T H I R T Y - F I V E
“AND YOUR WINNER VIA KNOCKOUT IS...”
All of them throw their bodies at the cage. Some nearly clawing up it.
“THE MAN OF STEEL!”
The chains clink as the door is thrust open and Porky sprints inside. He gives Charlie a body to lean against as his chest rises and falls from the fight of his life.
“Can we go?” I rip my eyes from him to Perry.
“You don't want to wait?”
I shake my head. “I want to go.”
“You're leaving?” Wade overhears. He smiles from ear to ear. “The real party is about to start.”
Perry acts as if she didn't hear him. “Then we're going.”
With the patrons rushing the octagon, we can leave without fighting our way out.
“Wade,” I sneer, and he takes his eyes off Charlie. “He's not your type.”
He glowers, confused by my cruelty as Perry yanks me away but not before I look at the cage one last time.
Charlie lifts his head, barely listening to whatever Porky is saying. I know he can't see me, but I can see those light eyes of his.
They're empty.
They're full of lies.
They're broken.
“Banks? ”
I strengthen my grip on her hand and turn my back as we flee the underground club.