Page 140 of Savior
“Yeah.”
“Fuck.” My heart pounds a little harder. I want to jump into the ring and fight the fight for him. Though I know damn well, Axel would probably never speak to me again if I did.
“Dean, he’s got this.” Viking grunts at me. “Stop being such a mother-fuckin-hen, and let this kid grow up.”
I can feel the grimace tighten across my own expression as his words hit me. Part of me strongly wishes I could shelter Axel from all of the harsh realities of this world, forever. As I continue to glance around our current surroundings, I know that’s impossible.
“Besides,” Viking begins to say again as I look over at him in time to catch his shit eating grin, “it’s your fault he’s even into this shit now.” Of course, he would rub this in my face. Viking never passes up an opportunity to rub salt in a wound. Though, he isn’t wrong. “The kid idolizes you, Dean. You didn’t expect him to follow in your footsteps?”
I let out a breath, hoping to decompress a bit. “I knew this day was coming that night he asked me to teach him how to fight.” I admit. Even though I had tried to dissuade him from it years ago, to warn him off this underground shit. “I just didn’t expect this night to come so soon… That was nearly three years ago.”
“Time flies.” Viking sighs. “You blink and years have gone by. Just wait until Vanna has that kid of yours.”
I rake my fingers through my hair before I hook my thumb back in my jeans pocket. “Well now I’m depressed and nauseous. Thanks.”
Viking slaps my back. “Any time, bro.”
There’s a rustling in the crowd now. By the way these spectators all clammer to get a look at who’s on the other side of the ring, craning their necks and shoving each other. I know it’s Axel’s first opponent.
Some jag-off bumps me from behind. I grit my teeth and stand my ground. No way I’m moving a goddamned inch for anybody. I’ll fight with every bit of self-restraint I can muster, not to intervene in Axel’s fight, if it’s fair. However, if shit goes sideways, nothing is going to keep me out of that ring. The kid can hate me afterwards all he wants. There isn’t a snowball’s chance in Hell, that I’ll ever be able to stand by and watch Axel get pounded into cement. Even if he’s technically asking for it.
I keep my gaze fixed on Axel, excitedly bouncing in his corner, a confident grin on his face as he throws a few practice swings, sizing up his opponent. I take a glance at the guy, a bit of hope piercing the veil of trepidation I’ve felt since we got here, at Axel’s seemingly unfazed reaction. The guy is about Axel’s size in build and height. A lightweight. I slowly let out the breath I’ve been holding, the tightness in my chest slightly dissipating. At least they’re in the same weight class. You never know what you might end up with in the underground circuits.
“Fight!” the announcer shouts, and immediately they begin to circle one another. I force myself to remain as outwardly impassive as humanly possible, my fingers curling tightly into my jeans, thumbs still hooked in my pockets. Axel is lighter on his feet than his opponent, easily dodging and weaving out of range of the guys strikes, slipping in a few body shots of his own now and again as they move about the ring. The crowd is an even mixture of cackles and applause.
“Atta’ boy, Axel!” Viking shouts beside me. “Keep those hands up!”
My heart hammers in my chest as I watch his every move, and it isn’t long before Axel lands a round house kick to his opponent’s temple, effectively knocking him the fuck out. As soon as the kid realizes the guy isn’t getting up, he turns to Viking and I, thrusting both of his fists triumphantly in the air above his head, a proud and excited smile beaming.
Viking slaps the back of my cut. “See? Told you he’d be fine. We trained him well.”
I cock my chin at Axel and give him a returning smile, before I bring a hand to my face, stroking down my jaw as I subtly turn to Viking. Making sure my hand obscures my mouth from Axel’s view, I tell him, “His opponent wasn’t up to scratch… Cherry could have kicked that guy’s ass.”
“He’s a newbie. And the people running this place know he’s with us.” Viking says. “Maybe they tossed him a warm up. He’s got one more fight tonight.”
“Great.” I mutter. “What do you think the chances are that this will be out of his system after tonight?”
Viking gives me another wry side eye. “Slim to none.”
I nod, heaving another weary sigh. “Fuckin’ Aces.”
Axel’s next opponent looks like a goddamned junkie. A wiry, scroungy looking punk. I can see the track marks in his arms from here.
“Oh, fuck, no.” I drop my hand from my mouth and storm up to the ring, Viking trailing behind me. Axel spots us approaching and steps to the ropes near us.
“Hey, no coaching from the side lines!” Some asshole snaps at me. I let Viking handle it.
“What’s up bro?” Axel asks, looking at me with slight concern, probably wearing an expression similar to my own. That’s the thing about these underground circuits. Not all of them make sure fighters are clean. Especially smalltime rings like this.
“You can beat this guy.” I tell him, starting with a positive, since I know this is going to blow up in my face.
He slams his fist into the palm of his other hand and grins with confidence. “Thanks, bro. I’ve got this.”
“No… I want you to forfeit.”
His expression morphs to one of confusion, his blonde brows pinching together. “Forfeit? But you just said you think I can beat him.”
“I know you can. But it ain’t worth the risk. Look at the guy, Axel. You think he got tested to make sure he was clean before he stepped into the ring with you?”
