Breaking Beast (Pounding Hearts 4)

He walks me through some stretches then has me air boxing before the official walks in.

Everything is happening so quickly there’s very little time to stop and think.

The tape on my hands is checked before the official puts his mark on it. Then the official goes over the rules with me one more time, explaining the particulars of this exhibition match. No hair pulling, no biting, etc.

Originally, this was supposed to be just a small match hosted in a local arena, but due to all the hype that Brianna’s team has building up over the past month the venue was changed at the last minute.

Now we’re going on before the Night of Fights.

Just knowing that my first match is going to be broadcast on live television is about to make me puke. It’s not prime time or pay-per-view, there won’t be millions watching, but there will still be thousands tuning in before the big show officially starts.

My first fight broadcasted live on national TV…

What the hell did I get myself into?

“Breathe,” Alex reminds me, coming up to squeeze and massage my shoulders for me. “It’s almost time. Are you ready?”

My throat is so tight I don’t think I could speak if I wanted to so I just nod my head.

“Good,” Alex says, and gives my shoulders one last firm squeeze. “Let’s get ready to go.”

There’s a rap on the door frame and a voice calls out, “It’s show time.”

“Let’s do this.” Alex grins at me and gives me a slap on the butt before we step into the hallway.

My heart starts pounding a million miles a minute as we walk.

“You ready to do this, Barbie girl?” Dale asks, he and Chase joining us as we reach the end of the corridor.

I shoot him a dirty look and he laughs. “Thatta girl.”

Chase gives me a pat on the back and then we step out into the arena. “Head up, Christy! You’re the fucking star.”

The arena is only half full but there’s still a couple hundred or so eyes turning on me to watch me walk down the aisle.

Cheers go up, mostly for the guys flanking me, but it’s enough to start pumping me up with excitement.

Each step forward just pumps me up more and more.

Chase and Alex both start roaring, lifting their arms into the air and working the crowd up. By the time we reach the skirt of the cage, those fans that are in attendance are cheering me on.

Grabbing me by the shoulders, Dale spins me around to face him. He pushes the mouthguard into my mouth and then gives me a drink of water.

“You’re going to fucking destroy her, you know that?” he asks, patting me on the cheeks.

I grin at him and nod my head.

“Good, that’s my Barbie girl.” With a grin he steps away, and the cutman comes up.

I’m getting Vaseline smeared over my brows and cheeks when I hear Brianna and her team step into the arena. Cheers go up for her as well, but a small, petty part of me is pleased that her cheers aren’t quite as loud.

The cutman steps back and gives my guys a nod. Alex comes up to me and guides me to the entrance of the cage.

“This is your fucking cage,” he growls. “Yours. You make her regret stepping into it.”

I nod at him and look up at his face. His eyes are narrowed, and he looks harsh, like he’s ready to do battle for me.

“You fucking knock her out or tap her out. Don’t let it go to the judges.” He gives me a little push and I step into the cage, alone.

I do a short lap around the inside of the cage, to keep my blood flowing, then stop in my corner, standing next to our ref.

Looking through the links of the cage, I watch Brianna get ready with her crew. She shoots me a look and her mouth turns up into a cocky smirk. I can see it in her eyes that she thinks that she’s got this in the bag. She thinks I’m going to be an easy fight.

She’s completely underestimating me and it’s pissing me off.

My entire life people have been underestimating me, treating me as if I’m weaker or not worthy just because of how I look. Well, fuck them and fuck her. Fuck all of them for judging me for what’s on the outside.

Once they see the shit I’ve been keeping bottled up on the inside, they’ll never again mistake me for just another pretty face.

Brianna stalks into the cage and then just stops, staring me down and cracking her neck. I take a step forward and the ref walks to the middle of the cage, getting between us.

“Alright,” he says. “I want a clean fight. You got it?”

He looks between us, only going on once we both nod our heads.