Page 52 of Dare to Dance
“No,” I said. “I get she’s big. I get I probably don’t stand a chance. But I’m not running like a scared animal.” My voice was several octaves lower than the restless drone in the room, so I didn’t think anyone could hear us. Then again, I didn’t care. “I’ll tire her out. I’m winning this fight.” Okay, maybe my bravado was a little too strong. But if I let the fact that I didn’t have a chance consume me, then I definitely wouldn’t win. I needed to win.
He latched onto my arms with his strong hands. “God damn it. You should’ve let me train you more the other night.”
Even though I agreed with him, I realized another hour or two of training wouldn’t have made me an expert fighter.
“Are you going to kiss her or let her fight?” a spectator asked.
I cocked an eyebrow. If he so much as touched my lips with his, I might have had to use a boxing move or two on him. I didn’t need him to replace my confidence with a dreamy state of mind.
“Just stay close and give me pointers while I’m fighting,” I said. Maybe that would make him feel better. Hell, it would make me feel better.
He lowered his gaze to my lips. “If I see you faltering, I’m stopping the fight.”
“This isn’t your boxing world with rules.”
His gaze shot up to mine. “I know that. I’m also aware of how people in underground fights get their heads torn off. Remember, block, keep your face shielded, punch hard, often, and fast. And keep your footwork going. Do. Not. Stop.”
“Maxwell, get the fuck out of her way,” Tommy said.
“Go.” I pushed him, or I at least tried to push him.
He gave me a cocky grin before he stepped out to stand close by, next to Norma.
“If Maxwell is in her court, my money is on that girl,” someone said.
The men began waving money in the air as though they were swaying to some melodic music. Vickie, on the other hand, was flaring her nostrils and fisting her hands, ready and anxious to beat my lights out.
Tommy held out his arms between Vickie and me. “Only one rule, ladies. You fight until one of you gets knocked out.” He gave Vickie a nod then me before he ducked out.
The buzz of the crowd energized me as Vickie and I met in the middle then bumped fists. Once we stepped back, we both bounced on the balls of our feet.Footwork,I had to keep telling myself. Punch hard, often, and fast. I could do this. I might have been five foot four, but I could also be the Tasmanian Devil if my life depended on it.
She lunged, throwing the first punch directly into my mouth. Pain ricocheted up through my nose. My eyes watered. She came at me again. This time, she jammed her Sasquatch paw into my gut.
On reflex, I bent over, air gushing from my lungs as though someone had popped a balloon.
“Ruby, hit back,” Kross instructed.
As hard as it was to straighten, I swallowed the pain. I charged her with my fists flying. She darted to the right, and I hit air.
“You’re too wild,” Kross said. “Block with one hand, punch with the other.”
“Let’s face it,” Vickie said. “You’re going down.”
I snarled as I lunged. This time, I kicked, my foot landing in her gut.
An “oof” then a groan dropped from her lips as she held her stomach.
“Again, Ruby,” Kross said.
Vickie swung her gaze to Kross. In that split second, I punched, my fist connecting with her side. She bent over, giving me easy access to her face. I jabbed hard, once, twice, three times in quick succession. Blood sprayed from her nose.Don’t stop now. You don’t want her to recover.I landed another blow to her mouth. She narrowed her dark-brown eyes at me as she spit out blood.
“Hit her again,” some men bellowed.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins at warp speed. My pulse pounded in my ears. If pain existed anywhere on my body, I couldn’t feel it. All I knew was I had to keep hitting her, wearing her down. Otherwise, she would probably beat me until I couldn’t open my eyes.
She groaned. I rammed my elbow into her temple. She staggered.
“Again,” Kross shouted.
