I had to end this now, and it would be with either Killian or Maddox.
Making my way over to Markus I kneel down at his side as he watches the fight from beside the other council members.
“May I speak with you for a moment in private, Sir, it is very important?” I yell out loud enough for him to hear me, he nods before standing to his feet and leading me over to a nearby room.
“What is it that you need to talk with me about, Mackenzie?” He turns as I shut the door.
“I’ve come across a possible danger within our station.” I state as I face him, he looks at me intrigued.
“Go on.” He commands.
“I just became aware that many of our men are very aware of my status of being single and alone right now. I fear that this may cause us some problems if they choose to fight over me, or worse.” I explain.
He nods in agreement. “I did not think of that, but I have heard some of the chatter around the station. I only thought it was because of the fight tonight.”
“The men think that Killian and Maddox are fighting over me. They think that whoever wins this fight tonight gets me. If that doesn’t happen I think they will begin fighting amongst themselves and then we will be faced with an even larger problem.” I explain.
“What do you propose we do, Mackenzie?” Markus inquires.
“The only thing we can do, Sir, we have to allow Killian and Maddox to fight to win me.” I answer softly.
“Do you really want that?”He questions, surprising me.
His regards to my feelings were rare, women aboard our stations were never treated as if they had a say in what happened with their lives.
I had no idea he had felt differently on the matter.
“I don’t want a binding union with them.” I answer honestly before continuing. “I will however take one as a suitor to keep the other men away.”
“That can be arranged. All I need to do is speak with the council quickly and then we will meet you at the ring. For now, I need you to stop the fight between Killian and Maddox.” Markus answers.
I nod and as we exit the room I head directly to the ring while he motions for the council to meet in the very room we had just been in.
Seeing me coming Killian and Maddox pause as I climb into the ring with them, I stand in the middle and raise my hand to quiet the room.
“I’ve been ordered by the council to stop this fight for a moment while they talk privately. The fight will continue when Markus returns.” I yell out quickly.
Everyone in the room sits and begins talking amongst themselves as Maddox and Killian move in closer to me.
“What is this about, Kenzie?” Killian questions softly. “We weren’t going to hurt each other, if that’s what this is about.”He adds.
I nod my head. “I know you weren’t, but that’s not what I’m afraid of.”
“What is wrong then?” Maddox questions this time.
“It’s them.” I motion to the crowd. “The only reason half of these men have stayed away from me is because of you two. If they find out that you both aren’t in the running to win me then…” I trail off hoping that they would catch on to where I was going.
“They will hurt each other to get to you, or worse, hurt you.” Killian growls in anger and I nod.
“What are we going to do then? What is the council going to do?” He questions.
Looking between Maddox and Killian I sigh sadly.
I didn’t want to do this to them but I had no choice.
“You have to actually fight each other. The winner wins the place of being my suitor. The council is meeting now to approve it and I’m sure they will put their normal little twist to it as they always do. But the men here think that’s what this fight is about anyway.” I reply.
“They’re going to have to give a chance for anyone else to fight against the winner, at least that’s what I would do to keep the others happy and to keep an all out war from happening.” Maddox states abruptly.
“Crap, if that’s true then this is going to really suck for the two of you.” I curse not realizing that things were about to get a whole lot worse.
We stay quiet for a moment, each of us lost in our thoughts.
“I’m not going to throw this fight, Killian, our agreement ends if she comes into play.” Maddox warns.
“I’m not throwing it either, Maddox.” Killian snarls in his direction.
Thankfully, before another word is said between them Markus comes out from the room with the council.
He walks quickly down to the ring.
Standing next to me his motions for the room to quiet again and everyone goes silent.
All eyes were on us.
“There has been a change in plans with this fight tonight. Killian and Maddox will now be fighting for the chance to win a place to become Commander Mackenzie’s suitor.” Markus bellows.
The crowd begins yelling in anger and confusion, Markus glances down to me.
They had just unknowingly proved my theory correct.
Raising his hands again he yells. “You will all quiet down, now.”
When everyone becomes quiet once again he continues. “Now, the fight will not end with these two. If you want a chance at finding a spot to become Commander Mackenzie’s suitor you may sign up with Council member Cato.”
“Once we are down to four fighters, we will end the fights until tomorrow. You have five minutes to sign up, and who you fight against will be picked at random.” Markus warns.
“Let the fighting continue.” He commands tugging on my arm to follow him out of the ring.
Turning back, I watch as Killian and Maddox attack each other with a renewed energy.
Each hit they take is harder as they don’t hold back.
It was hard to watch them as their blood spills to the mat.
I would be lucky enough if they didn’t kill each other.
Placing his hand on my shoulder Markus stands by my side. “This is all for the best.” He states trying to comfort me the best he could.
I had a feeling that he knew just how hard this was for me.
I nod before glancing over to the huge line of others who wanted to fight.
“That’s a lot of fighters.” I mutter.
“Yes, it is, you made the right call, Mackenzie.” Markus answers.
