AllFreeNovel
Share Us
37
Jimmy
Let’s Go To War
Ding, ding.
I step forward at the bell, but I wait for Anthony’s first strike. It helps me – to feel that first hit brings my adrenaline to the surface.
The rush slows everything around me, while it makes me faster. Every move my opponent makes is in slow motion. I know every move they’re going to make before they make it, and then I own him.
Venicila has studied me. He circles, but doesn’t make the first strike. He fakes, then he circles, then he fakes again. I flex my body in expectation, then I let go again, disappointed that I didn’t get the rush I crave.
Fucker thinks he can play with me, but I’m no one’s cat.
He fakes again, but now that I’ve got his card, I kick his inside leg and buckle his stance before his arm is back for cover.
Too slow, motherfucker.
He grunts and jumps away. Circles. Circles. The crowd boos him for circling. I have no clue how he’s become a title holder if all he does is dance, but whatever. I’ll relieve him of his heavy burden in just a few short minutes.
He throws another left, left, right. I parry the first, and dig my fist into his ribs as his second and third fly past my head; too wide, too slow.
His body slumps as he attempts to cover his ribs, so I throw my knee and connect with his nose with a satisfying crunch.
Best sound in the world; when it’s not my nose.
I use Venicila’s pain and distraction to wrap my arm around his neck, lock around his windpipe, and drop my weight. I smile around my mouthguard, because I know my big brother will be impressed. The crowd goes bananas at the prospect of the fight being over so soon.
They want a sweet victory, but they also want their money’s worth. They pay for blood and violence. How dare I not deliver?
I hold him tight and squeeze his neck, but he doesn’t tap. I hold for a full minute, but the sweat between us loosens my hold each time he squirms. The buzzer sounds before I can make him tap, and the ref jumps between us and pulls him from my grasp. “Fuck!” I climb to my feet and walk to Aiden.
“You’re not hurt,” he shouts. “You’re okay.” He wipes the sweat from my eyes and passes a water bottle. “Keep on his legs, Jim. You’ve already put a dent in them. Two rounds to go, finish it before you time out, finish it and we’ll let Bobby in there.”
I study Iz’s beautiful eyes as they watch me. She’s exactly where I left her. Exactly where I begged her to stay before I stepped into the octagon. She doesn’t smile while our eyes meet.
She’s not sad. Not happy.
Just an observer.
I still love her as much as I did the last time I stepped into this arena.
I still love her more than my own life.
But she’s not mine. She can’t be mine.
“Jim! Pay attention.” Aiden snaps his hands in my face. “Get your head in the game. You’re better than him. You’re younger, fresher, harder, faster. Nobody’s as good as we are, because nobody trains as hard as we do. Finish him in this round, then you can take Izzy out for dinner.” His use of Izzy has me turning to face him. “Finish it, and you can take her away from here.”
I nod. He’s right, I want her out of here. I’ve already watched these people mob her and Kit once today. Finish it and get her out. “Okay.” I nod again. “Legs, finish it.”
“Good. Okay.” He slaps my shoulder to get the blood circulating again. “Smash him, Jimmy. Bring the belt home.” The referee stops in the middle of the octagon and waves us over. “Take him to the mat,” Aiden’s eyes bore into mine, “use your advantage.”
‘The Italian’and I square off, tap gloves, and the ref lets us go.
I rush him. Fuck it, I’m not here to dance. I want to take Izzy home. I rush forward and slam him against the fence. He lets out a deep grunt when we stop suddenly, and due to the fucking sweat between us, he bounces to the floor when I lose my grip. Instantly, I jump on his back and slide my arm around his throat.
The crowd roars to their feet.
