Twenty
Amber
Max had been so supportive over the last few days. I had taken myself off shopping with Mia, as he had told me to stay away from work, as it had been a place Zander had visited me. It turned out that Max had seen me talking with Zander outside the site. I didn’t understand why he’d not told me that sooner. Again, that didn’t do great things for the level of trust I had in him.
I was sitting in the back of the limo on my way home minus any shopping bags. I’d been too nervous to try clothes on and my feet were still sore from the night of the fire, which meant I wasn’t in the mood to try on shoes.
That feeling of being watched was always there now, especially after Zander torched the barn and attempted to murder my horses.
“Stay in the car,” Dexter instructed in a brisk voice.
After firing off a reply to Mia, I looked up from my phone as his tone suggested something was wrong.
“OK. Why?” I asked, shoving my phone into my bag as I peeked outside the glass. The gates into our house must have jammed as they were open halfway but nothing else seemed amiss. It was probably a malfunction. That happened if the gates had been manually overridden and of course, they had been the night of the fire. They probably needed reprogramming.
“The gap is too narrow for the limo. I need to reset the gates. I’ll be back in a minute,” Dexter explained with a grunt of annoyance. There was a definite tone to his voice that I wasn’t used to, a sternness. I pushed my shoulders back against the leather seat as he huffed out of the car.
Releasing a sigh of impatience, I watched as his broad shoulders disappeared around the side of the gatepost. Dexter headed for the gatehouse and I turned away and rested my eyes. I was tired and needed to wake the hell up, I couldn’t wait to see Max and I knew I’d need all my energy. We hadn’t seen each other for a few days and there was lost time to make up for. My mind raced thinking of all the naughty things I wanted him to do to me. My father was away on business and I’d given Teresa and Marcel the night off. Therefore we were pretty much alone.
I glanced towards the gatehouse, wondering what was taking so long. It was an old building where the controls were kept, it had a small office and a toilet, but it wasn’t in use anymore.
The house once belonged to a member of the royal family and they would have had permanent security on that gate. Daddy had old black-and-white pictures of it in his study.
As I picked at my nails, I felt an unexpected urge to go after him and hurry things up. I wanted a shower and the chance to pretty myself before Max arrived. Folding my hands on my lap I started to become agitated. What was he doing?
I was just about to climb out of the vehicle when the flashing light on the gate post lit up to signify that they were in operation and they started to crawl open.
My phone pinged, and I drew it from my bag and swiped the screen. It was another message from Mia to say that Luca had officially asked her out. At last; I was so happy for her.
I was in the process of replying when I heard Dexter climb back into the car. He then started the engine and we drove in through the gates.
We slowly pass the charred remains of the stables. The horses had been taken to a neighbouring farm until plans to rebuild were approved. My heart squeezed as it did every time I saw the black rubble. Several worse-case scenarios always came thundering back. If Max and I hadn’t saved the horses, they would have died in that fire and if that had been the case, part of me would have died too .
Congrats! I’m so happy for you. I messaged Mia. I’ll call you tomorrow, I want all the details.
I bet you do, you dirty bitch. She replied.
Pulling my gaze away from the screen, I shoved my phone back into my bag as the limo stopped and Dexter climbed out. My eyes widened in confusion as he hadn’t parked it where he normally did, he’d pulled up alongside the front of the house.
The back door opened, and I went to slide out, clutching my bag against my chest with one hand. As usual, Dexter’s hand was extended to assist me from the vehicle.
As my fingers touched skin instead of the usual cool leather-gloved hand, I glanced up; my eyes clashing with a pair that did not belong to Dexter. The hand holding mine tightened as I was tugged roughly out of the vehicle.
Panic shot through me. I tried to free myself as I was dragged against Zander’s chest. OMG, I should have taken more notice, where the hell was Dexter?
“Where’s my driver? What have you done to him,” I cried fearfully, struggling against his hold.
“I’ll take that,” Zander growled, ignoring me and unhooking my bag from my shoulder. He whisked it off as I attempted to snatch at it with my free hand but he held it out of reach.
“Ouch, you’re hurting me,” I yelled, again trying to wrench my hand out of his. Zander released me for a second before his fingers wrapped around my upper arm.
“Be still then,” he snarled as he started to drag me toward the house. I stumbled as I was forced along beside him, my whole body attempting to twist away whilst my eyes searched for Dexter.
