I Take It Back

by Liza James

  In just a few moments, Cade’s breathing slowed to a deep, steady rhythm and I knew had he fallen asleep. He had been working so hard in preparing for tonight’s fight that I decided not to wake him and let his body rest before we had to leave. I quickly fell into a sleep soon after him and when we woke up a few hours later, it was to the sound of Cade’s phone blasting his ring tone through our room.

  Cade shot straight up and jumped toward my nightstand where his phone rested. He slid the answer button on the touch screen and lifted it to his phone.

  “Location?” That was all he said as he greeted the person on the other line. He was facing away from me, so I couldn’t see his reaction. But he grunted a response and scrubbed his hand up and down his face.

  The mild tightening in my chest was hard to ignore as I thought about the possibilities of what could happen tonight. I sat up and leaned my head against the back of his shoulder and slid my hand up and around his neck.

  “You ready?” I knew what he was going to say, but I wanted to hear it. I thought maybe it would help relax the nerves that were towering in my stomach.

  “I am. Everything will be fine, okay? And remember, you don’t have to come. I could go and be back before you even realize you miss me,” he said the words quietly, but there was a harsher tone of dominance behind his words, and I knew he was urging me to take him up on that offer. But I couldn’t, there was no way I would let him do this on his own.

  “Nice try, but I’m coming.” I playfully bit the taught skin in the crook of his neck and he chuckled in response, but I noticed the lack of humor in his voice.

  “Then let’s head out. There’s an old abandoned hospital in the southside of Brooklyn. It’s a little bit of a drive, but it’s secluded and has a big enough area for everyone coming tonight. It’s going to be insane, so stay close to me until the fight starts, okay?” Cade stood and found his jeans, pulling them up and reaching for his shirt at the same time.

  I nodded in agreement and quickly shuffled out of bed. Getting dressed, I threw on the same skinny jeans but grabbed a heavier, black sweater to wear this time. It was just after nine PM and I knew it would be colder outside than it was earlier.

  Cade’s phone rang again, but this time when he reached for it, I saw all of the blood drain from his face. His skin turned a pale gray color and he quickly hit the ignore button before shoving the phone into his pocket.

  “You okay?” I took a step toward him. His dark, stormy eyes searched mine for a quick moment before he took a step to the side and dodged me.

  “Fine. Let’s hit the road, though. I don’t know if it’s going to snow tonight.” He stalked toward the door and his tone let me know that this conversation was over.

  I reached for my purse and my phone before following after him and noticed Savannah and Logan both deep in conversation in our suite. They were huddled together on the couch, talking quietly when they saw us emerge from my room and stood to their feet.

  “It’s at the hospital on Delrod,” Cade said, stopping in front of Logan and giving him a look I couldn’t quite understand. It was like they had some unspoken conversation going on that Savannah and I weren’t privy to.

  “Damn, in Brooklyn? That’s not a great part of town.” The fact that Logan had any concerns about the location caused the nerves that had already been kicking around in my chest to begin thundering and jolting like lightning.

  “We’ll get it done quick and get out of there. Let’s ride together, we can take your Jeep.” It wasn’t even a question as Cade turned and moved toward the door. Savannah and I exchanged wary glances, but we followed the guys out in silence. We reached the front door of our dorm complex and the icy air chilled me to the bone as we stepped outside. For more than one reason I found myself shivering as we all hurried to Logan’s Jeep and piled inside.

  I was experiencing some sort of Déjà vu as Cade and I sat in the backseat, remembering one of the first times we met at his very first fight I had watched. Part of me longed for that moment. Even though it had been utter chaos, there was a lighter vibe that night. There wasn’t as much pressure and Cade’s obvious shift in attitude was setting me more on edge than I had been before.

