Just like that, one down.
The next three rounds were a blur. By the time the final opponent stepped up, my knuckles were throbbing and my adrenaline was peaking. This guy looked cocky, leaning against the ropes like he’d already won.
The bell signaled the start of the match, and I moved in, landing a series of punishing body blows. He was crumpled on the floor within seconds.
The smell of sweat, blood and cheap liquor got stronger. The heat from the crowd pressed in from all sides, bodies packed tight, the roar so loud it vibrated through me.
This was my element. The only place the noise in my head went quiet.
But in the deafening roar of the crowd, a sound sliced through the noise.
A small, piercing squeal.
I turned toward the front row. My heart nearly stopped.
There sat Ingrid, flanked by Amber and May.Myhoodie. Onherbody. Inmygym. Even in the smoky, dim light of the room, her doe eyes were unmistakable—wide with a mixture of terror and awe. Every territorial instinct I had fired at once. What the hell was she doing here?
A heavy glove slammed into my jaw, breaking my distraction and sending a shockwave through my skull. The crowd gasped. I stumbled back, rubbing my jaw with the back of my wrist. I pulled it away to see a smear of blood.
The pain didn’t register. But amusement did.
I laughed. A low, dangerous sound that made the guy’s bravado evaporate on the spot.
I cracked my neck.
“You’ve had your fun,” I growled, stepping forward. “Now it’s my turn.”
He didn’t even have time to bring up his hands. I buried a hook in his stomach, followed by a rib-cracking blow and a final strike to the temple. He went down hard, unconscious before he hit the floor.
The ref grabbed my arm and hoisted it high, but I didn’t hear the cheers. I was looking at Ingrid. She stared up at me, breathless.
The prize winnings came in a duffel bag stuffed with crumpled bills gleaned from bets and profits from the drinks—and whatever else had been sold tonight. I took it, hoisting it high to another cheer, and then hopped out of the ring.
The crowd was beginning to thin already. Most people filed out when the fight was done: that was the big draw, and now it was over. They could settle their bets in the street. A few more might stay around for a little while, try to slur congratulations or insults at the winners and losers, but the organizers pushed them out rapidly. Though putting on a boxing tournament was perfectly legal, everything else about it fell clearlyon the wrong side of the law. It would be irresponsible to let a crowd stay longer than they needed to be here, especially when drink and drugs and the ugly atmosphere threatened fights.
Amber and May made their way toward me, Kane right behind them. I ignored both girls, bringing my attention solely to the doll that looked out of place.
Her hair fluttering around her shoulders, freckled face flushed, low-rise jeans hugging her ass, my hoodie was now unzipped, hanging loose off one shoulder around a thin light pink top.
I nearly reached out and snagged her around the waist, brought her to where she should be. But then I remembered she hadn’t texted or called, and I fought back the urge.
“Doll... I thought I told you this wasn’t a place for sweet girls like you,” I murmured, my voice low and dangerous, my body towering over hers.
She bit her lip, looking up at me through her lashes. “I-I wanted to see you.”
My heart skipped.Maybe I should have pulled her into my arms after all.“And did you enjoy the show?”
She nodded. “It was kind of violent… but it was impressive seeing you win against all those guys.”
Something glinted in her eyes—attraction, shy, hungry but fascinated, I was sure of it. Her fingers worked against the sleeves of my hoodie.
I was about to give in and just pull her into me, when a cluster of rowdy, drunk men stumbled by on their way to the exit. I felt their looks on me as they went past. Most were smart enough to keep walking.
One wasn’t.
A heavyset guy, eyes glazed, staggered over. His plastic cup of beer teetered, fluid spilling down the side and over his hands.
“Big man!”he grunted happily. “Made mad cash on you tonight. Five hundred big ones! Great work—”