“Dexter,” I screamed but there was nothing but the sound of my exertion and Zander’s boots as they crunched on the gravel of the drive.
“Please, let me go,” I cried as we climbed the steps .
As I was pushed through the front door, I noticed the lock had been drilled and genuine terror for the staff sliced through me.
“What have you done, Zander?” I whispered-shouted as he pushed the door closed with his heel. My bag in one hand, my arm in the other.
“As long as you do as I say, no one gets hurt,” Zander said in a low voice as he swung me around to face him. My eyes were so wide I probably resembled a cartoon character as I stared up at his towering frame. His face was drawn into a tight, determined expression.
Zander threw my bag across the floor, “Stop looking at me like I’m a monster, you know me.”
“Do I?”
“Yes. Although you seem to have forgotten exactly how much we meant to each other. But it won’t take long to remind you.”
His words made my skin itch, the threat clear. The man was deranged.
Zander’s eyes roamed over my face, drinking me in before his fingers brushed over one of my cheeks. “You’re so beautiful. I’ve missed you so much,” he said gruffly.
He then started to drag me towards my father’s study and that’s when I saw into the kitchen. Teresa and Marcel were tied up and gagged on the kitchen floor. They stared across helplessly as I was marched into Daddy’s study.
“What are you doing, Zander?” I repeated.
As he found Daddy’s safe, I realised his intentions.
“We need some funds to get us on our feet.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snarled.
He shot me a look, “That’s where you’re wrong. You’re mine, Amber. We belong together.”
A wave of sickness rushed up from my stomach as Zander withdrew a gun. He didn’t aim it at me, but I imagined he wouldn’t fail to do so if I didn’t follow his instructions. The way he held his body suggested he was tense and on the edge; the slightest push and he’d lose it and that thought almost floored me.
“Are you going to kill me?” I said in a small unsure voice.
That made him angry, “Of course not. I love you, freckles. You know that,” he snarled, his eyes flashing his rage.
My brow scrunched, “Why do you have a gun then?” I pointed out, my eyes like saucers, searching his face for some semblance of the man I once knew. We had once been friends before everything became so fucked up. As I saw the coldness of his eyes, I realised any trace of humanity had gone for good; possibly rotted away in prison.
“Open the safe, Amber,” Zander demanded.
“No,” I croaked back, finding some courage. “Why did you try and kill my horses?”
His reply confirmed he was the one who did it, “You know why. I saw you with him,” he snarled.
“I don’t know who you mean,” I lied. I didn’t want him to know about Max but he must have seen us together before he’d started the fire.
It’s all your fault. You fuck up anything you touch.
“I saw you sucking his cock, Amber, so don’t test me. Open the safe, or I’ll put a bullet in one of your domestics.” Fear jetted into me at the thought of him hurting Marcel or Teresa. And what had he done to Dexter? Tears formed in my eyes as I stared at the large cast iron safe beside my father’s desk. Thank goodness Daddy was away.
My stomach churned and I felt like retching. I didn’t care about the money, it was what he would do once he had it that terrified me. How I wished Max was there.
“I know you know the combination. Open it,” he instructed again, motioning towards my father’s safe with the muzzle of the gun .
I wanted to punch him in the face or knee him in the balls but there was little I could do when he was armed. The man was now full of sharp edges and uncertainty, I doubted charm would work either. I didn’t recognise him anymore as he loomed before me; if death was a person, he is exactly what that would look like.
Pulling my arm free, I dropped onto my knees. Quickly typing in the code which was the year of my mother’s birth, the front popped open and Zander shoved the gun down the back of his jeans. I noticed there were fresh burns on the back of his hand. So, he wasn’t entirely unscathed by his arson attack. I hated him more than ever. When Max suggested Zander torched the barn, part of me hadn’t wanted to believe that. Now I knew the truth.
“Are you happy now?”
“That’s my freckles,” he said, helping me to my feet and kissing my forehead. My skin felt contaminated by his lips. How I had ever believed I was in love with him was beyond me.
I shifted uncomfortably as he bent down and lifted a bag of cash from the back of the safe before standing and turning to face me. The coldness in his eyes caused another shiver of panic to snake down my spine.
“I must say, I’m surprised your father has so much cash at the house.”
I wasn’t. Due to the kidnapping when Daddy had struggled to draw down the money quickly, he now kept some in his safe for emergencies. I knew there would be around ten grand in there.
