Page 18 of Second Chances

“I don’t react well to my friends being hurt, as you know.” The grin she gives me is that of a girl-next-door with darkness laced at the edges.

Just like Elena, Sonia’s build is all muscle. However, that’s where the similarity ends because Elena has the body of a dancer, but Sonia has the sinew of a trained killer like Matthew and I. Sonia stands up on her tiptoes in high black shoes that finish off her outfit of tight black leather leggings and a red bodice. “Good luck,” she says as she kisses her partner and struts off into the arena.

“Let’s do this.” Matthew turns to me, and for the first time, I feel nervous.

The announcer drums the crowd up, and they roar as I’m announced first and then Matthew. I don’t expect cheers, but I get them. Nobody really knows why this match is happening, but Matthew is popular, hence the greater sum of money bet on him. Matthew is given rapturous applause as he jumps in the ring and fist pumps the air. Looking around the room, I spot Elena sitting with James and Amy. Grayson and Sophie have traveled back to America for a couple of weeks for adjustments on the final film in hisRenegadeaction movie series, so they haven’t made it here tonight. I’m sure the phone in Amy’s hand will be keeping them informed, though. Elena is nibbling at the tip of one of her fingernails. She looks terrified, and I give her a reassuring smile when she sees me looking at her.

Taking a deep breath, I watch as the doors on the cage close, and the referee calls us to start.

I shut my eyes for a second and clench every muscle in my body. Opening my eyes again, I allow Matthew to come for me. Punch after punch, he works out his anger at being shot by me.

Suddenly, Matthew stops, steps back, and says, “I know you’ve been through so much shit. It must be hard for you to tell good from bad. But please understand the man I killed was not a good person. I’ve seen that look in a lot of people’s eyes…I saw it in your grandfather’s. ” All around us, the crowd is cheering. They can’t hear what he’s saying as he continues. “I don’t kill unless I see that.”

I nod.

“I know. I think I know you better than I know myself sometimes,” I respond, coughing through the pain pounding in my ribs.

“Then fight back. Let’s make this as fair as we can now you’ve allowed me to get in a few revenge punches.” Matthew holds his hand out to me as the referee steps toward us again to check everything is ok. I take it with my right and then bring my left fist quickly forward to land a punch on his cheek. He stumbles back in shock before coming at me again. Over the next few rounds, we trade blows, matching each other with skill and strength. The crowd screams for more and more, and we give it to them.

Eventually my body tires, the initial few punches having had an effect on it. Matthew sends a furious right hook into my jaw, and I’m down. Flat on the floor staring up at the ceiling. The crowd gasps and then fall silent as the referee counts. I’m done with this. I had no intention of winning, and so I lie there on the floor, wanting nothing more than to talk to Elena again.

The crowd erupts on the count of ten. Matthew Carter is the victor, and everyone rejoices. He helps me to my feet, and we shake hands.

“It’s over,” he tells me before he sees Sonia heading through the cage door. She nods at me, telling me without words she feels the same as Matthew—I’m forgiven. My legs wobble, and I go to fall but am caught by my brother, Amy and Elena.

My breaths are ragged. I’m exhausted and need assistance to get back to my dressing room. James struggles to help me with just one arm, so the girls have to take up most of the slack. Medical supplies are already laid out, and Elena starts to clean up a couple of cuts I have on my face while Amy and James disappear to check on Matthew and get me a sugary drink.

“You aren’t going to look terribly pretty in the morning.”

Elena screws up her face as she examines a cut just above my eye.

“I’m not sure I ever look ‘terribly pretty’ in the morning, especially after a nightshift. Does it need stitches?” Elena puts down the antiseptic wipe she’s been using, and I notice a lot of blood on it.

“There are some Steri-Strips here. I’ll use them. It already looks like the blood is congealing.”

“Good. I fucking hate stitches. They hurt like hell.”

“Says the person who’s just gone ten rounds with a man as strong as the Incredible Hulk and the temper to match when he’s pissed off.”

I can’t help but laugh at Elena’s comparison of Matthew to the green mutant.

“He does have a certain look that scares the shit out of you.”

“Tell me about it. The first time I saw him he was heading into a fight to rescue James. Seriously, bodies flew across the room. It was the most surreal moment of my life.”

“That sounds like a regular Friday night down at the pub for MI5.” Gingerly getting to my feet, I find myself aching everywhere. All I want is a hot shower and bed. I must be getting old. Before the fight, I was imagining fucking Elena all night long.

Amy and James return with my drink, and I gulp it down.

“You want a lift home?” James asks. “I can bring you back here to get your car tomorrow.”

“I think that’ll be a good idea.” I’m not sure I’d even be able to change gears at the moment, let alone turn the steering wheel. “I’ll just have a quick shower. I don’t want to get blood all over your fancy car.”

Amy snorts.

“I’m driving. Believe me, it’s only his Audi tonight—nothing too expensive. I don’t get to drive anything fancier after I crashed one of his favorite cars into his Harley Davidson.” She raises her hands up in the air in frustration. “It doesn’t seem to matter I was trying to escape kidnappers at the time. I’m still not allowed to drive the Aston Martin or the Ferrari.”

“Only Matthew gets to drive them.” James places his good arm around his wife.

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