Page 20 of Hear Me Roar

“Exactly,” he growled. “I want you to do something forme.”

“What?”

“Pretend Terra isLexi.”

My eyes swung back to where he sat, curiosity quirking my brow in a sleekarch.

“I know this is different in some ways, but it’s still an octagon, babe. You know exactly what to do within those eight walls. Instinct will always see you through. Just imagine they’re locking you in there with Lexi, and give it all you got, like you did in The Finals. Think you can do that forme?”

“I cantry.”

“Try isn’t good enough.Canyou do that forme?”

“Yes.”

‘What was that?” He held a hand to his ear. “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hearyou.”

“Yes,” I saidlouder.

“A little louder for the folks in theback.”

“Yes!”

“Was that a yes?” he hedged, rising from thebench.

“Yes! Yes, I can fucking do it!” I roared, the vigor of my concession driving me to myfeet.

“There’s my girl.” He smiled brightly. “Welcome back,baby,”

A matching smile drifted across my face, prompting him to swallow me in his arms. Resting my chin on his chest, I stared up into satisfied blue eyes and wondered what the hell I would do withouthim.

“Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I’m gonna ask you again. Youready?”

“Fuck yes,” I asserted, nodding andall.

Beaming, he squeezed me tighter and mumbled against the top of my head, “Bernie would be so proud of you rightnow.”

“I hopeso.”

“He would, trust me, ’cause I'm sure as shit proud ofyou.”

My heart swelled to what felt like capacity. “I love you,Knox.”

“I love you more,kitten.”

Rising onto my toes, I pecked his lips, lingering for the briefest moment, and then I slid out of his embrace, feeling more sure of myself than I had in weeks. I was ready. With my man’s help, I'd gone from idle to wired, and it had never felt so good.Iwas The Lioness and it didn’t fucking matter if I was the new kid on the block. I was still going todominate.

Taking hold of my hands, he checked over the wraps one final time, and handed me my brand spanking new, bright neon pink gloves. I slipped them on and flexed my fingers, noting how good they felt. They made me want to come out swinging, just to test them out. I couldn’t even wait, jabbing my fists at lightning speed in a one-two combo with a grunt. Knox’s grin could've lit up the room as he watched me. The pride in his eyes really did say it all: If all else failed, I’d always have him on myteam.

Cheers from the arena began growing louder, as did the announcer’s voice that was now vibrating the walls of the locker room. This was it. At any minute now, he was going to call my name and this wouldn’t be a dream anymore. While I listened to what was playing out around the cage, Knox bent down beside my bag and pulled out my robe. My signature pink satin robe. The sight of it made me all the more excited, heightening the intensity of everything about this moment. Holding it out for me, I slid my arms inside the sleeves as he laid it over my shoulders and spun me around, pulling me against his chest, my back to hisfront.

“No matter what happens, I’ll always be proud of you. Understand?” he asked and I nodded, my eyes trained on the door that would finally begin this chapter of my life. Orourlife, really, because he was part of ittoo.

“Yes.”

One word, spoken with certainty and clarity. There was no tremble to my voice and no doubt in my mind... I was here for a reason. Whether I was underestimating the situation or not, I'd earned my way here. I was allowed to believe inmyself.

“This is the moment Underground fans around the Nation have been waitingfor…”

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