“You have the money, please just go. Leave me here,” I pleaded, taking a step back. He advanced, following me with a dark look.
“No,” he said, shaking his head slowly.
“I don’t feel the same way about you Zander. You’re not my type anymore.” I knew the words were foolish, childish even. He continued to stalk me.
“And he is? And anyway, I’m everyone’s type,” he stated. Still the arrogant son of a bitch .
The next few minutes were horrendous as Zander grabbed my arm again and roughly escorted me out of the house and toward the limo.
I could hear the whimpered cries from the kitchen as Teresa saw us.
As we got to the car, I managed to free myself. Dashing a hand through my hair I attempted to reason with him again.
“Look. If you take the money now, I’ll say we were burgled. The staff will follow any story I ask them to. I can come and meet you later. For a drink like you asked that day. We can talk about this like civilised people. Please don’t do it this way.”
He sneered, clearly not liking that option, “I don’t think so. The time to play nice is over. You will learn pretty quickly what happens when you defy me, Amber. I am in charge and you will do as I say.”
“If you do this, I will hate you,” I spat.
“Oh, I do hope so, freckles” Zander replied with a perverse smile. “I remember how you used to hate me. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve learned while I’ve been away. It looked like you’ve improved your technique at sucking dick.”
“You’re disgusting,” I spat.
“Oh, I’m going to be a hell of a lot more than that.” Zander then opened the door and shoved me in the back of the car.
I shifted to the side furthest from him but he slammed the door. As Zander climbed into the driver's side, I tried the door but he must have engaged the safety locks. I was trapped. Shifting onto the carpeted floor on my knees, I banged on the glass partition but he ignored me and started the car.
“Let me out, Zander!”
My bag was still inside, I had no phone. I was fucked.
“Help me, please!” I screamed but I knew the glass was soundproof.
Zander’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror and I turned away. I couldn’t meet that hateful gaze anymore .
Frantically searching the back of the car, I lifted a whisky glass and threw it against the screen which separated the driver from the back. It didn’t even shatter, it just ricocheted and bounced off my jean-clad knee. Pain shot up my leg.
Shoving the car into gear, gravel shot around the yard as Zander started to drive the car towards the gates into the estate.
I pushed back into the leather of the seat as I slid this way and that, the vehicle jerking as he aggressively changed gear. I couldn’t find my seat belt and planted my hands on either side of my body as my head bumped against the window.
As I straightened, rubbing my forehead, I saw a flash of blue as a large car veered in through the gates heading straight for us. Zander turned the wheel sharply to avoid a collision but the monster car hit us on the side and I went flying onto the floor. The sound of metal crumpling and glass breaking rattled around my ears as I braced for another possible impact. The airbag engaged which rammed Zander’s head back against his seat as I struggled to find my feet.
Placing my hands on the soft leather, I pushed my face towards the window, looking out at the bashed-up car that had hit us.
My head was ringing, and there was a moment of quiet until I saw him. An enraged Max kicked open the door of his Audi Q5, the front all mangled.
“Max,” I screamed as loud as I could but he didn’t even flinch. He was furious, his face taunt and determined and he stalked towards the car. Did he even know I was in the back?
Hope surged through me mixed with fear. Zander was coming around in the front and the thought of Max being hurt caused a dart of panic to shoot through me. I banged on the window, trying to get Max’s attention.
Max had a baseball bat and he started swinging it, hitting the bonnet and front windscreen of the limo. He was yelling, but I couldn’t hear due to the noise ringing in my ears from the crash .
Zander started to force the door with his shoulder. Eventually, it creaked open. As he untangled himself from the seat and airbag, I pressed the button to lower the privacy screen and it worked.
“Get out of the car,” Max yelled as Zander kicked the door wider.
“Max,” I yelled. “Please don’t. He’s got a gun!”
“Amber,” Max said, his face searching mine through the front windscreen. He lowered the bat and made a move to suggest he wanted to get to me but Zander was now free from the car.
And clutched in Zander’s hand was the gun I saw earlier. My heart sank as he pointed it at Max.
The man I now knew I loved more than life itself was about to die.
Max
As Harker and I glared at each other, the noise of several vehicles entering the estate caused a momentary distraction and we both turned toward the direction of the sound. Dust and stones were sprayed all around like bullets.
Three blacked-out SUVs and two large Transit Vans powered into the yard, engines revving. It all happened so quickly.
