“Got it! No publishing anything before that.” Christie wanted to skip down the hall. Instead, she smiled, “But at twelve o’ one, it will hit the news!” Christie laughed and Kevin grinned, “Yes, that’s fine. Good luck with your story.”
Jane was smiling as they left the building and Christie was feeling elated. Everything was finally falling into place and Christie felt like the weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Ace cared. He had to care, at least a little, to help her find this story. And the story was great- exactly what she needed to keep this job and look after the baby. She sighed, a deep, satisfied sigh as they hailed a cab and raced through the streets back towards their office.
“We’ll have to hurry to meet the press deadline.” Jane smiled, a challenge sparkling in her eye.
“Then we’ll just have to hurry!” Christie sped into the office and to her desk, throwing down the information and typing out the rough draft from the press release kit. Then she printed it out, gathered it all up and raced to her boss' door. Knocking on it, she didn’t even wait for his reply before swinging the door open.
“I have it!” He looked up, surprised with confusion written all over his face. He was not used to his employees bursting in unless they had a good story to show him, and even then, he had never expected one from Christie.
She waved her paperwork and ran over to his desk, setting it all down, along with a soft copy on a thumb-drive, in front of him. She was flushed with excitement, “Huge new betting app by iBet. It launches at 12pm today, and I have the exclusive. I have permission to publish at 12:01 - in time for the afternoon edition.”
Her boss picked up the paper work and skimmed through it, his eyes widening a little as he took it in. This was good. This was big news even for a big city, “Do you have photos?”
“Jane’s printing them now.”
“Right.” He grabbed his phone and dialed up, “Hold the print run, we have a new story. And make sure you get our online editors on this one. I want it on Twitter the second the company makes its announcement, and with a couple of photos!”
Christie beamed with pride at the fuss that her boss was making over her story. She had made the right call in following this and listening to Ace’s advice. It was going to be okay now. One look at her boss’s face told her everything that she needed to know. She would be keeping this job and there was no way she would lose it now. The thought sent a flush of pleasure up her spine and made her smile.
As he walked out of the office, barking orders to anyone who would listen, he stopped and glanced at Christie, “Is this your story?”
“Yes sir.”
“Then consider your contract renewed. Three months on the job and you’re already pulling in stories like this…” He shook his head slowly, “You're going to give everyone here a run for their money. I’ll get the contract to you by the end of the week. Congratulations!”
And as her story was taken out of her hands and pulled to the print run, Christie realized that she needed to phone Ace. She needed to thank him and let her know that he had made a real difference for her work.
She grabbed her mobile and headed outside, dialing his number, her brain and her body still buzzing with the sheer rush of making it work, finally, after all the trial and error that she had been through.
He picked up after a few rings, “Hello?”
He sounded distracted and Christie noticed that she could hear something in the background of many people talking all at once. Where was he, she wondered.
“Hi, Ace. I just wanted to say thank you.” She couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice, “It’s all worked out. The story was such a hit. Thank you.”
“It was? I’m glad.” Something in his voice sounded flat, on edge, and dull. He was happy, but there was something else on his mind. After a moment, he spoke again, “You got the job, then?”
“Yeah. I have the job now.” She smiled, the reality of it still hitting her, spilling through the cracks of her heart and helping to mend it.
“Thank you for sending me that text.”
“Mmm hum.” He murmured, before she heard the smile in his voice, “I’m glad, Christie, I really am.” A bell rang in the distance, “Look, I have to go. Good luck and I hope I see your name in the papers, okay?”
He put down before Christie could even answer.
She frowned and tried to think. He didn’t sound upset. Just distracted. The crowds, the sound of the bell…
The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. Ace was fighting that day! It was the day of the big match that everyone had been talking about. The huge one, the dangerous one, the one that Ace had been stressing over for weeks.
Christie felt a sickness wash over her. She hadn’t even wished him luck. What if he got hurt? What if something happened to him while he was fighting? The thought now seemed impossible horrific. After he had helped her, worried about her safety and done everything he could… To have him hurt before they had made up, before she had found out if he still wanted to be with her.
The thought left her cold. She didn’t know what to think, or what to do. The elation of the story was still buzzing in her chest, but she wanted to be by Ace’s side if anything happened. She realized, with a startling clarity even with the problems they had, she cared for him and she wanted to know that he was okay; that he was safe and well.
With dread in her stomach, Christie raced to catch a cab. She didn’t know where he would be, but she would scour the city until she found him. If not, she’d wait at his apartment. If he didn’t show, she’d go to the hospital.
Christie refused to entertain any other thoughts because Ace was going to be just fine. He was going to win this and they were going to be okay. Christie wouldn’t let herself believe anything different.
Chapter 20
The atmosphere in the club was hot and the adrenaline of the fight was racing through everyone, whether they were fighting or not. The fight was minutes away and Ace's head was in the game. He had made his decision. He was going to follow through with his plan, and the consequences would follow him, for better or for worse. He tightened his muscles and exhaled, knowing the shit-storm that was yet to come.
