Page 19 of Celestial Combat

“I don’t.”

I reached for the glass of water sitting in front of Meisa.

She didn’t stop me.

I took a slow sip, setting it back down deliberately, my gaze settling on her.

The air between us shifted, thickening like the steam back in the sauna – only now, it wasn’t heat curling between us. It was something else. Something close to a challenge.

Her shoulders squared.

My jaw flexed.

Tony’s phone chimed, and he glanced at it before stretching and standing.“Gotta go. I’ll catch you later.”

Meisa smiled at him. “Bye, Tony.”

I didn’t.

The moment Tony disappeared, she exhaled, pushing her plate away slightly. Her eyes flickered toward me, unreadable.

“Something you need?” She asked, tilting her head.

My gaze drifted lower, catching on the faint bruise along her jawline from sparring Tony. It was healing, but I saw it.

“Don’t get comfortable with him.”

“Why? I like him.” Her expression flickered – something sharp and restrained. Something angry. “A lot.”

A muscle in my jaw ticked. I liked the motherfucker too when he brought me in money, before bringing her.

I didn’t answer. Because I didn’t fucking have an answer.

I just knew the feeling in my chest was new. Unfamiliar. Uncomfortable.

And I hated it.

I stood, towering over her.

Her eyes glinted with something I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Finish your food. You’ll need the energy.”

I walked away.

Before I did something stupid.

Chapter 8

Present

Midtown, New York City

ONE MORNING, A COUPLE OF days before the fight, the underground warehouse was empty, save for her.

Meisa moved inside the cage like a storm contained within four walls. Her fists cut through the air, shadowboxing, each strike fueled by something raw, something venomous.

I leaned against the cage door, arms crossed, watching.

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