Page 45 of Impossible Thrills

The crowd had also surged to their feet and were screaming, hooting, and clapping. Most were cheering for Nick, which she appreciated. She and Nick had said a quiet prayer before the match, and she prayed again now.

With a fake of his left hand, Jagger landed his right fist into Nick’s nose and blood sprayed everywhere. Darcy cried out. Nick simply brushed at his nose and focused on the battle. He was strong and brave. She could hardly stand to watch him get hit, but she couldn’t look away either.

Nick split Jagger’s lip and now they both had blood running down their faces.

A bell rang, and the men backed away to their corners. They were handed towels and water. Upbeat music played, and the crowd danced and cheered.

Darcy cried out with relief and sank back into her chair. Hays sat next to her. She grabbed his hand. “Thank heavens it’s over. Will the judges choose who won now?”

“That was only the first round,” Hays said, smiling at her.

“No way! How many rounds?”

“We decided on three,” Mercedes said from her other side.

“Unless one of them knocks the other one out,” Shawn added.

Darcy cringed. She had to watch that two more times?

Please protect Nick and Jagger. If it be Your will, let Nick win.

A bell rang, and the men strode to the middle of the ring to duke it out again. Darcy jumped to her feet, clenching her hands together and bouncing. The second round was more vicious, and she could swear it lasted longer than the first. She didn’t want anyone knocked out, but that might be more merciful than the pounding they were both taking. They both seemed exceptionally skilled at fighting. From her untrained eye, it appeared to be an even fight so far. Would Nick be bruised and broken?

The round finally ended, and Jagger and Nick both staggered to their corners. The music turned on again. Was Nick okay? She stayed on her feet. Her body trembled from nerves. She wanted this to be over. She didn’t want to interrupt Nick in the middle of his battle, but when he looked her way, she made a heart with her hands and mouthed, “Praying for you.”

Nick grinned and mimicked the heart shape with his own hands.

“Ahh,” she heard the audience murmur behind her. She realized every eye was on her, but she didn’t care. All she cared about was Nick. He was her warrior and her love, going to war to win for her. If only they could be together after this was over.

The bell rang and Nick strode forward, confidently moving in for punch after punch. Both men moved like they were born to battle it out. It was brilliant and vicious at the same time. Jagger had more mass than Nick and they were evenly matched with skills, but to Darcy it looked like Nick was fighting with his heart. Fighting for her. She fell deeper in love and prayed even harder for him.

Round and round they went—hitting, kicking, using their knees, dancing with each other in the most brutal of artistic matches. It seemed they were both drawing on reserves the average person didn’t have. The battle grew more intense, and she feared it was building to a knockout.

Darcy cheered for Nick and prayed and felt like years were shaved off her life from the stress of watching him pummel and be pummeled. The fight was far too even. Unless one of them somehow knocked the other out, she had no clue how the judges would decide.

Finally, finally, the bell rang. Nick and Jagger bumped fists again, then stumbled into each other, barely staying on their feet as they gave each other a brief, manly hug. The crowd cheered wildly.

The men were both smiling, but they looked exhausted. Darcy had no clue how either of them were standing from the countless hits they’d taken and the energy they’d expended.

Mercedes and Shawn went to confer with the referee and what she assumed were judges. The crowd settled, and Nick and Jagger took towels and water bottles from their helpers, drank and wiped at their faces, then poured some water on their heads. They were chatting with each other, and Darcy was grateful they still looked amicable. At the first of the week, she’d thought Jagger would try to destroy them. He’d worked hard, because that was who he was. She didn’t blame him for doing his job, and she really liked the guy now.

Not the way she liked Nick, but nobody had ever wrapped up her heart like Nick did. He glanced down at her and smiled and winked. She grinned back at him. He was glistening with water, sweat, and blood. He was tough, protective, and all she wanted. Was there any world where they could be together? He was concerned that his ‘job’ might take years. She’d wait for him. Of course she would. She was plenty busy with her children and the years would pass, even if she ached for him.

Shawn helped Mercedes through the ropes, then climbed through himself. He all but carried her over to where the two men stood. She held a microphone up, her arm trembling. Shawn held her up with his arm around her waist.

“Thank you for coming …” She took a breath. “And supporting the final challenge of our Chance for Charity …” Another breath. “Impossible Thrills!” Her voice was tinny and weak, but the mic worked wonders.

The crowd screamed their approval.

“All eight episodes will air this fall, so don’t miss any of them.”

More cheering.

“Please, you’ve all signed the disclosure and promised not to share the results with friends or on social media, so keep those phones off.” Mercedes smiled sweetly.

Darcy wondered how that could happen. She was sure the word would spread, but that wasn’t her issue to worry about.

“Now.” Mercedes leaned into Shawn more heavily, as if she couldn’t stand on her own two feet. “I know what you’re all waiting for.” She grinned, inhaled and exhaled. “The judges’ verdict on this well-fought battle.”

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