I slap him on the back. “Then let’s fight.”
He raises his right hand and circles his finger around to signal it’s on. I walk over to the corner, reach up, and rip the Graveyard hoodie over my head. Then repeat the action with my shirt.
“You sure about …?”
“Shut the fuck up, Derek!” I growl, handing him my cell out of my back pocket.
He nods, taking it from me, and grips the backpack, taking a step back. I close my eyes, roll my head, and stretch my arms as “A Warrior’s Call” by Volbeat starts to rumble the floor.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have an exciting event for you tonight,” Matthew starts, and I take in a deep breath. “The Grim Reapers are in the house!”
The crowd starts shouting at the top of their lungs, and I open my eyes, knowing this is it. I just have to stay conscious until they find her.
“Here to fight each other!” he adds, whistling into the microphone. “Makes you wonder what kind of shit goes on in hell.”
I turn around and spot Scout in the middle of the ring already. He wears nothing but his jeans and combat boots. He tilts his head back, looking at me down his nose, and I fist my hands. Knowing that I can’t fucking touch him. Is this how Henley felt? When her hands were literally tied and she couldn’t defend herself? It gives me a knot in the pit of my stomach to think I did this to her. Took away her options.
I give Derek one last glance. He drops his eyes to my cell in his hand and then looks back at me, slowly shaking his head once. His worried eyes go to Scout, then back to me.
I step out into the middle of the ring, stopping right in front of Scout, and hold my arms out wide. Then I drop to my right knee, then my left, crossing my ankles behind me. Then place my hands behind my head, interlocking my fingers together, pushing out my bare chest.
Dead fucking silence falls over everyone. All you hear is the music, and my heart beats frantically in my chest, knowing once the fight begins, the clock starts ticking. Every spectator in the crowd pulls out their cell phones if they hadn’t already and starts recording. Scout smiles. This is how Steve will know what I do. Because it’s going to be live-streamed on every social media outlet there is.
He takes a step toward me, laughing. “It’s pathetic how much you love her.”
I run my tongue along my upper lip and smile. “It’s pathetic that you think you’ll end up with my doll.”
His face hardens, and my smile widens when his fist hits my jaw.
HENLEY
I lie in a pool, floating on my back. My eyes gaze up at the bright stars. My body is underwater, but my face is out just enough to breathe. I have my arms out to the sides to help balance myself. I close my eyes and enjoy the silence the water provides.
A hand touches my stomach. My eyes spring open, and I right myself to see what had touched me. “Law.” I shove his bare chest.
He grabs my arms and pulls me flush to his hard body. “Little doll.” He runs his knuckles down my cheek.
I press my lips to his, and he opens up for me, sliding his hand into my wet hair. He tastes sweet. I can’t place it, but it feels off. Not like he did last time. I pull away from him.
“Why’d you stop?” he asks, tilting his head to the side, his blue eyes running over my neck.
I take a look around and realize the pool has morphed into … it looks like an ocean. The water endless. My eyes dart around, but there’s nothing but water as far as the eye can see. “What?”
“Pay attention to me.” He brings my face back to his.
“What’s going on?” I ask, kicking my feet, trying to feel for the bottom, but I get nothing. The water that was warm a moment ago is now cold, soaking into my skin and making my teeth chatter.
“You wanted to go swimming,” he answers.
I did? I don’t remember that. “Where are we?” I ask, looking around again and … it’s a pool. I can touch the bottom. I blink a few times, making sure it doesn’t change again.
“Does it matter?” he asks, bringing me to him once again. “You’re with me. That’s what matters.”
“Yeah, but …”
“Shh.” He leans in, kissing my neck. “Feel how hard I am for you, doll. I want to play.” To prove his words, he presses his hips into mine.
I lean my head back and moan. My hands run up and wrap around his neck. “Play with me,” I say, feeling that familiar throb between my legs. I’m always ready for him. A need that can’t be met.