“Watching. Geez. For the love of fuck, calm down.”
“Abraham Tiberius Hallow, when will you get it through your thick skull? We are all in danger. There are things out there that want to kill us and the people we love. Someday you’ll get that there’s more to this world than yourself. And you’re out running around chasing some poser who wouldn’t give you the time of day.”
“If you want me to stop running off, give me something to do.”
“Like what?”
“Get me a fight.”
“Oh, hell no. Not happening.”
“Why not? You guys fight.”
“I don’t fight. And neither will you. So drop it.”
He could still hear his little brother grumbling as he stalked off to the locker room. Josiah let out a heavy sigh as he watched one of the men in the cage’s hand raised in victory. The other was lying on the ground, motionless. He followed Abraham down the hall until he reached Sarah’s locker room. He knocked on the door before opening it.
She stopped her punch into Littlefoot’s pad in mid-flight. She laughed. “Did you knock to make sure I’m decent? Honey, you’ve already seen it.”
Her ribbing couldn’t make him smile. “You’re one fight out.”
“All right. Are you okay?”
“I don’t want you to do this. I can’t lose you.”
She crossed the room to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You’re not. I believe this will work. You need to also.”
He smoothed back a lock of hair that fell from her ponytail. “You’re precious.”
“You’re not bad, either.”
The door to the locker room opened. Micah popped his head in. “It’s time. We’ve got to go.”
“Is everyone ready?” Josiah questioned.
“Ready as we’re going to get.”
“All right, then. Let’s go.”
Josiah held Sarah’s hand in his as they strode down the corridor to the arena. By the rap song echoing off the walls, they could tell Amara was heading to the cage. Sarah squeezed his hand and gave him a hopeful smile. He struggled to return it.
There was a moment of quiet before the first dramatic notes of a pop song played. Sarah pulled free from Josiah’s grasp and stormed into the arena. He rolled back his shoulders and started in after her. At this point, he was her corner, not her mate and husband.
She gave Micah, Littlefoot, and Josiah a brief hug. Josiah was mute as he rubbed the petroleum jelly on her face. No words would form in his brain, much less his mouth. She turned to the official and popped her mouthguard out for him to see. Josiah growled as he watched the tiny, thin man in a black and white striped shirt and black slacks pat her down. No other man, no matter what his capacity was, should touch his wife. It was just one more thing he was powerless to stop. Once the official was finished, he motioned her into the cage. Josiah’s breath stuck in his throat as the door was shut and locked.
The referee called them to the center of the mat as the announcer addressed the crowd. “Now for the main event. In the blue corner, from Trenton, New Jersey, Amara Toth. And in the red corner, from northern Minnesota now I can only assume, Sarah Hallow.”
The referee’s mouth moved, but Josiah couldn’t hear the sound over the roar of the crowd. He motioned to the women to shake. The two of them bumped gloves and then returned to their corners.
“Keep her on her feet, Sarah,” Josiah ordered. “The ground is too close of quarters. She can attack…”
Sarah nodded as the bell rang starting the fight. She sprung out of her corner at Amara and fired off a jab then a cross, then a hook that was cleaner and more powerful than Josiah had ever seen a Hallow throw before. The cross snapped Amara’s head back, and the hook sent her to her knees. Had the girl ever fought before? It had to do some damage.
Amara rose and grinned at Sarah through her mouthguard. The strikes didn’t faze her. It was like nothing happened.
Sarah threw another combination of punches and then landed a body kick in Amara’s gut. Still, none of them affected her. Sarah backed up a few steps. Amara rushed at her, backing her against the chain link. Sarah did her best to stay on her feet. Amara’s foot swept hers and landed her on her ass.
Amara scrambled on top of Sarah, but instead of raining down punches she spread out over her. Josiah noticed the vampire spit out her mouthguard and then bare her fangs.
Micah pointed and shouted at the referee. “Violation. Her mouth guard is out.”
Josiah didn’t wait for a response. “Buck, Sarah. Bridge. You can sweep her. Get out of there.”
Sarah lifted her hips violently, sending Amara off balance. She continued to twist as she lifted her ass until she was on top in between Amara’s bent knees. Instead of attacking, Sarah rose to her feet and backed off.
The referee waved them apart then pointed to the discarded piece of rubber lying on the mat. “Timeout. Toth, put your mouthguard in.”
Amara hissed as she scooped up the mouthguard and popped it in her mouth. She stood and returned to her corner. She glared at Sarah as the referee returned to the middle of the mat.
“We can’t let this go anymore,” Josiah said, his voice sharp. He looked at Micah. “Send the text.”
