Page 53 of Beyond the Cage

The smile disappears when he glances over at Cameron, and he drops my hand unceremoniously. Fear is a hell of a thing. He’s not my type anyway – too short, too greasy…not Cameron. He opens his briefcase and displays the contents.Holycrap!Neatly stacked hundred dollar bills stare back at me.

“As we discussed,” Nick says. “Two hundred up front, two hundred after. If you win, of course.”

I look to Cameron and his expression says ‘you better have my money’. Nick nervously clears his throat.

“Yes, well…I guess that’s it for now.” He nods and moves toward the door. Halfway there, he stops and turns back to us. “You should come by the club tonight. I’ll have the VIP set up for you. Bring your lady.”

Cameron turns to me for confirmation.

“Okay.” I shrug.

He nods to Nick.

“Great!”

I don’t miss his calculating smile as he exits, Carl following behind him with the briefcase.

“You know he’s gonna let it slip that you’ll be there, right? He’ll probably make back what he just paid you.”

He replies with an indifferent shrug. Mannie sticks his head into the room and Cameron nods to him.

“Time for me to go?” I run my fingers through his hair and stare into his eyes solemnly. “Be careful.”

With a nod, he kisses my cheek. I smirk at him as I stand.

“Don’t get my pretty face messed up.”

He smacks my ass playfully and points to the door.

“I’m going, I’m going! Bye, Mannie.”

“See ya later, honey.”

I find Chels surrounded by Cameron’s trainers. Leave it to her to flirt with four guys at once. She wiggles her fingers at them when Mannie summons them.

“’Sup, playa?” I lift my chin at her.

“Pimpin’. You know me.” She shrugs.

That’s why I love this girl. She always knows how to make me laugh.

“Let’s go, pimp.” I laugh as I grab her hand. “The fight’s about to start.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I guess he just wanted to see me before the fight.”

We make our way back to our seats just as the introductions begin. I stare at the cage nervously. I know he’s good at what he does but…anything can happen, right?

“Stop worrying. He’s gonna kick ass,” Chels assures me.

Chelsea the mind reader. I give her a grateful smile. She’s right.Be positive, Carter.

The arena goes dark. It’s time.

“Ladies and gentlemen…guys and girls…pimps and hoes…are you ready for the main event?” the announcer’s voice blares through the speakers.

The crowd erupts into cheers, applause, and whistles. Strobe lights flash, and an eerie song begins to play. Whoisthis guy?