The bell rings again. The crowd falls deadly silent until the first step is taken by Garrad. Then the room fills as shouts, fierce orders, and cries of disappointment bounce off the walls. Max, Bronson, and Xander are on their feet, punching the air and yelling out to Drazic, "Set the pace! Arms up! Get up! Hold him!"
I watch in awe as the fighters throw their big bodies around in sharp, jerking motions. Their power comes fromthe surprise and weight behind them. It's the opposite of everything I do as a ballerina.
My heart is racing with excitement. I'm suddenly caught up in the drama and the waves of emotions exploding from the crowd, the boys, and my own body. It's a blood bath. I cover my eyes, but peek through my fingers because the intensity between Drazic and Steven is completely captivating. I don't want to miss a second.
After several rounds full of splattering blood and heavy blows, Drazic is the last man standing. Facing the crowd, blood gushing from his split brow and fresh sweat pouring down his chest like rain, he chomps on his guard and raises his fist.
The audience detonates.
Max and the boys knock fists, Xander yelps with excitement and everyone starts to holler Drazic's name.
"Drazic! Drazic!"
As the fighters finally clear the stage, I'm still left staring at the ring. "Wow."
Max studies my face, sliding his hand back down between my thighs. "You liked that?"
"I feel bad saying I liked it." My cheeks pinch when I try to keep a straight face. "But yeah. I liked it. It was incredible watching their strength and resilience. And somehow, they're still agile. And quick... despite all that bulk... It was really exciting."
"I didn’t expect you to say that."
My smile is coy. "Why?"
"Just thought you'd find it too violent."
"It was. I'd hate to see that outside of a controlled environment. I don't like violence. But they're both athletes, both up there willingly. So they know what they're getting into."
A satisfied grin stretches across his cheeks. "Verytrue."
"Why are you smiling at me like that?"
"Dunno..." His eyes roll around my face, amusement dancing in them. "Very few people surprise me. You, on the other hand, do it constantly."
"If you thought I'd find it too violent, why did you ask me to come with you?"
He considers my question for a moment. "Maybe I wanted to keep an eye on you."
I smirk and lean towards him, using his own words. "Which part of me?"
He moistens his lips. "All your parts."
"Let's go spend some money!" Xander yells across to us.
A vein in Max's neck bulges and he shoots a sideways glance at his little brother.
I peer down the line at Xander. "Why?"
Jumping to his feet, he rubs his palms together. "Because we just made a shitload!"
Luca pats his thighs once and slowly stands. "I'll see you all at the restaurant. We'll be having dinner together tonight, including you." He gestures to me and grins. I feel Max's hand twitch between my crossed thighs. "I don't know you, but I want to." Luca smiles down the line at his sons, but it's thin and filled with mixed messages.
When he casually walks away, he has such a presence that people part ahead of him. He's a big man. As tall as Max and just as built, but more tight-lipped. Everything about him is tight.
Stacey squeezes my knee and whispers, "Drazic is one of Jimmy's boxers." She twists to eyeball Xander. "And Xander's had too much to drink."
Victoria
I holdMax tightly around the waist, my cheek pressing against his shoulder blade as we ride around the congested, lawless streets. Clutching him tighter around his middle and inhaling him, I imagine we are in love and he's my person.
