Sometimes, when I was really tired, reallyreallyhurting or stressed, I’d catch a glimpse of her. I’d be out walking to work and I’d see her on the other side of the street, stopping me in my tracks completely until I blinked and she’d be gone.
I got really good at not blinking when I saw her.
I have so many questions. Where is she? Why didn’t she answer? Is she okay? Is she happy?Does she remember me?But I don’t have a way to get any answers, so I just breathe as deeply as I can and hope that maybe, somewhere out there, she’s thinking of me too.
CHAPTER 9
EARLIER THAT NIGHT
21 years old
Is that…
It couldn’t be…
My eyes are drawn to the fighter who’s hunched over, guarding his ribcage while still somehow looking intimidating. His buzzcut looks stark against his sharp features, cut from years of hard work and the disappointment only other people can bring to a person. The tall–and I do meantall–fighter stands at least 6 ft 4, tanned skin that comes naturally and not from hours in the sun. Long, lean muscles that look like they’re for use and not just for show.
It has to be him.
Ty.
It has to be.
There’s a cut over his eyebrow and bright red blood is pouring into his eye. But I can see those dark brown eyes that I still dream about. It’s Ty.My Ty.
What the fuck is he doing fighting in The Underground?
The Underground is an underground fight club in Haven that’s only for the worst of the worst–or the most desperate of us. The crowd is full of people looking to make as much money by as much bloodshed as possible. People making drug deals, selling sex, drinking until they’re braver than they should be. There’s a world of money to be made down here for those willing to put their lives on the line.
Like I do.
And apparently just like Ty Hernandez does as well.
The catcalling and screaming gets louder as Ty takes another hit, but he doesn’t fall. His opponent is bigger than him. Much bigger. Big enough that I’m about to step in and void the fight for his safety, but then just as the opponent takes a victory turn, Ty attacks. I clenched my hands into fists, chewing on my lower lip in worry, heart slamming against my ribs as Ty lunges forward defiantly.
I can imagine every fucking movement hurt him, but his eyes burned with something deeper than pain—something close to desperation, or maybe pride. The crowd roars around me, but all I can hear is my own breath, shallow and tight.
One more hit and he’d go down, I know it.Who the fuck set up this fight for him? They should be the one in the ring, not him.
But still, he swings.
Fuck, even just watching him, I know he’s too slow. His numerous injuries are slowing him down.
The bigger guy laughs—fuckinglaughs—as he dodges the punch, cocky and careless. He scoffs at Ty like he’s already wonthe fight and that was his mistake. Ty’s second fist came out of nowhere, a brutal uppercut that cracks into the giant’s jaw with a sound that silences the whole room.
The man staggers back, blinking like he can’t believe it, but Ty uses the confusion to his advantage and hammers him. Another hook that sends him crashing to the dirt. He isn’t moving.
The roaring crowd silences and for a split second, no one moves. In the space of a breath, Ty stands there, swaying on his feet before looking up and making eye contact.
With me.
Just as I’m about to rush to help him, the place erupts. I watch as a guy that looks young pulls him from harm.
“Roxie, come on,” Mickey, my old asshole foster brother and keeper snaps, pulling at my arm. I’ve only been fighting here for a little while, so I’m still learning the ins and outs of The Underground. There’s a lot to learn.
“What happened?”
“The crowd’s turning on him, doesn’t believe that The Destroyer could KO The Fist.” Mickey explains, pulling me roughly towards the other side of the pit where my fight will be. The Underground is basically a large bunker that wasn’t finished. It’s got–hopefully–a sound ceiling structure to keep the roof from caving in, but that’s in terms of infrastructure. It’s a dirt floor, strung up lighting, one door at the entrance to the pit and a hand dug tunnel from the hidden entrance in the desert.