Fuck this shit, I needed to get to Amber. She was trapped in the back of the car. I had guessed as much when I saw Harker behind the wheel. That’s why I had hit the break just before impact. I needed to keep him from clearing the estate but be careful I didn’t injure Amber. My plan had worked but I hadn’t thought about the fact that he could be armed. I was screwed or at least I was until the cavalry arrived.
If they were the cavalry.
I hadn’t called anyone when I received the message from Dexter. Luckily, I’d been on my way over at the time .
AM*FFFBER INNN DANGER -@ HOUSE , his text needed no footnote and I knew from the errors that Dexter had somehow been incapacitated.
As the vehicles slid to a halt, all fucking hell broke loose. I shielded my eyes with my hands as brick dust tainted the air.
“What the fuck?” Harker grunted without lowering his weapon. I held the bat by my side, my brain scrambling to understand what was happening. Maybe it was the police? A glance at Harker told me they weren’t friends of his thank fuck.
Maybe if I pretended they were with me, he’d drop the gun.
The side doors of one of the vans slid open like a lion’s roar and two men dressed in black suits climbed out. From the other SUVs, men in black combat pants, boots and black leather jackets emerged. They all immediately drew weapons and pointed them in our direction, clearly professionals as they moved into a defensive/offensive formation. I then knew exactly who they were; the Irish Mafia. Hope flickered.
And then he emerged, Kai Kinlan. The man I had asked for help and heard sweet FA from. He climbed from the back of one of the vehicles, dressed immaculately in a navy blue suit with aviator glasses concealing his eyes. The man Hamish I’d met at his offices that day climbed out of the driver's side.
We were surrounded. I couldn’t even check to see if Amber was OK. If I moved, would they shoot me? I could hear her shouting from inside the car. I sure hoped that the fucker hadn’t done anything to her in that short space of time he’d had her.
“The sodding Irish,” I heard Harker mutter under his breath. The gun he held shifted between us but I could see his hand was shaking.
I think you're surrounded you little prick.
“Good afternoon gentlemen,” Kinlan began in a calm, reasonable voice. He glanced over at the battered vehicles before removing his sunglasses and pocketing them. “Had a little accident? ”
I had no idea what his agenda was, I could only pray that he had decided to accept my deal.
“Kinlan,” Harker suddenly said and my spirits dipped. He’d recognised him. Fuck. They knew each other. I was so screwed.
“David Alexander as we live and breathe. I heard you were dead.” So, Harker went under another name. That shouldn’t have surprised me. But were they friends or enemies? Damn it! This was so messed up. I eyed the limo again when I heard fists pounding against the glass.
So did the other men.
“Go get the girl,” Kinlan instructed as Harker or Alexander or whatever the fuck his name was lowered his gun. “Wise decision.”
The beast that had been lying dormant inside me growled as I helplessly watched one of Kinlan’s goons shoot the lock of the rear car door.
The sound of the bullet forced a scream from inside the limo. Amber!
That fucker was sure to terrify her but I felt a hint of relief as he re-holstered his gun and forcibly extracted my woman.
“ Let go of me ,” Amber cried out as she was dragged from the back of the limo by one of Kinlan’s men. My fingers wrapped tighter around the bat and I made to move towards them. Thoughts of Harker momentarily forgotten.
“Get your hands off her!” I growled. The goon was holding her against his chest with his hands wrapped around her arms. She was struggling and I went to lunge towards them but Harker raised his gun, thinking I was going for him.
“Max,” I heard her pant as I glared at Harker.
“You move, you die,” he barked and I lowered the bat, keeping my eyes on the man who held the woman I loved so tightly, her back against his massive chest. She looked so tiny and helpless and the beast in me roared its frustration. I had never felt so useless.
“Max, what’s going on,” Amber shouted, clearly in pain, her eyes darting towards the scary-looking mobsters. “Who are these men? ”
I twisted my head towards Kinlan, “Tell him to let her go, he’s hurting her.”
“If you hadn’t interfered, we’d be long gone by now,” Harker piped up.
“What did you say to me, you little prick?” I said, turning on him, rage coming off me in waves.
“You heard me. Amber would be safe if it wasn’t for you.”
“Safe by being kidnapped, I don’t think so you sick fuck,” I snarled as we squared up against each other again, both our weapons raised. I knew it was foolish, a bat would never compete with a gun but I was too far gone.
