Page 57 of I Am Lioness

The fact that she’d been holding back something so important when it could have been all too easy for me to lend a helping hand was aggravating. None of this would be an issue if she would have spoken up and now I was going to fix it the only way I knew how, whether she liked it or not.

“Fine, don't talk.” I said, ripping the mitts off my hands one at a time and taking the few steps to close the distance between us. “I will. And youwilllisten very carefully to each and every word because I’m trying help you. Do you understand me?”

She didn't answer me, wouldn't spare me a look, her head actually turning way to avoid my questioning gaze. Harsh lines of anger marred her beautiful face, brows knit together and lips puckered along with it.

I brought two fingers to her chin and turned her back to face me, forcing her to acknowledge my presence. When her eyes finally met mine, I asked again, “Do. You. Understand me?”

The word itself never left her mouth but she nodded in response, her throat bobbing through a deep swallow.

“When we get back to the hotel, you're going to call Jason into our suite so he can get ahold of whoever is in charge of the Board to assure them you'll have a new coach at the fight on Friday night.” With the very tips of my fingers, I pushed on her abdomen, urging her to step back as I advanced forward. “And when they ask Jason for this coach’s name, he's going to sayKnox. Steel. Carr.”

Her mouth popped open to protest but I shut her down with a simple shake of my finger.

“Eh, eh, eh. Let me finish.” I chided. “You'll get your turn.”

I trapped her straight into the corner, her back hitting flush against the padded post at the very edge of the ring. Gripping the ropes in my hands, I dropped my head low beside her ear. “Let me be the one in your corner, Hazel. Don't fight me on this and really think about it. I'm the only option you have left unless you’re interested in hiring one of those idiots who have absolutely no idea what they’re doing.”

“Doyouknow what you're doing?” She bit out.

“Don't we train well together?” I countered.

She nodded.

“So then obviously I know what I'm doing. Just say yes.” I urged, praying that she would think wisely and put aside her stubborn ways.

There was a look of uncertainty in her eyes but I knew she realized this was her only way out. “Yes.” She said finally and I grinned, taking her face between my hands.

“Worry not, my little Lioness. Coach Carr is going to make sure you stay on top.”

It. Was. Fight night.

The referee stalked into the cage ready to watch over the final round of the evening.

That’s my cue.

I took one last look at Hazel who was already bouncing on her toes, preying on her opponent from across the way, and exited the steel octagon, heading to my designated post.

“Knox.” I heard her voice call out above the crowd.

When I glanced over my shoulder, she smiled and crouched down low, puckering her lips between the cage. I grinned and stalked to the edge of the ring, clasping the cool metal in my fingers as I pressed my lips to hers. Our PDA did not go unnoticed. The entire arena erupted in a series of hoots and hollers that had Hazel laughing softly against my mouth.

“Go hard, baby.” I said.

She pecked my lips once more and stood tall. “Always, you know that.”

Stepping back, I watched her take her place center ring, her opponent—Ashley ‘Fierce’ Fernandez—joining seconds later with the ref on her tail. He stood between them with his arms extended at his sides, mostly to keep Fierce in check. She was mean, known to become agitated at the flip of a switch and turn the fight into a nasty downward spiral.

There hadn’t been an issue thus far, but with this being the last round of the evening and the way she was glaring at Hazel across the short distance separating them, I had a feeling she was going to give my girl utter hell. She knew she wasn’t winning tonight, that didn’t mean she was going to go down gently though.

I sucked in a deep breath as they tapped gloves and retreated further away, arms held up in stance.

Here we go.

The referee glanced between them one last time and with a simple clap of his hands, Fierce went bounding towards Hazel in a full sprint.

I clenched my fist as Hazel took off, bracingmyselffor the impactshewas about to endure. They were millimeters from colliding when Hazel came out with a quick arm and caught Ashley by her middle, flipped her over with such speed, the girl didn’t know what happened till she hit the mat.

The arena came to life with dozens upon dozens of spectators springing to their feet, their arms flying up in excitement, amping up the scene taking place before me.

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