Chapter One
Brant's body pressed against the building. The music vibrated through him like thunder. He placed the bottle to his lips and took a long swallow. It had now become his ritual before every fight and his tribute on the same day each year since her passing.
Today he had woken up from the same nightmare he'd had a hundred times. It always started out in that dressing room. Ann stood in a red negligee. Her blonde hair hung over her shoulders. Her body was warm against his. Her lips were delicious. Then suddenly he was watching the whole pool seen in slow motion as Abigail and Ann fell in, the water turning red.
Overwhelming anger took hold of him as he threw the bottle at the ground. The shatter of the glass was barely heard as he walked away. Brant staggered through the back door of the warehouse. Making his way to the large cage in the center of the room filled with people ready for a show. He looked up to see the ever-elusive dark knight of the underworld watching him. But today he had a friend with him. Both were hooded. Brant tossed a salute to him as he entered the cage to await the challenger. He hoped it would be a good fight. Someone he could pound the shit out of and someone that could give as good as he got.
To Brant's surprise, a hooded figure stepped in. Much shorter than he expected.
"What the fuck is this?" Brant shouted.
Watching the challenger kick off their shoes and turn their back to him. He could make out a tattoo of sorts on smooth, firm, yet feminine legs. The challenger removed the hood, the jacket sliding off her shoulders revealing similar artwork on her back.
Brant walked to the center readying himself. The challenger slowly turned to face him. The crowd went crazy. The shouts got louder as the Challenger readied herself. Some laughed, screamed profanities. "Take her out!" Someone called out from behind him.
Time slowed for Brant. His heart pounded in his ears. His body felt weighted, his feet rooted to the mats. All color draining from his face. His body broke out in a cold sweat. "This isn't real. I'm still dreaming." Brant whispered unheard by the crazed crowd.
The challenger charged toward Brant and with an unexpected swing of her fist, she struck. Brant's head snapped sideways. He stood still only for a moment. Then Brant's body slammed the floor beneath him. He was out cold. She knelt beside him, checking his pulse. Looking to the opening cage door, she motioned for several men to carry him out. The crowd shouted angrily as they passed by.
The woman retrieved her hoodie and shoes. Exciting the cage, she met with the tall, hooded man standing at the bottom of the steps.
"That was fast." He said, crossing his arms.
Pulling the hood over her head. "He's drunk off his ass."
"No. I've seen him fight drunk. That was shock or terror."
Another large man walked over and handed him a heavy bag. "This is her cut from the fight."
"Then why the fuck are you giving it to me?"
The man looked at the challenger and back at him. "Is she going to hit me?"
"I'm going to hit you if you don't stop acting like a dumb ass"
"That's fine, you keep it. Call Loki and Dane. Get him in a good rehab. I need him sober." She told him.
"And what do I tell them when they ask where the money came from?"
"Tell Loki a mutual friend gave you the money "
"Will Loki know who this mutual friend is?"
"Possibly"
"Fine. But you should leave now before someone recognizes you."
"And take more of your money" she chuckled.
"I told you once before that I wouldn't be a kid for long. I can take care of you better than the king. Why do you waste your time on them?"
She looked up at him letting out a breath. "Because they are family and so are you. So let's leave it at that." Then walked away as the crowd began to chant for a new fight.
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