AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Instinct took over, and I raised my arms to protect my face and chest. The bastard, however, surprised me and grabbed my hands instead. He pushed my injured side, using them as a pivot. I moved my left arm down to defend myself, but he'd probably been expecting this reaction because his next move was to punch my bicep. I felt the sharp pain come back.
He'd seen where I was injured.
I tried to get away, but he grabbed my wrist and yanked it away. Pain shot through my arm once more and spread to the rest of my body. For a brief moment, I forgot about attacking and felt the need to defend myself. Sean continued, pulling my left arm away from me before punching me in the face and abdomen.
I felt myself gradually becoming dizzy. His punches were heavier than I expected for a man his age, but he was winning. I knew I had to stop him. He kept putting me on the defensive, forcing me to take a knee. I knew I had to fight back; otherwise, everyone would die because of me.
"You disappoint me, Levine," Sean Mullen gloated as he stood before me, holding up my weak arm.
The pounding in my head and chest was unbearable.
I tried to make my legs move, but they refused, trembling with fatigue. I've never hated myself more than right now for being so helpless.
"Get up, Levine," Sean said. His voice was mocking, and I could taste the metallic taste of my own blood in my mouth.
"I see your lady looking at me. She appears to be on the verge of breaking down," he went on.
As I thoughtofVanessa, his words enraged me. I was worried about her, but I resisted the urge to look toward her. I knew she wouldbe terrified. I wanted to reassure her that everything would be fine, but I couldn't move my legs and get back into the fight because of the pain.
"It's pointless," Sean grumbled as he helped me to my feet.
Standing up again, I struck him with my right arm, but he easily caught it. I raised my head to see him, and his smile met mine for a split second, just long enough for his confidence to blind him, before I struck. I pushed my head as hard as I could into his face.
Sean's grip on my hands loosened, and he collapsed onto his bottom.
When Sean crumbled, there was no applause. Everyone could tell I was exhausted, but the fight was far from over. When I saw this scumbag on the ground for the first time, I felt new strength in my legs.
Sean rose before I could reach him. His face was bloodied, thanks to a broken nose that bled onto his lips. His rage filled his eyes, which only fueled me.
"You bastard!" he yelled,chargingat me, and I moved towards him.
My left arm was useless, but I was determined to use whatever strength I had left. I promised myself I wasn't going down on one knee for the second time as I tried to swing hard for Sean Mullen. I hit him across the face, and despite staggering backward, he did not fall.
"You still want to fight without weapons?" I raised my voice to both reassure Vanessa and enrage my opponent.
I could feel fatigue setting in as I watched him turn to face me, but I held my tongue. I couldn't tell how much time had passed or whether my men were close to the location, but I knew I had to keep moving. Failing again wasn't something I could afford.
Sean charged at me once more, and I readiedmyself. I ducked as he swung.
His knees slammed into my face, and I had to quickly block them with my injured arm. It hurt like hell, but I kept my legs planted in the ground to keep from falling. Before I could move, I felt his elbow pound on my back, and I collapsed.
I was quickly turned on my back and pinned down as Sean raised his fist to punch me.He hit me, and my face landed on my right side. I could see my men looking at me with pride rather than fear. They thought I had done enough to keep them safe, but I hadn't. I still felt I could have done more, but I was too weak to fight.
My last thought as the dim night light faded from my eyes was, "Where is Vanessa?"
She was nowhere in sight.
"Boss, watch out!" I heard from some of Mullen's men just before Sean was knocked off me by an unseenforce.
Above me was a familiar face and voice that I had dreamed of every night since returning to Chicago. It was Vanessa.
She looked like an angel, her smooth face furrowed in concern for me.
"Are you okay, Ethan? Ethan!" she yelled my name in desperation.
"I am alive," I told her, but she didn't hear me. Vanessa sobbed as she clutched my face in her small delicate hands.
I amalive. Don't let tears ruin your pretty face, I wanted to tell her, but I was too exhausted. I just hoped she could tell I was alive by my open eyes.
