Song- Limits, Bad Omens
We’re in the underbelly of Vegas. Where the public doesn’t venture, but where the darkest money comes to play.
There’s no weigh-ins, no referee. This is a blood sport, and the crowd is already thirsty for more.
Cash and drugs change hands as I wrap my palms with athletic tape. We don’t use gloves, just enough to hold our knuckles closed when we try to bash each other’s faces in.
She watches me, her lower lip tucked between her teeth. Sofia’s been silent most of the night, staying close, but so distant.
I know she’s scared. But she shouldn’t be. I’m not.
Some days, I don’t care if I win or lose. Dying wouldn’t be that bad. The last few years, I fought like I had nothing to lose.
That’s changed.
I have my red-haired tiger, and a baby with my eyes.
There’s no doubt I’ll win for them. It’s a fire inside of me.
Nothing can stop me.
“Remember what you’re supposed to do, Jax. No matter what he says.” Nikolai’s grip is tight on my shoulder as he smears Vaseline on my eyebrows. His thick finger points at me, inches from my nose. “Don’t let him get to you. I know you’re making this personal. Emotions are—” He turns his head in an obvious glance to Sofia. “—distractions.”
I nod as he slides my mouth guard between my teeth.
Mikhail told me to win. But, it’s so much more than that.
It’s for her. To show the Reapers I can protect her. Brody will be out there. He needs to see that I’m not to be fucked with.
A chant floats over the stands and covers any other noise.
There’s a buzz in the air walking towards the ropes. Everyone walking with me slips away as I find the bottom step and slide into the ring.
I recognize the man on the other side. He’s the asshole she was dancing for at Brody’s party.
It was the night I found her again.
Maybe I should thank him for being such a jerk she came back to me?
I’ll repay him in blood. Finally, I’m getting to take out my fury at his hands touching her, when deep down, I knew she was always mine.
The thought tightens my fists in front of my chest as a scantily clad woman walks between us with a placard.
First round.
I catch a glimpse of Sofia standing between Nikolai and Alexei, then send her a wink as the bell dings.
The Reaper stalks forward, his oiled body towering over mine. His arms weave, guarding his chin as we start to circle.
Tossing a few jabs, I start to see his weakness. He drops his elbow to his ribs just before he swings.
Stupid fucker.
The next time he does it, I make my first move. Ducking from his punch, I land three hard blows to his stomach and a solid hook to his jaw as he gasps.
Screams rise from the crowd. Some cheering, others groaning.
His eyes narrow and his nostrils flare as he regroups. Pounding his hands together, he comes back for more.
“You won’t win,” he grunts before his arm drops.
Landing another volley on him, his dazed look flies around the arena as he backs away.
“That looked like it hurt,” I jeer at him.
A tiny cut begins to ooze over his left brow that furrows into a glare. Charging at me, he wildly swings.
When I dance out of his reach, he doesn’t relent, but manages to hit me in the stomach a couple of times and a glance off of my temple.
“If you don’t drop, we know how to get to you,” he grits past his mouth guard. Backing away in long strides, his right arm points out at Sofia.
That motherfucker.
Rage clouds my vision.
How dare he?
I’ve been playing nice, but that’s over.
Raining vicious punches on his head, he falls to the ground, covering his ears with his hands.
It doesn’t stop me.
Blow after blow finds its spot.
“Jax!” Brody appears at the edge of the mat, banging his palm.
When I look up, terror etches his features.
“Please! Don’t! He’s my friend.” Brody’s fingers stretch out to me as he begs. “For me? Brother?”
I pause, my arm cocked above my head, and I meet his gaze. “I had a brother. He’s dead.” Dropping my fist, I can feel the skull of the man beneath me cave in with a crunch.
His limbs fall limply with a gurgling exhale.
Brody’s yell climbs louder than the crowd, and he claws out, trying to drag himself into the ring.
Knox, his arm still in a sling, grabs him by the belt and holds him back.
“You’re going to pay!” he screams, red faced with spittle flying. “And your fucking bitch!” His guys wrap around him and pull him back into the crowd.
“Jax!” Nikolai bellows from behind me. “Time to go!” His foot braces on the bottom rope as he gestures for me to hurry.
Alexei is ushering a wide-eyed Sofia out ahead of me.
Beer bottles fly past us, thrown from the stands.
“I guess I took care of their favorite,” I mumble as I duck another empty, narrowly missing my head.
“That was the idea.” Nikolai propels me in front of him. I can feel his hand twitch as he’s hit by the makeshift projectiles, but the pressure never changes.
“Get your shit, get your girl, get the fuck out. We got your back.” Alexei shoves my duffel in my hand that holds my street clothes, then drags Sofia up.
She’s walking stiffly, like a wooden doll.
I think she’s in shock.
“Go. My turn to fight.” Alexei’s silver tooth glimmers in his wide grin. His hair falls in front of his wild eyes before he turns away to stand next to Nikolai, blocking the hall from the arena.
“Sof? Come on.” When I tug her to follow, she moves like her legs aren’t working.
Shit.
“I’m going to carry you if you don’t hurry!” I dip my shoulder to pick her up, but her hands brace against me.
“Don’t touch me. You’re covered in…” Her words trail off as she stares at me.
I glance down. Blood and gore is splattered across my chest and arms.
Nasty.
“Fine, I’ll clean up later.” Wrapping my hand around her wrist, she lets me lead her outside to the car.
“I’ll drive while you wipe yourself off.” She snags the duffel from me and begins to rush around the front of the Lambo when she stops.
Brody and two of his buddies appear out of the shadows.
“You fucked up, Jax.” Brody’s voice cracks. “First my girl, then you shot my dad, then you kill my best friend. We could have been family, man. You took so much from me.” Tears well and spill over his cheeks.
Grabbing Sofia, I pull her behind me. He’s broken. I know what men like that can do.
I am one.
Now he knows how I feel.
Losing a best friend is an agony I’ll never get over.
Kai should be here.
Maybe there’s a fucked-up piece of me that thinks he deserves to feel that pain, too.
Brother.
A fate worse than death. For the pain he’s inflicting on people. He broke Sofia’s heart. And the dead man in the ring threatened her.
To my face.
“You’re a piece of shit, Brody. I don’t treat people the way you do. Using them. Betraying them. Your buddy threatened my girl. If you think I’m not gonna bash his head in for that, you can be next.” My body quivers with adrenaline as I watch the two guys next to him.
“She’s a whore.” His sadness shifts to anger. “I’m glad she’s not my wife. It would have been the biggest mistake of my life.”
Her hand tightens on my arm.
“I’m going to reunite you with your dead fucking friend if you don’t shut the hell up,” I growl. Every nerve ending in my body feels like it’s on fire.
Brody pats his companions with the back of each hand to their chests. “Not now, boys. I have other ways.” His brown eyes narrow as he focuses on me. “You’re going to wish you stayed on my good side, brother.”
