Page 80 of After the Burn

The crowd erupted every time one of us landed a solid hit… I barely heard them.

Then there was movement beside the ring. My eyes flicked for the smallest fraction of a second.

Gage had leaned toward Taryn.

Mace’s fist exploded across my cheek before I could turn back, and pain burst through my skull.

I staggered.

“Finish that fucker!” Taryn yelled in a tone that demanded my obedience.

Something shifted behind Mace’s eyes. Taryn had made her choice clear, and he didn’t like it.

He roared and came straight down the middle. Exactly what I’d been waiting for.

I stepped inside his reach.

One punch to the ribs.

One to the throat.

Then everything I had went into a right cross.

The impact sounded like a gunshot, and his feet left the ground once again. He hit the dirt flat on his back.

Mace lay there for a few moments, then blinked once.

Twice.

Then the stubborn bastard rolled onto one knee.

We were both breathing hard. Sweat, blood, and dirt covered our bodies.

He stood and lurched toward me. Much slower now, his feet landing heavily on the ground.

I met him halfway.

Another right.

Another left.

Then one final uppercut that lifted him just enough for gravity to finish the job.

He crashed into the dirt without even trying to catch himself.

This time… he stayed there.

The so-called referee looked at Gideon and gave a slow nod.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the fight, and for a second, I just stood there. My chest heaved, and blood dripped from my chin. A savage grin covered my face.

The crowd exploded.

Whistles.

Cheers.

My name being chanted.