Micah glanced around the arena. “There are cell phone cameras in use. Sure. On it.”
“I don’t care if there are. My mate’s life is in danger.”
“If we flash them too soon, the rest of ours will be in danger too. Stop freaking out. It’s sent.”
They both turned as the ref yelled “fight.” The two women charged at each other with fists flying.
Suddenly Amara stopped dead in her tracks. She grimaced. Josiah searched the crowd. Yes, there were cell phone bulbs going off. If he weren’t cornering, he would be taking pictures too. Despite it being mostly on their feet, it was a good fight. But occasionally there was a brighter light that flashed on and off. It blended just right for someone who wasn’t looking for it.
He turned back to the cage and shouted. “Now, Sarah. Hit her.”
Sarah’s fists flew through the air as she threw another jab and cross. Amara staggered back, stunned. Sarah paused for a half second until she realized what was happening. Then she hammered Amara with punches until the vampire collapsed to the floor.
The referee pulled Sarah off and sent her back to her corner so he could check on the motionless Amara. Sarah grinned at her husband. Josiah could just nod at her as he hopped from one foot to the other. She still wasn’t safe yet. Once she was in his arms, he would praise her until his voice was gone.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Rock and Cort trying to stop the official from unlocking the cage. It didn’t stop the referee from springing it open. Josiah sprinted up the steps and raced into the cage, wrapping his arms tight around Sarah.
“I did it,” she told him with a grin.
He kissed her damp forehead. “In spades. You did fantastic. I am so proud of you.”
He looked up at Micah and Littlefoot approaching them across the mat as photographers, officials and the announcer swarmed the cage. “Everyone is clearing out before anyone gets wise,” Micah informed him. He nodded at Sarah. “Great job. You fought like a champion.”
“Thanks,” Sarah replied.
Josiah let her go long enough for her hand to be raised in victory. Once it was released, he took possession of it himself. They made their break for the exit door. The rest of the family was in the trucks and cars on their way back home. It was their turn to get the hell out of there.
Before they could reach the door, Cort and Rock stood in their way.
“I don’t know how you defeated Amara,” Cort stated coldly. “We will find out.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Josiah replied. “We’re done fighting our war in a cage. We aren’t your performing monkeys.”
Rock smirked. “We’ll see.”
Josiah growled at him. “You want to fight? You want a war? You know where to find us. And a
s my mate told your little vamp last night. We’re Hallows. We’re the alphas. We don’t lose.”
“We’ll see.”
“Is that all you can say, Rock? We’re out.” Josiah wrapped his arm securely around Sarah and shoved past them. They didn’t stop until they reached the parking lot.
Micah shook his head. “I’m afraid a war is exactly what’s about to happen.”
“We’ll just have to be ready.” Josiah shook Micah and Littlefoot’s hands. “Thank you. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Anytime. Let’s get home.”
Everyone climbed into Micah’s Jeep. Josiah held Sarah close as they cuddled in the backseat. He kissed her long and deep. Loss had brought her to him. He had a feeling they weren’t done with loss yet. But for the moment, for tonight, everything was perfect. His heart and mind were finally at peace. And he was going to enjoy it.
*The End*
About the Author
Tricia Andersen lives in Iowa with her husband, Brian and her children—her sons, Jake and Jon, and her daughter Ali. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts in English and from Kirkwood Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Communications Media/Public Relations. When she’s not writing (which she loves to do), Tricia practices mixed martial arts, coaches and participates in track and field, reads, and is involved in many of her children's activities.
If you enjoyed this book, this author has other works available here:
Author's Web Site
Other Books by this Author on Amazon
Other Books by this Author:
Black Irish Series
Black Irish
Heartland
The Troubles
Trial By Fire
The Assassin
Family Ties
Hard Drive Series
Hard Drive
Breaking the Cycle
Breaking the Silence
Breaking the Violence
Individual Titles
Queen of Savon
Innocent til Proven Guilty
The Thirteenth Knight
The Heartbreaker (Hearts of Braden #2)
Hallow Brothers Series
Welterweight
Middleweight
Heavyweight
Corner
Hartwood Publishing delights in introducing authors and stories that open eyes, encourage thought, and resonate in the hearts of our readers.
Table of Contents
Corner by Tricia Andersen
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
About the Author
If you enjoyed this book, this author has other works available here:
Other Books by this Author:
Hartwood Publishing delights in introducing authors and stories that open eyes, encourage thought, and resonate in the hearts of our readers.
Corner (Hallow Brothers Book 4) Page 17