by C. A. Rene
“Because you suck at poker, Babe.” Travis hops up and into the passenger seat.
“I didn’t know Ember was a fucking cheater!” He whines.
“We still don’t know that she is.” I say to him and he gets in the backseat.
“She ain’t no fucking Rainman.” Emmett mutters as we pull out of the driveway and make our way to Marlana’s.
“Let’s just get this done. I know sitting in a car with Marlana for eight hours will be torture but we’ve dealt with worse.” I tell him.
“Like being kidnapped and beaten for info.” Travis chimes in.
“Like carrying your brother’s body into emergency.” I counter.
“Being a guinea pig for Adri’s cooking.” Emmett says and we all burst out laughing.
“Sparring with E when she’s pissed.” Travis continues.
“Finding out your father’s a rapist.” I add.
“Oh, that’s a good one.” Travis nods.
“Hearing your twin sister scream disgusting things in the middle of the night.” Emmett interjects.
“You win.” I nod at him as Travis laughs.
“Travis you have to sit back here with her. I can’t guarantee I won’t kill her. Ember and I share the psychotic gene you know.”
“Sure, I’ll sit back there.” Travis shrugs. “But I’m not convinced your sister is psychotic, I think she’s the most level headed out of us all.”
Travis has a bond with Em that even I can’t penetrate. Normal boyfriends would find that threatening but not me. What they are and do for each other goes way beyond the connection between a man and a woman. If I believe Em and I are soul mates-and I do-then I believe Travis and she share the same soul material. Cut from the same cloth.
Marlana’s house looks just as dark and desolate as it did the first few times we came by here. She’s been teetering on the edge of giving up since Em offed her mother. I can’t feel sorry for her because I know Em did her a favour. She was on a similar path leading to self destruction and now she has a chance to turn it all around.
“How did it go with Halbert senior?” Emmett asks us.
“He has Alzheimer's.” Travis huffs. “I couldn’t stay there long because he thought I was his son.”
“He sure does remember how much of a burden his son was with how many rapes he had to cover for him.” I state.
“Are you serious?” Emmett growls.
“Yeah, he’s pretty useless to us.” I nod.
“Let’s get this over with.” Travis nods towards Marlana’s house.
“Rock, Paper, Scissors, who goes to get her.” Emmett’s fist appears between me and Travis. Just as his sister did in this very same spot.
“We’re all going in, Bro.” I chuckle as I swat his hand away.
“Ember would’ve played me.” He sulks.
“And you would’ve lost… like last night.” Travis retorts as we get out of the Hummer.
“True.” Emmett mumbles as we walk up to the front porch.
“The front door is just open?” I ask Travis.
“Nah, I took her keys.” He says as he opens the door.
It still reeks in here and Emmett’s gag has both Travis and I joining in.
“The bitch is rotting in here somewhere. Let’s call it a day and get to New York.” Emmett says around retching.
“Stop.” I shove him. “She’s probably in her bedroom.”
“I could never get used to this smell. She’s psychotic, not Ember.” Emmett moans.
Sure enough, Marlana is in her bedroom but surprisingly her bags are packed and she’s sitting at the end of her bed, dressed, and waiting for us.
“I want to get away from here.” She says quietly.
“Let’s go.” I pick up one of her bags and Emmett grabs the other one.
“Emmett,” her voice is small and defeated. “Will you sit with me and tell me about where I’m going?”
I expect him to have a come back ready, something rude or funny, but surprisingly he doesn’t.
“Yeah, I can do that.”
I look at him with a raised brow and he just shrugs his shoulders. As much as the Torres children like to act tough, they have marshmallow insides.
We’re about a half hour out from the Rampage’s warehouse and I feel like if I hear Emmett snore one more time I’ll explode.
“Why do you think Moore hasn’t questioned E yet?” Travis asks me quietly.
“He fears Ember.” Marlana cuts in. I thought she was sleeping too. “I saw his face when I said it was her that killed my mother.”
