The fight continues on and the crowd screams for an ending. Comments like ‘finish him,” are thrown around and I have to admit, the crass nature sort of spurs me on.
I could go on forever but at the same time, I want to get back to my girl and enjoy the night so I push myself a little harder. My punches come out stronger and faster and my reflexes sharpen up.
I get the guy down to his knees with a kick and I take the opportunity. I hear him gasping for breath and realise I could have just kept going, exhaustion would have taken him soon. I get him completely down but he isn’t ready to give in yet.
He punches and kicks up at me so I drop down on top of him, locking his arms at his side, He squirms desperately, realising its nearly over. I put the guy out of his misery and bring my fist down to the side of his head.
His eyes roll back in his head and it’s lights out.
I hate winning by KO but apparently, it’s the ‘in’ thing, I’ve always felt it was a way of cheating but in the underground, you do what you got to do.
I’m declared the winner and I make my way back to the fighter’s area with Cole who scolds me on each mistake and error I made. I get myself dressed as Cole grabs a first aid kit to clean up all the little cuts my opponent managed to make.
I head back out to the ring and find Charli in her sexy little dress. It doesn’t take me long to realise she isn’t alone though, in fact, she has quite the little crowd surrounding her.
Every single player from the Dragons stand with my girl and I wonder how the hell I didn’t notice them before, even Coach Harris stands among them and man, am I’m happy I didn’t fuck up that fight, otherwise I’d never live it down.
Charli throws herself into my arms and kisses me with pride. “Do you have any idea how turned on I get watching you fight?” she murmurs into my ear.
I grin down at the little minx. “Don’t you forget it,” I tell her.
“Fuck,” Jaxon says as I make my way over to the guys. “You’ve got skill,” he admits as he pulls me in and claps me on the back. “I’m not even pissed you kept it from me anymore.”
“Thanks,” I say with a grin. “And sorry, I wanted to tell you but I couldn’t.”
“Nah,” he says shaking it off. “Don’t worry about it. I get it.”
Relief washes over me. I hated the feeling that I was betraying the boys, especially Jaxon as I had really come to respect him over the time I’ve known him but to hear we’re all cool, makes everything feel right again.
One by one, the boys come around and chew me out while also offering their compliments on the fight. I introduce Charli to the guys properly even though, she apparently has already done it.
The next fight gets started and it appears we’re all making a night of it. Drinks get bought and the boys get wasted, apparently, they are here for a night of celebrations as well after winning another game, keeping them undefeated.
A slight jealousy tears through me, feeling like I’ve missed out but at the same time, I know I’ve made the right decision. Fighting is what I want to do. It’s not long before Coach starts looking like he’d rather be anywhere else and takes off, a few of the ‘good’ boys follow his lead and get going and before we know it, there is just a small group of us left.
We all move in to watch the last fight when someone comes barging past me and knocks me in the shoulder, spilling my drink all over Charli. She gasps as the cold liquid splashes all over her body.
I grab the culprit and instantly recognise ‘Pitt Bull’ wearing a smirk. I realise pretty damn quickly that he had done it on purpose and rage flies through me. “I think you owe my girl an apology,” I demand as Charli stares at him with her arms crossed over her chest and narrowed eyes.
‘Pitt Bull’ looks Charli up and down with a sick kind of interest that has me right on edge. “I’ll give your girl all sorts of things but an apology isn’t one,” he says with a smirk.
I know I shouldn’t but the alcohol in my system is urging me on. I grab the fucker by the collar and pull him to me. “You better fucking watch it, asshole,” I warn.
“Or what?” he laughs. “You’ve got no fucking chance against me. You’re nothing, just some scum standing in between me and my two hundred grand. You better watch your fucking back because I’m coming for you.”
I smirk back at the loser, knowing he is talking shit. He wouldn’t have said a word if he wasn’t worried I could beat his ass. “Bring it, fucker. The only place you’re coming is in second after I wipe the floor with you.”
He lets out a growl and gives me a shove, right into the rest of my group. I can’t help it, no one disrespects my girl and then my boys. I push him back and suddenly it’s on. With the crowd around us and the tables and chairs, I take him straight down.
My fist pummels into his face and I grin at the satisfaction it gives me.
Cole is on me in seconds, desperately trying to pull me off him. Luke and Jace join in and eventually get us separated. “Deal with it in the ring,” Cold scolds us both. “It’s only a fucking week away. I’m sure you dickheads can reign it in until then.”
‘Pitt Bull’ gives out a scoff before spitting blood from his mouth. He turns his back and disappears.
“You,” Cole says, pointing an angry finger at me. “Get your ass home,” he demands before turning and disappearing through the side door.
Shit. I’m going to pay for that.
Chapter 19
Charli
I stand in the salon, working on this girl’s hair. She told me her name is Bri and that her twin brother is Bobby, from The Dragons and is good friends with Xander. I’m pretty sure I met the guy the other night at the fight but there were a lot of people and a lot of alcohol, either way, the girl seems nice and has been telling me all about her boyfriend Carter who apparently is ace in bed, though, I’m sure she doesn’t truly understand the meaning of a man being ace in bed until she’s been with Xander, but, that’s never going to happen..
