I watched as he sauntered off toward the cage, a lump forming in my throat.
“It’s all good, Kayla. I’ve got you covered. Your first time viewing a fight club, I assume?” Damon’s voice was laced with velvet and silk. He could probably win over even the iciest of attitudes with that smooth, deep voice.
“Yes.” I nodded. “You’re used to this, I guess, huh?” I looked over at him.
“In more ways than one. Here, sit.” He motioned to a folding chair that was in the front row of a line of chairs.
“Are all of these guys fighters?” I glanced around at the men who filled the seats. Some wore typical fighting style clothing, shorts and no top, while others looked like they’d just come from work or home relaxing with their families.
“Everyone here is a fighter but some are just spectators tonight.”
I looked at Damon, and for the first time realized he was dressed in a three piece suit. A very nice suit, at that. “Are you fighting tonight?”
“Don’t let the suit fool you. I can take anyone in here, suit or no suit. But to answer your question, no. Not tonight. Business ran a little late so I missed my time slot. They’re getting started.”
I turned straight ahead and saw Josh entering the cage. He’d removed his shoes and the pair of shorts he had on. Now he was only dressed in a pair of tight, spandex shorts, and wraps around his hands.
“Where’re the gloves?” I whispered over to Damon, not taking my eyes off of Joshua as he climbed in the ring.
“We don’t wear gloves down here.”
I briefly glanced at Damon whose eyes were front and center. I turned back to the ring, swallowing down my nervous tension. Joshua knew what he was doing. I allowed my eyes to glide over his glistening body. Had he put on baby oil? He seemed larger than life under that spotlight. I mean, to me he always seemed larger than life, but when he circled around again and I got another glimpse of his eyes, I inhaled sharply. His usually emerald eyes had darkened to nearly black and they were focused on the guy across from him in the ring.
“What’s this guy’s name? The one he’s fighting,” I added for clarification.
“Brick.”
I jumped back. “Brick?”
Damon shrugged. “Got his name because hitting him is like hitting a goddamn brick wall. I dislocated a knuckle the first time I got in the ring with him.” Damon winced, seemingly at the memory of that fight.
Oh God!I thought as a buzzer sounded and Brick moved in on Josh taking a swing. I pushed out a sigh of relief when Joshua ducked, easily dodging the punch. Not only was he able to get out of the way, but before I could blink again Josh had landed a punch of his own right to the guy’s ribs.
“He’s fast,” I stated in awe, remembering that from the many mornings he spent teaching me some of these very same moves.
“That’s his talent down here. No one can really keep up with him in the ring.”
“Even you?” I joked.
Damon shrugged arrogantly, adjusting the collar of his suit. “I hold my own.”
I grinned, turning back to the ring just in time to see Brick land an elbow to Josh’s chin. “Hey!” I stood, yelling angrily.
“It’s all right, little mama. He pivoted his head just in time. Just barely nicked him. Look,” Damon consoled, urging me to look up.
When I did, my eyes bulged as I saw my man hammering away at Brick’s midsection before stepping back to land a side kick to his ribs. I sucked in air. I grabbed my own ribs, as it looked like it hurt, badly. Brick stumbled backwards, falling against the caged wall of the ring. Joshua took a couple of steps back, obviously letting him regroup. What was he doing?
“Finish him!” I growled, loudly, causing a few stares to turn my way. I ignored them all but I did give Damon a look when I heard him chuckling to my right. Rolling my eyes, I turned back to the cage to see Joshua circling Brick, narrowly missing another punch and then a kick. Suddenly, Joshua made a move that looked like he was falling, but it took Brick off of his feet, landing him on his back. Josh was on top of him in nanoseconds, rolling him over and twisting his arm painfully.
I could hear Brick’s groans of pain until finally with his free hand he tapped against the ring’s floor. Josh let out a breath and released his arm.
“Your man won.” Damon nudged me with his elbow.
“I never doubted him for a second,” I stated coolly, falling back into my chair.
Damon’s chuckle made me laugh.
“So that’s what he does down here, huh?” I said out loud but to no one in particular.
