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Swinging his left arm then his right, Rubble gritted his teeth when the other man blocked the blows and countered with a jab to his gut. He caught his breath before the fighter tried to drop him. Grabbing the shorter man, Rubble tossed them both to the floor, their sweat mingling in a mass of muscles and masculinity.
The elbow to his right ear made a sharp ringing sound and he loosened his grip. The fighter took the advantage, flipping them and jamming his gloves into Rubble’s shoulder. Wincing at the pain, Rubble kicked off the mat and jumped to his feet. He wasn’t about to let this shithead best him.
The referee stayed out of the way but was always nearby just in case. The roar from the crowd further deafened Rubble. He couldn’t pick out Jupiter’s voice anymore. Meeting the other man’s gaze, he looked for injury. They both had gashes on their faces and bruises forming along their torsos.
You can do this.He moved on the balls of his feet, mirroring the other man. Just one good punch and Rubble would come out the victor. The swell of shouts and screams echoed in his ears. The recent blow to his strongest shoulder made the decision easy. He’d go with a roundhouse kick then smash the guy.If he lets me.
The younger fighter tried to take him down with a flying knee, but Rubble sideswiped him and landed a punch to his stomach. It knocked him backwards and Rubble used that to his benefit. His glove hit the man’s face in an uppercut and before he could recover, Rubble tripped him, smashing him down on the mat. Using his weight against him, Rubble locked his legs, holding the fighter’s arms above his head.
With the referee coming close to watch the final position, the crowd went wild as the younger fighter struggled. Rubble increased pressure with his arms, tightening every muscle until finally, the other man tapped Rubble on the foot, signaling his submission.
The ref shouted the end of the match and Rubble dropped his hold. His muscles ached but in the best possible way. He got to his feet and let the referee hold up his arm. The cheers sounded so familiar yet harrowing in a way. It brought back all the fights and lonely nights that followed.
Rubble nodded to the other fighter then ducked beneath the ropes. Jupiter was there in an instant, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him hard. More shouts sounded, adoration and catcalls alike.
“You won!” She beamed at him, looping his arm around her shoulders as they walked to the back. They stopped just shy of the locker room, surrounded by the milling crowd that seemed to have already forgotten the recent fight.
Rubble licked his bottom lip, the bitter taste of blood meeting his tongue. He reached over and gripped her chin. “You’re here, so yeah, baby girl, I won.”
She pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. His girl was too damn cute. Leaning down, he placed a gentle kiss on her mouth. It was all he could manage now.
“Come on, Rubble, let’s get you cleaned up and back to the clubhouse.” She pulled him toward the locker room. “I think there’re a few places I can kiss without bruises. One in particular.”
Her eyes lowered to his dick and his pulse jumped.No one should be this happy.But he was and he was damn glad too.
Rubble playfully swatted her ass. “Lead the way, baby girl.”
CHAPTER26
JUPITER
“Be back in twenty.”
Jupiter waved at Yasmina before disappearing into the crowded town square. Stars dotted the skyline over the bright lights that shone in the near distance for the half-pipe competition. After she’d grabbed sugar cookies decorated to look like snowboards and skis to restock the booth, Jupiter would be back to watch the next round of competitors.
She hurried on foot through the streets. Tourists of all shapes and sizes lined the cobblestones. Some were drunk, and others were high, judging from the pungent scent of marijuana, but most were just genuinely happy to be at the Xtreme Games in Snowshoe. She smiled at the sight.
The bitter cold bit her fingers when she reached the bakery and pulled out the key to unlock it. A day had passed since Rubble told her about Macha’s plan to keep her safe. Any messages from Lyle went through Rubble and the club. She didn’t see any of them. It unnerved her at first, but finally being protected from the constant barrage of words freed her.
A loud cheer came from up the street. No doubt one of the more famous snowboarders was at the top of the course, ready to show off for the adoring fans. Hurrying to the back room, she spotted the trays of cookies already prepackaged. The bakery was killing it at the games, and she couldn’t be prouder.
Balancing the trays on her arms, Jupiter walked toward the front of the store. The bell above the door jangled and she paused. All the lights were off, and the Closed sign was in the window. A familiar tingle skittered up her spine, palms sweating beneath the trays. Heavy footsteps echoed, the sound of rustling clothes evident in the darkness.
Eyes alert, Jupiter slowly backed up and set the cookies down before her trembling hands dropped them. Digging out her phone, she dialed Rubble’s number as she peeked around the wall separating the ovens from the storefront. A slender silhouette stood in front of the counter, the black Stetson hat sending her stomach into a tailspin.Lyle.
Blood rushed in her ears, the hum of it overwhelming the steady click of Lyle’s boots. She swallowed the bile rising in her throat and kept her eyes glued to his every movement. He looked the same. The hat hid his face, but she knew that smug look was in his eyes.He found me just like he said.
The phone against her ear finally registered. “Jupiter! Baby girl, what’s going on?”
Lyle swiveled in her direction as if he’d heard Rubble’s anxious voice, and she smothered a gasp. He continued to glance around the shop but didn’t spy her. Jupiter sent a grateful prayer that the darkness hid her. She slowly moved backwards to the exit in the alleyway, cookies long forgotten. The handle to the back door jiggled against the small of her back. She couldn’t answer Rubble. She could barely breathe, the air in the room stolen by the man who haunted her dreams.
Pushing open the door, she glanced up and down the alley before sprinting south toward the town square. Hair plastered to her face from sweat or tears, she couldn’t decipher which, Jupiter rushed through the crowd. She scanned the tents, searching for Macha’s. Loud music from the stage amplified the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Every tent looked the same beneath the starry sky.
Looking over her shoulder, Jupiter clenched her hands into fists. Lyle finally caught up to the edge of the crowd, his dark eyes scouring the tourists for her. Seeing him should’ve caused her to melt into a useless puddle. Eleven months on the run from his horrors had brought her to Snowshoe. It was the one and only place that gave her a sense of safety and belonging. She needed to fight for that. She took a cleansing breath, attempting to wipe away the past. It didn’t work, but it gave her a moment of clarity.I have to get out of here.
Acting quickly, she ducked behind a group of tall men heading toward the beer tent. Jupiter pulled the wool hat lower on her head, grateful she’d dyed her hair darker. She blended in better tonight, especially when everyone was bundled up in warm coverings.
Cheers from the half-pipe caught her attention and she moved toward it. The best place for her was in a large crowd. No one would grab her there. She could disappear and find someone from Macha among the onlookers.
