Page 127 of Ivory's Ruin Romance

Yu continued, “The fight is over when one party surrenders or both men from one side are knocked unconscious. If anyone interferes, I’ll remove them myself.” His hand came to rest on the pistol at his hip.

A chill crawled up her spine. She adjusted her grip on Adrian’s gun. Even though she knew how to use it, the metal felt heavy in her hand, cold and smooth as her finger slid over the barrel beside the trigger.

Both leaders turned to the men standing center stage, shooting each other glares of animosity, then they shared a silent nod.

The match had begun.

SIXTY-THREE

He rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck as Jace sneered at him a few paces away.

“Just can’t get enough of me, can you?” Jace smirked as if his taunt actually carried weight. Last time, he’d been allowed the upper hand. He was mistaken if he thought that’d ever happen again.

Adrian’s smile widened.

No one touched his family and got away with it. Especially not his sweet witch.

His lips twitched at the memory of her holding onto his weapons, ethereal and devastatingly exquisite, his guiding starlight cloaked in darkness. The best sight in the whole fucking world. For her sake, he’d fight the devil himself.

Speaking of which, Jun turned with a sneer. “Fucking pricks. I’ll make damn sure to get it through your thick skulls to stay in your lane.”

Adrian readied his fists and shifted onto the balls of his feet.

“Hey, got the wrong opponent, fucker.” Raptor followed with a lightning-fast swing that hit Jun square in the jaw. The crowd erupted as Jun spat out blood. Raptor’s face darkened. “That one’s for Riley. The rest are for me.”

Then all hell broke loose.

Jace launched forward, aiming for Adrian’s head, but he swerved just in time and then lunged back in full force. Blocking the next hit, he fired off a jab to Jace’s side and landed an uppercut in quick succession. Their arms and fists collided with brutal force, and they exchanged blow after blow.

Breaking away, he sucked in a deep breath and circled Jace.

By the grunts and groans coming from the left, it seemed Jun had his hands full. Raptor bested almost anyone in bulk, but Adrian knew Jun would be lighter and faster. Both VPs had the honor and pride of their MC on the line, unwilling to face a loss in front of their men. Their match wouldn’t end anytime soon.

Jace wouldn’t be so lucky.

Panting, Adrian wiped the sweat from his brow. Adrenaline surged through his system, and blood trickled from his knuckles, slick and sticky between his fingers. His ribs burned, stinging from a sharp inhale as he side-stepped a hit aimed at his ribs. Time to end this.

He ducked and spun on his heel, then grabbed Jace’s collar and slammed a fist into his nose. A satisfying crack preceded a hot rush of blood. With a hiss, Jace jabbed his elbow into Adrian’s chest, and they broke apart.

A wave of murmurs echoed throughout the crowd, some cheering while others cursed. It all faded into the background, pointless noise as he prowled around Jace.

Facing each other head-on, Adrian drew a painful breath as Jace licked blood off his lips. The silver rings on Jace’s hand flashed in the firelight, mirroring those on his brother’s hand. The sight made Adrian’s vision burn white hot.

“How’s that privilege feeling now?” Adrian taunted. “Still think like you can get away with anything you want?” He sprung forward and landed a hard blow to Jace’s stomach, digging into his liver. Jace grunted and contorted his face in pain. “Still think you can get away with murder, and no one would care?”

Doubled over, Jace snarled at him through a row of bloody teeth. “I said no one would care about you, asshole.”

Adrian unleashed a solid kick that knocked Jace to the ground. Red Dragon shouted while Royal Flush roared. Then he got what he’d been looking for.

That pathetic look in Jace’s dull eyes. Not one of a murderer.

Fear.

Adrian locked an arm around Jace’s neck and held him from behind. “If you were capable of killing, I’d be dead by now,” he rasped. “You didn’t have to walk away that night. You could’ve come after me anytime, but instead, you targeted Ivory. You’re the weak one, and you know it.”

Jace struggled to reply, fingers clawing at Adrian’s arm, but it was no use. His body had its limits, and without oxygen, he slumped into unconsciousness on the cold cement.

“Get up!”

---