Page 85 of Fighting the Darkness

Chapter Thirty-seven

Freya

Takingadeepbreath,I try to center myself. With my eyes shut and back straight, I search for the calm I need.

It’s the night of my second fight, and though my opponent has changed several times, it will be going on as planned. None of the women had been willing to take the chance that my stalker would come after them. It then fell on Quinn to find a fighter that didn’t mind fighting against a female, who was unafraid of the threat of my stalker, that was close to my weight class, and who was of a similar level of fighting skill.

Apparently it hadn’t been easy, but she assures me she’s done it.

The door opens, and I let out a growl as my head whips around. “It has not been fifteen minutes, Soren.”

“Sorry to disappoint, cupcake, but it’s not Soren.”

I’m on my feet in a second, eyes trailing over Wilder. He looks good. No, better than good. He looks delicious, and it just makes me angrier. Not that I’ll let him know that.

“Decided to come back?” I ask him, tone cold.

He visibly flinches. “I didn’t want to miss your fight.”

I nod slowly. “But disappearing for a month was okay?”

“I don’t want to get into this, Freya. You have a fight in less than ten minutes. I just wanted to let you know I was here to support you.”

“That’s nice. I don’t really need your support though, since I can’t count on it.” I shove past him, ignoring him when he calls after me.

My eyes narrow on Soren and Griffin as I approach them.

Soren holds up his hand in surrender. “I tried to stop him.”

“I didn’t.” Griffin scoffs when I turn my glower on him. “You needed to know he was here. What would have happened if you saw him while you were in the middle of your fight?”

I make a face, but get his point. I didn’t need to be surprised when I was in the middle of a fight. “Fine, but one of you could’ve warned me.”

“I didn’t really give them a chance to,” Wilder cuts in, but I ignore his presence. “Come on, cupcake, don’t be like this.”

“Look, I’m glad you’re not dead in a ditch somewhere, but you left me after promising you wouldn’t. As you said, I have a fight starting soon, and we don’t have the time to get into this now. Please leave.”

Wilder blinks at me for just a moment before shoving a hand through his thick hair. “Fine, but this isn’t over.”

I don’t respond, giving him my back. My shoulders slump the moment I hear the door shut behind him.

“You alright, sunshine.”

I wave off Soren’s concern. “I’m not even going to think about him or the situation until after my fight. One thing at a time. That’s all I can handle.”

“Then, let’s get you ready for your fight.” Griffin moves behind me, his big hands moving to my shoulders. When his fingers dig into my tense muscles, a moan spills from my lips. I relax into his touch with Soren pressing against my front, keeping me from sinking to the floor.

When the door opens, my eyes flick open, knowing that it’s time.

“This is officially making its way onto the pre-fight schedule,” I tell Griffin, who just grins at me. “Let’s do this.”

As usual, Soren takes the front, clearing a path through the crowd for us while Griffin stays beside me. I keep my eyes locked forward, never leaving the cage where the ref and my opponent already wait. I haven’t met the guy before, and I don’t even remember his name. As we approach the cage, I realize he has to have at least thirty pounds on me, putting me at a disadvantage. Knowing how hard it was for Quinn to find someone to fight me, I’m just glad the size difference isn’t more distinctive.

Just before we reach the cage, Soren spins around and cups my face in his hand. “You’re going to kill it, sunshine. He might be bigger, but I’d bet money that you’re smarter and the better fighter. Don’t let him get in your head. I’ve heard he’s a shit talker.”

“I’ve got this,” I assure him.

“You’re damn straight you do.” He kisses me, barely a brush of his lips against mine, as Griffin hugs me from behind.

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