Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
Rage
This morning is the weigh-in, and I’m both annoyed and excited about it.
Annoyed because it’s all about shit talking and posturing—essentially a dick measuring contest with no purpose because nothing matters except what happens during the fight.
Also, this isn’t even a sanctioned fight, so there’s no point to any of the extras but Garth feels strongly about doing things “the right way.”
On the flip side, I’m excited because the fight is tonight and I’m looking forward to knocking the snot out of Guerin and then getting the fuck out of here.
He’s been a pain in my ass the entire time leading up to the event.
Instead of having fun with it, he’s been running his mouth like there’s some kind of championship or actual money on the line.
I’ve rolled my eyes so many times, I’m afraid they’re going to come out the other side of my head.
“Should I go sit with the others?” Luna asks me when we arrive at the venue.
“No.” I shake my head. “I want you at my side through all of this, except when I’m actually in the cage. Even then, I’d like you to sit in the front row where I can see you.”
“Okay.” She nods but I can tell she’s distracted. There’s been something on her mind but when I tried to pry it out of her last night, she shifted gears and seduced me. Not that it took much to make that happen—I’m still thinking about that damn pink dress.
“This brings back some memories,” Grim says, nudging me back to reality.
“Sure does.” I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t miss parts of this. The fighting, most of all, but also the accolades. It’s nice to be recognized for something you’re good at. I probably liked that part more than I should have.
What I didn’t like was how overboard some fans would go.
Following me home. Sending letters and gifts.
Trying to sleep with me or just be in my general vicinity.
That sounds like fun when you’re twenty-something and single.
In my late thirties, with a steady girlfriend, I don’t want to deal with all that.
“This is hardcore.” Metal looks impressed, and I’m glad he’s engaged for once, instead of just brooding or sulking.
“We should be in and out quickly,” I say under my breath. “I’ll get weighed, say a few words about looking forward to tonight, and then we’ll leave.”
The other fighters are all here, and Toby gives me a thumbs up before turning to the reporter talking to him.
Garth is working the room, with Candy hanging on his arm, and I recognize a lot of faces, both from my fighting days and from the media.
Everyone is smiling and taking pictures, making this into a big deal, which is a little confusing.
This is truly nothing more than an exhibition—so why all the fanfare? I suppose he wants people to get their money’s worth since tickets to the fights sold at a premium, from what I understand.
Grim has his eye on everything and I watch as his gaze settles on Garth, who’s now in what appears to be a heated conversation with Bronco.
“—fuck no, I won’t.” Bronco sounds pissed.
Something is going on and I can’t quite figure out—
Out of nowhere it hits me.
Gambling.
This isn’t a sanctioned fight—but that doesn’t mean there isn’t money on the line behind the scenes.
Jesus.
If Garth is as broke as Luna says he is, and he has money riding on the outcome of all the fights—what the fuck have I signed up for?
Now it makes more sense.
The only question now is whether or not he expects me to win—or lose. I’m going to be pissed either way. If Bronco throws the fight because Garth is going to give him a cut of his winnings, that’s a dick move. And if he’s got something up his sleeve as a way to take me out, that’s not any better.
Luna was right to be worried about the finances.
I should have listened to her but it really doesn’t matter because no matter what Garth is up to, I don’t plan to lose.
That’s all there is to it.
I don’t care about his money issues, if he’s planning to start his own fight club, or what bets he’s made on the side. I’m going to do my good deed by helping earn money for cancer research, and then I’m going to go home, forget all about this shit, and talk to my girl about moving in together.
As we’ve been navigating work, sleepovers, and traveling back and forth to L.A.
, I realized I don’t like being away from her.
Sometimes we’ll have no choice because of the job, but when we do, I want her next to me.
Making coffee in the morning when I walk into the kitchen.
Wearing one of my T-shirts that’s like a dress on her.
Her soft body pressed against mine as we fall asleep.
I want her.
Period.
Baby or no baby, I don’t care as long as we’re together.
“Well, look who it is.” Bronco approaches us with an insincere smile and a snarky tone.
He eyes Luna in a way that makes me want to throat punch him, but everyone is watching, undoubtedly expecting some kind of show—and I’m not going to give it to them.
Fuck that and fuck this. There’s a reason I left this life, and now I remember exactly what it was.
“Hey, Bronco.” I hold out my hand, but he just looks at it and chuckles.
“We’re not friends, bro.”
“And I’m not your bro.” I arch a brow at him, and he just smirks.
“Gentlemen, let’s prepare for weigh-in.” Candy breezes between us with a smile. “Rage, Bronco—you’re the last fight, so you’ll be at the back of the line.”
I nod and look at Luna. “This shouldn’t take long. You can just hang out.”
“I’m fine.” She nods, and I lean in to kiss her.
“Aw, ain’t that sweet.” Bronco drawls, laughing in our direction.
He’s still an annoying prick, that’s for sure. I just ignore him, though. If he’s trying to get a rise out of me for the sake of the reporters, he’s going to have to work a hell of a lot harder.
“You were right,” I whisper in Luna’s ear. “About Garth’s money issues. I think I just figured out what he’s up to.”
She glances at me, her brows knitted in confusion.
“Gambling,” I murmur.
She blinks as if she didn’t hear me right. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll do what I do, nothing more, nothing less.”
“Be careful,” she whispers, putting a hand on the side of my face. “People who gamble will often do anything to keep from losing.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll always worry.”
That makes me smile. “And I appreciate it.”
She and Metal move to the side as I get into line.
Grim is just a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest as he watches everything going on.
Bronco is still running his mouth, talking about his ranch in Texas, some club he went to last night, and of course, how he’s going to kick my ass in the cage tonight.
He steps on the scale and then makes a fist as he flexes his biceps. “That’s what I’m talkin’ about!”
Then it’s my turn.
I step on the scale and there are no surprises with the number that pops up—my growling stomach can attest to that. But this isn’t my first rodeo.
“Made it, big guy?” Bronco calls out, laughing. “I mean, no surprise, right? We know who the heavyweight is in your house? Am I right?” He looks right at Luna.
A ripple of laughter goes through the room, but all I hear is the roaring in my ears.
“What did you say, asshole?” I step toward him.
“I bet there’s no pussy-eating for you—you’d suffocate.”
This fucker has a death wish.
And the best part for me is that we’re not in the cage.
That means I don’t have to follow any rules, so without even looking at him, I pull back my fist and sucker punch him hard enough to knock him on his ass.
He goes down and Grim is instantly at my side, pulling me back, murmuring something about how this isn’t the time or the place.
Fuck that.
No one will ever talk about my woman like that.
“Say something else,” I growl, standing over Bronco.
He looks up at me and laughs, even as blood trickles from the cut on his lip.
“Whassamatter? Did I hit a nerve?”
Cameras are rolling, people are taking pictures, and I’m sure my face will be all over the internet tomorrow, but I seriously could not care less.
“Go on—what else you have to say?” I snap, grabbing him by the throat as he lumbers back to his feet. He knocks my arms away and glares.
“I can say anything the fuck I want.”
“Yeah—if you want me to knock you into the middle of next week.”
We’re standing chest to chest and the media is eating this up.
He wipes the blood from his lip. “I guess we’ll find out if you’re as tough as you think you are tonight.”
“Fuck you.”
With that, I turn, grab Luna’s hand, and walk out of the room.