Page 75 of I Am Lioness

I meant it too, every damn word.

Tomorrow night was going to be the night when Lexi Panterra finally submitted to me. She’d evaded every year since I took the title, forcing me to knock her out. A rude awakening didn’t quite cover what she was in for this year.

The arena was packed to the brim, hundreds of people filling the stands, waiting for the ultimate bloodshed of the season.

They were booing Panterra in the cage, loudly, vehemently. Some yelled obscenities while others stuck with the more traditional discouraging phrases that somehow still stung.

Either way, she didn’t have much of a support system—other than her coach and a handful of fans—which always served to my advantage.

I wasn't nervous, wasn't afraid, I was just ready. Ready to hop into that cage and give Lexi every bit of the beating she deserved until her hand came down on that mat.

Knox helped me slip on my signature pink robe and kept his arms around my shoulders as the announcer requested silence and began his introductory speech. As soon as the wordsfree for allleft his mouth, the crowd erupted once more.

“LI-ON-ESS, LI-ON-ESS!” They chanted harmoniously.

“SHALL WE BRING HER OUT?” He asked, bringing them into an uproar of excitement.

“WE ALL KNOW WHO SHE IS! HELL, SHE’S THE REASON WHY YOU’RE ALL HERE TONIGHT! LET’S MAKE SOME NOISE AND WELCOME YOUR REIGNING QUEEN TO THE CAGE! HERE SHE COMES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HAAAAZELLLL LIONESSSSSS PEERRRYYY!!!”

They went absolutely ballistic.

Showtime.

I stepped out from behind the curtain onto the makeshift runway with Knox on my tail and made my way down to the steel octagon.

As I approached, I noticed Lexi glaring at me from center ring. Her right eye was bruised and a little puffy from our recent scuffle, but otherwise she looked better than I was expecting.

Knox unlocked the cage as I shrugged off my robe, handing it to him thereafter. Without an ounce of reservation, he grabbed my face and smashed his lips to mine.

“I love you.” He yelled above the boisterous noise level of the arena.

I grinned, knowing I’d never tire of hearing those words come out of his mouth. “I love you too.”

“Give her hell, baby.”

“Always.” I promised, and with a wink, I entered the cage, hearing the door clink shut behind me. The further I stepped in, the louder the cheering grew and the faster my blood began to pump.

Lionessssss!!!

We love you, Lioness!!!

Hearing and seeing the amount of people who were there for me never ceased to amaze me. I threw my arms up as I made it to center ring, soaking in the positive energy they radiated in waves. I felt it all, absorbed it, relished it, and with a deep breath, I lowered my gaze on Panterra.

“ARE WE READY LADIES?!!!” The announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers.

Lexi and I focused on each other as we’d done just two nights ago and promptly nodded in unison.

“THEN LET'S. GET. IT. ON!!!!”

The bell sounded off, though it was barely audible above the chaos.

I hopped onto my toes, waving my palms. “Bring it, Lexi. Don't hold back.”

“You're gonna regret that.” She snarled as she pushed off the mat and came flying out with a quick jab.

I dodged and shot out with three swift punches, the last one nailing her right in the jaw. She shook it off and swung out, growling when I bounced her off with such force, she stumbled back.

Charging toward her, I threw her back against the cage and smashing my knuckles into her bad eye. She howled in pain, her stance falling away, her body slumping ever so slightly.

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