Page 116 of Forever Fighting
I rub my jaw. “I see. And what would that do to you?”
“Likely nothing since neither the DA nor the chief of police wants to be involved with me in that way. Regardless, he and his friends are coming to yer fight tonight so he can see it all unfold. He asked I place them in the VIP area.”
Lovely. Brae will be there. And Adam is expecting me to lose and then get arrested and have all of that happen in front of her. The irony is, this was going to be my last fight. Braelyn hates it and I don’t have the same… need for it anymore. I’ll still box and train, but no more fights.
Now the decision might no longer be mine.
Tonight is going to end badly, and I can’t simply pull out and walk away.
Seamus wouldn’t let that stand. He’s the guy who doesn’t just take you out—he takes your family out, and that means Braelyn. This goes however he says it does.
The car turns into the parking lot for the warehouse and drives around back to a part I’ve never been to. It’s completely empty back here, save for one dingy overhead light. The car stops, and I have no idea what’s coming next.
“You realize outside of the illegal gambling, the boxing isn’t considered much of a crime. So he’ll have to get me on the gambling side of it as well.”
He gives me a pitying look. “That’s the plan.”
“Got it.” My heart starts to pound, and adrenaline hits and hits hard. I look out the window. No cameras. “I take it this is where you fuck up my ribs or kidneys.”
Sweat pours down my forehead,chest, and back. I finish getting taped up while the sound of the crowd leaks through the door. Typically, I love this moment before the fight. It’s when I get my mind set. My mental game straight. And my body ready. Except tonight nothing is happening as planned.
There’s a knock on the door, and it opens before I can answer. Seamus comes in and gives me a once-over. “Ye look like shit.”
I’d chuckle if it were funny. I don’t bother responding.
“It’s time. Did ye take care of what you needed to?”
“Yes,” I answer as I stand. “It’s all set.”
He gives me a firm nod, and that’s that. Show time.
I follow after him to the outskirts of the ring. There are easily three hundred people here tonight, and a moment later, my opponent is beside me. I’ve fought him before. Fought and beat him. And while that should give me confidence, he’s bulked up in the last year.
He doesn’t say anything to me, and I don’t bother with him. My focus is across the room on my girl standing at the edge of the VIP area flanked by Hayes and Forest. Forest’s eyes meet mine, and he gives me an almost imperceptible nod.
Meanwhile Braelyn looks nervous. Annoyed perhaps. Or maybe upset? She doesn’t look right, and with that, I walk over to her, ignoring the protocol of the match. Adam and his douche friends are off to the side, but I don’t bother to acknowledge them. Motherfucker is trying to play a game he doesn’t understand, and with that, I no longer have remorse where he’s concerned.
“Hey,” I say to her, sticking out my pinkies. She eyes them harshly before slowly looking up at me. “What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “Nothing.”
“You’re lying. Is it Adam?”
“He’s one of many things.” Her brows crease as she takes me in. “Are you okay? You’re… sweating. A lot. And really red.”
I cup her jaw since she didn’t take my pinky, but I don’t answer her as I ask, “Baby, what is it?” She can hardly meet my eyes.
“Roman, I really don’t want to have this conversation right now. Everything’s fine. We’ll talk after you win.”
After I win. She has no clue what tonight’s about, and I can’t tell her. That’s also a conversation that’ll have to wait.
“I love you.” I dip my head and kiss her lips. She kisses me back. Sorta. Only to rip her mouth away before I can deepen it. Something isn’t right. Something is very wrong, in fact.
“You already look beat. Something got you down?” Adam howls with raucous laughter. “Guess she’s another thing you’re losing tonight,Romeo.” My boxing name is practically spat at me. If he did something else, if he tainted her thoughts, he’s a dead man.
I look back at her. “Whatever he said that has you pissed at me, he’s lying.”
Braelyn releases a breath, gives me a small nod, and holds out her pinkies for me. I lock mine with hers but flip our left hands over. I’m not wearing my band since I’m fighting, but I shift her hand until her fingers touch where my tattoo is.
