Chapter 49 Luca
LUCA
I can’t believe she actually showed. Cain’s grin means he’s more than pleased with himself and he should be.
“Now, can you focus on the fight?” Cain has the same frustrated stance that he has constantly for the last few days.
“That’s what I’ve been doing.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
Too late. But beating the shit out of my brother won’t be on the list. “I’ll be right back.”
I walk over to her where she is standing with Brooke. “Showed after all.”
“Unfortunately,” she answers.
“How about a good luck kiss?” I ask, knowing it won’t happen.
“How about you call off this absurd brawl with your brother?” she responds.
Brooke doesn’t miss a beat. “Yes. We have enough to worry about without you two fools trying to injure each other.”
I keep my sights set on Ivy. “I never back down from a fight.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “That doesn’t make you strong or prove anything.”
Leaning forward, I place my mouth next to her ear. “Neither does resisting what you really want.”
Her hands press against my chest as she shifts back and gazes up at me. “Please. For me.”
It takes everything I have to not cave, but what she doesn’t realize is this is for her. “What will you give me?”
“Not a damn thing.”
“Doesn’t sound like an appealing bargain. Let me know if the stakes change.” The truth is she’s here and it’s enough. For now.
The referee enters the center of the floor and shouts, “Last one standing wins.” The only rule of the Tomb.
“Still don’t understand that arrangement.
” Micah motions to Ivy but I don’t dare look away.
We both keep our fists at our chins in a defensive stance, bouncing on the balls of our feet as we rotate around the ring, but neither throw a punch.
The crowd is shouting, it’s ear-piercing and getting louder with every passing second.
Micah laughs. “That’s it. You know she’s too good for you, so it won’t last no matter what you do.”
His fist comes out, barely connecting with my chin as I counter and strike him in the rib cage. He’s trying to distract me with her, but it’s only fueling my need to shut him down. She’s not his or anyone else’s to use. She’s mine.
“You should know how it feels to be second best.” I throw a jab that he dodges then takes a swing that misses me. “Always coming up short. Just not good enough, even when Daddy backs you.”
His anger rises as he seethes, “Daddy issues are your thing.”
He attempts to kick my legs out from under me, but I escape the tactic.
His movements are too eager and that makes him predictable.
At least it did until he strikes my knee.
His knuckles connect with my nose, and before I can recover, his foot smashes into my knee again.
He’s targeting my old injury. Fucking dirty fighter is right. He’s always been and always will be.
I shake off the pain, blinking to clear my vision as I block a hit to my stomach.
Once I get some distance, I motion to where Brooke and Ivy are standing. “Have you told her yet?”
His rage comes out in a left jab as I pivot.
Two can play at that game. His weakness is as fucking obvious as mine. And she’s watching from the sideline. Only his will undeniably be his undoing.
He takes another shot at my knee, but I anticipate the move, and he misses. I don’t. I bring my foot up, connecting with his chest as he staggers back but recovers quickly.
Micah stays out of reach as he tells me, “It’d be a shame for something to happened to her now after all she’s endured.”
He charges at me, and his arm ends up around me as we both go to the ground. I’ve gotten into the exact situation that will be my demise even when I knew better.
I can’t resist and look to where she’s watching.
If I lose her, I’d lose myself.