Slam: A Bad Boy Romance (19 page)

Stopping short, she tugged my shoulder to face her. “What?! What's he going to do, huh? You haven't told me shit about what you guys talked about, you just keep saying you won't let it happen! Why won't you just tell me?!” she yelled into my face, her eyes pleading with me to know.

But how was I supposed to tell her? How the fuck do you drop that kind of bomb on someone?

'Oh, your dad just wants to sell you like a piece of meat. So if you want, I can turn and walk away.'

I stood silent, unable to move my tongue, my eyes glazed over trying to prepare for what was ahead. I wanted to tell her, but wanting and having the heart, those are two different things.

“Fine, fine! Don't tell me. Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe, I deserve to know? That maybe I'd like to be included in why this is so fucking important to you? No, you obviously think it doesn't concern me or I'm too weak to hear it. Thanks, thanks a lot for that.” Whipping her head around, Cadence turned and stormed down the hall.

“Cadence, wait!” I yelled. “I'm not telling you because it's fucking sick. What he plans to do if I don't fight...” Brushing my hair from my eyes I said, “It's not something you want to hear. I asked you to trust me, so trust me.”

Huffing out a loud burst of air, her eyes rolled rapidly, brows furrowed in anger. “Whatever. Let's just go, come on.”

We walked in silence down the small corridor, echoes of water dripping off fractured pipes was the only voice between us.

Reaching the splitting wooden door on the end, small bursts of light crept out between the cracks. The loud yells and commotion broke through into my ears. Cadence threw the door open, its frail planks bounced against the wall.

The room was packed, people spilled from every direction. It wasn't nearly this lively last time I was here. Cadence stopped in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the same site, neck twisting side to side.

Leaning into her ear I said, “Big turn out.”

“You ain't shitting.” Her hands hung limp by her side. “I've never seen it like this.”

Pressing up on her toes, she glanced through the crowd. “Follow me.”

We made our way towards the back, a small inlet was corded off with yellow rope, a few old folding chairs were set up inside. Stepping over the make shift barrier, Cadence motioned for me to drop my bag on a chair.

I couldn't believe I was here and about to fight again. The first fight I had ever had that meant something. In the past it was for a title, for my own pleasure. Fuck, even when the Macro called me out the first time, I'd be lying if I didn't say a piece of me felt refreshed to be back in the ring.

But, none of that mattered.

This wasn't for pleasure or pride.

This was for her.

A familiar laugh shot out from behind us. Turning around, in the shadow of the corner, was Nico. “Wow! You actually showed up, I'm impressed, shit stain.” He sat leaning back in a chair, legs spread open, as if he was ready to invite a stripper to straddle him.

“Fuck off, Nico.” The words tore off Cadence's tongue, her disgust for his presence was written all over her face. Her eyes drew tight, body rigid and tensed.

“Oh, come on now. Don't be a bitch, that was meant as a compliment. I was sure you both would have slunk into a hole to hide, especially you, Cadence.” His bent, deformed finger pointed up at her.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

A deep chuckle rolled from the back of his throat. “You didn't tell her?”

Cadence shot a glare in my direction. “Tell me what?”

“I didn't think I had too, because I'm not going to lose.”

“Tell me what?!” The demand flew off her lips, head contorting between Nico and myself.

Nico shook his head, a crooked grin took form across his face. “What's going to happen if your boyfriend here loses.” His lip curled evilly, an empty glare fixed on Cadence. “How your daddy plans to make you work off his debt.”

“What the hell do you mean, work off his debt? I already pay him enough.”

“No, no, no, sweetheart. You're not understanding this, you will be what he uses to pay off his debt. You remember Mr. Cribbs, don't you?”

I watched the realization sink into her skull. The color flooded from her face, her skin now a milky hue. Cadence's eyes grew as large as saucers, every muscle in her body gave way, arms swinging lifelessly by her side.

Slowly, she lowered herself into a chair. Gripping the seat, her knuckles tightened around it to hold her in place. “You knew this? You knew this and didn't tell me?” she asked, her face still, frozen on the air.

Fucking, Nico.

