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After a few minutes, she conceded that she was trapped, pacing the floor and thinking of another alternative, anything to escape but came up with nothing.
Her mind settled on Ajax’s disturbing words. His threats against Mamba went far beyond their fight in the cage, but why didn’t he want her there? Her presence or not wouldn’t change the outcome of the fight unless . . . he had another plan having nothing to do with the fight and wanted Mandy out of the way.
A terrifying fear spiraled up her spine.
* * *
Mamba took his usual seat at the table, admiring the serpent carved in the center. It felt fuckin’ good to be back at the Gold Mine—to be home. He ran a hand over his cut’s smooth leather. Good to have his colors on again too.
Mamba’s brothers filed in and took their seats. Every one of them was jazzed and ready to go over tonight’s plan one more time.
Cobra lowered the gavel at the head of the table, and they all settled down. “First I wanna welcome our brother back home. He did us proud fighting for the Savages, but it’s good to have him at the table again.”
The others nodded their approval.
“Tonight is gonna be all about timing. Mamba’s fight starts at ten, and we’ll all be in the front row until Rattler and Boa mysteriously disappear. From what I understand, Ajax has been fronting all week, so they got pre-gaming in the parking lot before the fight and a big party afterward. Big fuckin’ surprise on them after they find out we torched that body shop.”
“Lighting that shit up will be perfect.” Rattler smirked. “Between the motor oil and gasoline, that place’ll go down faster than a club whore sucking dick.”
“That’s a good one.” Mamba cuffed Rattler’s shoulder. Yeah, he fuckin’ missed these guys.
“That’s the idea. Hit 'em hard, hit 'em fast.”
“Take the Escalade.” Cobra nodded to Rattler and Boa. “Less conspicuous than Harley pipes rattlin’.”
“The best part’ll be seeing Mamba take down that fucker in the cage,” Joker added. “Just make sure you keep Ajax going. String him along, egging him on for a while so our guys can get the job done.”
“No problem there. Toying with that fucker, then knocking the shit outta him is gonna be sweet.”
Cobra checked his phone. “Looks like it’s showtime, boys.” Cobra slammed down the gavel again, then they all tapped fists and headed outside.
Mamba’s insides were wound tight with excitement. He fuckin’ loved fighting, but this was different. This was personal. He’d told Cobra he didn’t like making Mandy the prize, but deep down, the male animal in him liked fighting for the woman he … loved. Nah. Sure, he cared about Mandy, worried about her when they weren’t together, and couldn’t get her out of his mind or wait to see her, but love?
Of course, he had no way to judge his feelings because he’d never felt like this before, but—this wasn’t the time to examine his mixed-up thoughts. Mamba had to keep his head in the game, get this shit done, and not make it personal.
CHAPTERNINETEEN
“Shit, I can’t believe the crowd out there.” Rattler slammed through the metal door separating the main fight room from the small area where the fighters were housed. However, it was only Mamba and the rest of the Serpents tonight.
“Already talked to Hawk from the Warlords, and Thor and his brothers.” Boa smirked. “Me and Rattler are like a regular welcome wagon, making sure everybody sees our pretty faces before we cut out.”
Mamba did some air boxing in front of the mirror, then shook out his arms.“Hey, you see Mandy out there?”
“Nah, man, but the place is packed.” Rattler slapped Boa on the shoulder. “Even this big fucker had trouble getting through the crowd.”
Cobra pulled his phone from his cut and swiped at it. “Fight starts in twenty minutes, so head out now. By the time our boy here knocks that fucker Ajax out, his clubhouse will be a pile of ashes.”
The three men tapped fists, and Rattler and Boa slipped out the side door that led to the parking lot.
Mamba centered himself and geared up for what was sure to be one of the best fights of his life. The usual thrill of getting in the cage surrounded him with the added rush of having Mandy out there watching him. He made a mental note not to bust up Ajax too badly, just enough to make him tap out. Shouldn’t be too hard since Mamba outsized and out-trained the guy. Plus, he didn’t need any more added guilt after what happened to Achilles.
His phone buzzed on the bench next to him and he swiped it open.
Mandy:
Hey, it’s me.
Meet me outside at the end of the building.
