Page 5 of 4 Corinthians

“Abreaking?” I repeated. I’ve seen a few breaking fights; Robert had made me watch them, and they were brutal. Often, someone died, and if they hadn’t, they wanted to because of what they had been through. Knowing that Robert wanted Corinthians to go through that made me mad. “You want me to break her?”

“No, not you,” he answered with a chuckle. “You will watch.” Robert leaned back in his chair and nodded. “Is that a problem?” My thoughts went to my brother; he was going to have to fight Corinthians. Kenbral was tired, sore, and running on fumes. He wasn’t going to last.

I wanted to look at Corinthians, but I didn’t. If I did, Robert would know; he would be able to tell, and that would cause more problems. I liked Corinthians; I like that she wasn’t afraid of Robert, that she fought against everything he tried to make her be. She was strong, stronger than me, because she wasn’t afraid. Even though she was younger, smaller, and could feel pain. She wasn’t afraid.

Robert noticed my hesitation and kissed his teeth. His hand went to the controller on this desk, and I licked my lips in preparation. Even with my disorder, there were some sensations that I could feel. Electricity was one of them, especially since he had a doctor surgically put the prongs near my heart.

“Let me ask again, Uri,” Robert said. “Will that be a problem?”

“No,” I answered.

Robert nodded, then smiled. “Good.” Instead of the doors opening and another fighter coming in, Robert stood up and started rolling up his sleeves.

Typically, a fight took place only in a cage, but not in a breaking. A breaking occurred in the offices, with guards at the door and the owner at a desk. Again, it was another power flex for Robert. He knew that people would talk. Corinthians' name was already getting chatter from the other fights; she was small, dangerous, and Robert’s pet. No one had any idea what would happen to her.

Robert unbuttoned his shirt and rounded his desk. His eyes were locked on Corinthians, and she returned his glare. He stepped into her space, lifted her chin to stare down at her, and licked his lips. “Pet, everything I do to you is because I love you.” He gently stroked her chin. “But you have to learn who is in charge.” His hand went from her chin to her throat, and he squeezed. “And it’s not you.” He chuckled and shook his head. “At least not right now.” Corinthians' hands went to his wrist as he lifted her from the ground. “But that is a lesson I plan to teach you today as well.” I expected her to cry or fight, but instead she allowed him to choke her, her eyes rolled into the back of her head, and her hands slowly released their grip on his wrist. The fact that she wasn’t fighting back angered Robert. He shook her. “Fight back!”

When she didn’t do as he said, he threw her against the wall. In horror, I watched her little body bounce off the wall and hit the ground. She slowly pushed up and stood on her feet. Her lip was busted, and the side of her face was red from hitting the wall. But she never cried, no matter how much pain she was in; she never shed a single tear, and that did nothing but push Robert harder. He pulled off his shirt, threw it onto the desk, and approached Corinthians. His chest heaved with excitement or anger; I wasn’t sure which. He hit her in the face, and the sound echoed through the room. The way that Robert beat Corinthians made my stomach twist; she never moved, just lay on the ground and waited for it to be over.

The door opened, and Logan walked in. He lifted his brow at the sight of Robert kicking Corinthians but never said a word. He closed the door, leaned against it, and whistled as if he appreciated the show.

“That little bitch is going to be tough,” he chuckled and shook his head. “How long have you been at it?”

Robert stepped back, looked over his shoulder at the clock on the wall, and happily laughed. “A little over twenty minutes and she hasn’t cried once.” He bent down and picked her up by her hair. When she was on her feet, she swayed, and Robert held on to her shoulders. Her face was bloody, bruised, and starting to swell. Her clothes were disheveled, and she struggled to breathe. I had seen fighters like this after a beating; this was the make-or-break. If she survived, Robert would never stop. I knew from personal experience.

“This ain’t her first breaking,” Logan replied with a shrug. “She knows what’s going to happen.”

Robert brushed his hand across her face and nodded. This wasn’t her first one? She knew? Had survived? My respect for Corinthians had doubled in an instant. “I know, which makes me want her more.”

“Is it time?” Logan asked with a smile. The joy in his eyes made my stomach flip. “Has the payment been finalized?”

“Yes, this morning, which is why I went to pick her up,” Robert answered. He stepped back and grabbed Corinthians by the back of her neck. He directed her to his desk, pushed her forward, and slammed her head against the desktop. The only sound that came from her was a small whimper. With his free hand, he reached around her, grabbed the straps that were anchored to his desk, and tied her hands down.

“You think that’s necessary?” Logan asked. He pushed away from the door and went to sit in the chair next to me. “I mean, she looks worn down.”

“She will fight this before she submits,” Robert answered. Once he had her arms tied, he let her go and strapped her legs to the legs of the desk.

“You like it when they do that?” Logan chuckled. He leaned forward, interest in his eyes and a wicked smile on his face.

“And you like to watch,” Robert chuckled. He stood, and his hands went to his belt. “What does that say about you?”

“I support my brother's extracurricular activities,” Logan answered with a shrug. “I just wish you would let me do more than support.”

“More?” Robert’s face twisted as he unbuttoned his pants. “You think I’m going to let you touch my pet?”

“I don’t want your pet,” Logan said, shaking his head. He cut his eyes to me and smirked. “I want your monster.”

“That will never happen.” Robert chuckled and shook his head. Logan had the nerve to look disappointed. “You have your own monster. Do to them what you want to do to Uri.”

“Gentle is truly his name.”

“And Mecca?” Robert asked with a smirk. “Is his mother still keeping you away from him?”

“Nadine hasn’t returned a call or text from me in months,” he chuckled. “I will get my hands on him eventually.”

“Until then, you are only to watch,” Robert shrugged. He dropped his pants and reached into his boxers.

“What are you doing?” I asked Robert, stepping forward. My heart slammed against my chest, and my stomach felt tight.