corrupt. They're powerful. The only problem with that is … I don't really give a shit. I made up my mind a long time ago. I'll never let anyone think they can control or use me again.
I take a step back. "Thanks for the warning," I say, softening my expression when Jake's panicked gaze reaches mine. "But don't worry about me. I can handle the Sick Boys."
"You say that..." Jake's face pinches up tight, "but I'm asking you not to."
"Why?" I challenge, taking another step back. I can hear Hanson announcing my opponent in the background, listing their accolades to get the crowd hungry for more.
Jake's eyes dart to the ground before lifting again. "I don't want to see you get hurt, Ava." It's nice. Honestly, it's amazing. Jake hardly knows me and yet he shows more consideration than half of the people I've met in my life, but I don't completely believe him. I think he doesn't want to be involved in my trouble, which I get. At the same time, though, for people like me, there's no hiding from the darkness. All I have left is to embrace it.
I give him a smile as I hear the speakers churn out Hanson's words. "And tonight, Lords and Ladies, we have a new contender. Please welcome Avalon Manning!"
"Watch a winner work," I say to Jake just before I turn and slide through the crowd, slicing my way to the fenced-in area where Hanson and another female fighter wait. I enter the ring, letting the black gate close behind me.
I'm ready for some bloodshed.
29
Dean
No. She. Fucking. Isn't.
Those words are an echo in my mind, but as I step into the warehouse, dry sweat coating my throat, I see that she is exactly where that motherfucker said she would be in his last text. The dripping strands of my still wet hair hangs in my face, half obscuring my view, and I shake them out of the way. A few of the droplets land on a few people near me that haven't noticed my entrance.
One of them flinches as the cold water hits the side of his neck and he turns, face already morphed into an angry scowl, but one look at me and he hightails it as far from me as he can get. Smart dude. I storm through the crowd, circling the cage where Avalon fucking Manning stands.
The mass of people part to allow me through. It's as if they sense the predator in me; the barely restrained beast ready to tear someone apart. The only thing I am thankful for is the fact that she's not fighting a guy. Had I walked into that mess, I’d set this whole place on fire.
What the fuck is she thinking? I wonder as I track down the man who'd brought me here. Abel and Braxton are here too. I'm the only one who'd chosen not to show up tonight. At least, that'd been the plan. I growl when some already buzzed girl stumbles into my path. Without thought, I pick her up and toss her at the nearest guy and keep going, not even pausing to see if she'd been caught.
Anger rages through me.
Three weeks, I've stayed away from her, but it's clear that no matter what Abel says, she can't keep her end of the bargain. I've separated from her. I've left her alone when all I want to do is torment her. Of course, I've kept an eye on her. The three of us have been transferred to all of her classes, but now with my eyes firmly on her delicious ass as she delivers a perfect roundhouse kick to her opponent, I realize it hasn't been enough.
To look and not touch is fucking killing me. Whether she realizes it or not, Avalon Manning has just crossed a line. She's taken one step into my underworld and now there's no going back. I'm going to shove the pomegranate seeds down her throat and ensure that she can never leave.
I stalk further into the warehouse, spotting Jacob Hayes at the top of the bleachers, his eyes fixated on the fight as he clutches a dark swath of fabric in one hand and his cellphone in the other. Good. He'll be easy to spot and so will I when Abel and Braxton finally tear their eyes away from Avalon's ass long enough to find me. There's no doubt in my mind that those two are enjoying this far more than they should.