***
The air is charged with excitement and scented with sweat, blood, and beer the moment we arrive at the abandoned bear cages. It took us a while to get here because they’re situated in the middle of the woods and we had to walk on foot. When we arrive, two enclosures greet us, both overrun by nature, with vines and scrub crawling over the grey stone walls. At the very top of the stone frame of one of the enclosures is a carving of two bears facing off against each other—a fitting image for the savagery about to take place tonight.
Toward the middle of the main enclosure there is a huge, shallow, circular pit, which I assume was once a water bath for the bears that used to be kept in the dens here. Now it’s being used as a makeshift cage.
Spectators are packed so tightly into the place that it’s hard to even move around. Somehow, people have managed to climb over the walls, making themselves very comfortable at the top for a prime view of the cage. Breaking Point must have paid off the park rangers to host the knockouts here because there are a good few of them stationed outside, watching everyone closely as they enter.
On the way in, I pass a huge poster taped flimsily on one of the stone walls. I snatch the poster and scan it for Jax’s face amid the roster of men fighting tonight, and a smug smile tugs on my lips when I spot him.
Let the games begin.
Chucking the poster aside, I veer off to the smaller enclosure where most of the fighters are mingling, preparing for their fights. Kayden leans against a railing in a shadowy corner, watching everybody with critical eyes. When he sees me heading toward him, those same eyes soften.
“Before I forget,” I say, one hand rummaging through my bag and pulling out his red robe, “Found this in the dryer. Thought you might need it.”
Kayden takes the robe from me, breathing a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
I watch him stare at the robe for a couple of moments.
“You wouldn’t be ‘Killer’ without it,” I murmur.
He smiles.
I help him adjust the robe, sliding my hands over the back of his body as he puts it over his sculpted physique.
He gulps when my fingers make contact with his skin and I look up to see him staring boldly at me. My hands drop to my sides and a deep sudden ache passes through me. We’re barely inches apart and I’ve never wanted to be this close to anyone before.
“What are you doing to me, Lucky?” He drops his voice to a whisper.
I can keep the butterflies out of my system if I can avoid seeing the greyish hue of his eyes or the strong shape of his mouth. I let my gaze drop to my shoes. At least he won’t be able to see how much of an effect he’s already had, how much my entire body trembles and yearns for him with just a thin string of words.
I clear my throat and take a step back.
“It looks ugly on you,” I say.
He chuckles.
“It’s time,” I say, glancing at my wrist but finding that there’s no watch. I pretend to be picking at a scab instead to hide my embarrassment. “Good luck, Killer.”
“I don’t need it. I’ve got you.”
I think my heart just flew out of my chest and landed on Mars.
No. I can’t let myself get affected like this. I’m here for one reason only, and that is to watch Jax fall. Kayden is just a distraction and he needs to stay that way.
It takes every bit of willpower I can muster to walk away from him. When I return to the main enclosure, I squeeze through the crowd, making a beeline straight for Brent and Evans. Brent catches sight of me and waves me over.
Soon, the blare of the horn interrupts the chatter and the crowd erupts into cheers. People bump their fists in the air in anticipation as the announcer jumps into the cage with a roar, his face painted like a grizzly bear and his entire body sloppily slathered with brown dye.
“First rule of the underground: you don’t talk about the underground!” The announcer yells, mimicking Tyler Durden from Fight Club. “Nahhh, who am I kidding?
Of course y’all gonna talk about it because it’s gonna be maddafakkin’ SIIIIICK!!!!”
Another round of cacophonous cheers and hoots from the crowd.
“All right, let’s get on with it!” He yells. “Three weeks.
Sixteen fighters. Who’s gonna leave crawlin’ and who’s gonna leave the ultimate CHAMP? Place your bets right now and ladies and gentlemen, let the knockouts BEGIN!”