  None of us spoke as we drove to the hospital. The only noise that filled the small space was the incessant rapping of Cade’s fingers against his door. He was staring out the window and I reached over to rest my on hand his leg, trying to reassure him with a small squeeze. I felt him tense next to me as he looked over, his stark blue eyes meeting mine. There was something simmering below the surface, and I couldn’t tell if it was uncertainty over fighting Devon, or something that ran deeper. He didn’t say a word before he turned his head back around and continued staring out the window for the rest of the drive.

  Chapter 45

  As we drove past the initial parking lot for the abandoned building, I could already see countless cars filing in and shutting off their engines. It was completely dark and there weren’t any street lights or headlights brightening the area. Everyone knew the rules and knew they needed to be as discreet as possible. People were quietly exiting their cars and heading inside while we pulled around to the back of the building.

  Still in complete darkness, there were only a few other cars in the smaller parking lot around us. This was obviously an area reserved for the fighters themselves or for people involved in tonight’s event. Cade quickly opened his door once we’d parked and I hurried to follow him out of the Jeep with Logan and Savannah right behind us. The only relief I had over this situation was the fact that Cade had reached behind him and clutched my hand tightly in his larger, stronger one. Even though he was tense, he pulled me up next to him and leaned his head down so that his lips brushed against my ear.

  “Stay close, don’t forget.” His voice was lower and huskier than usual. It sent a warring mixture of aching desire and anxious nerves shooting through my limbs. I felt apprehensive shivers slide up my spine as we walked toward the building. I nodded without saying a word, worried my voice would betray the confidence I was hoping I could fake tonight.

  As the building better came into view, I realized how decrepit and worn down it really was. There had obviously been gangs or unruly kids at some point who’d tagged almost every surface of the building. Windows had been shattered and while some were boarded up, there were others that had frames lined with jagged, broken shards of glass. There was a chain link fence that surrounded the forsaken lot, but it wasn’t maintained and had been cut apart in several places.

  We reached a small opening and Cade ushered me forward through the fence before he squeezed through after me. Savannah and Logan kept stride with us, and I looked over to see that Logan had his arm protectively draped around Sav’s shoulder, holding her up against him. Cade immediately took my hand again as he led us around a corner and stalked near a tall glass window that had been boarded up. Written in bright red spray paint were the words FIRST RULE scribbled across the old wooden board. Cade reached forward and gripped the board in his hands; he nodded toward Logan who came next to him and braced his foot against the base of the board as the two of them kicked and lifted it until it broke free. They shifted it slightly to the side so that there was a small slit that we could all fit through.

  Cade turned back and reached a hand out toward me, pausing in wait for me to take it. I hesitated for a brief moment and couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes were searching mine for something I didn’t understand. His mood was so off, and it felt like he was operating on a totally different wavelength than usual. I wasn’t sure what he needed from me, but I knew I needed to be here for this moment. I placed my hand in his and allowed him to pull me through the opening behind him.

  The moment we entered the building, I was completely consumed by darkness. There weren’t any lights or even tiny pockets of moonlight beaming through to provide a source of natural luminance. I clutched onto Cade’s hand a bit tighter while Savannah reached behind us for my other hand. As the fo
ur of us trailed through the building in a tight line and we moved deeper into darkness, my other senses began picking up on various differences.

  I soon noticed a low rumble growing louder with each step we took. At first, I didn’t think it was voices, but as we inched closer I began making out distinguished hoots and hollers from up ahead. The smell was unmistakable; it began with that familiar scent of stale beer that I was familiar with at the frat houses, followed by an unfortunate wave of sweat and chaos wafting through. People were smoking, because an obvious cloud from cigarettes and joints floated around us, and I finally saw a thin slice of light coming from somewhere ahead.

  Cade’s entire body stiffened next to mine and he urged me closer to him as we neared the doorway. Just before he was about to pull open the door, Logan reached across Sav and I and landed a firm hand down on Cade’s shoulder. They both looked at each other silently with grim expressions before nodding and shifting uncomfortably.

