I guide her into the gym building behind the garage, and the pounding beat of Black Sabbath surrounds us. I locate Maxie and flag her over. “This is Martina. She’s interested in fighting, so show her around.”
Maxie starts to say something, but I turn and head toward Blood’s office. She can ask Martina everything she needs to know. My job is done.
MARTINA
Maxine shakes her head at Diesel’s abrupt exit, then sticks out her hand. “Maxine, but everyone calls me Maxie, except for Blood.” She flicks her gaze to the glass-enclosed office where Diesel disappeared. “Blood and Diesel pretty much run the gym, but I manage the women fighters.”
It’s easy to see why. Maxie’s overall build is unbelievable. Her muscles are defined but not bulky, and she exudes confidence.
“I have to be honest, I’ve been doing martial arts most of my life, but only as a hobby and to keep in shape. I’ve competed, but full-contact strikes on the body weren’t allowed.”
“Is it something you think you’d like to learn?”
“I love watching the MMA fighters, but watching and doing are two different things.”
“First, we have to find out if you want to take martial arts from being a hobby to being a job, but let’s see what you know and what kind of shape you’re in. Then we’ll go from there, okay?”
“Sounds good.” I immediately get the feeling this woman knows what she’s doing and what she’s talking about.
Maxie checks me out on the weight machines, and when we do some sparring in the ring, my original opinion of her is confirmed. She’s proficient and professional, and it’s no wonder she’s the Royal Bastard’s top fighter, male or female.
After an hour, we enter a small room in the backof the gym with a desk, chair and a scale. She motions for me to get up on the scale while she takes a clipboard off the desk. The digital read-out pops up, and Maxie writes it down, then measures my height. She nods to the chair, and she sits behind the desk.
“You have great form and agility in the ring. Your strikes are clean, and I can see you push yourself to do your best. All important when competing and fighting. Your overall strength is good for your size, but . . .”
I lean forward, afraid of her next words. Has she found out my true identity? Does she know I was almost having public sex with Diesel last night? Or that I spent the night in his apartment—even though I was on the couch.
“Don’t look so worried.” Maxie smiles.
Maybe the Royal Bastards have some weird rules I’m not aware of, and me not having sex with Diesel would be held against me. Okay, now I’m spiraling.
“It’s your weight.” Maxie acts like her words explain everything.
“My weight?”
“You’re much too thin.” Maxie cocks her head. “You don’t have an eating disorder, do you?”
“Ohhh, no. It’s just the last few months, I’ve had some trouble with my stomach.” Like only being fed once a day by my captors. “And I guess I lost some weight.”
“How do you feel now?”
“Fine, fine. No more problems.” Except being found out and taken against my will again.
“Then, if this is something you want to do, I have no problem setting you up for regular training. With the skills you have already, we could probably have your first fight by the end of the month.”
“That would be great.”
“Fighting is more than skill though; it’s an attitude. Yourfearless nature shines through, but we’ll need to work on your mindset. When you step into the cage, you must believe you are the winner before you even make the first strike.”
“I understand.”
“I don’t think you do, but we’ll work on your overall confidence as much as your technique because spirit without direction can turn reckless.”
Maxie’s words summarize my life. Diving into situations head first without checking if the pool is filled.
I play with the tape around my knuckles. “I also need a place to stay.”
“Yeah, Blood mentioned that.”
