My satin robe skims along my forearms as I pace the room, throwing swift jabs into the air.
Where the fuck is Grayson? It’s ten minutes before I walk out.
The nerves never go away. My twentieth professional fight and I’m still jittery with adrenaline.
My body stills at the sound of Sienna’s sweet voice, It can’t be.
“I’m his girlfriend. I have to see him. It’s an emergency. Just let me through.” Her voice creeps louder and louder.
Fuck this.
“Let her through. Now!” I bellow, and the guards part like the red sea, allowing Sienna to come into view. Her icy blue eyes pierce into me, and my breath hitches as she launches toward me. She’s glowing. I can hardly believe my eyes. Her face lights up as she reaches me, her infectious smile brings my heart back to life. She leaps into my arms and I dart out to catch her,damn gloves getting in the way.
Sienna’s legs hook around my waist. How in that black dress, I don’t know. She nuzzles into my neck, and her warm breath beats against my skin, sending shockwaves straight to my cock. I bury my head into the top of her hair, taking in my favorite scent. Her. That peach washes over me, and all the nerves, and the dread dissipates in this moment. I see no one else but her.
“I love you, Keller. I love you so fucking much. Without you, I can’t live. I’m miserable. I feel like half of my heart is missing.”
I choke on a sob and bury my head further into her.
“I forgive you, Keller. Now, please forgive yourself. Let the darkness go. Drop that mask. I want it all, forever.” She rambles almost breathlessly as she gets her words out.
The best words anyone’s ever said to me.
“Oh, Baby,” I croak out.“I fucking love you, Sienna. I need you like I need air to breathe. Without you, my life’s meaningless. You, my Queen, are my light in the darkness. And I promise I will spend every damn day of the rest of my life worshiping you.”
“Keller, wrap it up. It’s time,” Grayson announces from beside me. I am so wrapped up in Sienna, I almost forget where I am.
Her gaze sears with mine, her eyes swimming with emotion, with love. I see the flicker of desire burning in the background. She peers over my shoulder and then brings her lips to meet my earlobe, gently grazing along the lobe.
“Go out there and show them how a World Champion fights. Then come and find me and show me how one fucks,” she says in a sultry tone.
A hunger glimmers in her hooded eyes, and I quickly steal a kiss, slamming my lips to hers as she moans into my mouth.
My dirty girl is certainly back.
Unwrapping her legs, she slides down my body and straightens her dress. Her red fuck me heels accentuate her toned legs, making my mouth water.
Damn. Do I have plans involving them later.
“I’ll see you on the other side, Princess. Practice screaming my name at the top of your lungs.” I give her a wink as she slaps my ass when I breeze past her.
I chuckle to myself as I make my way to the walkout. This fucking woman will be the death of me. My firecracker’s found her spark and now I’m minutes away from the biggest fight of my life, sporting a semi.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Now to win this fight and get the girl… forever this time.
The MGM Grand is full to the rafters, over sixteen thousand fans cheering as I make my way to the walkout. The crowd goes silent as the lights shine on the walkway. It’s now or never.
DMC’s X Gon’ Give it to Ya blasts through the arena, sending chills down my spine.
Security gives me the nod. I bow my hooded head and make the slow walk to the ring.
The crowd cheers my name, I’m the home fighter and I have their support. Yet none of that matters. All that matters is having my woman behind me, fighting in my corner.
I duck under the ropes and stride to my red corner. Grayson and my team are all sporting my signature black and red branding. We stand and wait for my opponent, Dmitry Selimov. He stands three inches shorter and ten pounds lighter. He might have the upper hand on speed, but I match that tenfold with my power.
The last few weeks I’ve trained. I’ve studied. On my feet, I am lighter. I’m ready.
He enters the ring, his bald head reflecting against the bright lights.
“Go give him hell, Keller. Be smart. Take your time; he’s rash. Defend and strike.” Grayson shouts over the roaring of the crowd, his spit hitting the side of my face. I nod in return. I know the plan. I have lived and breathed it for weeks. Opening my mouth wide, he shoves in the guard and I rotate around as he removes the robe. All 240 pounds of pure muscle are on display for the world.