That bastard got off on seeing her crumble, watching the life get sucked from inside her. I wanted to protect her and all Nico wanted was for her,
for us
, to fail.

Every muscle in my body surged with anger, ready to knock him in his fucking jaw.

Not now, Quinn. He's not the one you're here to fight. Save it.

“Why didn't you tell me?” Her voice was frail, shock and disbelief layered her words.

“I couldn't. I wanted to protect you, Cadence. That's why I'm here, that's why I'm fighting.”

I expected her to yell, scream at me that I had no right to hold that information from her. That I was an asshole and she hated me for not telling her what would happen to her if I didn't do this.

She didn't.

Her face, once white as a sheet, turned a bright scarlet, her mouth turned down, lips taut, the small muscles twitching with the arch. She stood briskly, heavy footed she walked right towards me.

Twisting my stance, her arm drew back, ready to strike. I grimaced, waiting to take the hit. She was pissed and had every reason to be upset. I didn't want her to know about this, I thought she had been hurt enough.

If taking a swing at me was going to make her feel better, I'd take as many as she needed. If it took twenty wails against my cheek just to give her a twinge of satisfaction, it'd be worth it.

A loud smack ricocheted through my ears from behind me. “Fucking asshole!” she yelled.

The Macro had approached outside of my sight. She let her hand fly hard against his face then took off through the crowd. I smiled to my ears, she had stood up for herself to the bastard that was trying to affirm his power over every piece of her.

“She knows now, I take it?” His hand rubbed his cheek, mouth opening and closing to the strike. “Quinn, I'm happy you made it.”

“Don't. I'm not here for you.”

“Yes, well, in all reality you are.” He entered the small area, straightening his suit as if it had just been ruffled by some junkie begging him for money. “We have to go over a few things before you head out there.”

“What things? I fight, I win, you leave Cadence and me alone. Doesn't seem too complicated.” I shot him a crossed glance, my spine hardening, heart pounding angrily.

I didn't want to do this for anyone other than her. The Macro's simple accusation that I was still there for him made me furious. The muscles in my arms clenched tight, a vale of raw emotion filled my thoughts.

I can take him out right here. Break his fucking legs and choke the life out of him, then he'd leave her alone.
Each piece of sinew strained against my flesh trying to lash out, trying to reach the source of all her pain. Folding my arms snug to my chest, I consciously had to hold myself back.

He strolled carelessly closer to me, tugging on the cuffs of his sleeves. “It's not that easy, Quinn. My bidder, he bet on the other guy, and he bet enough money that if he wins, I'm clear and free.”

Arching my brow, I chuckled in disbelief. “And? What do you want me to about that?”

“You are going to bow out, let it go for awhile, give the crowd a nice show, then you fall. The other guy, he's a stiff competitor, probably give you a run for your money too.” Louis pulled a handkerchief from his chest pocket. Eyeing the seat in front of me, he dusted it off and sat down.

“You want me to lose? On purpose?” My jaw jetted out the side.

What the hell was he thinking? He wants me to just give up and go down so he can get what he wants?

“Yes, I want you to let your opponent win. His name is Big D, he's a good fighter and fights dirty. Do this and we can talk about what I'll allow for you and my daughter.”

“Excuse me? What you'll allow? No, you said you'd leave us alone. That's what I agreed to. Nothing less.”

“Did you read what you signed? You're mine for quite some time, especially if you don't do as I ask.”

“I don't fucking care what I signed. I'm not having rules put on us, and I'm certainly not going to lose for you either!” My chest lifted rapidly, air spilling from my nose like a bull.

“Alright, I hope my daughter enjoys her new life.” He ran his hand across his chin, lip turning up a hair. “Just keep this in mind when you go out there.” Standing, he nodded to Nico and the two walked off towards the ring.

Louis had just held Cadence over my head, taunting me with his sick twisted mind trying to break me.

I didn't want to lose for his gain. This was supposed to be the fight that freed her, the lock that opened her cage to set her loose. Now, he's talking about what he'll
'allow'?

Tugging the black tape from my bag I wrapped my hands. My knuckles were hard and scabbed over, wounds from my battle with the heavy bag.

