His body caved in the middle and I heard the breath whistle from his abdomen as the force of my knee drove him back to the wall of the cage. I knew that hurt him. He was moving a little slower and gasping for breath.
That was too good of an opportunity to miss. I rushed forward and locked my hands around his head in a clinch. The wall of the cage halted Luke’s backward progress and I started unleashing hits to his body with my knees. I’d hurt him, but now I wanted to really hammer home the message with more heavy strikes to the body. I couldn’t give him a chance to get his breath back.
Luke threw some wild blows of his own into my ribs and I struggled to maintain my knees attacking to his midsection. Finally Luke decided he’d had enough of this and pushed me backwards with one of his fists to my cheek in a cross face move. The leather and sweat from his gloved fist was a pungent smell in my nose.
I had no choice but to step back or have my neck snapped at a funny angle. As I stepped back, “Lights Out” chased me with a heavy cross punch, which he landed to my jaw. The impact pushed me back another pace or two and he kept following me as he landed a step through kick to my ribs.
Fortunately, I’d managed to get my arm down just in time to block and the kick hit more on the outside of my flexed bicep than my ribs. If it had been my ribs then I know they would likely have been busted with the force of that kick.
He might be firing back, but I instinctively knew I was gaining ground. Luke’s technique had wandered off and his strikes were no longer precise, true and targeted. They were more on the wild and hopeful side. He’d really thought that rib kick would have done some damage.
The frustration was evident in his eyes and on his face. I let him advance one more pace then lashed out with a snapping front kick to his mid-section. Speed was my friend. The impact immediately buckled him over a little. I decided right then to attack his legs. If he couldn’t stand, he couldn’t fight.
I didn’t give him time to recover from the front kick I’d just delivered before I followed it up with a whipping leg kick to his left thigh. My kick landed perfectly. That would leave a cork on the muscle surely?
He stepped away favouring the leg and I sensed the tide of the fight finally turning in my favour. I’d been holding my own until now. It was time to put the hammer down and really take control of this fight.
I wanted to go after that leg some more, but to do that I needed to soften him up with another heavy combination. The leg had slowed him down enough to allow me to land a very heavy straight punch to his nose with my left hand, then a straight punch to his stomach with my right. I think I heard a crack as my fist connected with his nose but I couldn’t be sure because of the screaming crowd. They could sense there was something big about to happen.
Every muscle in my body was taut with anticipation and I knew he was hurting. I stepped forward with my left leg and used the whole force of the rotation of my hip, shoulder and arm to deliver a body blow into his ribs. Just as I planned, the combination of punches had left him tight against the cage wall with that weakened left leg open for another attack.
I didn’t miss the opportunity.
I fired in another whipping leg kick with pinpoint accuracy. It was pain on top of more pain for “Lights Out”. His left leg was no longer a weapon. He’d be lucky if it kept him upright from here on out.
The wall of the cage smacked him from behind and prevented him from retreating further. Anticipation flooded my body. I knew I had him at my mercy.
I stepped in closer looking for the opening. His arms flailed left and right in wild undisciplined blows. He’d lost his technique and all I had to do was keep a solid guard to my face to render his strikes useless. Guard, I could do all day.
Luke dropped his chin and was trying to attack at me with arms that more resembled a windmill, than the world-class fighter he was. Reed was spot on again. This is what frustration did to “Lights Out”. I just needed to time this right.
The split second after his left hand connected with my shoulder, I dropped my right fist from the guard on my face and drove my fist upward into the underside of his jaw. It was a teeth-rattling uppercut.
His head snapped back and this opened him up for an easily landed hook punch to the right side of his jaw.
The force of my punch threw his weight forward and I knew this was it. This was where I could get the knockout. The crowd knew it too—the roar intensified to the point it penetrated my focus. I wouldn’t be distracted from my task. He’d just given me the perfect opening I was looking for. It was time to take it.
I stepped to the left, reached forward and slipped my right hand behind his head in a move that cupped his skull. To finish it I pulled him down toward my upward thrusting right knee.
The distance closed and I felt the bone in his jaw give way as my knee drove upwards. His weight crashed forward toward the canvas uncontrollably and I knew it was over.
Numbness temporarily enveloped my thoughts. I looked from Luke sprawled prone on the canvas to the referee, then to his corner men who were now rushing into the cage hot on the heels of the doctor that had seen to my head before.
Dread filled me.
Had I done it again? Was history repeating itself?
The doctor dropped to the canvas beside “Lights Out” and I hovered slightly off to the side, my emotions flooding me. What should I do? I’d won but had I killed him too?
Seconds ticked by as the crowd roared at the knockout, then they’d gone deathly quiet waiting for an official result. Every person in the arena now had their eyes glued to what was happening on the canvas a few feet from where I stood. They were all watching the doctor work on “Lights Out” as his crew huddled around, their faces etched with concern.
I couldn’t look towards my corner or Eden. If I’d done it again, I didn’t think I could survive that. What would they think? Hell, what would Eden think? That’s all that mattered to me.