The white-haired ring announcer, suited in his black dicky bow, proceeds to start the fight. Only a few moments before the bell goes. The crowd morphs into a sea of blurred faces, all bar one. The only face here tonight that matters.
“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, you are going to witness a moment in history. A title fight to crown the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. In the red corner, we have Keller ‘the KILLER’ Russo.” The crowd wildly cheers my name. “From New York, USA, weighing in at 241 lbs, the current IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight champion. With an impressive 19 wins, 18 by knockout. In the blue corner we have Dmitry the hitman Selimov. Flying in from Moscow, Russia weighing in at 230 lbs, holding the WBC belt. A record of 15 wins, 10 by knockout.I want a clean fight tonight.”
We tap gloves and give each other a nod, jogging back to our corners.
“MGM Grand, Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!”
Ding,ding,ding.
The moment I hear the bell ring, the nerves disappear. I see nothing other than my Russian opponent charging toward me.
Dmitry makes the first move, a sloppy left jab which I easily duck away from. I retaliate with a quick combination. His gloves are up as he defends. This is just my warm up. I won’t unleash the beast for another four rounds, at least.
We dance around the ring; him throwing sloppy combinations. He wasn’t expecting me to have perfected on my footwork, and I’m quick to dart away from his predictable punches.
The bell signals the end of the round as I make my way back to the corner, but not before giving D a killer grin.
“Keep the pace, Keller. He’s playing you. We know he fights better than this. He’s trying to find your weakness. Don’t fucking give him one.” Grayson barks.
“Got it, Boss,” I say before my guards put back in.
As the rounds progress, Dmitry gets stronger, neutralizing my attacks with uppercuts. He’s been going through the gears up to now, but it seems like he’s reached his top. I’ve only just started.
Each round, Grayson assures me I’m on the upper foot. We’re dancing around, throwing punches, and defending. Waiting for the moment, one of us slips.
Round 7: the bell rings. I need to end this now. I’m done pussy footing around. My lungs are burning, every muscle screaming at me to take him out. I land a series of hits, Dmitry stumbles but recovers quickly, leaving me open for an attack. He unloads a series of shots. I’m quick to cover my face with my gloves as he unloads body shots straight into my ribs. The pain sears through my body. That only ignites the beast inside me. My back against the ropes, he launches his right glove toward my head and misses, leaving his weakness open. I duck left from his glove and quickly switch to attack, throwing a barrage of punches as he leaves himself exposed.
Dimitry is clearly exhausted as his chest is heaving for air. He jabs his left hand straight at me, connecting with my jaw. I don’t feel the pain. Quickly shaking my head, I decide, this is it.
With his left arm still out, he’s mine to take. I unleash an assault of uppercuts on the right side of his body, which sends him stumbling backward, his knees wobbling. The opportunity stares me right in the face.
His eyes go wide as my right uppercut connects with the underside of his jaw. Sweat sprays off him as his head darts back and his body follows, he stumbles once before he drops, thudding to the canvas.
The ref flies over, crouching beside him. He taps, 1,2,3. On all fours, Dmitry slowly lifts his head. He doesn’t have the strength to pull himself up. 5,6,7,8. He slams his head back on the canvas.
I fucking did it!
The stadium erupts. Sweat merged with my blood drips over my eyebrows. I thrust my left glove into the air to signify my victory. Grayson and my team leap over the ropes and rush towards me.
“You fucking did it, Keller. I’m so fucking proud of you.” Grayson grabs my shoulders and slams his body against mine.
That’s when I spot her.
The world goes still.
In a room of over 16 thousand people, she’s the first one I see. The only one I see.
Her dazzling blue eyes pierce into my heart as she wipes away her tears, overcome with emotion. She’s standing and clapping hysterically. Awareness creeps over her features as she gives me an earth shattering smile and blows me a kiss. I give her a wink and mouth, “I love you.”
She has no idea what I’ve got up my sleeve.