“So he should.” I retort.
“There’s something else.” Her voice is small and unsure. “He wants Ember dead.”
“How do you know that?” I ask her.
“Because he looked similar to me. I wanted her dead too.”
“Wanted?” Travis asks.
“I don’t know how I feel now.” She continues. “But I can at least understand why she did what she did.”
I don’t know what to say to that and I guess Travis doesn’t either. The silence in the cab is deafening.
“She’s in danger.” Marlana says. “Serious danger.”
“I’ll protect her.” I tell her.
“You’re her greatest weakness.” She retorts and rests her head back against the seat.
The compound looms in front of us and I nudge Travis beside me. He mumbles something incoherent before he finally rouses.
“You didn’t have to drive the whole way.” He says on a yawn while stretching his arms over his head.
“I’m used to it.” I shrug as I watch Marlana in the rearview mirror.
Her eyes are wide as she takes in her surroundings. I know what this must look like. It’s vacant looking, desolate, and holds an edge of danger. Perfect place to hide a body if you were a murderer and I can bet her heart is beating out a wild staccato right now, wondering if these will be her last moments. I don’t know what I ever saw in her before but I can tell you what I see now. A girl so lost in a world where darkness reigned and the only way to survive was to become similar to the monsters that surrounded her. Deep inside though, I know she has something that Em saw worth saving and I trust what my girl does.
“What is this place?” Mar’s voice is soft but I can hear the tremors of fear.
“This is the main base for The Rampage.” Emmett answers her. “I was born and raised here.”
“That’s so reassuring.” Marlana answers sarcastically.
“Keep those comments to yourself, your head down, and change.” I grit out as I exit the Hummer.
The parking lot is bare save for our vehicle and I text Adri asking how far out they are. The front garage style door begins to roll up, revealing the intricate inside of what is seemingly an abandoned warehouse. Trent stands there with two guards and a smirk on his face.
“Familia! I hear you are bringing us a gift.” He calls out.
“If by gift you mean a large lump of coal in your stocking…. then yes, we brought a gift.” Emmett slaps Trent’s shoulder as he passes him.
I wait for Marlana to get out of the Hummer, she’s styled her fading purple hair into a high ponytail to hide the bald spot Ember gave her no doubt and dressed in baggy clothing, covering her frame. She looks around nervously and I grin as I revel in her fear.
“Where’s your fiancée?” Trent asks as I lead Marlana inside and Travis takes up the back.
“On her way.” I answer, giving him a one armed hug.
He eyes Marlana and holds out his hand, “my name is Trent. I’m head of security here.”
“Marlana.” She whispers as she takes his hand.
“We have a room ready for you.” He nods to one of the men. “Follow Dom and freshen up.”
She does as she’s told and we all stand there watching her leave.
“She’s hot.” Trent whistles and I roll my eyes.
“Trust me, B
rother. That is one pussy you want to steer clear of.” I tell him.
“Vin should know,” Emmett smirks. “From experience.”
“This is an ex?” Trent looks at me surprised.
“Not an ex.” I shake my head, glaring at Emmett. Travis is shaking his head but chuckling at his boyfriend’s antics.
“And Ember is letting her live?” Trent looks astonished.
“Surprisingly.” Emmett nods while I shrug.
“She has her reasons.” Travis interjects.
“Come eat.” Trent rolls down the door as my phone chimes.
Adri: We’ll be there in about thirty minutes.
Me: Cool.
I make my way to mine and Ember’s usual room as Emmett and Travis go to theirs. I take a shower and when I get out I see Em’s bag on the floor beside mine but she’s not in the room. I dress quickly in a pair of sweats-black because Em would kill me otherwise-and throw on a hoodie.
I have an idea where to find them, at least I know Emmett will be there. I open the doors to the large dining hall and sure enough I see Emmett shovelling food in his mouth as Travis sits across from him shaking his head. Adri is leaning into Travis’ side and sitting beside her is Marlana as she tentatively eats.
