“Everywhere.”
“This needs to come off,” he said, motioning to her shirt.
“Fine,” she said. “Once he gets out.”
Carlos held up his hands in surrender and closed the door once he returned to the hallway.
The doctor tilted her chin up, assessing her in silence. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-five.”
He shook his head. “You’re a pretty girl. I hope you realize there’s no future in this sport.”
Belle tugged off her shirt, freezing for a moment as the crippling pain paralyzed her. “You don’t have to preach to me, doc. I’ve been in this so-called sport since I could walk, and I guarantee you I want no part of it.”
“Then why? You into drugs?” The doctor examined her ribs, making her cringe each time he poked her with his fingers.
“No drugs,” she said. “It’s complicated.”
“Lie back.” He wheeled over a portable ultrasound machine. She slipped out of reality, back down the rabbit’s hole. When she’d become pregnant, she’d gone through the gamut of emotions. Ava’s father had disappeared upon hearing the news, and her world crumbled apart, depression setting in as she contemplated life as a single mother.
It was the first ultrasound that changed everything.
Seeing that little life on the screen gave her purpose and renewed optimism. It was no longer about her and her grief. It was about the innocent life growing inside her. That’s when she knew she had to get out.
“You’re lucky. Next time may not be so forgiving,” said the doctor. “Be smart and get out while you can.”
The exam was over, and she hadn’t even been paying attention, lost in her own memories. If only the doctor knew how entangled she was in the world of fighting. If only he could save her—but nobody could. No fights, no baby. Now that the tenth fight had been forfeited, she wasn’t sure what that meant for their agreement, not that she had much faith they’d follow through on their promises.
****
Ben’s entourage carried him away from the ring. Drago followed.
He shook out his hand a few times. It had been a while since he’d thrown a punch, but it felt good, especially when Deadman deserved to be taken down.
Once they’d distanced from the crowd, they brought Ben into one of the offices off the hallway, laying him on the sofa. Drago stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. This wasn’t how he’d expected his night to go. He’d heard Belle was fighting, and he couldn’t stay away. He’d hoped the rumors were wrong. Drago was going to stick around for her fight and then hit the bar. Now he was in over his head. “All of you, take a walk. I need to talk with Ben alone.”
The little shit leaned up on one elbow, gingerly touching his face with his free hand. “You hit me?”
“Head butt.” The last man left the room, leaving them alone. Even after retirement, his reputation stuck. He rarely had to remind anyone to listen when he spoke. Drago closed the door and dropped the blinds.
“You have no idea what you’ve done. Randal Aiello owns this city. You’ve just fucked over the biggest fight of the year, and one with his daughter no less.”
“That fight was a death match. What kind of father sells his daughter for a quick buck?”
“She knew what she was getting into. Belle signed an agreement. It’s not like I put a fucking gun to her head.” Ben sat up, still rubbing his forehead.
“You stole her kid, so yeah, I’d say that’s the same fucking thing.” He unfolded his arms and walked into the room, pacing back and forth in front of the sofa. “Where is she?”
“Who?”
“Don’t play smart with me, I’m not in the mood. Tell me where they’re keeping her kid,” he said. “And you better hope to God Belle’s okay.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. That bitch probably sold her kid for drugs.”
Drago clenched his jaw hard, his muscles going stiff. His days in the circuit came rushing back—the fighting, the blood, the death matches. Right now, the ruthless man he’d put to rest when he retired fought to be unleashed. He wanted to kill this little fucker, make him pay for screwing over Belle. Of all people, she didn’t deserve this.
“Watch your damn mouth. You don’t get to talk shit about her. Understand?” He wanted to punctuate his sentence by ramming his fist into Ben’s face, but he had to tread carefully. Until he had Belle’s kid, he needed to rein in his beast.
“I swear I don’t know where they’re keeping her kid. I don’t get paid enough for that kind of shit.”
“If I find out you’re lying, I’ll find you and fuck you so bad, you’ll wish you were in that ring with Deadman. You know what I’m capable of, no?”
“I swear on my life!”
His cellphone went off. He strode to the other side of the room and turned his back.