  A strong sense of bravery and confidence overtook me as I reached up and slid my fingers into the back of Cade’s hair. Gripping it tightly, I pulled his face down to mine. I slammed my lips on his and kissed him like I was conveying every bit endurance, survival and need in one quick movement. He kissed me back, and his fingers dug deep into my hips as he crushed my chest against his. For a split second fear bubbled up inside me at what I felt he was trying to convey back. It felt different than his regular confidence and indifference for these kinds of events. This felt like something so much more. I remembered earlier when he had mentioned me staying home and him being back before I even noticed he was gone, yet this felt like it was something permanent now. It felt like goodbye.

  He pulled away from me, and his dark eyes bore so deeply into mine that I felt my brows furrow in confusion. But just when I opened my mouth to say something, he pulled the door open and stood tall, straightening his shoulders and filling the space with his large, muscular body. He entered the room and, as soon as people started noticing him walking through the space, the cheers and yells became so loud that the ground shook and my ears were ringing.

  There were more people crammed into this large room than had been at any of the other fights combined. There were red solo cups scattered in the hands of almost everyone, while others littered the floor and puddles of spilt beer were pooling around unsteady feet.

  Cade didn’t acknowledge anyone tonight, he stared straight ahead and made his way to the center where the ring would surely be awaiting him. He had me pulled possessively up against his back, and Savannah was pressed tightly up against mine, allowing Logan to bring up the rear. Drunk, heavy bodies were leaning into us, knocking us around, but thankfully the guys had such a tight grip around us that we hardly moved.

  People were slapping Cade on the shoulder while others had wads of cash waving through the air, eager to place their bets and enjoy the entertainment that was surely about to unfold. We breached the center of the room and Ryan came into view, hurrying around to several people who were still throwing money at him and stating their odds.

  Devon was already in the center of the ring, crouched low and the hood of his sweater pulled up and around his head. He had one hand braced between his knees on the ground as he kept his head down and had earbuds resting in his ears. Cade’s eyes narrowed on him before he turned to look back at the three of us. He didn’t say a word, but he shifted so that Logan was strategically placed in between Savannah and me. His arms came defensively around our shoulders, successfully locking us into place beside him. The guys exchanged another wary look before Cade turned on his heel and left us to chat with Ryan.

  The sinking feeling that had begun building in the pit of my stomach was flowing through every inch of my now-anxious body. It felt ready to bubble out in sobs and screams any minute now. I hated how unnerved I felt about all of this, and the worst part was that I didn’t know why.

  There were several reasons why I didn’t want Cade fighting Devon. He was a dirty player, obviously had no respect, and I hated the fact that he had been training for so long professionally with serious help at his side. But there was also the fact that Cade wasn’t beaming that regular, confident ambiance that I was so used to with these fights. He usually made me feel like I had nothing to worry about, like there was no question as to how this would end. But tonight felt so different than what I was used to, and I couldn’t help but let that worry fester and burn inside of me.

  The fight started off in a hauntingly similar way to the first fight I had ever seen Cade in. Ryan motioned both fighters toward the center of the ring and gripped each of their wrists in his respective hands. He explained once again, that this was a rematch and that the last smaller fight was to be as if it had never happened. He stated that Devon was here to stake a claim on Cade’s undefeated title, and that Cade was here defending that title.

  Cue the shouts and deafening hollers from the crowd.

  Everyone was on fire. No one could keep still, people were yelling and shoving each other to get closer. Others were anxiously awaiting to see how their bets played out. I usually thought that the electricity in the crowd played to Cade’s advantage, giving him an unseen motivation that pushed him to fight even better in these circumstances. But as Cade’s empty gaze remained steadily on his opponent, I couldn’t ignore the feeling that there was something undeniably wrong tonight.

  Signaling the start of the fight, Ryan threw that small white flag to the ground. It fell through the air directly in between Cade and Devon, releasing some sort of invisible tension that had been building and building since we had first walked in. A cruel smile played across Devon’s lips as he stepped forward, crushing the white flag under his foot.