Turning my attention back to the fight before me I watch as Killian lands a hard kick to Maddox’s face.
Everything stops, even my heart, as I watch Maddox sway before falling lifelessly to the mat.
Killian had knocked him out cold.
Moving quickly, I rush onto the mat and cradle Maddox’s head in my hands. I wipe away the blood away from his lips and he smiles slightly, just enough for only me to see.
“You threw the fight, you big idiot.” I laugh softly as I stroke my hand over his cheek.
As two medics come to take him away he opens his eyes giving me a quick wink as I stand to my feet.
Watching them carry him away I’m suddenly spun around in Killian’s arms before his lips descend upon mine.
Pulling back slightly he smiles. “You’re going to be all mine, Kenzie, I swear it.”
“Are you sure you’re up to fighting all of them?” I nod towards the line signing up.
Looking over, he curses lightly before glancing back at me with a cocky smirk. “I’ll fight them all if I get you as the prize in the end.”
“You’re going to get yourself killed.” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “No, half of them aren’t going to be half the fight that Maddox was. This will be easy.”
“Maddox also threw the fight, did you know that?” I question.
“He did?” Killian barks out surprised.
“Yeah, the big idiot did.” I laugh softly.
Chapter 9
With Maddox by my side we watch fight after exhausting fight.
“This is brutal.” Maddox laughs as Killian takes down yet another fighter.
&
nbsp; “Yeah, it is.” I agree. “Is that why you threw the fight?”
“Kind of, I threw it mainly for the reason that you love Killian.” He answers and chuckles as my eyes go wide. “Don’t even give me that look. You know you do. I saw you flinch every time I hit him. Even now, you’ve flinched every time he’s gotten hit. Somewhere in there you love him and don’t want him to get hurt.”
“I just don’t like fights.” I lie causing him to laugh out abruptly.
“You lie. You love fights, you just don’t like when those that you consider family are in one, or one that you can’t control.”
“Having fun?” Killian states abruptly as he sits down next to me kissing my cheek.
His left eye was swollen but it didn’t seem to be affecting his upbeat attitude.
“Why are you down here? Did you lose?” I question worried.
“No, I didn’t lose. I’m just getting a break. Silas and Grey are fighting now.” He answers pointing towards the ring.
“No, not Grey, he can’t be fighting to win me over.” I huff out.
“He’s not, well, at least I hope he’s not. Max and Dash are fighting too. I think they want to even the odds that if at least two of us end up being in the last four that you won’t have to be left to someone you don’t want anything to do with.” Killian answers but then frowns. “I hope that’s what they are doing, anyway. Otherwise this is just going to get way worse.”
“I think they just wanted an excuse to fight.” Maddox laughs as we watch Grey grinning smugly as Silas hits the mat.
“Yeah, that could be it.” I laugh out.
I only hoped that that was it, or that Killian was right. I didn’t know how I felt about Grey, Max, or Dash wanting to be more than just teammates or friends.
They were like brothers to me.
Watching Grey take on fight after fight I glance down as Killian slips his hand into mine.
I smile softly leaning me head against his shoulder.
“You better win.” I whisper closing my eyes.
“I will.” He promises sounding exhausted.
Opening my eyes I watch as Grey suddenly goes down.
It was hard to watch as his commander. I wanted nothing more than to scream for him to get up while wanting to beat the living hell out of who beat him.
I spot Clark standing in the ring with a triumphant grin.
“You have to beat him no matter what, Killian.” I plead and he nods.
“Of course, I won’t let him win, Kenzie.” He promises making me feel marginally better.
The thought of Clark winning had me sick to my stomach. I knew he wouldn’t be nice to me behind closed doors. He was just like his father who had been executed for beating his mate.
Unlike Silas, I couldn’t imagine Clark apologizing to me for all the trouble they had caused.
He wasn’t anything but cruel.
“If he does win, I will kill him before I let him get his hands on you, Mac.” Maddox promises too.
Silently we watch as more fights fly by, Clark wins them all until he is given a break which meant he had made into the last four.
“Well, that’s not good.” I mutter.
“He won’t be a problem. He made many mistakes.” Maddox answers turning to face Killian. “Did you catch them?”
“Yes, I did, but he’s still going to be hard to beat. He fights dirty.” Killian answers.
Next up is Max and another young trainee that I didn’t even know.
Max quickly puts him down giving me a wide grin as a section of the crowd chants ‘Mad Max’.
He was a bit of a celebrity around here, and he loved the attention.
With a smile I watch as he puts down all of his opponents with ease. At the end he looked as if he could still go on. He didn’t even have a single scratch.
“I think you may have your hands full with Max, Killian.” I chuckle as Max points to him and then mimic’s knocking him out before blowing me a kiss.
I laugh out as he bounces down to us and grabs me up into his arms he acts as if he’s going to kiss me and my eyes bug out with fear.
Oh god, this couldn’t be happening.
