Page 177 of 12 Months of Mayhem

“Well, aside from them basically telling me I would never be good enough again to even consider a position with the company, my hearing loss affects my balance. My broken wrist, my sprained ankle, it’s all stuff I can work through, but it’ll never be back to where I was when it happened.”

“Fuck them, you dance like a motherfucking goddess. I meant what I said the night you danced for me; you are the best I’ve ever seen.”

I offer him a soft smile. The man always knows how to make me feel special. “I learned other types of dance to help make up for it and to also improve my balance. However, I have had multiple falls since my accident. I fractured a rib, was concussed, and re-sprained my ankle in some of those later falls. I’ll never be where I need to be to follow my dreams of ballet.”

“I truly am sorry. I wish I could take your pain away and make your dreams come true.”

My lip wobbles at his sincerity, and I nearly admit he’s already easing my pain by being so wonderful to me. “Thank you, I’m taking it one day at a time.”

“I’m proud of you for being so damn strong, shortcake. Now tell me the name of who threw you.”

“It will solve nothing.”

He nods, “Okay, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. Just know I’m here for you any way you’ll allow me to be.”

Wrapping my arms around him, I tug him close, admitting, “You are already changing my life, Powerhouse. You’ve made me smile more in the past week than I have in a long time, thank you.”

He presses a kiss to my forehead before promising, “Anything for you.”

Chapter Eight

Two months later…

Powerhouse

Prez wraps my hands as I get ready for my next fight. “You’ve got this; it’ll be an easy win. The second fight, you know his deal. Fuck with him, piss him off so he screws up, then the KO.”

I nod, inhaling and exhaling deeply. I have to be in the zone; there is no room to fuck this up. I need to win too badly. “Viking and the others make it in?”

“Yep, you have a crowd of OKMC out there. Cain is chomping at the bit to fight, but his ol’ lady’s not having it.” He smirks, knowing well what it’s like to have an ol’ lady not afraid to put her foot down about shit.

“And Raven?” I didn’t want her here, but she insisted on coming once the ol’ ladies mentioned it in front of her. I assumed she’d be a distraction, but I’m using her as motivation instead. Anyone fucks with her while I’m throwing blows and I’ll start twisting necks to get to her.

“Your woman is surrounded on all sides so no one will touch her.”

We’re interrupted by our Enforcer, Angel, coming into the back room, and I immediately ask, “You place the bets for me?”

“It’s handled.”

“I have to get that twelve K. My girl’s hearing surgery is depending on it. If anything goes wrong, I’m going to be raining bullets in some fucknuts.”

They both chuckle. “Nothing to worry about, ‘House, you’ll win and get the money you need. She still has no idea this fight is for her? That you spoke to a specialist?”

Shaking my head, I admit, “I didn’t want to tell her until I had the cash in hand. She’ll fight me on it, so I’m not saying shit until we’re in the doctor’s office booking the surgery appointment.”

Ripper whistles, “Brave, brother.” But Prez already knows from his own shit with his woman this could go north or south real fast.

“And the other?” I question, impatient. It’s been a long two months, and I’m tired of waiting.

“We found her old partner. He’s tied up and waiting for when you’re ready. Figured you’d want to fuck and shower after your fight before you torture him.”

My lips twist into a sinister grin. “Bet. Appreciate it. I can’t wait to watch him suffer after what he did to Raven and to find out who he was working with. They’re next,” I declare and both men nod in agreement.

Raven believes I let it go when she wouldn’t tell me who hurt her, but it was the furthest thing from the truth. I immediately let my brothers in on what happened and my plan to find the person responsible. My dancer can never know the truth of it all, but anyone who hurts her will pay dearly.

Like I said in the beginning, these fists? This heart? They belong to her, and I protect what’s mine. I love her too damn much to allow anyone who hurt her to keep breathing.

The end for now!

---