  Cade didn’t even flinch at the intrusion. He stood his ground and brought his fists up in front of his face, taking a fighter’s stance while Devon danced around him. Cade stayed mostly still, but his eyes never left his opponent. Devon started stepping toward him and then jumping backward, quietly laughing to himself with each lunge. He was taunting Cade, trying to coax his mental side rather than taking on the physical.

  “You’re just going to stand there, boy? Or are you going to fight?” Devon shouted over the busy crowd. Everyone fell silent at his booming voice and listened for a response. Cade stayed quiet, though, ignoring his taunts and keeping his defenses up.

  This was good. Cade was ready ... he had to be.

  “Don’t have much to say this time, do you? What, you’re bitch of a girlfriend stayed back tonight?” Devon stepped up to Cade’s face when he spoke. They were practically nose to nose as Devon let his hands fall to his sides. A few boos scattered across the people watching, and a quick wince at Devon’s words flashed across Cade’s face almost too quickly for anyone else to notice. But I did.

  My hand found Savannah’s, and that’s when I realized how badly I was shaking. Savannah gave me a reassuring squeeze, and I felt Logan tense behind me as we continued to watch the fight play out.

  For a quick moment, Devon’s eyes scanned the crowd behind Cade, and that was when the first hit happened. From out of nowhere, Cade’s right fist dropped from the defense and flew forward quicker than any hit I had ever seen him throw. His closed fist smashed across Devon’s jaw and, as his head whipped in our direction, our eyes met for a brief moment. But I knew what I saw in that expression. It wasn’t shock, there was no surprise.

  No, he anticipated that hit, and took it intentionally. As our eyes met, Devon’s lip curled up in a wicked grin while he slid the back of his hand across his lip, smearing his own blood across the side of his face.

  And that was when shit really hit the fan.

  Chapter 46

  Devon immediately straightened up and, while he brought one hand to block his face, his other fist soared directly below and into Cade’s rib cage. Instantly Cade doubled over and stumbled backward, but was quick to regain his footing and step forward into the inner circle.

  Everyone around us started cheering, shouting anything fr
om encouragement to obscenities at both opponents. I didn’t realize I wasn’t breathing until my vision started going wavy; tears had built in my eyes when I felt Savannah’s arm snake around my shoulders and pull me tightly against her. Every nerve was wracking inside my body as I watched the two of them circle around each other, anxiously waiting the next opening for a hit.

  Devon was the one who threw the next punch, going for Cade’s jaw but missing at the last second as Cade ducked and wove under his throw. I released a gasp of relief at the near miss, but it didn’t take long for the next wave of punches to wind up.

  Devon didn’t back off, he kept pushing and pushing, mumbling things I could only assume were trying to throw Cade off his game. I couldn’t hear them over the shouting around me, but I saw Cade’s eyes falter every now and then as he tried to shake off whatever was being thrown at him.

  But Devon was the one who took the next hit as a knee thrusted upward toward his gut, and Cade’s hands wrapped around the back of Devon’s neck, pulling him down and smashing his face against his knee.

  The next few minutes were a constant tug of war between who had the upper hand. Cade was taking hits to his jaw while Devon was struggling to see beyond the blood that had been spilled from the knee hit to his face. While Devon was momentarily vulnerable, wiping the blood from his eyes, Cade came up and wrapped his arms around his waist. He threw Devon to the ground and straddled him from above.

  The first hit was the worst, I thought. I could literally hear the crunch of bones when Cade’s fist smashed down on Devon’s left eye. I thought, without a doubt, that Devon had been KO’d, but the son of a bitch held on and shoved his hands against Cade’s throat, trying to get some sort of grasp on him.

  It was no use, though, Cade had him pinned and was winding up for another hit that would absolutely end this fight. A sense of relief washed over me. As much as I hated what was happening in this moment, I was so incredibly thankful that Cade was going to walk away with minor injuries and that no one had ended up dead. That would be an entirely different disaster we would have to face. But I knew Cade would never take it that far.