Page 46 of Property of Yak

The problem is that I won’t stop fighting. Not when it’s her life on the line.

“Ready?” Predator asks us both.

When we nod, he yells, “Go.”

I hop back and forth on my feet with my hands up. Flannel is doing the same, but his footwork is sloppy. I’ve seen him in the gym. He is getting better, but he is nowhere near the level I am.

This is an unfair fight. I’m not the one who called for it, though.

When he jumps forward, swinging his fist, I deflect it easily, landing a blow to his side. Hard enough to hurt, but light enough it won’t break his rib.

He grunts and jumps back.

This goes on for several minutes. I let him take the offensive, and I stay on the defensive. It’s wearing him out. He doesn’t have the stamina like I do. He spends more time trying to learn to fight than building up his endurance. Something I plan to coach him on after this. Provided he doesn’t turn out to be a traitor.

When I finally see my opening, I swing one well-timed punch toward his face, knocking him out cold.

The crowd cheers as I look straight at Aragon, a smirk on my face.

“Who’s next?”

CHAPTER

TWELVE

Julie

Yak has already fought three men. I thought he would be getting tired by now, but he looks as energized as he did when he first stepped into the ring.

At first, I was scared. I don’t enjoy violence really, but the more I watched him dominate, the sexier I found it. The sweat glistening on his skin. His cocky smirk whenever he is named the winner.

Still, I don’t understand why he is fighting at all.

“Yooper,” I say loud enough for the man to hear.

He hasn’t left my side once throughout the fight. He has offered to have drinks brought over, but he refuses to leave my side.

His eyes have been on the fight, though. I see the way his lips move as he watches. He looks worried, and I don’t understand why.

“What do you need?” he asks kindly, giving me his full attention.

“What is this all for? Why is he the only one who has to keep fighting?”

Yooper frowns. “He didn’t tell you?”

I shake my head, which makes him curse.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to watch his language, but I bite back the natural response. I don’t think this is the time or place for that.

“I’m only telling you this because you deserve to know. Usually, I would make him do his own dirty work.” He sighs, leaning in closer to me so he can keep his tone low. “In our chapter, when a brother claims a woman as his old lady, we don’t vote on it. We bring it here, and he stands up and fights for her. Usually, it’s only a fight or two to make it interesting, but you have caused quite a stir. You see that man over there?”

He nods toward the man with the evil eyes. The one who tried to hurt me before.

“Yes.”

“He didn’t take kindly to Yak claiming you the way he did. It’s not the way we do things, so I think he is making an example of him,” he admits.

“Then why let him? Aren’t you the leader?” I ask.