Chuckling he kisses my cheek. “Did you really think I would pass up a good fight? And no worries I don’t want to win, I just want Killian to have a better chance. If I have to fight against him I’ll throw the fight.”
“Thank you, Max.” I respond with my own kiss to his cheek.
Pulling back he grins widely as he once again motions to Killian in mock warning.
“She’s going to be mine, Killian.” He warns before walking away.
“He’s not going to give me a break, is he?” Killian laughs glancing in my direction.
“Nope, he’s not. He’s going to make you prove your worth before he gives you a break.” I answer.
Soon we watch as a dark haired man steps into the ring. It isn’t until his dark scarlet red eyes meet mine that I gasp in shock.
I hadn’t seen him since he had trained me but he hadn’t changed much other than the red eyes.
“Is that Cash?” Maddox asks in disbelief beside me.
“I think it is.” I whisper as he continues to watch me.
“Who’s Cash?” Killian questions curiously glancing between Maddox and me for an answer.
“He was Mackenzie’s commander before she became one herself. He trained her until his squad was sent down to a planet a few years ago. He was the only one they found alive. No one knows what happened or why his grey eyes changed to red.” Maddox answers for me.
Standing to my feet absently I make my way down to the side of the ring where Cash holds out his hand to me, before lifting me up to stand next to him on the mat.
“How are you here?” I question softly as his eyes search mine.
“How could I not be here, Love? I couldn’t let anyone else have you.” He answers, his voice making me feel so many forgotten feelings.
“But I thought you were still locked away.” I whisper.
“They let me out a while ago. I just didn’t know when would be a good time to come back to you.” He answers sounding sad.
“I missed you, Love.” He whispers as his hand gently cups my cheek.
“I’ve missed you too, Cash.” I reply softly.
Our moment is suddenly broken apart when Dash enters the ring. I glance back to him before looking to Cash with worry. “Please, don’t hurt him. He’s one of mine.”
“I won’t, Love.” Cash promises before watching me move out of the ring and back to my seat between Killian and Maddox.
“Now, him you’re going to have a problem with.” Maddox warns Killian.
“Yeah, I see that.” Killian answers as Dash goes down with one well placed solid hit from Cash.
Sitting in my seat I watch as Cash puts down everyone who steps into the ring with one solid punch.
And soon he finishes.
That left Killian, Clark, Max, and Cash as the four that would have to fight against one another tomorrow afternoon.
I knew no one had a chance against Cash.
Not even Killian.
But I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing now.
Now, I would end up torn between Killian and Cash.
Cash had a piece of my heart, always.
He had captured it years ago when we trained together and it broke when he had been taken away from me, especially when he had been forced to travel to a planet that had been known to be dangerous.
When he came back he hadn’t been the same.
But now I finally saw him, the real him, for the first time since the last day we had had together.
Markus breaks my thoughts off as he stands in the middle of the ring.
“The next fight will be tomorrow after lunch. Anyone who wants to watch can join us here. Everyone can have the rest of the night off.” He commands and everyone yells in excitement.
It wasn’t always that we had nights free to do whatever we wished.
“What do you want to do, Kenzie?” Killian asks as my eyes follow Cash.
When I don’t answer he steps into my line of sight. “What happened to wanting me?” He questions softly.
“He’s always had my heart. I’m sorry, Killian.” I whisper.
“He’s dangerous.” He growls.
Maddox clears his throat nodding in warning that Cash was approaching us.
Sighing roughly, Killian turns to watch him walk over to us.
“I hope you’re not mad with me for knocking him out.” Cash chuckles lightly while wrapping his arm around me and then turning to bump his fist with Maddox.
“I’m not, you didn’t hurt him.” I reply.
And it was true. Even though Dash had been knocked unconscious he hadn’t been hurt.
“Who else should I be warned about?” Cash questions with a grin.
“Well, Maddox is one of my team. Dash is the one you knocked out.” I begin and he nods. “Grey is coming over, do you remember him?”
“I think so.” Cash nods as Grey walks over to join us.
“Holy…Is that really you, Cash?” Grey asks as he approaches.
“The one and only, how are you doing, Dixon?” Cash answers using Grey’s last name.
“I’m good.” Grey answers bumping fists with Cash. “Was that you who knocked out Dash with one hit?” He questions and Cash nods.
“Ha, when he wakes up I’m not going to let him live it down.” Grey laughs before walking off.
“Who else is on your team, Love?” Cash turns his attention back to me.
“Max is my second in command.” I reply.
“I should have figured that, long lives Mad Max.” Cash laughs out and I join him along with Maddox, while Killian stands beside us looking confused.
“It’s a long story.” I explain and Killian nods.
“Cash, this is Killian, our Alpha.” I point to Killian and they share an awkward fist bump as they pretty much size each other up.
“Are you my competition?” Cash questions calmly.
“Yes, he is, but be nice.” I answer for Killian.
“Why should I be nice to the one I had to watch whip you over and over?” Cash growls as he turns his red eyes to mine.
Eden One, Episode One Page 7
