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If what I've heard is true, that fighting Maksim is like fighting a god, having not lost a fight since he was twenty, Salvatore may just meet the grim reaper tonight.
Seemingly unbothered, Maksim reaches the entrance of the cage, and he throws off his silk robe with GIORDANO in large black letters with a crown to the side, signifying he's the king here amongst hungry peasants, dying for a drop of violence. I almost laugh when I see the baby pink shorts he’s wearing highlighting… well, everything. The women in the crowd scream, and I flick my gaze to see Sabrina blush, look down, then back up to watch her husband. Instead of him going into the cage, he walks toward her and bends down, stealing a kiss, which causes the crowd to once again go wild.
It's the first time Sabrina is showing her face at one of his fights, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Granted, he rarely fights, but I'm guessing, this is one he really wanted. Because I know, Maksim Giordano doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do.
But love his wife?
He really wants to.
And that man?
He really wants her to love him back. Wants her to see he's a winner. A beast. He's showcasing himself as a protector.
Look at me, wife, see how pretty I dance around this ring? Look and see how I could do so much better than your bodyguard.
As though he can hear my mocking thoughts, he looks up at me as he pulls away from her and smirks, turning to enter the cage.
I smirk back.
Go Salvatore.
I'm not impressed or intimidated. He can have his show. My violence is silent. My demons only scream at me. Even my love for Sabrina is shown toherandonly herand those around us.
How it should be - private and between us. I don't need to love her out loud for the world to see. She knows my heart, has felt it, seen it,knows it belongs to her. She knows she is the only woman on this planet I’ll allow to break it. That's all that matters.
The announcer does his job announcing things for the rowdy crowd, thirsty for blood. Soon, they're dancing around each other, feet firmly planted on the ground. They rotate around the other for a bit, like dangerous butterflies. Dario swings first, but Maksim ducks just in time, countering with a swing that connects with Dario's lower ribs just as his knee comes up. Maks takes the hit and twists his foot, causing Dario to fall on his back. But Dario yanks Maks' foot, pulling his knee to his chest, and Maks falls on top of him. It's a tangle of sweaty limbs.
Right when you think Dario has bested Maksim, he's flipped, and they're tangled again. There's blood on the ground and they're both sweaty as fuck, getting in a few punches, panting when the first bell rings. Each one goes to a separate space in the cage, and they're given water through the links. Maksim squats down as his trainer talks to him, and he nods, eyes on his wife, gaze never wavering.
I wonder how long he can keep this up for. He's almost thirty-four. Will it be one bad fight before he's taken away from Sabrina? A rival gang? One shot. One bullet. That’s all it’ll take for him to be gone. She's looked a bit squeamish at times but mostly intrigued.
Are you having fun?She signs to Raven. Raven nods and faces her, putting her hands up but from where I'm standing, I can't see her reply.
The bell dings, and our attention is back to the two men circling each other.
It's one kick to the fucking jaw, and Dario lands on his stomach, not getting back up for several seconds.
Three… two… one…
The bell dings three times, and medics and Dario's coach go into the ring, helping him stand. The way his jaw is slack and hangs to the side makes me wince. Dislocated.
He's out first, then the cage is lifted from where it came.
The audience erupts with applause and cheers.
Maksim calls Sabrina into the cage, and when she's inside, he grabs her, dips her, kisses her again, claiming her for the second time this evening while I'm nothing but paint drying on the wall. But I see the little shift she does to make him stop, and when Maks pulls away, there's blood on his lip that wasn't there before.
That's my good fucking hellcat.
I clock a few highbrow celebrities and socialites standing up to leave or schmooze while others make their way to the bar either close out their tab or get in line to use the stairs to get out.
I catch Sabrina's jade eyes bouncing around the room, as if she's looking for me, just as Maksim bends down and says something in her ear. She nods, and he leaves the way he came - through the doors – but not before helping her down the small steps to the side of the ring that's currently being disinfected. And Dario Salvatore is being put on a stretcher. There are only a few stragglers now, the place having emptied out quickly. The trio makes their way to the elevator, and I trail behind them, happy they wait for me – not like I’m staff, but like I’m a friend - Jonas and Raven’s anyway.
I do not want to be Sabrina’sfriend,and I’ve worked so fucking hard these last few months to get out of that goddamn zone. Instead of going back to the first floor, the elevator takes us up to the second floor, where a lot of the fight attendees are, drinking and laughing, enjoying themselves. I wonder if they know how easy they fucking got it.
I shake my head, remembering what I know of Raven, Jonas, and how hard Sabrina worked to be where she is - it’s privilege with a price.
I take my position against the wall, close to the elevator, and clasp my hands in front of me. I take in the dancers dressed in costumes, hiding their identities, how the smoke in the air rises. I look for all the exits and entries, calculating it all in my mind like I was trained. As I’m paid to do, I watch Sabrina and Raven make their way to two available barstools and Jonas beside them. They each order drinks, and the bartender hands them a clear liquid, except for Jonas, who ordered an old fashioned. I wish I could hear what they’re talking about, but I know watching over her is what I do best.