Gator was introduced first. He came down an aisle on the far side of the stadium, making his way toward the cage with his entourage.

As they approached the door of the cage, Ian was introduced. I searched for the spotlight that would follow him down to the cage, finally finding it just up the aisle from where we sat. Ian was in the spotlight, wearing his fight shorts, his gloves, and a look of determination. His muscles, normally bulging, were fully flexed. He was pumped up and ready to kick ass.

So effing hot. I regretted having passed up the chance to lick his eight-pack abs, and pushed away thoughts of their salty taste on my tongue as he walked within feet of me and I had to duck back behind Alexa. He continued toward the front, followed by Jonah and Cade.

“Where’s Chris?” I asked.

Alexa shrugged.

I searched the VIP section and the people up front near the cage, but he wasn’t there. Crap. This could not be good. Or could it?

Crap. I didn’t know what it meant, but at least Ian was still fighting. I’d have to wait until later to find out what happened to Chris.

Ian

The stadium seating with the cage all lit up was just as insane as I’d imagined it. The crowd cheered as I came in, and I ate it up. I let each roar, hoot, and whistle inflate me and make me stronger as I made my way to the stage.

This was real. This was my day. Nothing could stop me. I thought you needed to take drugs to feel this high, but I was wrong. I’d made it here, to the place I was supposed to be. To the place I’d waited years for. It was finally my time.

On my way up to the cage, I searched for Kenzie. Knowing what had happened last night, I wanted to see her and make sure she was okay. Her seat was in the VIP section just feet from the cage, but it was empty. I tried to tell myself that she was okay. She wanted to leave, and Alexa would have gotten her on the plane safely. Hell, Alexa might have even gone with her back home since Cade had joined me up front.

Regardless, I’d already decided I would win this match for her. I’d promised her I would, and the anger I felt toward Chris would be enough to make it happen. Anger channeled correctly would help me pummel my opponent.

As I climbed up the few steps to the cage, the roar of the crowd and the heavy music followed. But when they closed the gate, the rest of the world faded away, and it was just me and my opponent. I was focused and I was ready.

Gator was a few inches shorter than me, which if I didn’t know better, would have given me a false sense of security. But his shorter stature meant his muscles weighed more. He was stronger. This was also not his first big fight. His record was nine and three; he knew what he was doing.

I needed to be careful. All my moves had to be instant and deliberate. And he absolutely could not know that my right hand was totally fucked. He already knew about my shoulder injury; knowing about my injured fist would give him everything he needed to finish the fight in seconds.

The ref gave us his instructions, demanded a clean fight, and we touched gloves. Gator started off with his fists going at me. Which wasn’t what I expected, but I was a boxer, so I easily avoided all his jabs. It was clear he’d spent a lot of time working on his footwork.

Still, his moves were practiced and I was a boxer first. I could anticipate every move before he made it. I ducked out, then faked with my right, jabbing him hard with my left.

My gaze fell on Kenzie’s empty chair. She knew how much this fight meant to me.

Gator stumbled from my strike and shook it off. He came back at me. I blocked, then came back at him with more lefts. We only went on this way for a while before he started becoming weary of my left fist. He shook off my advances and landed a hit to my body. I fell back, and as he pursued me, I glanced at Kenzie’s empty seat again.

She had to have stayed for the fight.

Maybe she was just running late.

MacKenzie

The minute Ian stepped into the cage, I knew something wasn’t right. His stance was almost normal, but I would swear he was holding his right fist closer to his body, almost like he was guarding it.

“Does he look okay to you?” I asked Alexa.

“Yeah, why?”

“I’m not sure,” I said.

“He looks like he’s pumped and ready to kick some ass, if that’s what you mean.”

I shook my head and shrugged. “Maybe it’s nothing.”

When they started the first round, Ian and Gator exchanged punches, and everything seemed normal. Ian connected several times with Gator’s face, and once in his gut. Meanwhile, Gator kept on missing his targets. It got to the point where he started backing up toward the wall of the cage. Gator was dazed and on the retreat. All Ian needed to do was give him one swift right, and he’d fall. But he wasn’t using his right fist.

“I think there’s something wrong with Ian’s hand.”

“How can you even tell from this far away?”

“I don’t know. He just looks like he’s hurt.” My heart sank. If he was hurt this early, he might not be able to win.

“He looks fine,” Alexa said. She nudged me and smiled.

I forced a smile and turned my attention back to the cage. Gator was coming out of his haze. He shocked Ian with a kick to the thigh, and Ian staggered.

“Shit.” My hands went up over my mouth. “Come on,” I whispered. “Please.”

Ian swung around with his leg, aiming high, but Gator saw him coming, blocked him, and came back with a foot to his side.

My fists clenched. What the hell was going on? Ian was supposed to be the best on his feet, and Gator was taking him to school.