A full-on slanging match ensued as we cursed each other out and threw threats.
"Enough," Kai Kinlan yelled after discharging his weapon in the air. "It's like watching two bullies squaring off in the playground."
I turned to stare at him with flagrant disbelief. I held a baseball bat and Harker had a gun; what type of scary-ass school did he go to?Cosa Nostra Grammar quite probably.
"Drop the gun and the bat and get the fuck over there,” Kinlan commanded with a sour expression.
We both just stood there, not moving, eyeing each other with a frustrated wariness.
“Did I stutter? Now, b oth of you," he repeated, waving his gun towards where he told us to go.
I waited until Harker dropped his weapon before I threw the bat down. Uncertainty thrummed through me. We were surrounded by men in black with their guns aimed at our heads and so my options were limited. I wondered why Kinlan hadn't just shot the fucker Godfather style, considering our arrangement.
Nudging the discarded bat with my foot, I stepped over it and walked towards what was left of the stables, shooting Harker a look of pure evil. I couldn't wait to get my hands on him .
"What now?" I questioned Kinlan as I stood there next to the guy who should have a bullet in him. The mobster quirked a brow as he lowered his gun before shoving it inside his jacket.
His men kept their weapons trained on Harker and me. My fingers itched with the need to attack, but I knew doing so at that point would be suicide. Any sudden moves would be fatal. I wished I’d pocketed my phone to signal Gabe somehow but it had fallen into the footwell when I’d rammed the limo. On impulse, my hand must have slid to my pocket as Kinlan suddenly said, “Keep your hands where I can see them sunshine.”
“I thought you were supposed to be on my side,” I sneered. Where was that honour that Gabe spoke about?
“I’m on the side I’m always on. Mine,” he replied smoothly.
My eyes narrowed as Kinlan washed a hand down the scruff on his jaw, giving me a thoughtful look, before turning on Harker. I wondered if I’d get my wish for the opportunity to unleash hell. As the mob boss stood there weighing up the options, I realised there was a reason for the saying; be careful what you wish for.
"I think you should settle this big dick contest the old-fashioned way. It will be more fulfilling."
“Just shoot the fucker,” I snapped.
Kilan blew out a breath and quirked his brow, “Where’s the honour in that?”
“You want us to fight?” Harker questioned, as dumbfounded as I was. Under any other circumstances, it would have been funny.
“Call it an initiation,” Kinlan replied.
"So, we fight, without any interference from your men?" I questioned, jumping straight on board with that idea. I was desperate to lay Harker out cold.
This got me a sarcastic clap from Kinlan, “So, you’re not just a pretty face,” he said, sneering at me. If he weren’t so certifiably schizo and surrounded by armed guards, I’d have twatted the fucker .
“How can I trust you?”
“I give you my word.” Like that was worth shit.
My eyes flicked to Amber's. Her face showed how terrified she was and I longed to console her, make her see she had nothing to worry about. I glanced over her body, she didn’t look injured, just very out of place in tight skinny jeans and a pink GAP sweater. I wondered fleetingly if her feet had healed.
The guy I now thought of as my biggest mistake, switched focus to where I was looking and signalled for his man to let her go. Thank God for small mercies.
Amber was poised and ready to run to me but I shook my head at the same time Kinlan said, “Stay where you are princess. You don’t want to get mixed up in this business.” She settled, remaining where she was as the man who had held her withdrew a gun and nudged her in the ribs with it. Amber was shaking as she glanced down at the cold hard steel pressed into her side. What had I done? I should never have involved these guys.
“You better not hurt her,” I growled at Kinlan and he rolled his eyes.
“You know me, I don’t hurt women. Unless I’m forced to.” No, you just tie them to a chair and terrify them. I felt like saying. Thinking back to that day we got Leonie back.
Amber’s gaze scoured the party of thugs before resting on me and I sent her a soft smile of reassurance. It was all I could do as she clearly didn’t understand what was going on. And how could she? She wouldn't know who Kai Kinlan was or what they were doing there. And in all honesty, at that point, I had no way of knowing whose side he was on. The two criminals knew each other but they didn’t appear to be on friendly terms.
What if they went way back? I inwardly kicked myself again about going to see the mafia in the first place. Kinlan was a criminal and they made up their own rules. So much for Gabe's opinion that he believed his high school acquaintance had some moral compass .