Ten years of his life was spent in that dump. Ten years of his life working for Cruz and never doubting his choices. Until now. Until Christie.
Ace found himself wondering whether or not he would have questioned anything this deeply, if not for Christie. Would he have had a look at the courses on the computer? Would he have signed up for any? Would he have thought about a future beyond fighting? Would he have considered, even for a moment, the possibility of walking away? Or would he have stayed here and rotted, never knowing until it was much, much too late. Ace wasn’t sure. He stepped forward and shook his head, settling his thoughts. It was almost time.
His phone rang, and broke him out of his reverie. A few rings in, shuddering and loud in his ears, and he reached to pick it up, feeling the irritation moving through him, tense and tight.
“Hello?”
He knew he sounded distracted, but he had a fight in mere moments. Usually he would have left his phone off and in his locker, but it had become habit to keep it on him at all times now. He sighed and waited for the response, wishing he hadn’t answered.
“Hi, Ace. I just wanted to say thank you.” It was Christie. She couldn’t keep the excitement from her voice, “It’s all worked out. The story was such a hit. Thank you so much!”
Relief and joy flooded him like a wave and he found himself grateful for picking up. He had needed to hear that. It strengthened his resolve and he tightened his fists. She was okay, she was safe and she’d be fine.
“It was? I’m glad.” Something in his voice sounded flat, on edge, and dull. He was happy, but there was something else on his mind. He didn’t mean to found disinterested, but this was something he had to take seriously. He saw people moving, his competitor on the other side. After a moment, he spoke again, “You got the job
, then?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I have the job now.” She smiled, the reality of it still hitting her all at once.
Warmth blossomed in his chest at her words. He thought of her smile and he felt happiness inside him, even though he was about to walk into the ring. She was worth it. She was worth all of this and more.
Ace then saw his opponent. He was a big guy, solid and younger than Ace, but that only meant that he was less experienced. Ace knew that he could take him on easily.
“I’m glad, Christie, I really am.” A bell rang and Ace knew it was time to enter the ring, to get into the fight of his life, “Look, I have to go. Good luck and I hope I see your name in the papers, okay?”
He meant it. If he lived long enough to see that, it would be a miracle. With a deep breath, Ace stretched his shoulders, set his jaw and stepped into the ring.
This was it: do or die. He either made his choice now, or rotted away into nothing.
This was the most important fight of his career. He had to make it count.
***
The first blow of the fight came as a shock. Ace took an unexpectedly quick uppercut to the head that knocked him off his feet. Okay. So this kid was fast. Ace made a note of it and threw himself aside, easily avoiding the next blow.
It wasn’t easy. But that was okay. Ace never liked his easy fights anyway. He enjoyed a real challenge. With a quick shift of his body, he sent the kid sprawling on the floor. He ducked quickly and then he landed a well-timed blow to the kid's face. After a few more blows, a large welt grew under the kid's left eye. . A right cross by Ace then knocked the kid to the mat.
For a second, everyone waited with baited breath. Had the fight of the season, finished so quickly? After about a six count, Ace's opponent got up and regained his composure. Only a few seconds later, Ace was back on the defense. A well-aimed strike here, a sharp kick there, and they were going toe to toe.
Ace’s opponent looked surprised at the ferocity of Ace’s blows which were unexpected because the kid thought the fix was on, and that he was going to win. Yet, something in Ace was clearly set on fire. Ace lunged at his opponent, sending him sprawling on the floor, slamming into the mat. When he tried to get back up, Ace kicked his legs out from beneath him and send him stumbling again.
From the corner of his eye, Ace could see anger starting to blossom on Cruz’s face. Ace should have gone down by now. He should have been the one sprawling on the floor, not the one everyone was betting on to lose.
The kid still put up a fight though. When he finally recovered enough to push himself up again, his attack on Ace was unrelenting, fierce and strong. He had a burning desire to prove himself in the ring and make a name for himself.
They traded blow for blow until eventually, the underdog began to give. Steps were missed, strikes were not deflected. The fight became more brutal, more harsh, more unforgiving. Blood flowed.
The challenger got desperate and his shots got dirty, but Ace had seen it all, and gave it all he had. He had to win this fight no matter the cost. He had to break free. And when Ace landed the final blow, his opponent went down with a sickening crash. The smack of his body against the floor seemed to echo through the room, and made everyone shudder.
This time, the kid went down and stayed down, clearly knocked unconscious. Ace was the winner. The crowd roared and cheered with savage delight and from the dark corners of the room, Cruz glowered with a hatred that Ace had never seen before.
And for the first time in his life, Ace truly felt free.
Chapter 21
Ace didn’t even have to wait for everyone to leave before he was grabbed by the arms and forcefully dragged out of the building.
Ace's rebellion had been sweet and so much better than words. Cruz was practically foaming at the mouth, anger dripping off him. The moment he saw Ace, he hissed, “You son-of-a-bitch. You’ll repay me for everything, you hear me?! ”
Cruz stared Ace down, “You’re finished. There’s not a single club that will take you now.”
