Page 18 of Rooster's Redemption

I lean across the bar and Alyssa leans forward. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Do not leave this building until either myself or Kayne picks you up.”

“Is everything OK?” The worry in her voice undoes me and I cannot lie to her.

“I don’t know. All I know is Ace needs me. Please, don’t leave this building for anyone but Kayne or me.” Alyssa nods her head,holding back the tears in her eyes. “Thank you.” I kiss her hard before sprinting out the door and jumping on my bike.

My best friend is in trouble and I will do everything I can to help him. Come hell or high water, no one will harm my best friend without paying the consequences.

Chapter

Ten

ACE

Iwatch as my best friend rides off with the love of his life, even if he hasn’t admitted it to himself yet. I’m proud of Rooster for finally settling down and taking a chance on love after Phoebe broke his heart years ago. I will do everything in my power to help him bring his daughter back and that starts with this dipshit Adam and how he knows things about Rooster’s past that no one besides us know about.

I received a call from Seth, the guy who sets up the underground fighting ring I’m a part of, a little while ago. He told me a preppy asshole has been sniffing around asking about us and somehow Seth convinced Adam to get in the ring and we’d come.

After clearing it with Kayne, Duke and I are on our way to The Cage. I was hesitant to bring Duke in but Kanye told me under no circumstance whatsoever was I to do this alone. So, Duke seemed like the best option to bring along. I just hope it doesn’t freak him out when he sees how dark I can really get. The rumble of our Harley’s vibrate the quiet night. I focus on getting answers from this douche canoe, so the rest of us can finally have some peace. This is my area, my domain. No one comes strollingin here, asking questions and expecting to get away with it. Fuck that. It’s not how I roll.

Duke and I park our bikes right up close to the brick building and climb off. I open the metal door and descend the dark stairway. The scent of blood and testosterone is heavy the further down we go. Once we reach the bottom, it’s like a whole new world down here. My world.

There’s a huge metal cage in the center of the concrete floor with two men inside fighting. Inside the Cage, there are only two ways out. One is in a body bag and the other is unconscious. The concrete floor is littered with blood and possibly teeth, which they wash down after the night is over. Men and women are crowded around the cage cheering and chanting the fighters on inside the Cage.

“What the fuck?” Duke asks in awe.

“Close your mouth or you’ll get something besides flies shoved in there down here.” I offer. Duke snaps his mouth shut and his green eyes widen in surprise. I feel I must elaborate so he doesn’t get the wrong idea. “If these people smell weakness, they will pray on it. I don’t know if you’ve ever done hard time but it’s the same way. If you act timid, they will pounce and make you their bitch. This place isn’t for everyone so keep your cool and you’ll be fine.”

Duke nods his head and glares around the room. The transformation from awe to murderous he did would be comical if this was any other circumstance. But I need him to channel the latter to survive down here and I don’t have to babysit him.

Seth notices the two of us as we push our way through the crowd, toward the back. He cocks his head to the side, saying he will meet me in my room. My chin lifts back, acknowledging him. I open the door to my room and step inside. It smells musty from not being used in a few weeks. There are boxes lined along the walls that are used for cleaning after a night of fighting,a single metal chair and a lonely light bulb above it sit in the middle of the room.

I stand in the center and remove my cut, hanging my cut on the back of the metal chair. I slip my t-shirt off and toss it on the floor. “Duke, no one but Rooster knows about this side of me. What you’re going to see tonight will change you so strap on your big boy boxers and watch how a professional gets shit done.” I sit in the chair and remove my boots and socks so I’m only in my jeans. “I’m going to warn you though, this takes a lot out of me and once I’m done, I might not make it home on my own. If that happens, call Rooster.”

“You got it, Ace.” He shifts from foot to foot with a worried look on his face.

“Spit it out, Duke.”

“What do I need to do while you’re in there?”

I stand up, grab some tape and wrap my wrists and knuckles. “Watch my back. If Adam is with Steam, then I wouldn’t put it past him to try and take me out when this is over with.”

“Got it. I’ll be right beside you the whole time. I won’t let anything happen.” Duke nods his head. He’s nervous and I get it but I have full confidence he will do what he says.

Seth enters the room and Duke spins around, drawing his gun and pointing it at Seth’s head. “Dude, what the fuck?”

“Duke, put it away, he can be trusted,” I state. Duke holsters his gun and steps back, letting Seth in. I shake his hand. “Sorry about that, Seth. Thanks for getting this done tonight.”

“Anything for my best fighter.” Seth returns the handshake. “Listen, there are a few guys out there with this douche so watch your back. If he loses, then I have a feeling all hell will break loose. I will have your back as much as possible.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. How long until I go?” I question sitting down in the chair.

“As soon as this death fight is done, you’re up as our main event. I’ll keep the crowd away but it’ll be your job to get the answers you need.” Seth walks out the door ending our conversation.

I focus on one thing and one thing only. The darkness living inside of me. The hatred I have for all the years of abuse I’ve endured, Rooster looking for his daughter, the turmoil inside and outside the Club, everything else takes a back seat as I channel everything I am to what I try to hide from the world. I feel the tension shift as I let go and focus on beating Adam in the ring and getting the answers we need.

A loud knock on the metal door has my muscles coiling with tension and I rise from the chair. Stalking to the door, Duke opens it and steps back allowing me to go out first. I ignore the chants and smack talk as I fearlessly head to the open Cage door. Once I’m inside, it slams shut behind me and I focus on the dick bag across the Cage. I size him up and figure out the best strategy to play with my prey. I can see his body visibly shakes when he comes face to face with me but he tries to hide it. Not today motherfucker. Not today.

I crack my neck from side to side and swing my arms back and forth, loosening my tight muscles. Seth does his little spiel, which I ignore and then the bell rings. I’m light on my feet as I tease this fucker with jab after jab. Not enough to hurt him yet, but enough for him to know I’m fucking with him. Adam ducks and tries to body hug me but I wrap my arms around his waist, lifting him so we’re face to face.

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