The chain-link rattles as eager fists pound from the outside, excited for the change of events. Hancock’s steel exterior falters for a second as I let out a laugh, and he quickly regains his rigid stance. That’s right motherfucker, this is the consequence of running your mouth.
We stand in the center of the ring, each poised and ready for the fight. All I see is the look in Hancock’s eyes—sharp, unyielding, a mirror of my own hunger. Our gazes lock, and for a moment the noise of the crowd blurs into nothing.
I roll my shoulders, and shake out my hands, my breathing slow and steady. The fight hasn’t begun, but in my head it already has. Every nerve is awake, every muscle strung tight as wire.
Right here, right now, in this moment, there is only me and Hancock.
“Do you both understand the rules?” We both nod in understanding and he steps back, moving out the path of our fury. Then it happens.
The bell clangs.
I tune out everything but the fight.
I surge forward, no hesitation, the sound of my heartbeat louder than the crowd’s roar. I bring my fists up, keeping my shoulders loose, my eyes locked on Hancock as I bounce on theballs of feet, ready to pounce. We circle once, like predators sizing each other up. Then he throws his fist, aiming right for my face, but I’m quicker and able to duck, already moving my hands in response, cutting upward, catching his chin, knocking his head backward.
The crowd erupts.
Adrenaline floods through my veins, fueling me. Hancock regains his footing and fires back, a low kick to my left thigh followed by a powerful punch to my chest. Pain flares, but I welcome it. Such a pussy move on Hancock’s part.
“Just like I said. You aren’t shit against a worthy opponent,” Hancock snarls.
“Ohh, don’t get cocky just yet. Those were lucky ass shots. Don’t expect anymore.” Then I draw my fist back and punch him square in the jaw not once, but twice. I don’t know what takes over me, but my whole plan of making him suffer for a long time just flies out the window.
The cage rattles as bodies slam against it, the steel shaking with every lunge. The crowd is on fire now, every punch, every grunt swallowed by their frenzy. Sweat drips into my eyes, but I don’t blink. I can’t. No way in hell will I leave the fucker an opening to get another hit on me.
My right hook connects, rattling his skull. He stumbles backward, dazed as he gazes up at me, seeing only the feral, hungry gleam in my eyes as I flash my teeth at him. Blood pours from the cuts on his face, and his right eye is swollen and hideous.
This is what I came for. To show him who is the head dog around here, and it sure as fuck isn’t him.
I toy with him for another fifteen minutes before knocking his ass out cold, leaving him a bloody, broken heap on the concrete floor. The ref raises my hand, announcing me as the winner, and before I leave, I give Hancock a swift kick in the gut.
***
“Really, your phone again?” Nash gasps, causing me to laugh. Holden rolls his eyes, placing his phone back on the table.
“This partner really has you worked up.” I comment before taking a bite out of my steak taco. We stopped at our favorite Mexican restaurant on the way home and picked up a celebratory meal. “Are you sure that you’ve never met this person?”
Holden lets out a heavy sigh as he rubs his left temple as if he’s trying to alleviate a headache.
“No, I haven’t. It’s hard to explain. I don’t know why I’m so frustrated that she hasn’t responded to my message. I don’t get it. There’s just a nagging feeling inside me.” Holden tries to explain why he’s in the mood he’s in. I don’t understand it. But I never discount how my brothers, my packmates, feel.
Holden picks up his taco, taking a large bite as pieces of cheese, onion and cilantro fall from the shell.
“Think Hancock’s going to be spouting any more of his bullshit?” Nash pipes up, reaching across the table, snagging a chip and dipping it into some queso, before eating it.
“If he does, he’ll have a lisp. Seeing how I held true to busting out his front teeth. I didn’t see them on the floor, so he must’ve swallowed them.” We all burst out laughing. I start coughing, nearly choking on the food in my mouth, and quickly take a swallow of water.
“Do you still need us for the estimate on that deck job on Saturday?” Holden asks at the same time his phone vibrates on the table.
“Yeah. Told them we’d be there about ten. Once we have that done we can head out to the gym for a workout.” I watch as Holden’s eyes dart from me to the phone. His fingers fidgeting,fighting to pick up the electronic device. “Go ahead. I know it’s killing you.”
He presses his lips together, but picks up the phone, his mood instantly changing as the corners of his lips turn upward.
“I’m going to finish eating in my room.” He picks up his plate, phone and drink and heads out of the kitchen.
“Guess she wrote back,” Nash says playfully.
“It seems so.” Why do I now have a nagging feeling that something big is about to happen and our world is about to change?
