Since we’d begun working out together in the mornings, I’d learned he was a fast, agile little shit. I had the upper hand in the pool, because of technique and sheer strength, but if we went running, which we did many mornings, I was panting before he even broke a sweat.
River waited for us on the other side of the cage where the entrance was, and he pulled Shay in for a quick kiss. “Don’t go easy on him.”
“I won’t.” Shay threw me a grin over his shoulder.
I merely sandwiched him between us and rested my forehead against Riv’s.
He’s ours.
River drew a deep breath and let it out slowly, and he nodded minutely. “Put him in his place for this emotional roller coaster I didn’t sign up for.”
“Hey!” Shay protested.
I smiled and slipped an arm over Shay’s chest, hugging him back to me. “Let’s go, little fighter.”
I ushered him inside the cage, and River closed the door with a metal clang reverberating through the construction. And it changed the atmosphere in a single breath.
As I exchanged a look with Shay, I knew he felt it too. The shift was so tangible. Rain hung in the air. It felt darker, even though the space between the bars let in the firelight from the torches surrounding us.
Staying in my spot, I tracked Shay walking over to the opposing corner as Colt counted down from ten.
I’d half expected my years in the field would come rushing back; it hadn’t been that long since River and I were balls deep in thick terrain waiting for rebels to hand over information about an enemy insurgent. But nothing. This wasn’t Bangladesh or Mali. It wasn’t Belize or Syria either. This was new territory.
When Colt said “three…two…” I tuned out everything on the other side of those bars.
Only Shay existed, and the nine or ten feet that separated us.
Show me who you are, boy.
His posture spoke of as much readiness as comfort. He was in his element here; it was undeniable. Then I saw the slightest movement in how the corners of his eyes tightened right before he charged.
Adrenaline exploded within me and blazed through my veins.
The little fucker tried to come at me with a high kick to my shoulder, but that move wouldn’t fly with me. I wasn’t new, goddammit. I smacked away his leg with my forearm and planted my palm at his sternum and shoved him backward. A silent reminder that I could’ve cut off his breathing if I’d aimed for his throat instead.
He gnashed his teeth from his half crouch, and I saw through his charade. He was trying to come off as more inexperienced, but the first fucking lesson was never lower your goddamn guard. Did he take me for a fool? Did he think I’d relax just so he could crank it up when I wasn’t prepared?
“Are we fighting or starring in a high school play?” I shot at him. “Quit the act, kid.”
“Fuck you,” he spat. Next, he went for the move that most Hollywood movies insisted on including. He jumped forward, spun around, and attempted to deliver a roundhouse kick.
I punched his leg away this time. He could thank his lucky stars I hadn’t twisted his foot. He fucking deserved it.
Shay hissed and cursed as he rubbed his shin.
“Are you done?” I asked impatiently.
He conceded with a small nod and annoyance rolling off his shoulders, but then we could begin for real. He raised his guard, holding his hands at chest-level, and the fight was on from there.
* * *
In our second round, we kicked it up on every level. We’d barely entered the cage before we were on each other. We struck with open palms for the most part, except for when he was too fast for me and I had to apply my strength to knock him down a peg or two.
And damn, he was fast.
The question was how rapidly that method would tire him out.
I grunted at the pain that spread when he slammed the heel of his palm against my sternum, but I retaliated with two quick jabs to his ribcage. Then I grabbed his arm and twisted it, to which he cursed and was forced to turn his back on me. Knowing full well he’d take the opportunity to stomp on my feet or kick backward, I parted my legs and released his arm to grab a fistful of his hair instead.
“Son of a bitch!” he growled.
I yanked him back and squeezed his jaw. “As soon as I get you on the ground, your tight little ass is mine.”
“Ain’t gonna happen.” He wrenched himself free and turned around again, but before he could come at me with his blows, I dodged sideways, only to flinch toward him the next second and backhand him across the face.
Fucking hell, his fury was stunning.
I grinned darkly, beyond turned on by the bloodied scratches we’d given each other and the sweat shining in the firelight. He’d never looked so much like an animal.
His excitement was visible too. His eyes gleamed and revealed the savage mind-set he’d entered.
The next minute or so seduced me, sucked me in, consumed me entirely. We charged with quick jabs, constantly dodging, constantly trying to find a way in, both refusing to surrender. When he got me in the gut, I kicked out my leg and sent him tumbling as he tripped, but the kid was too fast to jump to his feet again. Our grunts and growled curses mingled with the sounds of hands hitting skin and our labored breaths.
“Time!” Colt yelled.
Fuck.
Shay and I eased away from each other and panted.
There would be another round.
Thankfully, the line had already been cut in half by those who’d defeated their partners in the first and second rounds. We’d only have three couples in front of us.
I drew a hand through my hair and opened the door of the cage for my boy, and Kit, Ella, and