My heart was in my throat and my mouthguard suddenly seemed to be smothering me. The doctor motioned to the balding referee and he leant in close. There was a little nodding and I had no idea what that meant. Then I thought I saw one of Luke’s legs twitch.
Was it good or was it bad?
A few seconds later, the referee stood and strode forward to me. He grabbed my right fist, which was hanging limply at my side and thrust it in the air.
“You’re the winner by knockout. He’s going to be fine.” The crowd picked up on what was happening before the referee had even had time to finish his sentence to me. They were cheering and screaming with even more intensity.
“Ladies and Gentleman. Winner by knockout in the third round, Xander “Pretty-Boy” Todd.” The Master of Ceremonies voice cut through the din.
It was all so surreal. I was struggling to believe what the referee was telling me. As is if to confirm what he’d told me, I glanced down and saw Luke moving some more. Relief flooded through me. He really was going to be okay.
Then it hit me like a tonne of bricks.
I’d done it and no one was more surprised than me.
Chapter 35
Eden
It all happened in a blur. One moment Xander had him pinned against the cage and the next, “Lights Out” was falling forward to the canvas, his body prone.
“He’s done it,” Len yelled in pride.
My mind took in what had happened—he’d won.
The crowd hushed and focused on the action in the cage.
Then I saw the look on his face and I knew what was replaying in his head. He was reliving the end of the last fight with The Cobra. My heart bled for him. I could see the pain etched in his face. He thought he’d done it again.
Oh God, I hoped not. How would he ever forgive himself?
I grabbed for Len’s arm. “What’s happening?”
Len was shaking his head. “Boy’s won the fight, but Luke’s not moving.” I could hear the concern in his voice.
My eyes flew around the arena and back to the
cage taking it all in. Concern was written on every face in the arena. After what seemed like eons, but could only have been a few seconds, the referee approached the doctor and they seemed to be conferring.
Then I was sure I saw Luke’s leg move as the referee headed over to Xander.
He thrust Xander’s arm into the air in victory and the arena erupted in cheers.
I jumped up and down and hugged Len hard.
“He won! He won!” I cried.
“He did!” Len yelled. Then he was dragging me from our seats to where the little gate that opened onto the floor surrounding the cage was. Security stopped us.
“Get out of the way, mate.” Len was in no mood to mince words. The security guard looked from Len to me and I clearly saw the moment he realised who I was and opened the gate for us.
Another security guy jogged to keep up as Len and I rushed to the cage. We were up the steps and inside before I realised what was happening. Reed, Seth and Dane had Xander in a massive hug. They were all bouncing around, backslapping and cheering.
Luke was now being taken away on a stretcher his arm up and waving to the crowd. I rushed forward and pushed through the crush of people that seemed to have found their way into the cage.
“Xander!” I called.
His head snapped up and his eyes locked on mine. He muscled his way from the hold the guys had on him and pushed forward to meet me.
My arms closed around his neck and I hugged him to me tightly. Right there in his arms my world felt right.
“Oh Xan, you did it!” Emotion was choking my words and tears were streaming down my face. I was so pleased for him and I knew we were together on an emotional rollercoaster at the moment.
Len stepped up and wrapped his arms around both of us.
“Proud of you, Son. Well done!”
Xander lifted his head from beside mine and looked at his father.
“Thanks, Dad.”
His face was starting to swell in a few spots and the cut on his head looked angry but I knew it the moment I really looked into his eyes.
He’d beaten back his demons.
He was free.
* * *
Eden
The next hour was crazy. People swarmed all over us, which I found disconcerting, but manageable. I thought back to how I would have handled this three months ago and inwardly dissolved into a fit of hysterical giggles. Handled it! I would have melted into a puddle on the spot.
Throughout all the craziness Xander never left my side, other than to take a shower when we finally made it to the dressing room—which now seemed to have become more like an impromptu party room than his dressing room. Champagne was flowing and people were definitely in the mood to celebrate. I’m sure Xan would have dragged me into the bathroom, too, but now wasn’t really the time to be testing new ground for me. Although I’m almost positive I would have been fine with Xander there beside me.
I stood to the side of the room enjoying the champagne and kind of catching my breath, while I waited for him to emerge. It was only now I realised how tough and emotionally draining the last few days had been. But I was proud of how far I’d come as a person and the way I’d handled it. I’d made it through, by believing in myself and Xander. Everything else was really just white noise when it was all said and done.
I hadn’t noticed Reed move up beside me, I’d been too consumed watching for Xander. He nudged me gently in the ribs with his elbow. “You’d better go rescue him when he comes out. The hoard look hungry!” I’d noticed the bevy of scantily clad women with lots of hair, boobs and short skirts all swarming around. I had no idea who they were or where they came from. They’d just seemed to descend on the room with the PR people and promoters.
“Who are they all?”
“Oh, just the hanger oners. They seem to turn up at every fight. Kind of like flies at a BBQ.”
