Page 27 of The Traitor

The giant roared as blood started to spray. His hands went to his face to staunch the flow, and Knox started to hit him with all his might. It was like hitting a brick wall, the pain going through to his shoulders.

But the bull wasn’t down yet, and despite his vision blurred with blood, he started hitting back. Knox’s world was filled with blessed pain. He gave as good as he received, making the giant sway a few times, but this wouldn’t be an easy win.

But do I really want to win?

A well-placed hook sent him flying to the floor with enough force that Knox couldn’t get up. Dots invaded his vision, making it impossible to get his bearings. Someone kicked him in the stomach, repeatedly, and his mind started to detach itself from his body. He tried to hold on to the pain, but it was slipping away.

Feeling only returned when agony exploded in his face, and he felt darkness start to close in.

Then he heard her. Josie. He’d seen her face so often, but now he could hear her voice. It was a shout mixed with tears.Why is she crying?

Stirred by the sound, Knox forced his body to move, but it was no use. He couldn’t see anymore, but the smell of her skin filled his nostrils. Grateful for the illusion as he died tonight, he knew he would carry the sweet memory of his angel into eternity with him.

* * *

Josie kneeledover Knox’s body, using her own as a shield. She’d seen Knox lying on the floor, a mass of bruises and blood and bolted to him. Gage had tried to stop her from behind, grabbing her coat, but she quickly shed it before placing herself between the two fighters. All she wanted was to check Knox was still breathing, but she had to take care of the man bashing him like a punching bag first.

The mass of muscle and fury didn’t seem deterred by her sudden appearance in the ring. “Get out of here, bitch.”

A shiver of terror passed through her body, but she didn’t move. “No. If you want him, you’ll have to go through me.”

The mass assembled around them seemed to close in. The sound of laughter echoed through the room, but the anticipation of what was to come was even more powerful.

The fighter took a step closer as if he was considering taking her down, but a voice made him halt. “And if you want to get to her, you’ll definitely have to go through me.”

Gage’s large back blocked her vision. He was only in a t-shirt, and he quickly took it off. She saw money being exchanged by the audience. This place was even worse than she’d imagined, and much more dangerous.

There was no bell, no referee, and Gage didn’t wait for one, attacking first. Josie couldn’t look away. The big man was taken aback by the sudden attack but was quick to retaliate.

However, it was clear that Gage was faster and far more skilled. He wasn’t teasing or trying to drag the fight out. Each blow he landed was precise and deadly, fast chipping at the man’s armor.

Even when the big, bald man put a knee down, he didn’t stop tearing him apart until the man fell like a tree to the ground. Gage seemed to be in a trance, raining blows down on the man like thunder and fury.

“Gage!!” Not leaving Knox’s side, she screamed at him to stop. It took her a full minute to get through him. Heaving, Gage reluctantly stopped and finally turned to her.

Josie turned to examine Knox. He was still breathing but was unconscious on the floor. His skin was covered with sweat and blood, and he had gashes on his side and bare knuckles. His face was swollen, one eye already turning black, and his lip was split.

As gently as she could, she cradled his head. “Knox? Knox! Can you hear me?” A low groan answered her, doing nothing to reassure her.

The crowd dispersed, more interested in blood than melodrama. Gage came back with their coats and fished out his cell phone. Hissing through his teeth, he looked around before putting a hand on his friend’s forehead.

“Hey, Locke. It’s me. I found him where you told me he’d be. He’s unconscious and in bad fucking shape.” He waited a beat and Josie could hear a male’s voice on the other end but couldn’t understand the words. “Okay, on our way.”

He put on his coat and told her to do the same. “Stay here. I’m gonna check at the bar and see if Knox left his stuff there.”

Josie could only nod. They should head to the hospital. There had to be something wrong with him.

Josie stroked his face as she waited for Gage, avoiding his beard that was smeared with blood. It took her a moment to notice a man standing at the side of the ring. Willowy and bespectacled, he didn’t look like a fighter. The way he moved and hesitated before moving closer made her think of a weasel.

“He owes me money.”

Josie blinked, not certain what he was telling her. “What?”

He pointed at Knox. “He lost. He owes me money.”

Was the man for real? “He’s unconscious and bleeding on the floor.”

The weasel didn’t seem concerned by that and came to stand a foot away from her. Quickly getting to her feet, Josie realized she had almost a head in height on him. “Go away.”

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