Warped (Dueling Devils 4)

“Yours, babe. Mine matters a whole hell of a lot.” He pushed away from the wall. “Let’s get out of here.”

She followed behind him feeling as though she’d damaged something very fragile. Pausing only to kill the lights and lock the front door, they arrived at her car soon after. He reached his hand out for the keys and she placed them in his palm, too tired to fight him about his chivalrous acts. He unlocked the door and rested his arms against the frame as he watched her get in and buckle her seatbelt. Leaning over her in the seat, he put the key in, the ignition and turned it over. He backed out and stopped. “You’re probably right to stay away from me, Symone. I wish I could be a better man and return the favor.” He shut the door and walked over to his bike, leaving her speechless.

The man was a tangled web of emotions, pulling in opposite directions. She wanted to reach out and help him. There was a softness she wanted to nurture and help grow. It amazed her, the way he’d by-passed her defenses like a world-class thief hacking a security system. Knowing he wouldn’t leave until she did, Symone shifted her car into reverse and took off out of the parking lot. Muddled about the man—what he offered and what she wanted. She let her mind go blank and enjoyed the drive. The wheels on the pavement and the music coming through her speakers gave her a place to escape.

* * * *

Stupid, stupid, stupid. He cursed himself out as he paced the length of his room feeling like a caged animal. He’d made a move and she’d balked. And how can I blame her? He’d come on too strong and scared the shit out of her. I knew better. She’s skittish and I’m twice her size. His anger with himself, deepened. This might be my only shot. Negative thoughts whipped around inside his head like a dark tornado. I have to get her off my mind.

He left his room and prowled down the hallway looking for a distraction. The sound of cheers out back drew him to the back door. The semi-circle of people told him they were hosting an impromptu bare-knuckled fight. Now and then, they put together events to earn paper, but this was a way to blow off steam. He pushed his way through the crowd and watched as two of the prospects exchanged blows.

Equally matched, both Taco and Flash had tall, lean builds and stood just under six feet tall. Flash caught Taco with a hard left. Blood flew from his mouth. Taco stumbled back. His eyes glazed. Flash seized the moment and dug into him with a left-right combo. He finished him off with a vicious uppercut that lifted Taco’s body off the ground. The crowd oohed. Taco hit the ground with a thud and lay still.

Loco stepped over his body and grabbed Flash’s wrist. He lifted it up. “And the winner is, Flash.”

Cheers rose up around him. Monster stepped up. “Now, who wants to challenge me?”

Silence fell. He balled his fists, itching to relieve some tension and fight his demons the only way he knew how…with violence. He beat the voices away with his fists to flesh.

“I will.” Rock stepped up. Shaved bald, the brown-skinned brother was named for his solid, six-foot-two inch frame.

“Bring it, brother,” Monster said rolling his shoulders.

Rock tilted his head from one side to the other.

The sound of crackling bones broke the hush. Boots stomped on the ground. Roars of approval came from their brethren.

The prospect had been around about a year and was now on the verge of being patched in. He was steady like his name. Dependable in a pinch and pretty mellow in temperament, he was the kind of person you were happy to have at your back.

“Holy shit boys. We got ourselves a real battle. Get your money ready,” Loco yelled.

A few prospects ran out, helped Taco up, and led him away, effectively clearing the ring.

“Bump fists gentlemen. You know the rules. No below the belt,” Loco advised.

They bumped fists, and Monster lifted his hands to his face. They began a dance as old as time, circling one another. He shifted his weight, keeping his body loose, the way his father taught him.

Rock’s fist flew out and clipped his chin.

He’s fast. Monster countered with two blows to the body.

They jumped apart and circled once more.

Rock threw a punch and Monster stepped into it, relishing the feel of a fist meeting the bones of his face as he began to pummel Rock’s body. Break down the body, bring down the man. It’s not like my face can get any worse. Rock hit him with an upper cut that rattled his brain. He stumbled back. Rock lunged forward, but the movement was sloppy. Monster stepped to the left. When Rock turned back around, he was ready for him. Monster worked his body again. Ignoring the blows raining down around his ears, he delivered another rapid succession of hits to his stomach.

They continued their back and forth.

His right eye swelled. Blood dripped from his split lip.

Rock was looking ragged too. His lip was puffy along with his left eye and Rock spit out blood.

Monster grinned. Hungry for release, he stalked toward Rock, ready to unleash his reserves. He hit Rock with a wicked right hook. The giant faltered and he went in on the attack, like a shark that’d scented blood in the water. Rock threw a few half-hearted punches. Monster swatted them away like flies

. With his rage unbridled, he was a beast.

A few minutes later, Rock fell to his knees.

Monster put a vise grip on the angry creature inside him, and let Loco call it.