Page 151 of The Obvious Check

Savannah reaches out and grips my arm, her fingers trembling against my skin. “Cade, you can't do this.”

“Don't worry about me, Sav. I've got a plan.”

“Last time you said that, you ended up agreeing to this fight.”

“And we'll win in the end. I promise.”

Luke steps into the ring, and the spectators cheer, but he doesn't bask in it. He just stares straight at Savannah with that predatory look that makes my blood boil.

“Sorry, babe, no girls allowed unless you're working.”

Her jaw drops, and I scan the audience, only seeing terrified women who've clearly been forced into whatever sick operation Luke's running here.

“Take her outside, Dash,” I say without hesitation. Now that I have a plan, I don’t need them here. I need them safe and away from whatever's about to happen.

Dash nods firmly, offering his arm to Savannah.

“Cade, I'm not leaving you in here. You're doing this for me.”

“Exactly. That's why you need to make it worth it.”

Her lips purse, and I can see the exact moment her resolve cracks and she realizes there's nothing she can do to stop this. I'm going through with it whether she likes it or not.

Finally.

She takes Dash's arm, and I watch as they disappear into the sea of bodies, swallowed by the mass of bloodthirsty faces. Good. Now that I know they're safe, I can focus on not only winning this fight but getting Jeremy on my side.

I turn my attention back to my opponent. Jeremy's rolling his shoulders, cracking his neck with an unreadable expression, but his eyes keep drifting to where Savannah disappeared. Whatever history they have together only matters in one context: I've found his weakness.

And it just so happens to be the same as mine.

Join the fucking club, buddy.

When the bell rings, it's all a blur. Every punch I land feels like I'm bashing my fist into a brick wall, and he doesn't even flinch. At all. Meanwhile, every hit he throws my way feels like a sledgehammer connecting with my bones. My body screams in protest, my jaw throbs like hell, and my vision blurs at the edges.

But yes, this guy is exactly who I need.

Jeremy is a fucking monster.

My fists connect with his ribs, but he barely registers the impact, while his lands another devastating punch that sends shockwaves through my entire body. I stagger back, barely keeping my footing when he delivers another brutal hit to my stomach. Pain rips through me, white-hot and unbearable. I gasp, trying to suck in air, but my lungs feel like they're being crushed under a cinder block.

I need to stay up. I need to win. But fuck, this guy is built like a goddamn tank.

Another hit. Harder this time. I drop to one knee to the old mat beneath me, rough and unforgiving, I brace myself. My head spins, my ears ring, but I can still hear the spectators around me. The jeers. The laughter. The demand for more blood.Myblood.

But then I hear his voice.

“That's for Savannah,” he grits out, making me whip my head up in confusion. Before I can process what he means, he lands another blow across my face.

I push up, bouncing on my feet, and square up to Jeremy again. Blood drips down his chest, mine or his, I have no fucking idea, but as I take another breath, I punch him square in the jaw, surprised when his head actually snaps back.

“That'sfor fucking Savannah,” I spit back.

When Jeremy recovers from the punch, his brows furrow slightly, his focus sharpening on me.

“That's rich coming from the asshole who's keeping her here.” His eyes flick to where she was standing before the fight, and I see it clear as day. Affection.

He doesn’t just like her. He fuckinglovesher.

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