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CHAPTER1
ROSEMARY
How did I get myself into this situation? It’s the one question I’ve constantly asked myself here lately. I sometimes wonder if I made a deal with the devil, but I know that’s not the case.
Three months ago, I was taken right after work off the street. You’d have thought I had the training and been able to take on anyone who would dare attack me, but I wasn’t prepared for a sneak attack. I’d been closing the gym, having just set the alarm and locked the doors. I was two steps away from my car door, ready to head home when it happened. Someone cold-cocked me on the back of the head. Next thing I know, I’m chained by the neck in a dark room with no way out.
Since that night, I found out why I was taken. It’s stupid. Truly, it is, but in order to get free, I have to fight.
I’m a boxer at heart. I love being in the ring, but these people, they’ve taken the joy out of it for me. See, it’s a death ring. Only the strong survive. The fights are to the death, and I don’t want to die. So far, I’ve had four fights in the span of the time I’ve been here. I don’t even really know where here is. All I know is that I wake up, train, and prepare. I never know when the fight will be, but the men who took me ensure that I know my place. I’m a fighter, and the man who claims to own me, he’s a cruel bastard. He made sure I knew he knew who I was and everything about me.
In order to protect them, I do as he says, I give him what he wants. There’s no other choice for me. I won’t risk anyone else, and I’ll win my freedom. I don’t care if I end up losing my soul in the process. At least I’ll finally be free.
Only sixteen more to go, and I’ll be done.
I can do it.
I won’t have it any other way.
I’m a fighter. It’s what I do, and I won’t let this stop me. I’ll fight to live, to be free, to get back to what I want most.
The doors to what has become my cage open and he steps inside. I don’t know his name. He never told me. He says I can call him ‘master’, but I refuse to do that. I won’t do it. I’ll die before I drop that low. I won’t allow him or anyone else to break me.
“Are you ready for tonight?” he demands, taking in the state I’m in. The sweat beading my body. I don’t miss the gleam of lust in his eyes.
“I’m ready,” I answer and go back to throwing jabs at the punching bag.
“Good, you can rest for now. Save your strength for tonight. If you succeed, I’ll be sure to have a bath drawn for you as a reward.”
“I’ll win tonight,” I grit out. “And I would appreciate a bath. Thank you.” I know better than to turn down his rewards, as he calls them. Though I will be grateful to wash the blood off the one I’ll go against away.
“Maybe you’ll even think about joining me in my bed,” he suggests, grinning. “I would think that energy could be used in other more pleasurable ways.”
“I think I’ll stick to the ring.” There’s no way I’ll get in his bed.
The last man I was with was Kevlar, well back then, he’d been known as Fist, but for some reason or another, they changed his road name. The sex had been hot. More than hot, if I’m being honest.
“You’ll soon change your mind.” He grins, pulling my thoughts back to him before they can trail too far down that particular rabbit hole.
“I highly doubt it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll finish preparing for tonight’s fight.” I have to be able to get myself in order . . . to press myself to be able to kill with my bare hands.
“Win for me, and you’ll be one step closer to freedom.” Those words vibrate in my ears as he turns and walks back the way he came.
Moments later, one of his men comes to deliver my gear for the night, along with food.Without a word, he sets everything down and walks away.
This is my life now. There’s no way I’ll be able to go back to the one I once lived, but that doesn’t mean I won’t find one when I get free. Tonight, will make five, and then there’s only fifteen more to go.
Closing my eyes, I give myself a moment to think of the past where it’ll have to stay. If I get free, I won’t be able to go back there. To protect them all, I have to stay away from all of them. Most especially, my best friend, Jade.
Anytime I think about her, I wish I were more like her. Jade went through horrible things, lost her sight, and had to suffer because of it. If not for her man, I don’t want to think of what she’d have endured. This is nothing compared to what she went through. If she can do it, so can I. However, unlike her, in the end, I’ll be without my soul.
I suck in a heavy breath and shut down the thoughts. There’s no room for them here. Emotions get you killed, and I won’t allow myself to be killed.
I’ll get myself free.
I don’t need or want anyone else to save me.
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