Page 44 of Forgotten Comeback

He’s taking a beating, and I hop out of my seat. “Gavin, what are you doing? Keep your guard up!” I shout, but my message gets snatched away by the roar of the crowd.

The bell sounds, and I grab the Round 2 sign, climbing through the ropes. Holding it above my head, this time I make eye contact with Gavin.

What the hell are you doing?I tell him with my eyes.Get it together!

What the hell are you doing? He counters with his eyes, jerking his head.Get out of here!

Gavin

Taylor might as well be naked; that joke of a bikini barely covers her tits and pussy. John slaps a small butterfly bandage under my right eye, and I focus my attention on him. “Remember the plan. Let’s go.” He pats my shoulders.

The plan: take a dive.

I glance over to Mike, who’s lusting after Taylor, and decide I’ve fucking had enough of the long game.

The bell rings, and I surge to the center of the ring, laying into my opponent. All the aggression I’ve pent up for far too long finds an outlet in this man’s face.

I advance, pinning him to the ropes as I juke a jab, delivering a punishing body shot. He’s off balance, and I unload with a left hook/right cross combo. My right fist lands with precision, and Mike’s head snaps to the side as he grabs for the top rope, falling to the mat.

The ref appears, motioning for me to get back, and I return to my corner, with John bitching in my ear.

My gaze locks on Taylor.Like that?I challenge her with my eyes.

Chapter

Eighteen

Taylor

“Eight hundred. Nine hundred. One thousand.” The man with the headset counts out my cash.

It’s hard trying to act professional when my bikini bottom’s digging into my ass crack, but I smile politely. “Thanks.” I fold the money and put it in my purse, walking to the ladies’ restroom with an uncomfortable wedgie.

I change quickly and take a much needed toilet break before washing up. Opening the door with a wadded paper towel, I toss it in the trash before stepping into the hallway.

Two men appear, blocking my path.

There’s no one else in the hallway, and a wave of unease rolls through me. “Excuse me,” I say firmly.

“Come with us.”

“Why?” My body’s on high alert now.

“Mike wants to meet you,” one of the men says, and I recognize him from the Hammer’s entourage.

I smile politely, trying to downplay my skittering pulse. “No thanks.”

Both men move their jackets, showing off their holstered guns.

“Um, yeah. Okay. Let me go to the bathroom first?—”

“You were just in the bathroom.” One of the men grabs me by the elbow, and Gavin appears out of nowhere, hitting the man in the head with a hammer. The man crumbles to the ground, and the other man spins around in time for the hammer to connect with his temple; he lands on top of his buddy.

“Oh my God!” I throw my hands over my mouth.

“Not your God, but your knight in shining armor, mi lady.” Gavin bows dramatically.

“You’re a fucking psychopath!”