“You need to learn to fight, kid. I’ll teach you if you want,” Davis said, crossing his arms and staring him down.
Jared oddly wasn’t intimidated as he smiled up at Davis, the same way I had that night at the warehouse. He was excited to learn to fight, to defend himself. He was a lot like me, and I was so proud of my Viking for offering to help him.
“You will? I would love to learn.” Jared stood, smiling excitedly at Davis.
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
Jared’s eyes widened in surprise, but I was grinning from ear to ear, loving this interaction. My Viking was this great man, who would take in the beaten and bruised and teach them to defend themselves, to rise from the ashes of their life and take claim of it. He was a great man, one I was lucky to have in my life. Thank God for Liv, because without her I would have never met Davis, would have never seen my brother be happy, or would have never had a little niece to dote over. Liv was the Porter set of siblings' salvation.
23: Dark Secrets
Davis’ P.O.V.
“Set it up correctly. I don’t care if it takes longer, it needs to be safe, not just put up,” I scolded one of my newer workers, who seemed to skip steps while setting up the rings. The last thing I needed was one of my fighters getting hurt because the thing collapsed under them. Especially if that fighter was my Lisa.
“Sorry, boss. I’ll train him right,” Gage promised, slapping the new worker on the head.
I hired him at the behest of Gage. Apparently, the guy was his nephew or something. He needed a job desperately, so I trusted Gage’s judgment, but perhaps I shouldn’t have. Hard to draw a line with family, I have noticed.
“She’s ready, Dad.” Izzy came out of the back of the warehouse with a smug smirk on her face.
For all intents and purposes, Izzy felt like Lisa was her pupil, who she had coached well. She was looking forward to this fight as much as Lisa and I were. I was glad to see my daughter approve of the love of my life, helping me pick the ring and everything. All that was left was to bring her dad down, and we would be set. She would release the video tonight after her fight with the help of Frank, who was supposed to show up soon.
“Thanks, Izzy.”
I headed towards the back, to the room we had turned into the makeshift locker room. Lisa was sitting on an old bench that seemed to cave with the lightest of weights. Thinking unwise of me to sit on it, I stood before her. She was picking at the tape on her hands, fidgeting with obvious nerves.
It took her a moment, but eventually she looked up, letting me look into those blue eyes. They still haunt me, but completely differently. Gone were the eyes that looked tormented and scared. Before me now were the eyes of a woman who had been through hell and back, and didn't let it break her. These eyes held a fire to them, one that showed just how willing she was to fight for herself and the people she loved.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, knowing full well she was nervous as hell right now. Anyone’s first fight in the ring was the scariest, the most exciting and nerve-wracking.
"Like I could throw up." She sighed, throwing her head back to look up at the ceiling for a second before bringing it back down to me. "How do I get myself to feel less nervous?"
"Want to know what Liv does? What I taught her?" She looked up at me eagerly, nodding her head with small excitement. "She shakes it out," I said, grabbing her hands and pulling her to stand.
Keeping her hands in my own, I shook her arms like those wacky, crazy inflatable guys outside a car sales lot. She smiled, letting me see the laugh that was building inside her. I kept doing it, shaking my shoulders and jumping before her.
"Come on now. It will not work if I'm the only one doing it." She laughed.God, I love that laugh.
"Is this really what she does?"
"Sure is, since the first fight she had in my ring. I found her chewing on her thumb in the makeshift locker room, much like this one. I stopped her before she chewed through her skin. She didn't like to shake it out at first, feeling stupid as she did it, but now she does it before every fight. Subtly jumping and shaking out her hands. Do it, Lisa. See for yourself."
With one last look at the door to make sure no one was coming, she shook her shoulders awkwardly before me. The more she shook, the more she loosened up. The looser she got, the less embarrassed she was. She let out a laugh as she shook her whole body crazily.
I couldn't wait to marry her.
"Alright, jitterbug, time to get out there. I have two rings set up right now and one of them has your name written on it. Let's go beat some ass."
She nodded with a new look of determination on her face. She was ready, more than ready. I smiled, watching her lead the way out. She looked strong from behind, ready to kick some ass. We passed by Izzy, but not before Lisa gave Izzy a fist bump. It was quick and casual and she didn't miss, even though she kept her gaze on the ring as she did it.
Izzy followed beside me, letting Lisa continue to lead the way. She made her way to the ring with a new girl Carter was vetting. Her name was Evette, and she had some previous experience fighting in small rings. In terms of experience, Evette should win this fight, but I got the feeling I was about to see something spectacular.
With a nod to Barret, he announced the names and the fights of each ring, except for ring three that was being finished up now.Damn Gage's nephew.I was going to have to fire that guy soon.
My focus stayed on Lisa, unable to look anywhere else the entire time she moved. She was light on her feet like Liv, but she wasn't twirling and dancing around the same way. No, Lisa was weaving in and out, up and down, side to side. She was like water, fluidly moving about. Evette continued to try to land a punch on her, but she had gotten so good at blocking and dodging, thanks to Izzy. Not a single hit made contact. Izzy howled beside me, pumping her fist in the air as she cheered Lisa on.
"Come on, Lisa. Don't hold back!" Izzy yelled at her, sounding mad, like she was offended that Lisa hadn't thrown a punch yet.
