Page 43

Chapter 43

Ari

I wore a white dress to the cage fight, just like I had the first night I met Bones and Lotto. And as I stood outside the cage, hearing the crowds roar with excitement, I closed my eyes for a moment, taking it all in.

The past and present were colliding, and I was right in the middle of it all.

Bones hopped from foot to foot, cracking his neck as he took in his opponent. Frankie stood to my right, scanning the crowd for anything to go wrong, and Lotto had his gaze laser focused on Bones as I did.

The fight was about to begin.

The bell rang, and Bones charged forward, his fists flying. Frankie tensed beside me, no doubt having to hold back the urge to jump in the cage and fight the opponent himself.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Bones as I watched him fight with a ferocity I had never seen before.

Lotto stood motionless, his gaze never leaving Bones.

It was as if everything was moving in slow motion, and yet it wasn’t.

The crowd was on their feet, cheering and shouting as the fight raged on. The energy in the air was palpable, the excitement and tension building.

It was Heathens Hollow. Lights swirled around, bass music pumped loudly, pulsating in our veins.

Blood splattered, sweat trickled down Bones’ face, and still, he fought on. His opponent was strong, but Bones was stronger. He was a whirlwind of power and determination.

Frankie remained silent, his gaze never wavering. His eyes held a depth of understanding, a knowledge of the fight that only a fellow fighter could comprehend. He knew the effort it took, the pain it caused, and the triumph it brought.

The crowd was a sea of faces, a blur of noise and movement. They were here for the fight, for the spectacle, but they were also here for Bones. They cheered for him, their voices a thunderous roar that filled the venue.

Lotto was a statue beside me, his eyes never leaving the fight. His hands were clenched, his body tense. He was ready to jump in at a moment’s notice, to protect Bones, if needed.

I watched as Bones landed a brutal punch, his opponent stumbling back. The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing in my ears.

Suddenly, Bones’ opponent lunged forward with a surprising burst of energy, catching Bones off guard. The crowd gasped as the opponent managed to land a hit, but Bones quickly regained his composure, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. He charged forward, his movements swift and precise. The crowd roared its approval as Bones delivered a powerful uppercut, sending his opponent sprawling to the ground.

Lotto relaxed slightly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Frankie let out a held breath, his shoulders sagging in relief. I felt a surge of pride and affection for Bones, my heart swelling with love and admiration.

The referee stepped in, counting down the seconds. Bones stood over his opponent, his chest heaving with exertion. His opponent struggled to get up, but it was clear he was no match for Bones. The referee called the fight, and the crowd roared with excitement.

We went fucking wild and stormed the cage to stand by Bones in victory.

The crowd’s roar became a deafening cacophony in my ears. Bones stood tall, his chest heaving as he looked around at the sea of faces. His eyes met mine, and the fire and determination was still burning brightly within him.

Frankie and Lotto were by his side, their expressions a mix of relief and pride. We were a team, a family, and together we had won a hard-fought battle.

Bones raised his fists in the air, a triumphant cry escaping his lips. Lotto and Frankie joined in the celebration, their faces alight with joy and pride.

I found myself standing shoulder to shoulder with Bones, Frankie, and Lotto. The cage fight had been a whirlwind of emotions, a test of wills that had left me breathless and exhilarated. But as I looked into Bones’ eyes, I knew that this was just the beginning.

There was a fire in him, a burning passion that couldn’t be extinguished. It was a fire that I had seen the first night we met, a fire that had drawn me to him. And as I stood there, wrapped in his arms, I knew that I would follow him wherever he went, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

As we exited the cage, Troy Godwin and his entourage were waiting. The man was clearly pleased, his smile almost eerie, and I couldn’t deny the sense of accomplishment that washed over me as he offered his hand to Bones.

“You made me a lot of money tonight, son.” He oozed genuine admiration. “You can consider the mistakes of your past wiped clean in my book.”

Bones shook his hand, his look that of pure satisfaction. “I’m glad to hear that, Mr. Godwin,” he replied, steady and confident. “I hope to make you even more money in the future.”

Troy’s gaze lingered on Bones for a moment before shifting to encompass the rest of us. “I’m a man who appreciates talent.” His eyes gleamed with avarice. “And I see a lot of it standing before me. You all have a bright future ahead of you. If there is anything you need from me, ask.”

Frankie stepped forward. “Actually, there is. Nero Rodriguez.” He glanced down at me. “I’d handle him myself, but I promised someone that my fighting days are over.”

Troy nodded, clearly already knowing what Frankie was talking about. A man like Troy Godwin knew everything, so I wasn’t surprised.

“Consider it taken care of it,” he said.

Troy Godwin snapped his fingers, and one of his henchmen stepped forward. They exchanged a few hushed words before the henchman disappeared into the crowd.

“He won’t be a problem anymore,” Troy assured us.

Bones nodded, gratitude etched on his face. “Thank you, Mr. Godwin. I appreciate your help.”

“No need to thank me, son,” Troy replied, clapping Bones on the shoulder. “Just keep making me money. And the next fight Heathens Hollow hosts, I expect you here winning.” He then turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Leaving us alone to process what just happened.

The four of us, we were unstoppable.

The four of us, we were a force, a power, and completely unbreakable.

Together, we would conquer the world, leaving a trail of victories in our wake.

We were Heathens Hollow’s reigning champions, and nothing could stand in our way.

And so, with a fierce determination and unshakable confidence, we stepped forward into the future, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.