I love when a client is happy to chat away, even if it is the boring sort of chatter. It beats standing here with a client for half-an-hour in complete silence. It gets real awkward, real fast.
The last few days, I feel as though I’ve been living in bliss. Living with Xander and starting our lives together, on top of the general loving life at the moment with the salon and Micky’s, then of course, Xander is like a whole new person since getting out from under his parents hold, he suddenly isn’t so broody, which don’t get me wrong, his broody side was damn sexy but the playful, carefree one is even better.
After finishing a wash and blow dry on Brianna’s hair, I send her off feeling as fresh as a daisy with also a clubbing date scheduled for Saturday night with her and her best friend Cassie, who is apparently Jaxon’s girlfriend. Come to think of it, I think I have seen them at Micky’s and they were most likely at that game I went to, though, I was pretty damn pre-occupied with the sexy slice of heaven I had my eyes locked on.
Xander has his final fight in two days and I have to admit, I am a terrified wreck. I know he will do great, he is mentally and physically ready and without a doubt, I know he could take it out but I can’t help but wonder how far ‘Pitt Bull’ is going to take it before Xander gets through with the winning hit.
I have watched as many of ‘Pitt Bull’s’ recent fights as possible to find out what areas he is lacking in but to be honest, I really don’t know what I’m looking for. I’m sure the boys at Rebels Advocate have been studying up on ‘Pitt Bull’ to give Xander his best chance but when it comes down to it, ‘Pitt Bull’ fights dirty, he is brutal and terrifying and that scares the living crap out of me and leaves me wondering, if Xander is going to be quick enough to evade ‘Pitt Bull’s’ advances? Or, is ‘Pitt Bull’ going to play dirty and beat Xander to a pulp before he has a chance to come through? All I know is that there is a lot of money on the line and when money comes in to play, people change.
I know Xander has the skill and the will to beat him but I h
ope he can stay true to himself, win the fight without fighting dirty and leave the competition with his head held high. I’m afraid that he will never forgive himself if he played by ‘Pitt Bull’s’ rules and caused actual harm.
I head out the back of the salon, when Gina comes out of her office, looking down at her IPad and bumps straight into me. The IPad goes flying and I stumble around, desperately trying to catch it before it cracks on the tiles.
“Oh my goodness,” Gina exclaims as I finally get purchase on the IPad. “I’m so sorry, dear. I’ve been so caught up doing this silly order.”
“Its fine,” I say, handing the IPad back with a beaming smile.
“How’s it going out there?” she questions.
“Good,” I say. “Zara’s in the middle of a colour, there are two style cuts and I just finished my wash and blow dry.”
“Oh, excellent. What’s your schedule like now?”
“My next client isn’t due for thirty minutes, so I was just going to get some cleaning done,” I explain.
“Don’t be silly,” she says. “Go take your lunch break, I’ll get Steph to clean after her client. You’ve been working off your feet.”
I give her a grateful smile just as my stomach starts to growl. Excellent timing. “Thanks,” I say, ducking into the staff area and grabbing my bag. “I’ll head down to the café, can I get you anything?”
Her eyes lighten in excitement and I already know what she is going to say. “A coffee would be great.”
“No problem,” I laugh as I sling my bag over my shoulder. I make my way out of the salon and down the road to fill my stomach. I order a sandwich and Gina’s coffee and play a game on my phone while I wait.
My order is ready in record timing and I sit at the outdoor table to annihilate my lunch.
Not wanting Gina’s coffee to get cold, I start heading back a little early. The streets are quiet but there is a nice breeze, so I enjoy the walk and work on relaxing my body and arms for my afternoon filled with clients. They never tell you about all the negative things that go along with your dream job but for a hairdresser that would be sore arms after doing multiple blow dry’s a day, oh and of course there is the occasional shitty client but so far I haven’t had to deal with that.
I’m completely lost in my own world as I make my way back to the salon when a black van comes screeching to a stop beside me. My eyes widen in shock before my body starts to react. What the hell is going on? The door slides open and a very familiar man comes hurtling out onto the pathway and straight for me.
Holy shit. It’s ‘Pit Bull’ and the fact that he is here before me could only be bad news.
I throw Gina’s coffee right at his face and I start to run. I hardly make it two steps before he is on me. I try to scream but a hand slaps down over my mouth as another circles my waist and quickly lifts me off the ground.
He rushes back to the van and climbs in the side door before tossing me to the ground and slamming the door closed.
I try to get myself up but he is on me once again. “Nice to see you again,” he says with a wicked grin as the driver takes off, making me slide to the back of the van. My arms fling out, trying to save myself but it’s no use, my balance is completely thrown and I slam my back into the metal backdoors.
‘Pit Bull’ is on his feet, crouching in the small space and making his way to me. I start screaming and kicking my legs out, trying to keep the bastard away. What the hell does he want from me? The answer comes hurtling into my mind. How can I be so stupid? It’s clear as day. The fucker wants to use me as leverage against Xander in the fight. Wants him to throw the fight or forfeit, the pathetic bastard.
