By the time I finally reach the ring and slip past the last person blocking my view, my heart nearly stops.
“Hunter.”
He’s down. He’s on the ground, and he’s not fighting back.
My heart breaks.
I don’t even realise what I’m doing.
I just move.
The other man’s fist connects with Hunter’s head, and his grip on consciousness slips.
Yet the man keeps hitting him.
Hunter isn’t even conscious anymore, and still the blows keep coming.
Tears blur my vision. I swipe them away with the back of my hand.
“Stop!” I shout with everything I have, my fingers curl around the ropes.
The man turns towards me and sends a sneer my way.
Then he pulls his arm back, clearly intent on hitting Hunter again.
“I said stop!” I cry.
“And why the fuck would I listen to a little thing like you?”
“Touch him again and I swear you’ll have the Bellantis, the Markevs, and the Reyes Cartel on your doorstep before the night’s over.”
He laughs.
I have the overwhelming urge to punch him in the face.
I manage to climb into the ring and take a step towards Hunter.
The man rises to his feet and sneers at me.
“Get the fuck out. Or what? You want me to rough you up as well?”
His eyes travel over me and a disgusting grin forms on his face.
“Personally, I’ve got a few other uses in mind for you. But if it’s a punch you’re after, I’m more than happy to oblige.”
He comes straight for me, and I hear several gasps from the crowd.
The man is enormous. One punch and I’ll be unconscious.
And after that?
God knows what he’ll do to me.
I need to move fast because I am no match for his size.
He lunges before I have the chance. His hand tangles in my hair and yanks hard.
Pain erupts in my scalp.
