Page 219 of Blackwood

Knox’s voice cuts in again over the crowd.

“Alright folks, we’re gonna take a quick intermission. Grab a beer, kiss your girl, and we’ll be right back with the final two fights of the night!”

Yeah. Great. Only problem is my girl’s too busy being worshiped by international criminals to remember who the fuck she belongs to.

Buzz. Buzz.

BELLA:How you liking the show so far?

ME:Oh you mean the part where you let blood diamond boy carry you like a damn trophy? Yeah. Love it. Super romantic, baby.

BELLA:Oh, don’t be jealous. Rez wanted great fights for the donors and that’s what I gave him.

ME:You brought Black Book guys.

BELLA:We needed big names… so yeah.

ME:Who the fuck am I fighting Bella?

BELLA:You’ll see. Gotta get back out there. Fight 3 is about to begin. I love you!! And remember what I said… a fight to remember, baby. Or I don’t move in. Kisses!!!!

I stare at the screen. “Oh, I’ll fucking give you a fight to remember.”

For the second half of the night, Rico clearly said go harder and hotter. Now the girls are in tight black leather shorts that are basically thongs, skimpy, ripped black cropped bralettes withHollow Kingsin red bold script across the front.

Except for Bella’s. Hers saysCertified Lex Addictin glittering blood-red across her chest. My lungs forget how to function.

Rez walks up behind me, eyeing the shirt and raises a brow, “Damn. That’s one way to stake a claim.”

I turn, jaw ticking. “You ready?”

Rez runs a hand over his head. “To be honest? I’m nervous as fuck for who Bella picked for me. I mean… the guy’s a damn beast.”

I narrow my eyes. “So let me get this straight. I’m the only one who doesn’t get to know who the fuck I’m up against?”

Rez grins. “Yep. Main Event’s gotta kill it, man. Shock factor. Make the donors go feral. And your girl?” He nods toward the screen where Bella’s commanding the crowd. “She’s killing it. Got the donors eating out of her gorgeous little hands. Tonight’s a huge success because of her, you should be proud. I know I sure as hell am.”

Knox voice booms through the crowd. “Alright Hollow Kings, you know him, you fear him, make some noise for none other than Damien motherfucking Reznikov!”

Rez jogs into the ring, shaking out his arms, all swagger and steel. The crowd roars, hungry for violence.

Knox grins. “Well Rez. Bella. It looks like Team Bella is up 2-0.”

Bella strolls up to Rez, all hips and hellfire. “No hard feelings, Rezy,” she purrs, tapping him on the cheek. “Looks like my guys are just better than your little Hollow Kings.”

Knox raises an eyebrow. “Alright, Bella, let’s not get ahead of yourself. And fighting for Team Bel—”

She holds up a hand, stepping forward with a wicked glint in her eye. “No, no, Knox. I think I’ll take it from here.”

She turns toward the crowd. “Alright, Northvale,” she says, voice dripping in pure sass. “I know you’ve seen some insane fights tonight. Blood, sweat, and maybe a few concussions.”

A ripple of laughter and shouting rolls through The Pit. She smirks, pacing the ring slow, letting the tension stretch.

“But this one?” she says, stopping dead center, eyes glinting beneath the strobes. “This one’s personal.”

The crowd stills. She raises a hand, palm out like she’s calming an audience she fully intends to destroy. “Fighting tonight for Team Bella…” she pauses, letting the silence crackle, then tips her head toward the entrance.

“The biggest, baddest Italian I’ve ever met. The man who taught New York to bleed power and called it business…”