“I know.” Ace was surprised at how calm his voice was. He knew that he was staring danger right in its face but somehow, he couldn’t muster up the energy to care. He had won the fight. Christie was safe and he didn’t care what happened next. He had made his decision, and there was no turning back now.
Ace wondered how much money Cruz lost on the fight. He knew that even his past winnings wouldn't cover all of it, and that he would have to pay for the rest of it soon.
“You could have had it all.” Cruz seemed mystified by his stupidity, and Ace found himself shaking his head slowly.
“No, I was finished the moment you rigged the fight Cruz, and you know it.”
Cruz stared at him for a long moment and slowly shook his head, “You’re not welcome back, and if you tell a soul about our dealings, you’re dead.”
Then he turned away and Ace felt relief wash over him. He knew what was coming next, but Ace was used to it. It was familiar and something that he understood all too well.
There were three burly guys waiting for him. When the first fist connected hard to his gut, he bit back the bile. The second was even harder to take, connecting squarely with his jaw, and leaving him seeing stars. He knew it was only the beginning. They’d teach him a lesson until he was black and blue and could barely stand. Two men held him, while the other beat him senseless.
After the beating, Ace felt a burning, echoing pain that clouded his vision and left him bloody and raw. Despite it all, Ace felt a sense of hope. If he lived through this, he’d be free. If he could get through tonight, it would be okay.
And most importantly, Christie was safe, and that was all that mattered to him.
Chapter 22
Christie had been waiting for what felt like hours. The time had stretched away from her, endless and long as she paced the streets, ending up in front of Ace’s apartment. She knew he wasn’t home, but it was getting late and he still hadn’t shown up yet.
How long was she meant to wait until she phoned the police? The hospital? Panic was twisting and writhing within her and refusing to let go. She couldn’t stand it if anything happened to Ace. She knew that he wanted to break free from the club, and it pained her that he might not be able to, or that he might get hurt trying to do so.
She waited until it started to get dark, and with shaking limbs, she made her way to the elevator, remembering vividly the first time that she had come there to see him. She still longed for him, even now, and she began to have a dull ache in her chest that she just could not seem to get rid of. But as of right then, she just wanted to know that he was safe. He had helped her and the least she could do was return the favor.
When the elevator opened in front of her, she almost screamed. Inside, was Ace, although Christie wasn’t sure how she recognized him with the blood and dirt all over his skin. She could see bruises and cuts forming all over his arms and he seemed too tired to hold himself up, leaning himself against the wall.
“Ace!” Christie raced to his side and slung an arm beneath his so that he could lean against her. Worry flashed in his eyes and Christie could tell he didn’t want her to panic over him, “Shush.” She muttered, “You’re hurt and you probably need to go to the hospital!”
“Sorry.” He muttered. Christie helped him as best she could, leaning against walls as she helped him to his apartment door. She grabbed his keys to open the door for him and he stumbled inside, sinking onto the couch. Christie hurried into the bathroom and got to work running a hot bath for him. With shaking hands, she helped him to the bathroom.
They didn’t speak much. They didn’t have to. Christie knew exactly what happened. She helped him out of his clothes and, once he was in the bath, she rinsed his skin, and gently wiped away the blood and grime.
She winced at every injury, every bruise and cut. Nothing seemed to be broken, but several areas seemed to be badly inflamed. He was somewhat delirious, and she wondered if he had a concussion.
When she a
sked him, he shook his head. She pressed the matter and he responded that he’d had blacked out at some point, but that he would be ok.
Feeling sick to her stomach, Christie could understand why he didn’t want to be with her, why he’d pushed her away and why he had insisted that she drop the story. She shuddered and worked to wash the blood out of his hair. The water was murky by the time they were finished.
After she got Ace into a pair of pajamas, he collapsed on the bed and squeezed his eyes shut. Christie didn’t know how he hadn’t called the ambulance, or insisted on painkillers. Every part of him seemed to hurt and ache with the pain that had been inflicted on him.
Christie went back to the front door, locked up, and then made her way to his room. When she entered, he looked at her with half-closed eyes, “Why are you here?” His voice wasn’t cold. He wasn’t pushing her away. In fact, he sounded almost lost, like he didn’t understand.
Christie settled beside him, careful not to lean on him and aggravate his injuries. With a smile, she looked at him, “Because I could never hate you, Ace. Now go to sleep.”
And when he shut his eyes and dozed, beside her on the bed, Christie rested her head on the pillow and cried. She cried for the fact that he was badly hurt. She cried because she finally felt true hope, when before she had felt so alone and hopeless.
And when Christie finally slept, it was the best sleep that she had had in weeks.
Chapter 23
When Christie woke the next morning, Ace was gone. For a moment, she felt the sweeping loneliness threaten her all over again. Then the door was pushed open and he came in, carrying two cups of coffee and toast like he did on very first morning together. In the morning light, he still looked just as battered and bruised, but he was awake and smiling, which made Christie’s heart soar with relief.
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