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Twenty-Four

The Ring

“ D ray,” I start as he sharpens his sword while the others are eating breakfast. He just got back from checking his new piercing with Doc on my request. Evan apparently sighed, but said it was fine after cleaning it. “I need your help.”

We got up early this morning before the sun even rose and buried my father. My heart still twinges in pain at seeing him lying there next to Von, but it doesn’t hurt as much as it did with Major, which causes guilt to fill me, so I plan on staying busy to forget.

I fucked all my pain away last night, I can’t let it come back.

His head jerks up instantly. “With orgasms or murder? I’m down for both, soulmate.”

I can’t help but smile. “Neither at the moment, crazy, just a normal favour. No murdering, torturing, or maiming… You might be able to swing some threats to get it done though.”

“You got it, wife. What do you need?”

“A present for Piper.” I grin and outline everything that needs to be done. When I’ve finished, he hops up, kisses me soundly, and rushes off to do as I asked. I turn to the others but frown when I spot them whispering to each other. They smile when they catch me staring.

“Do you need us today, baby girl?” Thorn asks.

“Why?” I hedge.

They share a look. “We have something to sort out, we will find you later, Mi Alma . Try to take it easy,” Maxen offers as he stands and kisses my forehead.

“Thorn, stay with her. I don’t want anyone getting any ideas about trying to attack her when she’s alone.

Yes, you can take care of yourself, but I would still feel better if he was here,” Maxen says straightaway, no doubt sensing my rising defensiveness.

Drax and Jax kiss me and rush after Maxen. “Stay with my wife? All day? Just us two? Not a problem.” Thorn grins, flashing me a deep, dirty smile which has me groaning and shifting in my seat.

“We have work to do,” I huff.

“Sure we do. My work is to get into those pants and make you scream my name again.” I can’t help but laugh as he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

After eating and getting dressed while only being felt up twice by Thorn, I manage to get out of the door without him, as he said, getting into my pants, though it wasn’t easy.

I want to climb that man like a tree all the time, but I have things to do.

The leaders will need to leave soon and get back to their own clans.

I need to check on the injured and make sure our people have no concerns or worries.

To keep busy…to forget.

I start with the injured. Thorn walks behind me like a bodyguard as we head through The Ring.

Some offer me contemplative looks, but no one attacks me.

They might not like some of the new rules now, but they aren’t stupid enough to fight me for it.

I do get some pitying looks as well, no doubt waiting for me to explode in grief.

But strangely, I am okay. Maybe it’s because I said goodbye to my father a long time ago, and this just feels very final. Maybe the pain will hit me again when I’ll least expect it, but for now, while I can function, I will.

When we reach the wounded, I find Evan there treating a Berserker warrior. He has blood on his face, and he’s shirtless, and his tattoos are on display, which is strange for Evan. Maybe he is finally settling into the world above the bunker.

“Wait, where did the hot nurse go?” I hear as I turn the corner.

“That’s my girlfriend, you Neanderthal idiot!” Evan growls as he wraps the man’s leg.

“You calling me dumb?” the warrior roars, almost throwing Evan backwards, but I cross my arms as I stop behind him.

“This man is my friend. You will treat him with the same respect you show me,” I demand as the man withers under my glare, and then I turn to Evan.

“And you, she’s your girl, make it known.

Otherwise, these men will just see her as something to win, though I’m betting Piper might kick their asses for it. ”

He grins. “That she would.” He nods, and I follow after him as we circle the injured. He checks in on as many as he can.

“Can you give me an update?” I ask, noticing there are less wounded today. I pray that’s not because they have died.

“Three died overnight, not much I could do. I did an amputation this morning.” He looks down at his chest. “Hence the lack of clothes. Blood gets everywhere when you don’t have a proper surgical unit.

” He sighs. “But other than that, they are steady. They are recovering, but it will take time. Some are idiots and refuse treatment, thinking they have had worse before,” he mutters.

“Warriors.” I grin. “We are tough fuckers.”

“Yeah? Nothing tough about a blood infection that you won’t let me treat,” he snaps, rubbing his head. “Honestly, they will need checking on, but there isn’t too much I can do now. When were you going to send Piper on the road?”

“A few days, if that works for you? She can do supply runs until then for more medical supplies.”

