Page 73 of Bloody Nights (La Vega Vampire Showstoppers 2)

I hate my inability to keep up. I want to see Monroe clearly, but if he was to slow down, Lawrence would overpower him. I know he is trying to wear him out because of it. The fight is unfair, but it’s purposefully that way. They want to see Monroe dead.

“Hayley! Close your eyes! Please, just close your eyes!” Knox yells, his voice loud enough to cut over the cheering crowd. Blood sprays across me, and I automatically glide my tongue over my lips, the indescribable taste sending fear striking my very soul. It’s Monroe’s.

Why would Knox beg me to close my eyes?

“Please, grant me one mercy. Don’t let her see.” Monroe’s voice hitches, and the fighting comes to a halt.

I feel as if my world crashes down around me. Pain and agony steal my breath. It’s not physical, it’s purely inside me yet it feels worse than anything I’ve ever experienced. I would rather be whipped a thousand times or beaten until I could no longer walk than see what unfolds in front of me.

“Mercy! We don’t grant mercy! Finish him!” Alexander’s voice rings to the air, and three spotlights drag across the stage and light the center of the ring.

Monroe blinks and squints, the brightness obscuring his vision. Cuts and bruises mar him already, and blood stains every inch of him.

I fight harder, yanking at my chains, trying everything I can to break free. I need to go to him. Monroe needs my blood. If he can just get even an ounce, he’ll have the strength to continue on. I could heal him.

“Hayley, I love you, little bird. Don’t let these assholes get away with this. Fucking cut them apart.” Monroe roars and thrashes in Lawrence’s hold.

The fight only last for a minute but it feels as if it’s an eternity.

“I’ll have that seat on the leadership. No one can defeat me.” Lawrence smiles as if he savors this moment.

Blood squirts from Monroe, and he drops to his knees before falling flat on his face.

Lawrence crushes something in his hand. It came from Monroe.

It feels as if he ripped my heart out.

Rage swells through me, and I screech, the whole world turning red around me.

I break my shackles.

This ends now.

“Whoever catches my baby doll can keep her for the night! If you get her to submit, you can have five percent of my donors. If you take out Lawrence, you’ll get a seat on the leadership and the chance to execute the Bella Crew members.” Alexander’s words blast through the speakers in a rush.

His voice cracks.

I can sense his fear from here, and it pushes me forward.

“Hey, Ruby Vixen! Be a good girl, and I’ll treat you like a queen,” a man says, materializing in my way.

I catapult from the floor and crash into him. Jerking my face down, I bite him in the shoulder, filling my mouth with blood.

The crowd falls silent.

No one moves, not even the man beneath me. He likes the way I handle him.

I whip my head up, meeting Lawrence’s gaze in the ring as Alexander stands behind him, knife drawn. My blood cools. Monroe remains unmoving in a pool of blood.

No. No. No.

Smashing my hand down, I break through the vampire’s sternum and crush his heart out of my own grief and desperation.

“Grab her!” Narcisa shouts.

I fly from my spot, dodging around the security who tries to block me.

I will destroy this place.

---