Page 82 of Last Round

“You wanna fight?” I ask while yanking my shirt over my head.

“Finally.” Tony continues to toss his gear to the ground.

“Killian,” Sean yells. We haven’t spoken since that morning. Not directly, instead passing messages between staff. So, the fact he’s addressing me says it’s important.

“We’ll discuss this later. Hit the showers,” I order Tony. “You’re done for the day. Come back tomorrow. And you better be fucking ready to learn. If not, then don’t even bother. I’m sick of you wasting my time.” I don’t wait for his reply before marching over to Sean. “What?” I skip the pleasantries.

“You can’t fight him.”

“Why? Think I’ll lose?” I tease.

“I couldn’t care less if you did.” He shrugs. “I’d buy tickets and happily watch that kid mop the ring with you.”

“Look, we both know you only got the upper hand on me because I wasn’t fighting back. Jersey Shore over there…” I gesture to our training ring, but he’s gone. Oh yeah, I forgot I sent him to the showers. Whatever, he knows who I’m referencing. “The rookie doesn’t stand a chance.”

Sean’s about to argue but pauses. “Let’s say you’re right and manage to land a lucky blow. He gets hurt and can’t fight. What do you think happens then?”

“Let me guess.” I roll my eyes. “There is something in the contract about us paying damages?” Sean nods. “You really fucked us, you know,” I seethe under my breath. Sean at least has the decency to wince because he knows it’s true. “When this contract is over, so am I. I quit. You can keep running this place, sell it, burn it down and piss on the ashes—I don’t care. But I’m done.” Sean frowns. “Get Jessica out of my fucking bar. She’s a cunt and no one can stand her. And when I come back, because I am, if she’s there I will toss her ass in the dumpster with the rest of the trash she brings in. The bar is mine. Whether or not you’re part of it, that’s up to you.” I shoulder-check him as I leave.

“How is she?” Sean asks. I turn and see a closer resemblance to the guy I used to consider my friend. “I’ve tried to call her, but she sends me straight to voicemail and she doesn’t answer my texts. I just… I want to know she’s okay.”

I get it. Even though he’s mad, it’s his little sister. One he loves more like a daughter. Still, it doesn’t excuse the shit he said to her. “If she wants you to know, she’ll tell you.”

I continue to stalk off and decide to skip the gym showers. Instead, I make my way to the back stairs. I’d much rather shower with Molly than down here with these assholes.

“Come on, baby,” Tony whispers, leaning in closer. “Don’t pretend you haven’t missed me.” The world is doused in red as I watch Molly trapped against the wall, caged in by Tony’s arms and body. He’s in nothing but his low-slung athletic shorts.

“Not interested,” Molly says flatly.

“Quit playing. Why settle with some washed-uphas-been,when you can have a star?”

“I wouldn’t want you if you were the last man on earth and all the batteries to my vibrator were dead. We’re over. We have been, for a very long time. This isn’t New York. You don’t scare me anymore. Now, let me go.”

“Listen here, you little—”

That’s the last straw. Whatever restraint I was using, telling myself she had this handled, is gone. I don’t remember the steps I took, or exactly how I did it. All I know is I’ve got my hand wrapped around the douchebag’s throat, his back pinned against the wall, and Molly holding on to my cocked fist.

“Please, Killian,” she cries, tugging me away. I force my gaze to meet hers. Molly’s eyes are wide with panic, tears rolling down her face.

Is she scared of me?

No, she’s scared of what will happen if I hit him. “Fuck,” I groan, lowering my fist while maintaining my grip on his throat.

Molly lets out a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”

“Go upstairs.” I take a deep breath and smile. “Please. I won’t hurt him. But I’m not about to let him go until you’re back upstairs and safe. You got to give me at least that much.”

She looks between us. “Okay.” Then she takes one last cautious glance before running off.

Once she’s out of sight, I let him go. “If you as much as ever look at—no, breathe—near her again, I will fucking kill you,” I warn him. “Now get the fuck out of here before I change my mind.” I continue down the hall, back to my apartment, focusing on all the reasons I can’t kick his ass right now.

“Does it kill you inside?” Tony calls out. And like an idiot, I stop but don’t turn to face him. “I mean, it’s got to. I know it would kill me.”

“What?” I finally take his bait.

He flashes me a crooked grin. “That I was the first to break in that tight little cunt of hers.” My fist clenches as I grind my teeth. “No matter what you do, every time you fuck her, you’ll know that my dick was there first.” Tony folds over when my fist collides with his gut. He lets out a harsh gasp and falls to his knees as I take a step back. “What?” He coughs. “That’s it?”

“I promised Molly.” Even if,technically, I already broke it. He’s hurt. Not bad. He’ll walk it off in a few. Still, I’m a work in progress. She’ll forgive me for one little slip-up. Fuck it, she would’ve punched him too if she heard what he said.

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