I giggled at that visual. Reed was one hundred percent right. He’d made a point of seeking me out this morning while Xander had been stretching and getting a massage, to apologise for his behaviour. I got the feeling that wasn’t something Reed did often, so I appreciated the effort he made. We were on the way to constructing some sort of relationship, which I knew was important to Xander even if he hadn’t said so. Yes, Reed hadn’t been particularly nice to me, but he’d been acting out of concern for Xander so for that I could forgive him.
But there was something I needed to say to Reed tonight. “Thanks for looking after him this campaign and fight. I know it wasn’t easy. You did great.”
Reed nodded. “He gave me a few more grey hairs tonight, but he got the job done in the end.”
I giggled a little. “Yeah I don’t think I’m very good at watching him fight. Len’s got my nail prints all up his forearm.”
“He’s tough, he’ll cope,” he said shrugging.
“Yes, but I’m not sure my heart can take it. I’m only now realising how much of a nervous wreck I’ve been for days,” I joked.
This time Reed let out a belly laugh. “You haven’t been on your own, you know?”
What? These guys had all been swanning around the last few days like nothing was going on. “But you guys have all been so casual about it.”
He winked at me. “I’ll let you in on a little secret.” Reed looked up from me glancing around as if trying to spot someone. His eyes stopped on Len, who was across the room talking to some distinguished looking guy in a tailored suit. “We’ve been shitting bricks for the last eight weeks. The last few days became particularly uncomfortable for Len and me.”
I burst out laughing, not quite believing what I was hearing or who I was laughing with. I was staggered that Reed was telling me this and it must have been written all over my face because he then went on to explain.
“I figure I might as well come clean. Xander made it very clear to the whole world yesterday where he was at, with you two. You’ll be part of the next prep so you might as well share the grief from the start.”
Next fight! I hadn’t thought that far. “Can I get over this one first? Or is there something already in place that I don’t know about?” What weren’t they telling me? I ended my comment with a giggle of trepidation.
“Na, nothing yet.” Reed nodded his head over at Len. “But Len’s talking to the money man over there. I’d say it’s a very safe bet they’re talking about another fight.” There was a bit of a pause, before Reed asked the very telling question. “How do you feel about that?”
Wasn’t that the question? It was Reed fishing to see what my reaction was. Surprisingly, it didn’t take me long to answer. What’s more it was the truth as I saw it at least. This was what Xander was supposed to do. He was fulfilling his dreams.
“Reed, fighting and martial arts are a very big part of who Xander is. I know he has some reservations about certain aspects of fighting because he’s in a relationship with me, but we worked around them. If he wants to keep fighting, that’s totally up to him. I’ll support him whatever his decision is. But I have to trust that you and he know what’s best for him when it comes to taking fights and what he’s capable of doing.” I looked him directly in the eye. I wanted to put it on him. Reed needed to know that I would hold him at least partly responsible for whatever happened in the future. “Can you promise me that?”
He nodded and a very serious demeanour came over him. “Yeah Eden, you can trust me. Xander is like a little brother to me. I wouldn’t put him in any fight I thought he couldn’t handle nor would I let him step into the cage if he wasn’t prepped properly.”
“Good, then yes I will support whatever he decides.” I meant it. That was what relationships were about, supporting your partner. “Can’t say I won’t be a nervous wreck, but I’ll try to keep a lid on it.”
“We all feel the same,” he admitted.
Xander emerged from the attached bathroom, showered and looking somewhat refreshed. A shorter redhead with curves that belied gravity, tried looping an arm around him as he came through th
e door.
He politely removed the arm and said something to her. Her big hopeful smile turned to a nasty looking sneer and I couldn’t help but feel amused.
Then Reed turned to study me. “You mentioned he had reservations. He never said anything to me…” Reed was fishing and I could tell it was killing him that he didn’t know everything about Xan. Reed was very territorial about his fighter as we’d discovered over the last weeks.
“Let’s just say it’s something you can’t help him with nor do you need to know if he hasn’t told you.”
Reed stood there looking puzzled. Then he nodded towards Xander fighting his way through the crowd. “He looks like he needs rescuing from the “flies”.”
Reed was right. Xander was glancing around the milling crowd looking for us.
“I’ll make it easy for him. I’ll go try out my own brand of fly spray.”
He chuckled and patted me on the shoulder. “Yeah, go look after him. He deserves it.”
I placed my champagne flute on a nearby table then negotiated my way through the throng of people. The closer I got to him the more he seemed to be surrounded by “flies”. He looked so handsome standing there even with his battered and bruised look. I couldn’t resist this wounded warrior so I totally got the appeal and attraction he presented for the “flies” but it wasn’t going to work for me any longer. The last few feet towards him proved more challenging. The flies were pretty thick!
Being tall worked to my advantage. Xan saw me coming and he moved forward toward me. I took the last couple of steps shouldering my way through the stiletto-heeled pack.
I ignored the “Watch it, bitch” and the “Wait your turn.” Xander was mine. They’d just have to find another BBQ. The distance between us closed and I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him hard on the lips. He drew back a fraction and hissed, “Steady Gem.”
I leant in close and whispered in his ear suggestively, “Someone in need of a little TLC?”
Brave Page 44