Adlet is getting angrier as Monster seems to be gassing out. Asher has a real shot to win this, but I can’t even cheer him on. I can’t let him know I appreciate what he is doing for me right now.
Instead, I have to act like the whole thing doesn’t even bother me. Any sign that I am happy about this outcome could lead to Adlet taking a gun out and shooting Asher dead where he stands.
Asher isn’t holding back anymore. He is showing what he is really made of. I realize now he was playing with Monster before. He was making him exert his own energy so that he would be depleted when Asher really started to fight.
Monster lands a hit on Asher, but it’s sloppy. Asher was ready for it, though, and uses Monster’s momentum to land a rather gnarly hit to his temple. Monster steps away, staggering as he tries to catch his bearings. This is when Asher would have hit him hard and ended the fight, but Asher waits for him to get his senses back.
I don’t know if it’s honor or stupidity, but it is making me want to smack Asher. I need him to end this. My nerves cannot take any more.
Monster squares up to Asher. He knows he has met his match now, but he won’t go down without a fight.
“Fucking useless. He is a pansy. Why is he still standing?” Adlet calls out.
At this point, I don’t even know who he is talking to. Is he telling Monster that Asher is a pansy and to knock him out, or ishe seeing what we are all seeing? That Monster is no match for Asher, and he is going to lose.
Either way, the result is inevitable. Asher meets Monster as he lunges and lands the KO blow, dropping Monster to the ground.
For one split second, the room is quiet. Then it erupts with cheers as the other men who did not participate in the fights tonight congratulate the prospect for his well-earned win.
Adlet mutters under his breath before he stands and silences the crowd.
“The prospect fought well. He earned his prize. Does anyone want to challenge him for it?” he calls out.
No one responds. I can see Adlet’s face tighten.
“Very well. Come claim your prize.”
Asher strides up to me, grabbing my arm before he nods to Adlet. He pulls me along with him, me giving him little resistance before Adlet calls out.
“Where are you taking her, prospect? I said you could claim your prize. So claim it.”
My blood turns cold. Asher freezes, turning to look at Adlet. I follow his gaze and see the malice in Adlet’s eyes. He is truly the devil.
“Claim your prize for us all to see. Show us that you are one of us,” he calls out.
I turn and look at Asher. He has regret in his eyes. He doesn’t want to do this. Neither do I, but if we have to, I am glad it is with him.
He grips my face and pulls me close.
“We do not have to do this. I can take the attention, and you can run,” he rasps in my ear.
He will die then, and I can’t live with myself if he dies for me. Besides, if I don’t manage to get away, then it will make my fate that much worse.
“You have to” is all I whisper.
“Let’s get on with it,” Adlet calls out.
I pull away from Asher and drop to my knees.
“No,” he whispers.
I ignore him, going to his buckle. He is at war with himself. I know he doesn’t want to do this, but it’s this or I will die. I plead with him with my eyes.
His reluctance is only a moment longer before he clears his throat.
“That’s right. Suck my cock like a good whore.”
The men around us all laugh, but I hear the words for what they are—a facade he is putting on to get us both out of this alive.
