“He said, ‘If it isn’t Baby Madden’”—she swallows hard, then continues—“‘in the flesh. If your daddy were still alive, how much do you think he’d accept in exchange for letting us tap that fine ass?’”
I blink. Because surely I heard her wrong. Every cell in my body screams at me to go plow my fist into Derek Pierce’s face. “Excuse me, I need to make sure that fucking lecherous old man realizes he can’t just say whatever the fuck he wants.” The volume of my voice is well beyond a whisper, and I’m not sure I give a flying fuck who hears me.
Echo’s hands raise to either side of her head, like she’s trying to hold it on her neck as she stares at me like I’m fucking crazy.
I shake my head, throwing up my arms. “What? Do you seriously think I’ll let that go?” I don’t see it coming when she smacks my arm.
She stares at me, a horrified, wild look in her eyes. “Someone is going to hear you!” she whispers frantically.
Leaning close, I rasp, “You really think I’d let some asshole get away with talking to my woman like that?” I chuckle roughly. “Think again, princess.”
TWENTY-TWO
WILDER
The muscleat the back of my jaw pops and twitches as I keep a keen eye on Bear. His people are muscling their way through the crowd to get to him before he enters the ring, but I’m not focused so much on them as I am the fact that I need to win this fight. So much is riding on whether or not I can take Bear down. Now more than ever, my sister needs me to win. No matter how begrudgingly she accepts the money I earn, I am finally certain she’ll use it—and soon—to get away from her abuser of a husband. There’s no way she’ll go back to Brian now.
My head ticks back to the words she’d whispered to me…Fuck. I can’t allow that into my headspace right now. I shake my head like an animal to dispel the encroaching thoughts.
Shoving my mouth guard in, I glance back at my bench where Echo sits huddled between Royal and Beckham, looking like she’s off in another world. I swing my head back to Bear’s side of the cage, and my eyes land on Bear’s father as he throws his head back laughing. Whatever he said to her, he’ll pay for it. I’ll make sure of that. He won’t see it coming either.
Jogging in place, I wait while Bear greets his friends and the girl with them. I’m not paying much attention until the blonde inhis arms turns her head and presses a kiss to his shoulder before he releases her. My eyes narrow. That was odd.
At the center of the ring, the announcer has begun to wave his arms, ramping up the craziness in the warehouse again, and the crowd responds as they see Bear approaching the cage. “And now, let’s welcome our undefeated champion, an absolute terror in the ring… Let’s hear it for Bear Pierce!” His name is boomed into the microphone and reverberates throughout the massive room. Fucking pandemonium breaks out as the legend enters the ring, lifting an arm and giving a wave. The bastard hardly looks at me as he walks the perimeter of the ring with an air of superiority that comes from having won every fight he’s ever been challenged to.
I have mad respect for Bear, I really do. But not tonight, fucker. Tonight is my night.
I pay no mind to the cage girls as they circle us, wearing their sparkly little shorts and bra tops as they announce Round 1. The entire point of being dressed that way is to attract attention, and they’re good at working the crowd into a frenzy. They aren’t Echo, though, so they don’t interest me. They’re a distraction, much like everything else that’s going on. Everything we’ve been dealing with, everything I’m worried about—it all stays outside the cage. My singular focus is on the opponent across from me and figuring out the best method to dismantle him, piece by motherfucking piece.
So, I’m good to go. But Bear? My gaze follows the path of his to outside the cage where the OG Bastards are sitting immediately behind his bench. He seems like this fight is not the only thing on his mind, and he’s not doing as well at leaving it outside the ring.Nah, man. Bad move. Don’t pay attention to what’s going on out there, no matter what.My lips curl around my mouth guard.Or do. You know, your loss.Literally.
“Fighters, ready?” the ref barks. “I want a clean fight. Touch gloves.”
Here the fuck we go.Bear’s head snaps back to me, his eyes wary, but he extends his gloved hand to mine.
I challenge him with my eyes, knowing part of any fight is the fucking head game. He’s off tonight, and I’ll have to take advantage of that, poke and prod and punch until I figure him out.
The bell sounds, beginning the round, and I bring my fists in front of my face as we circle. Bear is one big dude, but I have a shit ton of experience on my side, having trained hours on end with Coach Carson all throughout my teen years. The gym was like home to me. Safer to get my bell rung there than at home.
Nope.Not going there.I step forward and throw an experimental jab to test the waters. Bear moves out of the way, and I reassess, shifting my weight from foot to foot. A moment later, surprise rockets through me as he catches me on the chin with a left jab. My brows dart together. I have watched Bear fight for three years. He never leads with his left. Either I’m crazy, or something is going on.
Before I can ponder it further, Bear is on the attack, coming in close to try to overpower me. I grunt as his big body crashes into mine, and we lock together, turning in circles. It’s clear he wants me down on the fucking mat, as if he doesn’t think he can win at the stand-up game… which is really fucking bizarre because I’ve seen this man’s boxing skills, and they’re on another level. So why? The crowd whoops and hollers, people losing their shit at the display of brute strength colliding.
I squint, studying the way Bear’s face contorts as we grapple. Ha ha, motherfucker. Maybe coming in close with me wasn’t such a hot idea. He smirks, shoving me away from him, and I’m almost positive he’s hiding something. He’s in pain. It’s there in his eyes. An injury of some sort. That kiss. The girl kissed hisright shoulder… and I’m going to bet it’s got something to do with why he hasn’t thrown a punch with that arm. Around my mouthpiece, I bare my teeth like I’m growling and dare him with a pointed gaze to bring it. Every move he makes, I’m more and more certain he’s not fighting at full strength. And while that’s unfortunate for him, I can’t let it change my game plan—I’m going to win this fight. I give him the crazy eye, letting him know in no uncertain terms he’s in a whole world of trouble.
We size each other up, chests heaving with exertion and sweat rolling. If he’s truly hurt, I can wait him out. He won’t be able to fight a full three rounds.
Bear steps in with a jab-cross combo that lands. Just like I thought, the right was definitely not as powerful as it normally would have been. I hit back, and my fist connects with his cheekbone, a satisfyingcracklike a shot fired right here in the ring. He sucks in a breath and strikes back, nailing me in the stomach. I blink, but then I’m right back to it. Watching him. Waiting for my chance.
“You’ve got this, Wild. Stay on him.” I can hardly hear Royal over the thundering cries of the throng of people around the cage, but I give a barely perceptible nod. I do have him. I know I do.
With blazing fast agility, Bear hooks his leg with mine, attempting a takedown that fails. Yep. Fucker wants me down on the mat. To avoid falling and giving him what he wants, I catch his arm, using it to keep myself upright. He gasps, wrenching his arm away from me, and I see the howl of pained fury written all over his face.Well, fuck.He’s breathing awfully hard, but I don’t think it’s because he’s out of gas. He’s in a serious amount of agony.
The irregularities of this fight are making the inhabitants of the warehouse crazy, and the people who have bet heavily onthe outcome are on their feet, either freaking the fuck out or astonished that their wildest dreams might finally come true.
My attention is grabbed by Bear’s people who are clutching at each other, aghast at what’s happening. And behind them, it strikes me as awfully strange that Derek Pierce is sitting in his cushy chair, calmly sipping his drink. Tristan too. Like they are perfectly fine with what’s happening in the cage right now. My brows dart together.I’m sorry, Bear. I can’t lose tonight. Can’t afford to feel bad for you.
The nursing student in me wants to have a look at his damn shoulder, because as I continue to watch him, I do think that’s where the injury resides. But I can’t afford to be compassionate, so I narrow my eyes and cock my head to the side before laying into him again, focusing hard on his right side.