I do a quick scan and see Em and Carm standing off to the side in deep conversation. I head over to them and wrap my arms around Em’s waist.
She instantly relaxes in my arms and sighs, “that’s what I needed.”
“So this is her.” Carm’s gaze hasn’t left Marlana. His interest is evident.
“Keep your dick out of her.” Em growls.
His hands go up on a chuckle, “you got it, Hermanita.”
“Seriously, Carm.” Ember exhales. “She’s fucking damaged. Like from birth.”
How he’s looking at her tells me he has no intention of listening to his sister. Marlana is in his sights and if I know anything about the Torres’ it’s that they always get what they want.
“Guess who’s here.” Carm finally breaks his eye from Marlana to look at us.
“No idea.” I say.
“The Bishop.”
I feel Em tense in my arms. “I remember that fight like it was yesterday.”
“I heard about that fight.” Carm nods.
“What happened?” I ask.
“That fight will go down in the history of the Rampage.” Carm whistles. “Bishop was our greatest fighter, undefeated, and his specialty was snapping necks. Then, a girl by the name of Blur called him out after one of his fights, demanding he fight her. It was a bloody one from what I hear but our girl here reigned supreme that night and left The Bishop knocked out cold.”
“It was the night Raph killed my mother.” Her voice is small and my heart stops.
“Shit.” Carm mutters. “I forgot that was the same night.”
“It’s fine.” Em shakes her head. “What’s he doing here?”
“He’s looking for a fight.” Carm turns and looks at her. “With Blur. But I wasn’t thinking when I brought this up. If you don’t want to…”
“I can fight.” She shrugs.
I know her well and so does Carm. He knew she wouldn’t be able to turn this down and I can bet he has a lot riding on this fight.
“He best not be planning on snapping any fucking necks.” I retort.
“Not if he wants to live.” Carm snorts.
“I’m fucking tired.” Em moans and leans back into me. “Can we sleep?”
“Let’s go.” I kiss her temple.
“I’ll take care of our girl here.” Carm points at Marlana and Em literally growls.
I can’t see any of this ending well.
“Who the fuck is this Bishop bitch and why does he want to fight Ember so bad?” Adri asks as she shifts in her seat.
“Better yet, who is she coming out as tonight?” Emmett asks.
“Bishop was the guy she fought the night her mother was killed.” I answer Adri, then turn to Emmett. “I think she’s Blur.”
The crowd around us is buzzing with excitement as they ride the high from the last fight that’s left the mat in the cage splattered with blood. Adri looks nervous as she clutches Travis’ hand to my left and Emmett is sitting beside Marlana to my right. Usually he is with Carm to walk Em to the cage but tonight she requested just Carm so they could have a little chat.
I’m not sure what they’re talking about but I can imagine it’s to do with Marlana and Carm’s obvious interest in her.
The lights dim and the crowd roars.
“Tonight we are being graced by our favourite fighter.” The MC yells into the mic. Bodies plays over the speakers and the noise becomes deafening. “Blur!”
I watch as Carm and Trent escort her down to the cage. Her face is a mask of indifference and the hoodie she wears rides low on her brow. I love her like this, tough and confident, so sure of what she’s capable of.
Once she’s in the cage, she whips off her hoodie revealing her Nike sports bra and short shorts. Her hair is braided into two Dutch braids and her body looks toned and cut. She begins to shake out her limbs and smiles slightly when the crowd begins to chant her name.
“It’s a double feature tonight folks.” The MC cuts through the music. “Some of you will recognize this next fighter. The Bishop!”
I watch as a hulk of a man struts down the center aisle and stops in front of the cage. He looks up at Em and fucking breaks out into the widest smile. Great, he’s psychotic. My girl’s psychotic ass gives him one right back and motions him with her fingers to get in the cage.
“She looks like a psychopath.” Marlana mutters.