He nods, his eyes distant. “That might work. There’s an old, abandoned research facility under a hospital somewhere to the east. We could do with more antibiotics and equipment. I’d also like to set up a proper medical facility here. I’ve found a suitable room.”

“Do it. I’ll speak to Piper and tell her what you need her to get.” I smile at him. “You’re doing amazing, Doc, just be firm with them. They respect the truth and threats, not much else.”

He nods, and someone shouts his name, so he rushes off to help them.

I linger and speak to the warriors here for an hour or two before heading out to find Piper.

We follow the shouts, finding her sparring with Jago in the pit.

Archel is watching before he jumps in, both of them double teaming her, but she holds her own.

I watch with a grin. She’s a good fighter, really good, and every time I see her, she gets better.

Her mountain man is observing from the side with the other Lost, his mask in place. The crowd cheers, and I jerk my eyes back to see her knock Archel on his ass before Jago takes her down. I whoop and cheer as they get to their feet, panting and sweaty.

She shields her eyes from the sun and runs them around the viewers before they land on me. “Hey, Worth! Come kick my ass!”

I shake my head, but the crowd hears her and starts cheering for it. She jogs over, grinning up at me. “Come on, Champion, everyone loves a bit of girl on girl.” She winks, making me laugh. “Teach me your greatness, I am your padawan.”

“I don’t even know what that means. If I fight you, Piper, you won’t walk for a week,” I tease.

“Oh, big words… Prove it,” she retorts as she steps back with a wide grin.

“Kick her ass, baby girl.” Thorn laughs.

“Worth, Worth, Worth!” the others chant, so, with a sigh, I throw myself over the ledge and land on the sand and walk towards her.

“First blood, no weapons, no holding back,” I inform her, as I throw my swords and knives to the side.

“We fight dirty here, Pip,” I tease. “Don’t think I’ll go easy on you ’cause I like you.

I’m the Champion. I was born from blood and flames, so when I fight, I always do it to win.

” I grin as I circle her. “Hear them screaming my name? Because they know even if you knock me down, I will get back up. I never give up.” I lean in.

“And neither do you, my friend. One day, they will scream for you. I might be the Champion, but you? You’re a damned fucking fighter through and through. ”

She smiles, even as her eyes flicker nervously.

“Don’t worry, I won’t kill you.” I laugh as I step back, my hands at my sides. “First shot is free,” I offer.

She hesitates but swallows and rushes me. She’s good, fast, and smart. She feints high but goes low, but years of fighting to survive, of watching my opponents like a hawk, have me spinning out of the way. I kick her ass lightly as I laugh.

“Good, really good, but you shifted your eyes to where you were going to hit. It’s a clear signal, keep them on mine,” I instruct, pointing at my own.

“Never indicate where you are going to go. Surprise them, keep them on their toes. You’re small and fast, but they will always be bigger, so wear them down.

Use their size against them, make them use their energy, and when they are exhausted, end it. ”

“Teaching me your tricks, hot stuff?” She laughs, pushing back her hair and leaning down slightly.

“Don’t tell anyone,” I tease, and then I’m done talking.

I don’t go as fast as I normally would. I’m not fighting to the death here.

We trade blows, dancing across the sand.

She is only a fraction behind me, and what she lacks in finesse, she makes up for in attitude.

She never stops, even when I hit her side and kick her legs from under her.

She just flips back to her feet. When I almost knock her out, she gets her ass back up.

I respect that.

She reminds me of, well…me when I was younger.

I step back as she wipes her mouth and the blood there, but I don’t call time, wanting them all to see why I picked her.

This isn’t about me winning and showing off, this is about making the gathered warriors understand why I picked her to be my right-hand woman over everyone else.

She has something they never will—heart.

She has the soul of a champion.

She spits her blood to the side, panting slightly, and she has sweat on her brow, but she still smiles. “That all you got?” She laughs. “I was expecting more.”

“Oh, girl, you’re going to regret that.” I laugh, and then I stop holding back. She can handle it, she can handle me.

She doesn’t even get time to swear as I throw myself at her. I wrap my legs around her neck and throw us backwards, flipping us. I roll to my feet as she groans. She gets to her feet, but slower than before. She punches out and hits my tit, making me narrow my eyes as she freezes.