Page 124 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

I can’t undermine her like that. I need to support her.

Before I can think about it too much, I cup my hands around my mouth. “You got this, Haley!”

J.C. turns to me with a raised brow. I wave him off and focus on the ring.

Haley is in jean shorts and an oversized T-shirt that will give Bumper a lot of fabric to grab during the fight, but as soon as the thought crosses my mind, Haley turns and lifts the shirt over her head.

Underneath it, she has a pale pink tank top tucked into her shorts. It hugs her entire body.

I’ll be damned if I don’t want to run over to her, throw her over my shoulder, and get us both the fuck out of here.

One of the Hell Princes in the group next to us whistles under his breath. I snap my attention to him, narrowing my eyes, and he quickly melts behind Levi.

Haley and Bumper are circling one another by the time I stop giving the Hell Prince the evil eye.

Bumper’s fists are raised, but he is flat-footed, and his entire body, toes and all, is pointed right at Haley.

It’s a shit stance, and I can only hope his fighting ability matches.

Haley looks perfect.

She is on the balls of her feet with her dominant leg back. Her lower body is aimed to the side of Bumper, shifting to maintain position as he moves, but her torso is twisted towards him.

She has her hands up to protect her face, left hand pressed forward a bit, and her elbows are flared out slightly from her sides to protect her ribs in case Bumper manages a kick.

Pride swells up inside of me. Also, relief. I’ve seen Haley fight, so I know she can handle herself, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be worried about her.

Firemen train to put out fires, but that doesn’t mean the sight of an inferno isn’t disconcerting.

Bumper takes the first swing.

His arms are long and thin, and there is no real power behind his punch.

Knowing what I know about his abuse during their relationship, I don’t assume Bumper has any problems with hurting a woman, so he must really not know what he’s doing.

Haley dodges under the strike with ease.

Out of all the years I’ve been coming to the fights, I’ve never seen Bumper in the ring.

Most people end up there for one reason or another—usually a debt or an argument—but never Bumper. Instead, his issues are dealt with in a group setting.

He knows the only way he fares a chance is with backup.

Bumper pulls in his arms and lashes out again.

And again, Haley dodges the hit.

This time, Bumper has enough momentum that he stumbles forward. As soon as he is off-balance, Haley hits him with a left jab. Her fist lands on his nose, and it begins to bleed immediately.

The hit catches Bumper by surprise. He pulls his arms and elbows in tight to protect his face, and Haley takes the opportunity to land a right hook to his ribs.

“Shit.” Noah nods his head in approval, and J.C. jumps up and down, silently pumping his fist in the air.

Haley backs Bumper into the corner of the ring, peppering him with distracting jabs and then devastating hooks and uppercuts. She is treating him like a punching bag, which is basically what he is. He is in full turtle mode, more focused on protecting his face than returning any hits, and Haley is owning the fight.

As soon as I start to relax, however, Bumper changes course.

Haley jabs at the shield of his arms, and as soon as her arm pulls back, Bumper throws his arms wide and rushes her.

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