Page 156 of Rebel Hawke

And it seems Gordon has taken the same tack for this fight.

He smirks as he climbs onto the stage and approaches the scale, then removes the belt and hands it to his trainer before he steps up.

I glance toward Wren, and she gives me a little smile as we wait for the commission rep to give the official weight.

“174.9.”

Gordon glances my way and steps back, grabbing his belt and hoisting it above his head for the cameras.

All part of the show.

And so is what comes next.

The photo op everyone wants. A face-to-face filled with animosity that isn’t really there. An act. But it’s a necessary one to hype up the fight and get people to pay for it.

Clenching my jaw, I make my way over to center stage to pose for the obligatory showdown photo. Gordon resecures his belt around his waist and turns to me, offering a smug smirk.

Here we go.

We raise our hands as the cameras go wild again.

Gordon’s gaze drifts down to the scar on my shoulder. “You sure you’re ready for this, Hawke?”

I know what he is trying to do—get into my fucking head.

But there’s no need.

I’m already in there enough.

“I want you to throw the fight.”

Satriano’s lightly accented voice fills my ears, overtaking the one thatknowsI can win. They war the same way they have been the last week, keeping me awake at night, driving me insane during the day.

An incessant battle that threatens to overwhelm my focus.

Still, I can’t showanysign of weakness.

I school my expression, unwilling to let him see even the slightest hint that things might not be right. “More than ready.”

He smirks again. “Good. I prefer a fair fight, but it doesn’t mean I won’t put you in the grave.”

All part of his character.

The role he plays as well as I do mine.

Returning his grin, I lean closer, getting nose to nose with him for the cameras. “Duly fucking noted.”

We bump fists and step back, each of us moving to take our seats at the tables set up on either side of the stage.

I despise this part.

Playing to the media.

Pretending to give a shit what they do or what they post in their stories.

All I care about is the fight. At least, that was always true before.

So much has changed.

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