Brawling Hearts (Pine Valley College #4)

Prologue

“Jesus, that guy is good. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone hold their own against the reigning champion,” someone in the box whispers. “He’s kept the title for a reason.”

I turn my narrowed eyes on him, cutting him down to size. “Nikko will win this, watch and see.”

“Protective,” Julies teases at my side as he nods at the ring. “Focus on your boy.”

I do just that, and it’s another tense round. Just as I think his opponent has taken Nikko down, he gets up and proves why he’s unstoppable.

He needs to end it soon, though, and we know it. He’s getting tired. Nikko is covered in sweat and his face is swollen, but he’s determined, and when he speaks to his dad while sitting in his corner, I know the team are telling him it’s go time.

I raise my constantly vibrating phone as I keep my eyes on the ring. “What is it?”

“Sorry, sir,” Yuki says, sounding more panicked than I’ve ever heard him. “I know you’re busy, but something is happening. Faiz found out. Get here now.”

That gets me moving. Hanging up, I glance at the ring. Nikko will kill me if I leave him here, which means he needs to end this now so we can leave. I ignore Julies’s calls and make my way through the cheering, bloodthirsty fans to the ring, drawing Nikko’s gaze.

“End him. We have somewhere to be,” I murmur, and he nods. Turning away, I wink at two girls who are staring at me. They are familiar, but I have bigger fish to fry as I stalk toward the exit. I need to get to Yuki, but a noise has me stopping in my tracks.

My eyes widen at the first shot, and I know I’m too late.

Yuki was right. Something is happening, but it isn’t there.

It’s here.