Page 101 of The Catalyst

“Nigel,now,” Oliver warns while pushing him to walk back to where he belongs and far away from me.

I turn my gaze to Martin whose eyes are heavily trained on Nigel as Oliver practically drags him away. “Why were you so silent?”

Like other than remarking about how Nigel was on the wrong side of the ring, he was really quiet.

“I had the feeling you had more than an earful to give him for the both of us.” He squeezes my hand before smirking down at me. “In all seriousness, I’m really proud of you, little rabbit. You stood your ground. I know how difficult it is to do that with the person who hurt you.” He presses a soft kiss to my forehead and I fucking melt.

There must be something seriously wrong with me. Why the hell else would I completely swoon just from the smallest amount of praise from Martin? My standards are on the floor at this point. I used to just roll my eyes when anyone said they were proud of me and come back with some witty remark about how I didn’t need them to be proud.

However, when he says it, it gives melife.

“Thank you.”

He throws his arm around my shoulder and guides me through the crowd, even past a scowling Casey who looks very uncomfortable with her “not boyfriend” being so affectionate with me.

I can’t believe she actually lied about dating Martin. Like, why? Why would she lie about that? Did she think he wouldn’t call her out on it? As if!

We walk up to the ring as the showrunner makes a series of announcements with a megaphone and Nigel gives Martin the death stare. He looks ready to kill him.

“Are you sure about this?” I ask as I turn to look up at Martin, concern filling my gut. The panic is swirling in my brain and my heart can’t take much more.

Ro said during that first fight that Nigel would kill Martin, but now it’s more than just him grabbing my ass. I came here with Martin and Nigel is fully aware that Martin and I have been hooking up.

Martin takes my face in his hands, a smile pulling at his lips. “I’ve got this. Take a breath, okay? Besides, at this point, I’ve got the edge, not him. I’ll be fine.”

I slowly nod, my lips thinning with every second.

He chuckles. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you would miss me if he actually killed me,” he jokes dryly.

All jokes have a lick of truth to them and I don’t know how he could think I wouldn’t miss him. I think a part of me would die a little along with him.

My heart didn’t feel safe with Nigel or Oliver, but I know deep down if I gave it to him, it would be. It doesn't matter that things are casual between us. He has proven himself over and over again over the past few days.

“Of course, I would.” My voice breaks as I glance over at Nigel anxiously.

I just want Martin to walk out of this alive.

“You can calm down. He’ll be fine.” I snap my head around at the voice and find Oliver standing there, his arms crossed over his chest. “I should know. I’m the one he spares with.”

That only gives me a small comfort. Oliver is really strong, but so is Nigel. I’ve never heard of those two fighting, but if I had to bet based on muscle mass alone, Oliver would be the winner. Nigel has strategy on his side and I’m not aware of any training Oliver has.

“I’ll be okay, little rabbit,” Martin affirms before Oliver moves around me and quite gently pushes Martin back.

“Oliver,” I growl his name. What is his problem and why is he over here when he should be on Nigel’s side of the ring?

“Nigel has his own grievances with you, but I have some of my own, cousin.” Oliver practically snarls. “What the hell are you doing here with her?” I can’t see his face, only his back, but if the tense muscles lining his spine are anything to go by, he is mighty pissed.

“That’s for me to know and for you to dot, dot, and…oh, would you look at that! Another dot.”

I snicker from his sassy response. It used to annoy the hell out of me, but that was before I actually took the time to get to know him.

“I really don’t want to hurt you, but don’t think I–”

“Girls, girls, you’re both pretty. Jesus Christ. Put your dick away, Oliver.” He turns his head to look at me as if he forgot I was standing here. “Like, if you’re fucking jealous, just say that and leave Martin alone. Nigel is swinging his dick around enough for an entire village. You can stop.”

He backs away from Martin before turning to me. His eyes are nearly black when he wraps his fingers around my throat before leaning into my face. “I don’t do jealousy, crazy girl. I don’t mind sharing what’smine.” I’m about to tell him I don’t belong to him when he steals a rough and passionate kiss, something that causes the entire warehouse to go dead silent. He releases my mouth before whispering, “Keep that in mind the next time you want to elicit that type of response from me.” Then, Oliver releases me and walks away. I still feel his lips on mine and the indentation of his fingers around my throat, flexing against my pulse.

God-fucking-damn him.

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