He slumps in defeat. “I just want you to win. I know how much this means to you.”
“And I will. How could I not? I have the best coach in the world,” Nikko replies.
“Stop trying to sweet-talk me,” his dad complains, but he seems less annoyed. “You remember the plan?”
Nikko nods. “I do.”
It’s obvious his father is anxious, especially after the last fight, but every precaution has been taken. It still doesn’t alleviate his fear as a father and a coach though. “Why don’t you go get a drink?” I tell him. “I’ll make sure Nikko repeats it until he can’t speak. It will be okay,” I promise.
His dad hesitates but nods and heads out, and once the door closes, I turn to Nikko. “Go easy on him, he’s just worried. He doesn’t want you to be disappointed or hurt again.”
“I know, I know.” He sighs as he pulls me closer and wraps his arms around me. “It’s all fine now that you are here.”
“I wouldn’t miss it, you know that.” I kiss his cheek, absorbing some of his strength. “Now, repeat the plan.”
He groans, but he does as he’s told until the door opens a little later.
“It’s time,” Charlie announces. “I’ll get someone to escort you to your booth, Zia. Come on, Nikko, your entrance is ready.”
Nodding, I turn back to Nikko, gripping his face. “Kick his ass, okay? Win and I’ll give you a prize later.”
“Got it.” He nods before he kisses me swiftly. “For luck.”
Shaking my head, I kiss him again. His dad told him he’ll be okay no matter what the outcome is, but I have no doubt that Nikko will win. “See you when you have that title, baby,” I encourage before I pull away. I feel his eyes on me, but I head out, following the Nexus person who escorts me to my booth.
The stands are full. There are cameras already recording, with newsinterviews taking place. It’s insane, and music fills the stadium, making the crowd wild as signs are thrust into the air, everyone screaming for their favorite.
The lights suddenly cut out, and the music changes. “Alright, folks, welcome to the biggest night of your lives!” the announcer calls as the crowd cheers. “Tonight, we are bringing you the most awaited fight of the year, and I know we’re all anxious to see the outcome, so without further ado, let’s introduce our fighters! In the yellow corner, we have our current world champion, the undefeated, the invincible, Lucas!”
I watch him stride out of the tunnel with his hood up. He doesn’t even interact with the crowd as he slips his robe off and steps into the ring, bouncing on his feet as he warms up.
“Alright, alright, and now the fan favorite, in the green corner, we have Nikko West!”
I cup my hand around my mouth and cheer as loud as I can as Nikko walks out of the tunnel. He smiles and waves at fans, and just before he reaches the ring, he locates me in the box and blows me a kiss. I catch it with a smile as he climbs in and warms up as well.
The ref talks to the crowd, amping everyone up, before Lucas and Nikko meet in the middle. Despite his cool exterior, Lucas smiles slightly and bows his head respectfully before they touch gloves and head back to their corners. Nikko’s dad explained how Lucas works. He challenged Nikko when he was weak, which I hate, but it also seems like he wants a fair fight, since he gave him time to recover.
Before I know it, the fight starts.
Gripping my drink, I ignore Julies and focus on Nikko as the bell rings. He has a plan, but it doesn’t stop me from being nervous as he dances out of Lucas’s testing punches. Both of them assess each other as they dance around. By the time the first bell rings, nothing much has happened, and they go to their corners. Nikko listens to his dad as he speaks, and then he’s on his feet again, the bell for the next round ringing.
This time, he goes in hard, hitting Lucas quickly and staggering him backward. He drives him into the ropes, hammering punch afterpunch, leaving him to defend himself until Lucas finally manages a lucky punch that throws Nikko back. He staggers slightly, and I cover my mouth as his cheek swells, but Nikko shakes it off and meets Lucas in the middle.
They trade blows, harsh and brutal, neither seeming to be on top as the bell rings again.
“Jesus, that guy is good. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone hold their own against the reigning champion,” someone in the box whispers. “He’s kept the title for a reason.”
I turn my narrowed eyes on him, cutting him down to size. “Nikko will win this, watch and see.”
“Protective,” Julies teases at my side as he nods at the ring. “Focus on your boy.”
I do just that, and it’s another tense round. Just as I think Lucas has Nikko down, he gets back up and proves why he’s unstoppable.
He needs to end it soon, though, and we know it. He’s getting tired. Nikko is covered in sweat and his face is swollen, but he’s determined, and when he speaks to his dad while sitting in his corner, I know they are telling him it’s go time.
I raise my constantly vibrating phone as I keep my eyes on the ring. “What is it?”
“Sorry, sir,” Yuki says, sounding more panicked than I’ve ever heard him. “I know you’re busy, but something is happening. Faiz found out. Get here now. He says it’s an emergency. They are making their move, and you’re their target.”
