Page 15 of Unlucky You

Clever!

Much to my surprise, the accommodations were a complete contrast from what I expected. There was nothing small and dingy about the inside. Bright lights, music blasting, and hundreds of spectators filled the space. An elevated boxing ring was surrounded by organized seating. Some sections were roped off with bright red and gold cording that extended between shiny steel posts. The chairs in those sections had cushioned seats and backs while the other sections housed simple plastic folding chairs.

Servers moved around with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. There was also a fully stocked bar sitting in one corner. As appealing as the atmosphere was, I couldn’t shake the intrigue I felt from the man who held my attention moments before. The moment I was under his loaded gaze, I felt a spark of something explode internally.

A shift so rare that it was only granted with the acknowledgment of a virile man. I remembered him from The Pit. The man who came

to my rescue then disappeared as if he hadn’t knocked a guy on his ass, rendering him unconscious where he had to be carried out by security. He was a rare breed. The type who, without effort, had a woman’s heart racing and pulse quickening. Seeing him had my entire body on hyper alert.

He’s a fighter.

The heated sensation that warmed the back of my neck before spreading lower and extending throughout the rest of mybody was unexpected. So much about him unsettled me and that feeling only intensified after I dropped my eyes, only to find him still staring when my gaze found his again. The man was intense in the type of way that warned me to keep my distance but if the opportunity presented itself, I wouldn’t because I was subconsciously drawn to him at the same time.

Deep brown eyes that appeared arctic pinned me in place. His stare cut right through me. He was tall and powerfully built. His eyes were cold but beautiful and further complemented a hard, gorgeous face. The way he moved was both confident and elegant which carried an air of discipline and power. I hated that he managed to hold my gaze so intensely for that brief moment then took off as if I was just another face in the crowd.

Because you are.

A server approached. I paused the young woman long enough to snag a flute of champagne from her tray and moved deeper into the crowd. I handed off the empty glass to another by the time I crossed the room.

The seating around the ring was beginning to fill up but I planned on staying mobile to ensure I had the freedom to fully capture the best shots. Bypassing the rows of chairs, I found a spot on the wall and removed the camera I selected for the evening from my shoulder to do a once over before the fights began.

“I didn’t think they allowed media?” A rich male voice sounded from somewhere close.

“I’m not media.” I lifted the camera and fired off a few test shots instead of entertaining the man next to me.

“Then what’s the deal with the camera?” Since he didn’t take the hint that I wasn’t interested in striking up a conversation, I turned to find a bearded face and eyes so dark they appeared black. His expression was neutral, which didn’t give away much. But I stayed on the defensive with men who approached mebecause I was often hit on without much of an invitation on my part.

“I’m a photographer. Not media, just photos.”

“You gonna post those?”

“No.”

I wouldn’t but Joe would.

The blunt response granted me a smile that enchanted the face that was staring back at me.

“Not much for conversation either, I see.”

“Nope.”

After swiping through the test shots and making a few minor adjustments, I removed my phone and attempted to open an email account to see if any new job requests had come in only to find I had no service and nothing on my phone would connect.

“Signal’s scrambled for about a mile surrounding the building. They do it to make sure no one livestreams the fights. Kinda defeats the purpose of being exclusive if someone in here leaks it to the general public.”

“Makes sense,” I muttered. Most of the events I had experienced in the past that wanted to maintain privacy simply confiscated phones upon entry of the guests. Blocking internet access was just as beneficial, however I didn’t like feeling as if I were trapped in a situation without the ability to communicate with anyone outside of the building. I didn’t know these people.

“They’re about to start. You might want to find a seat if you want to be up close,” the man offered, pushing away from the wall. He realized I wasn’t trying to engage and thankfully wasn’t the type to force a woman’s hand. Based on the man’s looks, he had plenty who were more than willing to not only offer conversation but plenty of bonus options as well.

“Thanks, but I think I’ll hang out here.” I offered a genuine smile since the man hadn’t actually tried to hit on me. I assumedhe would have had I shown the least bit of interest, but because I hadn’t he was respectful.

Rare, but appreciated.

With a loose nod, he walked away and I took the opportunity to take him in—tall, medium build, tattooed brown skin, and a tight low fade. He was actually kind of handsome but I wasn’t there for personal reasons. Tonight was about money.

Shortly after, an emcee climbed the portable metal stairs and dipped under the ropes with a microphone in hand. After he moved to the center of the ring, he provided instructions about how the evening would go. Three fights, three rounds, nine minutes each. If there was no knockout, the decision would be made by the crowd. I didn’t know much about boxing but the rules seemed fair. The entire event was well-organized, nothing like I expected.

By the time the first two matches came to a close, I was over the entire night. Brutal force, blood, and sweat was about the summary of what took place. I wasn’t sure if I could suffer through the final fight until I recognized one of the opponents.

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