Page 77 of Shifting Gears

“Oh, I’m going to enjoy the look on your face once your man is left broken and your sister is picked up right after the match so she can prepare at my home for our wedding,” he snapped.

My stomach dropped.

Does he have people watching our home?! I need to tell Touma to be careful.

“I’ll find you after the fight. Enjoy your last moments of hope,” Kaito said as he stalked off over to where his box seat was.

“I fucking hate him!” I spit as AJ warmed up.

AJ didn’t reply as he went through his paces for about twenty minutes. Which only meant I had nothing to do but focus on going over my plan about thirty times.

“You have enough time to cool down?” AJ asked as he walked over to me, reaching into the duffel bag and grabbing a towel to wipe his forehead.

“He gets under my skin. I can’t wait for him to get what he deserves,” I said as I stood up, taking the duffel bag with me as the crowd moved into the seats.

It was almost time for the match, so we had to get to the ring. AJ followed me, grabbing my arm as we came to the ring’s edge together.

“I’ve got this, Syd. You just make sure you get out of here when it’s time to run.” He gave me a wink and grabbed the gate to the ring.

The announcer talked about the fighters and pointed at us.

With a final glance back, AJ narrowed his eyes, his smirk hidden under the mask, then turned and shoved the gate open.

Once AJ walked through into the ring, I reached down into the duffel bag and pulled out Raven’s phone, pressed the Call button, and held the phone hidden against my thigh. I glanced down and saw the line answer right as the announcer shouted for AJ’s challenger.

“The odds are high as these two warriors enter battle. Only one can win. Will it be Akuma?!” His hand swept over AJ, who rolled his shoulders before moving into a fight stance with his guard up. “Or our very ownshacho’s fighter Koroshi?” He moved his other arm out toward Kaito’s fighter, who was shrouded in darkness on the other end of the ring.

He stood calmly, opting to remain relaxed with his arms folded over his chest instead of taking any sort of fighting stance.

I turned and brought the phone to my face long enough to hear someone asking for information over and over, and I spoke as quickly as I could, giving them the address.

“There is gambling, fighting, and people with illegal weapons here. Please, help me. I-I don’t think I’ll be able to stay hidden much longer, and I’m scared for my life!”

With that, I tossed the phone inside the bag on top of the towels and shoved it under the seats in the bleachers next to me. No one could hear the receptionist on the line with all this noise the crowd was making as the fighters faced each other.

Now it’s just waiting for the right moment.

My eyes went over to Kaito, who was keenly observing the match about to begin. He had this smug look on his face, the kind where he had no doubt about the results of the match.

He was about to lose every ounce of power he held so dear. And I was going to be the one to take it from him. For all he had done to my family and especially for Raven.

I placed my hand over the gun in my crossbody purse as the announcer swung his hands, and the match began. My eyes were glued on the back of the fighter who all my plans rested on.

CHAPTER 26

AJ

I stoodin the center of the ring, ready for whatever this guy might throw my way. But when the ref stepped back, the man in front of me remained still.

The crowd buzzed with excitement, waiting to see which of us would attack first and hoping that who they had bet on would land the first hit.

My knuckles tightened as I flexed my hands, rolling my shoulders out from a defensive stance to an aggressive one. I watched Koroshi as I decided on my first move.

He was completely still, wearing black cargo pants and a long-sleeved shirt. His hands were wrapped in black bandages, and he wore a balaclava with only his eyes showing.

Even though the guy was just standing there, I knew if I made one wrong move, I could get in some serious trouble.

Better play it safe. Start by throwing a few punches and keep my distance.

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