He continues making his way towards me which really, doesn’t take long in this cramped space and reaches out for my bag. I hold onto it with everything I’ve got but his strength against mine, has me pulled up off the floor dangling from the straps of my bag. He kicks me once in the ribs and I scream out as I drop back to the van’s floor and latch onto my aching ribs. He smirks at my display but quickly disregards me as he pours the contents of my bag out on the floor and finds my phone. He smirks at me once again, like this is some kind of game to him while he stomps down on my phone, smashing it to pieces before handing it to the driver who tosses it out the window.
What the fuck?
I manage to get myself into a sitting position but still have to hold onto the side of my ribs. “He’s going to kill you for this,” I say, not needing to clarify who ‘he’ is.
“Let the fucker come,” he scoffs.
It becomes pretty damn obvious that he is scared of Xander, I mean, if he thought he could win, he wouldn’t have gone to these lengths. He would have just shown up to the fight and taken him out. But no, here I am, being held as leverage so he can get what he wants.
I don’t know what possesses me to do it but the rage and fury circling my body has my tongue loosening up. “You’re fucking chicken shit,” I practically laugh at the loser.
He storms forward and grabs me around the scuff of my shirt, hoisting me up before slamming the back of my head against the blacked out windows. “What the fuck did you say?” he roars.
“You heard me,” I spit. “You’re nothing but chicken shit. You’re a loser. You’re scared he is going to kick your ass and you’d be right. He will, especially now.”
He lets out a terrifying growl and slams me against the window once again, this time managing to make my head spin. If there ever was a time to thank my step-mum, it’d be now, if not for her regular beatings, I probably would have passed out on the first hit, I probably would have already pissed my pants as well. But not now. Not with this bastard.
“I ain’t scared of shit,” he says, lowering his tone, trying to invoke a little more fear in me but I’m too angry, too riled up.
“Bullshit,” I yell back at him. “If you weren’t scared, you would have faced him like a man, instead you’re pulling this shit.”
His hand moves from the scuff of my shift and slides up to my neck before giving it a squeeze. Holy shit. I can’t breathe.
I try desperately to gasp for breath but his hold is too tight. He grins at me for long, painful seconds before clenching harder around my neck and using his hold to throw me across the van. I gasp for air the moment my body slams into the opposite side of the van. Pain shoots through my body but at least this time I have the sense to stay still and quiet.
“Still think I’m scared?” he taunts as he presses his heavy boot against my wrist and crushes the bones with ease.
I scream out in pain with tears instantly springing from my eyes. How the hell am I going to get out of here?
He waits until most of my screams have been swallowed by my sobs. “That fucker is going to be annihilated in that ring and I’m going to make sure of it,” he says with a promise in his eyes before his hand turns into a fist and comes hurtling towards my face.
The last thing I see is a twisted grin before my world disappears.
Chapter 20
Xander
“Faster,” Cole demands as I punch the boxing pads he holds in front of his chest. I push myself harder. I only have two more days before I face ‘Pit Bull’ and not a damn thing is going to stop me from taking that fucker down.
Cole moves the pads and my eyes follow each of his movements, not missing a beat.
My phone ringing in the background cuts into my concentration but I ignore it. I’ve got shit to do. I continue with the punches, kicking and evading while I hear Jace in the background, answering the call. “Road-kill grill. You kill em, we grill em.”
I roll my eyes but can’t help the grin that comes across my face. “Shit, yeah. I’ll grab him,” Jace says, as he jogs over to me.
Cole instantly puts his pads down and I turn to Jace who has a strange look on his face. “Sorry dude,” he says handing the phone over. “It’s some guy Micky, says there’s a problem.”
I take the phone instantly. If it’s Micky that means it’s got som
ething to do with Charli. My heart rate increases, despite the workout Coles been putting me through. “Micky,” I say, “What’s the matter?”
“Have you heard from Charli?” he demands immediately.
“No,” I tell him. “She ok?”
“Don’t know, kid,” he says, the concern clear in his voice. “Just had a call from Gina, Charli never returned from her lunch break.”
“What?” I question. Charli has never ditched on work before. It’s just not something she is capable of, even if she was on her deathbed, she’d still try and head in. Something must have happened. My first thought is that she is laying somewhere in a gutter hurt or lost my second is for her step-mum.
“I gotta go,” I rush out, hanging up the phone and instantly dialling her number. The phone goes straight to voicemail and I give it a second try then a third. “Shit,” I roar.
“What’s wrong?” Cole asks, alarmed.
“It’s Charli. Something wrong.” I tell him as I rush to the back and grab my shit. Cole throws me the keys to his truck and I could never be more grateful. I don’t even say goodbye before I’m out the door and rushing home, hoping she just wasn’t feeling well and I’m going to walk through the door to find her curled up in bed, pleased to see me.
I make it home in no time and push my way through the door, narrowly escaping having to replace it. “Charli?” I call, as I make my way through the house but I know in my gut, she isn’t here.
I double check every room of the house before I head over to Micky’s and bolt straight up the stairs to check the apartment but of course, she isn’t here.
I head back down to the bar and find Micky, standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. “Anything?” he asks.
“No,” I groan in frustration. Where the hell could she be?
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