Page 92 of The Two Halves of My Heart

Chapter 29

Maddison 21 Years Old

“Come on. I have to meet this guy first. Apparently, he wants to size me up or some shit.”

“All right. But, hey, there’s still time if you don’t want to go through with this.”

I turned to look at Leo. We’d been in this together from the start, but he didn’t have the same drive as me. Sure, he could fight, but he was always in my shadow. He didn’t have the ambition needed to do what I was about to do. He didn’t have what it took to be in this league.

“Listen, Leo. I am not backing out. This is my fight. My time. Now either get the fuck behind me or piss off.”

We’d arrived at The Venue and made our way in via the back. A couple of guys on the door parted the way for us, just like the instructions had said would happen. I had to meet with Mikey, the guy who ran everything before he’d allow me in the ring. Zuri would see me before the fight.

First impressions, it wasn’t that different from The Club. The entrance opened out into a warehouse-style space. The ring was in the centre. Concrete floors were as lavish as this place got. The only thing going for it was the size. This place could hold a whole lot more people than back home. My instructions were to head up to the office. A set of metal stairs in the far corner showed the way.

I looked at Leo before heading up. In a few hours, I’d be the centre of attention here, and I’d walk away a whole lot richer, finally getting the payday I deserved.

I knocked on the door and entered. It was all black leather sofas and a big-ass desk that tried to be intimidating, but it wasn’t. “Hey, I’m Maddison Ray.” I walked over to the guy behind the desk and offered my hand.

He drew his eyes up, slowly, like I’d just offended him or some shit. I kept my hand out, though. This guy wasn’t getting to me. His eyes finally met mine, and all I could see was Grace staring back at me. Shit.

“Let’s get one thing clear.” Mikey stood without touching my hand. Instead, he moved to button his suit jacket and took purposeful steps from behind his desk. “This is my fight. I’m doing this as a favour. You have no record here, and by all rights, shouldn’t be in my club. But I’ve seen you fight. You might think you own that ring you play in back home.” He stepped towards me, circling like a shark. “You don’t. You haven’t been to one of my fights.” He stopped in front of my face, and those eyes just stared right through me. “Don’t fucking embarrass me!” he spat in my face. “Do you hear me?”

“Yeah, I hear you.” I’d had enough of being talked to like some fucking kid. “What’s your full name, Mikey?” I had a hunch, but I had to know.

“You can call me Mr Kenner until you start making me some money.” Fucking hell. This was Grace’s father. My lips curled into a smug grin.

“Is something amusing to you, Maddison Ray?”

“I think we have someone in common. You might remember her, Grace.”

Mikey’s eyes bored into mine, the wrinkles of his brow furrowing as he scowled. “Grace, who?”

My eyes flicked to Leo, who looked like his eyes would pop out of his head any minute. Mikey was playing the cool card, but he was entirely too calm not to know who I meant.

“Grace Shaw.” I leaned in, getting in his face. “My girlfriend.”

“I don’t know who you’re talking about.” He kept his face blank, but I didn’t buy it.

“Sure, you do. I’ve known her since she was seven. Turned up in our village out of the blue. Mum’s name is Charlie. Ring any bells yet?”

“You know Grace?” That steely veneer cracked, and in that split moment, I saw everything come together.

“You could say that. She’s my fucking girlfriend.” My grin was victorious.

He was on me in a flash. Mikey grabbed my collar in his fist and used his weight to twist and slam me against his desk. “Don’t fucking talk about my girl like that.” His teeth clenched together and up close, I noticed the scars hidden under age lines, the dented nose, the gold tooth, all the signs of him doing in the past what I was about to do—fight.

“She’s not your girl. She doesn’t even remember you.”

“What the fuck would you know? You’re just a jacked-up little shit who thinks he’s a man.”

“But I’m the jacked-up little shit who can arrange for Grace to come here to watch me. Think about it.” I’d got his attention.

“You have an agenda?”

“Ironically, this was a bit of a coincidence, but I do have ambitions. So, you see that I win this fight, and I’ll make sure she’s here tonight. A happy reunion to celebrate my win?” The words were out, and the plan announced before I’d thought it all through.

He let go and walked away, thinking over my offer. Leo, who’d hung back, looked mad, his jaw locked and his face pretty fucking animated. Well, tough shit. Grace was my lucky charm after all. Now, I had my fight and leverage to ensure the win I needed. This would only be the first step. I wouldn’t stop until I ruled this place, and no one would ever question me or what I could achieve again.

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