Peering through the mass, I searched for Cadence, I didn't want her out of my sight. Her father was crazy, ready to hand her off to some stranger. If I knew where she was and could keep her in my line of sight, at least I would know she was safe.

The screeching of the microphone crackled through the speakers. The room roared to the sound, bodies stood up, arms pumping high in the air.

In the center of the ring stood the Macro. “Welcome to the Ground Game!” he yelled. “We have a big match tonight, one I know you all have been eagerly waiting for!” His arm raised up, turning in a circle.

This was it, this was my time.

I knew he wanted me to lose, fuck he expected it. His brazen request for me to just give up went against everything I had been taught. It wouldn't be a true fight, it was a fucking sham, his way to climb out of the hole he was in.

It was hard for me to swallow this, I never gave up. Never.

And what if he was lying?

How could I be sure he still wouldn't give his daughter away?

Truth was, I couldn't be.

This could be his way to keep me here, using her every chance he gets to bind me to his world. Idol threats to sell her trying to keep me fighting for him, turn me into one of his own.

Stepping over the rope, the crowd opened. Wide eyed faces watched my every step, They were barking dogs yelping in my ears.

Walking towards the ring, I looked vigorously around for her face. I needed to see her, see her beauty, her lips, her eyes. I was only here for her.

My body ached to just catch a glimpse of her crystal blues, my heart beat to keep her safe.

A soft hand grasped my wrist right before I reached the ring, Cadence emerged from the wall of people.

“Quinn, I understand why you didn't tell me.” The innocence in her stare sent chills through my bones. “Fuck the Macro, I don't care what happens after this.” Her chest filled with a gust of air. “I'm yours, and that won't change. He doesn't control me anymore.” She stood on her toes, the velvet of her lips forcefully crushing against mine.

Her claim, he didn't control her anymore and she didn't care what happened, pinged through my skull.

I do care.

Pulling away, I brought my lips to her ear. “This will be over.” I brushed a loose strand of hair from her face, my palm embraced the flushed apple of her cheek. “I love you, and that's why I'm doing this.”

The words flowed effortlessly off my tongue, this woman had been meant for me. She made my chest hurt, sent sparks across my nerves. She gave me a reason to exist, and I loved her for it.

Tugging my shirt over my head, I placed it over her shoulder. “Here, I'll need this later, don't use it like you did the other day,” I said grinning, climbing under the ropes.

Meeting her gaze from inside the ring, Cadence blushed three shades of pink, her lips parted as she mouthed, 'I love you too.” The voiceless sentence hit my core, fueling my desire to keep her forever.

For the first time, I felt clear. My mind opened up to my surroundings, to the realization that Louis couldn't really own anybody. I signed a fucking piece of paper, that was it. A piece of paper that held no weight.

He ran an illegal ring, he was taking bets to shed blood. What could he do with my John Hancock?

Nothing.

And his daughter... He lost her when I came in.

Kicking my shoes into the corner, I straightened my back, stretching my spine as high it would go. Wriggling my fingers I glared at Louis, the empty abyss of his eyes took in my stance.

My arms dangled by my side, body glazed in the dampness of sweat, and a broad smile rested across my face.

The Macro's lip curled down, a single fist was balled by his hip. I knew he had expected to rock me, shake me up with our conversation, that's how he worked. He tried to dig his nails into your emotions and make you weak.

That was his secret to success. Tug at the things you found most precious, then once he had you wrapped like a boa constrictor, he squeezed, suffocating you into doing what he wanted.

The mass of people surrounding the ring began to scream. The deafening yells drew my attention to the other side of the square where Big D was sliding inside.

I looked him up and down, sizing him up. He was a large man, thick, vascular muscles crawled across his biceps. His shoulders were draped in black tribal tattoos, a small soul patch rested in the center of his chin.

It was hard for me to tell just yet if he had any real training, or if he was just another dirty bar brawler trying to seem tough.

Bringing the microphone to his lips, Louis said, “You both know the rules.” He shot me a sideways glance. “Let the blood bath begin!” Screams followed his announcement, a bell chimed in the background.

Big D eyed me from across the ring, his meaty hands came up, resting beside his ears. Stepping forward, he swayed side to side, watching my face, waiting for me to come in.