“She is.” Emmett answers. “She fucking murdered your mother, remember?”
Sometimes the kid has no emotional thought and in this instance I find it funny as hell.
“Fuck you.” Marlana snaps.
I watch as The Bishop gets into the cage and holds his fist out to Em for a bump. She obliges and he then walks to the other side of the cage and does the same hopping shit to warm up.
“This doesn’t feel like a real fight.” Adri mumbles. “Why are they being nice to each other?”
“Because they have no hatred, Bishop hasn’t done anything to Ember, it’s just an old fashioned fight.” Emmett answers her.
The bell rings and The Bishop flies at Em. Her grin lights up her face as she watches him come at her. He grabs her by the mid section and throws her against the cage. She bounces off the wire and hits the mat with a thud. I wince at the impact and begin to curse her in my head. She better be playing him or have some sort trick up her sleeve.
Before she can even get up, The Bishop grabs her leg and drags her back out to center ring. Em flips onto her stomach and lifts herself up by her hands and with the leg that’s free, kicks out at his knee. He stumbles a bit but his grip stays firm on her ankle.
He pulls her up by one leg and I watch as the love of my life dangles by one leg, her arms swinging wildly. Then the fucker throws her to the side and I watch as her small body is slammed against the wire again. Her body hits the mat hard and we all wince at the impact.
My heart begins to beat a quick rhythm as I fear my girl is losing.
18
I forgot how fast this man can be.
My back hits the mat for the second time and I feel the air leave my lungs in a swoosh. Fuck, how the fuck did I beat him the first time? Right. I was a lot angrier back then, my life was a shithole and fighting was the only thing I enjoyed. I need to find her again, pull her out of me, and dance in the darkness for the next few minutes until I have him submitting or knocked the fuck out.
I also have a ton of shit on my mind, after my talk with Carm, I am more unsettled than ever. I get back to my feet and watch as Bishop hops around the cage, cheering with the crowd. Motherfucker.
I shake away all the other thoughts in my head and focus on what’s in front of me. He’s a large man, bulked out, and tall as f
uck. I’ve fought others his size but the difference is The Bishop is a trained fighter and he finds the same enjoyment in watching people bleed as I do.
He turns around to face me and our eyes lock. He raises his brow as if to ask what now? Now I fucking wipe the mat with your body. I let the uncertainty I’ve been feeling boil my blood, it swirls deep inside me, and I feel it begin to course though my limbs. Finally, that familiar feeling bubbles up and I let the red take over my vision. From here on out, I can only hope I don’t kill the bastard.
He sees it, the change in my demeanor and corrects his stance to defensive. He remembers me and sees the anger vibrating from my very pores.
I stride forward, not in any rush to watch him bleed, and strike out my right fist. It hits the arm he blocks his face with but he’s not quick enough to block the kick I send to his solar plexus.
He staggers backwards and again brings his fists up to cover his face. That’s fine, it’s the thing I’m least interested in. I like taking out the legs when my opponents are so tall. Their falls are always so satisfying.
I catch his attention by letting my fists fly out for his face and he easily swats them away. Then I fall swiftly to my knees and punch his right knee cap twice before flipping backwards and jumping to my feet.
I watch as he lifts himself up from his knees and flashes me a grin. He runs at me and I lift my hands up to protect my face. He punches me once, the blow landing to my forearm and the pain reverberating up to my shoulder. I falter on my feet when his second punch finds purchase to my left cheek.
The force of the blow has me hitting the mat again and my blood flooding my mouth. I spit it out and watch as the red colour soaks into the mat. I can’t help the grin that takes over my mouth as I try to stand to my feet. His foot comes out and connects with my stomach before I get the chance. Once again, I’m on my back and gasping for air.
I take in air as I feel the mat vibrate with the force of his footsteps, I Kip-Up back to my feet and dodge his fist. My fist comes out and connects with his left ear, then I’m behind him, and my foot kicks out, meeting his lower back.