Page 57 of Taking the Fight

And just then, I spotted Nikolai across the room, and he started walking toward us. Groaning, I let Seth’s arm go. “Great. Here comes your turdburger of a brother.”

“Well, well, well,” Nikolai called out, his smug smile directed at me. “I heard you traded Sellinger in for someone else. I didn’t think it was my brother.”

Seth glowered at him. “Is there something you wanted, Nikolai, or are you just being a pain in the ass like always?”

Nikolai winked. “Both. I saw Emerson come in with Benny. What is he doing here?”

“He’s fighting for me tonight,” Seth said, hardening his gaze.

Nikolai’s smile grew more mischievous. “I see. Well, good luck.” He walked off and grinned at me over his shoulder, making me uneasy.

“He’s going to find Finn,” Seth informed me. “Nikolai’s always been an instigator.”

“Great. Just what we need.” I sat down with Seth while his three men, whose names I didn’t know, sat behind us. They were big and muscular and also very intimidating.

Seth leaned in close. “I think Annika’s fighting first tonight.”

Just as he said Annika’s name, I caught sight of Finn talking to Nikolai. It didn’t take a genius to work out what he’d told him, judging by the furious look on Finn’s face. He searched the crowd until he found me sitting next to Seth. After straightening his suit jacket, he walked our way with two of his men flanking him.

Seth tensed beside me. “Are you good?”

“I’m fine,” I whispered. “I can handle it.”

Finn closed the distance and draped his arm across the back of my chair when he sat down. “You look amazing tonight, Reagan.”

I didn’t know what to say other than, “Thanks.”

He kept his eyes on the crowd, and I noticed several people watching us; I didn’t like it. “I’m disappointed, Reagan. I thought there was something between us.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, keeping my voice low. “I told you I wanted nothing to do with your world.”

Finn snorted. “And yet, you’re right here in the middle of it.”

“Only because I need to be.”

His jaw clenched. “Yeah, I know. Braden’s fighting tonight. I have no doubt he’ll win.” He brushed a thumb over my shoulder and stood. I looked up at him, and he glared at Seth before settling his heated blue gaze on mine. “I’ll see you again soon.”

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until he walked away. Grabbing my chest, I took a quick breath and let it out slowly. “Is it just me, or should I be worried about what he just said?”

Seth huffed. “No, you should be worried. He’s angry, and when men like him are angry, they can do unimaginable things.” I’d never been so ready to leave. I would’ve walked out and never looked back if Braden weren't there.

Nikolai stepped into the ring, and the crowd started to find their seats. “Good evening,” he announced. “We have seven fights for you tonight. The first one is with Audra Rinella and Annika Sellinger. So let’s have them come out.”

Audra strutted out first from the back hallway, dressed in a pair of red athletic shorts and a black sports bra. Her chestnut-colored hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, and her body was ripped for a female. With her head held high, she jumped up into the ring with sheer determination on her face.

Annika marched out a few seconds later, wearing black shorts and a pink sports bra with her hair braided to the side like I always did. She didn’t seem the least bit scared like she did on Saturday when I fought Daria for her. It was as if she was a different person. When she hopped into the ring, she looked down at me and smiled; only it wasn’t genuine. There was an evil edge to it that twisted my stomach.

Nikolai introduced them, and the fight began. Annika moved around the ring with such ease and confidence. She punched Audra with a fierceness I’d never seen before. There were even moves she put on Audra I never knew she had the capability of doing.

“This isn’t the Annika I trained,” I whispered to Seth.

Seth watched on in confusion as well. “I didn’t know she could fight like that. She’s very good.” Yes, she was, and I had a feeling I’d been taken for a fool. I didn’t teach her any of those moves. “She almost reminds me of Nikolai. He fights the same way,” Seth pointed out.

I held in my gasp at his words. I focused on Annika and then turned to find Nikolai watching her with pride. Annika slammed Audra down on the mat and had her arms around her neck in a chokehold. Audra tapped out, but Annika didn’t let her go. It wasn’t until she glanced over at Nikolai, who gave her a nod, that she released Audra from her punishing hold.

Annika stood and grinned at me, almost as if she were challenging me. It was a shame I’d never get the chance to see it through.

CHAPTER27

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