“Too much, Commander?” Fraser asked without amusement. Another sparring companion might have gloated on his victory, but Fraser knew his commander fought ghosts as well.
The other gentlemen and eager boxers of the club urged Ethan to carry on.
“Come on, Ethan,” Finn said from behind him. “You think too much, and I bet five pounds on you.” He shoved Ethan none-too-gently towards the middle of the ring.
“Five pounds!” Fraser yelled, offended.
Ethan rubbed his shoulder. “It’s not that I think too much. My shoulder bloody hurts.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Finn patted his back.
“Shut it, Finn.” He raised his fists and braced himself for Fraser’s second assault. “I’m ready.”
“We can stop, Commander.” Fraser wiped the sweat from his chin.
“No. Do your worst.” He would regret his words.
Ethan parried a blow and dodged another. But when Fraser threw an uppercut, another shot of sheer agony went through Ethan’s body, and he recoiled. He replied with a hook, but his shoulder throbbed. The pain lasted a second, enough to causehim to pause. The hesitation cost him another punch in the stomach. Bugger. Ethan bent over and gasped. He was too old for this stunt.
“Commander.” Fraser touched Ethan’s back.
“I’m all right.” He wasn’t. “The match is yours.”
Finn, acting as the referee, raised Fraser’s arm. “One-Eye Fraser is the winner, and Ethan owes me five pounds.”
Ethan clapped his friend’s back among the cheers of his fellow fighters. “Well done.”
“I’m sorry.” Fraser shook Ethan’s hand.
“Don’t worry.” Ethan recognised his limits. A deep wound that had got infected and healed badly was a problem he’d carry forever.
“Who challenges the winner?” Finn asked the small crowd of boxers.
“I do.” A voice thundered from the other side of the hall. Roxbury made his way to the ring.
“Very well,” Finn said.
Ethan stiffened, and Fraser stopped wiping the sweat from his face. Roxbury lifted the ropes and walked underneath them, gazing around as if waiting for someone to stop him. He removed his shirt, showing well-shaped muscles that warranted some respect. Reluctantly, Ethan left the ring. Fraser was an expert boxer. No need to worry. And the gentlemen’s club had strict rules when it came to boxing.
Roxbury slid on his gloves while Fraser threw shadow punches.
“Gentlemen, you know the rules.” Finn exchanged a glance with Ethan. “May the best boxer win.”
The moment the fight began, Roxbury stalked Fraser like a bloodhound. Not even Fraser’s quick footwork saved him from a series of hooks and uppercuts that caused his body to shake. Roxbury was quick and precise; a coward, yes, but the bastardcould fight. He shifted to the left towards Fraser’s blind side and hit him in the small of his back.
Unfair.
Roxbury moved so quickly he broke through Fraser’s guard more than once and hit Fraser’s head a few times, taking advantage of his reduced field of vision.
Groaning and gasping, Fraser doubled over.
“Enough, Roxbury.” Ethan jumped in the ring.
Fraser winced, a hand on his ribs. “It’s all right, Commander.”
“No, it’s not. Roxbury is taking advantage of your limited field of vision.”
Roxbury spread his arms. “So what? He’s missing an eye. His problem. Not mine.”