“How about you let me end him with a bullet so we can get this over with quickly? I have money. You take the money and I get the girl. That’s all I want,” Harker said. That was so not happening.
“Over my dead body,” I growled.
“That would be a bonus,” Harker sneered before turning back to Kinlan who looked on with veiled interest. “Take the money and let me leave with the girl. You can do whatever you want with that.” He flicked his head my way at the word that.
Kinlan remained silent.
“Or you could just put a bullet in him and I’ll sign the warehouses over to you for free,” I offered in a gruff voice.
Kinlan shrugged and leaned back against the SUV behind him. “Wow, so many offers. It feels like Christmas,” he snarked.
“I think a fight to the death is more manly, don’t you? So many people rely on weapons these days.”
“And the winner gets the girl?” I questioned, glancing towards Amber.
"Why not? It should prove entertaining."
"What happens to the loser?" Harker barked out with a cocky expression. One I would enjoy wiping from his face with my fist.
"I’m not sure, maybe I’ll reintroduce him to my M9,” he replied, pulling open his jacket and motioning towards his gun. Great. Ooh, choices, choices. For fucks sake, was this really happening?
Amber growled something which recaptured my attention. I glanced over to where she was frozen to the spot and saw Dexter emerging from the gatehouse. His head was encrusted with blood and he looked dazed; he’d clearly taken a nasty blow to the skull. I owed him my thanks; if he hadn’t stayed conscious long enough to message me, I would never have known Amber was in danger. She could be halfway across the country by now .
“Dexter, you’re alive,” Amber cried as she moved towards him. The man guarding her looked to his boss for direction.
“Let her go,” Kinlan said, allowing it.
Dexter stumbled slightly as Amber threw herself at him.
“The cocky chauffer, I assume?” Kinlan said, walking towards them. “Move to one side, princess.”
Amber lowered her arms from Dexter and did as she was told. I had never seen her so subdued and I hated it; especially at the behest of another man. My territorial side kicked in but I couldn’t move due to all the weapons still trained on me.
“Turn around and lift your arms,” Kinlan instructed Dexter. The big guy did exactly that and I watched as Kinlan then patted him down, checking for any concealed weapons. I knew Dexter had a gun but as the mob boss straightened empty-handed, I knew he didn’t have it on him. I then realised that that was probably the gun that Harker had aimed at me.
Once Kinlan had finished with Dexter, he shot me a smug look before facing Amber.
“And what about you princess? Have any concealed weapons, other than the two I can see?” The bastard was talking about her tits which were outlined in her top. I clenched my fists.
“Don’t even think about it,” I snarled, which forced one of Kinlan’s men closest to me to point his gun directly at my temple. I shot him a glare and he shook his head from side to side. The smile he was wearing shot my temper up to the next level and I needed to smash something.
Kinlan spoke softly to Amber but I couldn’t hear what he said. Whatever it was couldn’t have been that bad as I was sure I saw a look of relief pass over Dexter’s face. I just hoped he didn’t frisk her in front of me.
After around a minute, Kinlan pointed to Dexter’s head. “You’ll need to get that looked at,” he suggested .
He then pulled out his gun and Amber gasped which forced me to step forward.
“You move, you die,” my guard said.
Kinlan must have heard him as he shouted, “Everyone stays where you are. No need to get excited. You,” he said, flicking his gun at Dexter. “If you try anything, Lewis will put a bullet in both of you.”
Amber started shaking and Dexter wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“You’re an insensitive bastard,” I growled before I could stop myself.
Kinlan lowered his gun, those icy eyes of his meeting my enraged ones. “I’m many things, Max, but a bastard isn’t one of them. My Mam would be crushed if she heard you say that.”
The fact that he said my first name felt strange, as did the look he shot me.
“So, let’s get this done. May the best man win,” Kinlan called out before addressing his men, “Lower your weapons. Give them some space.”
And that was it, the signal I needed. The entire situation sucked balls but I was going to end the prick or die trying. Anticipation surrounded us as they created a half-ring around Harker and me. I wondered if Kinlan had suggested the fight as he’d seen me in the ring. Either that or this was his sick idea of an audition. I remembered his offer to me.
Amber lifted her face, and peered across, shaking her head.
“Please Max, be careful. Don’t underestimate him.”
“Don’t worry baby,” I shouted back, dragging my gaze away. “I’m going to enjoy every second of this,” the latter part I said to my opponent's soon-to-be rearranged face.