Page 174 of Speechless
I saw his smirk all the way from the stands. “Like one percent of the time.”
“This is the last fight, right?”
We’d gotten here after there had already been a couple of others. And though I wanted Bastian to enjoy what he was good at, I wanted whatever was happening afterwards more.
“It’s the last fight.”
“Then tell Bastian to do what he wants. If he wants to enjoy the fight, go for it. If he wants to end it so we can get to theafter, that’s fine too.”
“You got it.”
I saw him relay the message. Bastian winked in my direction.
It didn’t take long. The buzzer sounded, and they went at each other. Bastian threw himself straight at Hamilton’s stomach, taking him to the ground. He had him pinned in a submission hold in seconds, but it didn’t quite work. They were both back on their feet, and now Bastian smiled.
He dodged one blow and returned with a brutal elbow. Ducked under another and turned, kicking, sweeping the legs out from under Hamilton. The big man dropped like a stone, straight back onto the mat with a thud everyone could hear.
The whole arena roared, and the ref lifted Bastian’s hand in the air. I blinked. “He won?”
“He won,” Theo said.
“Don’t they have to, like… count to ten to see if that guy can get up?”
Aiden shook his head. “That’s boxing. Here the KO is as soon as you can’t properly defend yourself.”
“So he was just toying with him in the first round?”
Logan laughed. “Pretty much.”
People were already streaming out of the arena, trying to beat the traffic. “Where do we go?”
“As soon as everyone’s out, we’ll go hang out near the entrances. But you?” Logan pushed gently on my shoulders so I sat back down. “You stay right here.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO
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TRINITY
The arena emptied. Janitorial staff swept up garbage and mopped up spilled drinks, and eventually, the big lights overhead turned off withchunking, ominous sounds. The octagon was still lit up bright as hell.
Logan’s phone chirped, and he looked at it. “All right, they’re ready. We’re going to guard the entrances. It’s all locked and everything, but you can’t be too careful.” He held out his hand. “Let me take your things.”
I handed him my bag and phone, nervous energy growing within me. Aiden stepped forward. “To be safe, let’s take your bracelets off. Don’t want them breaking or catching on something and hurting you.”
“You have the keys with you?”
“I put one in my wallet.”
Sure enough, he had the key and unlocked me and unclasped the bracelets. “Feel a little naked without them.”
“Good. That’s exactly how we want you to feel right now.”
Swallowing, I watched them all go, each touching me as they passed.
“Trinity.” Bastian’s voice came from behind me. Brooks stood with him.
“Congratulations.”
