Sinister Love (Dark Intentions Duet 2)

I look away, and in return, my leg starts to bleed. She cut me, just like she said she would.

Chapter Ten

Ryken

Damn it! That first punch knocked me on my ass, I wasn’t expecting it. But he also never expected me to get back up. He’s fast. Antonio’s picked well. Every strike I make he makes two more. I can taste my own blood. My head’s sore, the adrenaline keeping me going. It feels like a good five minutes of nothing but solid punches until I finally pick up the black bat. He does as well, and he steps back. I step forward.

He has a smile on his face like he knows he’s about to win. I don’t want to give him that satisfaction, I’m here for more than just money. I’m here for a life, Barbie’s life in particular. And I’m not leaving until I have her with me.

Quinn has direct orders. If I’m to die in the ring, he’s to do all things necessary to get her back. Even if that means killing everyone here. Which I think about doing several times every second while I’m here.

My name’s shouted, and it distracts me for a moment. Just enough for him to clock me across the jaw. My feet step back, and I quickly step forward. My hand with the bat strikes first, followed by my own fist. I’ve gotten in several solid hits before he’s able to hit me back.

The crowd starts cheering, or chanting. I’m not paying attention. I can hardly work out what they’re saying. But all it takes is one minor distraction, of blonde hair, for him to get in his hit. It knocks me back to the ground, and the Arena goes quiet. He starts hitting into me, the bat followed by his fist, followed by his feet. He’s damn fast I’ll give him that. But he doesn’t expect my feet to move just as fast. I knock him, so his head slams back into the ground, the moment I heard the crack, I’m on him and beat him until his eyes no longer open and his face is nothing but blood.

Everything falls silent, and I manage to stand back up. Everything’s sore, even my toes. Isn’t that a weird feeling? Why would I notice that my toes are sore? Then I can feel the blood dripping from my eye, feel the swelling on my lip, and feel the cracked rib as if I can’t breathe.

Cecilia walks back out to the stage. She’s one of the girls we collected at the very beginning. When I was still learning. She’s good, too good to be here. But that’s why he keeps her, because she’s good at what she does. And Amy even likes her, and that cunt doesn’t like anyone. Unless it’s herself, then she’s in love.

“Gentlemen, it seems we have a winner. Mr. Lord is still on top, and those that bet against him, I hope for your sake he never finds out.” Cecilia laughs and looks around the room. “Now let’s give him another round of applause, and I expect every one of you to buy him a drink. Especially those that bet against him.” She taps my shoulder, softly as she puts down the mic. She follows me down the stairs, but before we reach the bottom Antonio’s voice comes through the mic, “You didn’t kill him. You cannot claim what you came here for if you do not kill him.”

Cecilia looks at me, then her eyes search across the room. Following her line of sight, I see her. Barbie is seated next to Amy, who seems to have a hold on her. I look around the room spotting Quinn, I motion with my head to where she is. Walking back up the stairs, Quinn throws me a knife as he walks around to where she’s sitting. This place is no weapons, they can’t stop me from bringing in my own. I reach the man, he’s still passed out, and in one swift movement I cut open his neck. He bleeds out everywhere. I look up to Antonio. He’s smiling as he watches me. He wanted to see that side of me. Plus, now he knows a weakness of mine.

There are two things in this world that you should never do.

One—owe someone a favor. Unless you plan on killing them.

Two—let someone know your weakness.

I’ve done both now within the span of a few years. I’ve royally fucked up. But that doesn’t matter because I’ll give everyone the same treatment they just gave this man on the floor, whose blood now soaks the bottom of my feet.

As I pass Cecilia she doesn’t look to me, and I don’t look at her as I walk straight over to where Barbie is seated. I can’t see her face because Quinn’s now blocking my view, but when I reach them Quinn steps back, and that’s when I see the blood on her, her red face, and Amy sitting there smiling brightly, holding her.