“No.” He shook his head.
“Bring out the batons, boys.” Cal’s voice drew the attendants, weapons at the ready.
I let out a breath, steadied myself, and aimed a kick at Gavin’s ribs. He clutched the spot and fell to his side.
“Oh, we’ve got some fireworks.”
The attendants retreated as Gavin struggled back to his knees, then his feet. He finally met my eyes. I wanted to hug him. Instead, I raised my hands, ready to fight.
“Are we really going to do this?” His question was more sorrow than anything else.
“We have to.” I tilted my chin toward the captives. “For them.”
He glanced to his sister and brought up his fists. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.” I charged him and darted to the side at the last second, punching him in the side of the head. Pain shot through my fist and radiated up my arm, but I turned to face him again.
He shook his head as if he had water in his ear. “Fuck.”
“Come on.” I waved him to me.
He looked to his sister again before pounding across the grass. I dodged, letting his weight carry him forward, and jumped on his back. He flailed, grabbing at my arm as I brought my elbow down on his shoulder again and again.
He slapped my face and finally got hold of my arm, then threw me over his head. I hit the ground with a thunk. The wind rushed out of my body as the crowd tittered. I rolled before his foot came down where my stomach had been. Climbing to my feet, I backed away, breathing hard and looking for an opening.
Then I glanced up at my father. The girl sat next to him, frightened and alone. My father ignored her and watched as I fought to keep him from harm.
Gavin leapt toward me, but I backed away, curving around the platform as he followed. He sprinted at me, and I feinted right before kicking his shin as hard as I could. He fell to his knees, and his sister screamed. The sound was piercing, far too powerful for her small body. My father smiled down at me, triumph in the tilt of his head.
And then I knew what to do. My father had made his mistakes, committed his sins. Gavin’s sister hadn’t. I wouldn’t let her suffer. I could lose this battle, but win the war by giving in to Cal’s demand.
Gavin clambered to his feet and I kicked him in the stomach. He stumbled back as I launched myself onto him, wrapping my legs around him as he staggered back into the unforgiving wall. I took his head between my hands and knocked it against the stones.
“Fuck!” He grabbed my waist and tried to pull me off.
“You have to win this.” I hissed in his ear.
He stopped struggling against me, so I punched the side of his head. “Don’t stop. Make it look good. But win. For your sister.”
He punched me in the ribs. I gasped and fell back, landing on my feet. I brought my hands up.
The wails of Brianne’s mother carried down to our ears as we circled each other again. The crowd went silent, and the rain began to intensify.
He lunged at me, but I sidestepped easily and swung around, landing the back side of my fist into his kidney. Stumbling forward, he doubled over. I kicked his legs out from under him and jumped on top. The crowd roared as I rained blows down on his face. He threw his arms up and tried to block me.
“Fight back.” I said through clenched teeth.
He rolled to his right, throwing me onto my back and climbing on top of me. His palms slid against my wet skin as he wrapped his hands around my throat.
“Squeeze harder. Leave marks.” I gasped, and he obeyed.
I clawed at his hands as the cold rain soaked into my clothes. When my vision began to dim, I pushed one arm between his and wrenched his elbow out to the side. It gave me the opening I needed to flip him and climb off. I backed away, my neck burning from his pressure.
“We still have a live one down there, my friends.” Cal laughed.
I bent over and put my hands on my knees, taking deep breaths as Gavin scrambled to his feet and approached me. We were both wet and muddy as the rain began to pour. “Just give up now. You’ve put on a good enough show.”
I shook my head. “More. We need more. We can’t risk it.” I exploded off my back foot and nailed him in the jaw with my right fist. Pain burst along my knuckles as he stumbled backwards.
Aiming a kick at his side, I struck him squarely with the tip of my boot. He howled and tightened up, pulling his arm in close to the injured spot. I darted away, adrenaline making my movements even faster.