Wild Bastard by Ella Savitskaya (book suggestions .txt) 📕

Marina

The feeling of helplessness and hopelessness is exactly what is now enveloping me with a sticky cobweb, penetrating under my skin and poisoning me with bitter fear.

From above, on the balcony, which I had never paid attention to before because it is hidden behind the bright light of the spotlights, all I can do is watch the unfolding scene below with utter helplessness. It seems that all the battles are being monitored from here. It's not like the bigwigs are stomping around with the common people from below. They chose a much more comfortable place. From this height the whole ring as if on the palm.

Now there is a man in this small room with me, Larry and the bully, whose mere appearance suggests that his presence here is already a great blessing for the organizers. Except that I've never cared about status, as long as the deals are done in a dishonest way.

My heart shudders and goes up to my throat when Matt enters the ring, accompanied by the furious whistling of the crowd and heavy music. Confidence is firmly stamped on his entire appearance. My bastard walks forward with a firm stride, giving his fans a broad smile. The gait, as always, is waltzing, playful. He is loved and admired.

The eyes of hundreds of people are glued to someone who belongs entirely to me, and I can't share this excitement with anyone else, because I desperately fight the urge to break the glass between us with my bare hands and shout to him about the danger. It's only common sense that keeps me from such foolishness, because even if I shout at the top of my voice, no one will hear me.

Matthew chuckles as he watches his opponent emerge from the opposite side of the ring. I'm being pulled down with a whip. The excitement is suffocating. I glance around the half-naked body, trying to figure out where the bastard might have hidden the knuckles. But there's probably nowhere but in my glove.

Before the fight begins, Matthew turns around himself several times. An inner voice tells me he's looking for me. At the last sparring sessions I always stood in front. I was the first to congratulate him on his victory. And my absence now might confuse him. Damn creatures. I hate them!

In the front row are Lana, Lucas, and Red. This was the first time a girl had been allowed to attend a fight today.

After the start is announced and the gong is struck, I'm literally pounded into the glass. Every time Matthew strikes, I mentally shout for him to hit harder. I don't feel the slightest pity for the opponent. The only wish pulsating in my temples is that his insolent rival had no time to use his brass knuckles.

From the voices behind me, Larry is telling something into his acquaintance. He looks relaxed, but you can guess from his expectant appearance that that's not really the case. He is clearly waiting for his man to win. Almost every second I turn back to the door, hoping that the fucking lumberjack will be distracted and I can escape, but it's like he's stuck to the seat at the exit.

At one of those moments, as I turned away from the ring, a sudden wave of disapproval came from the hall. I turned around with a sinking heart and saw Matthew kneeling, with a scarlet stain of blood on his forehead. Horror rips into my internal organs with a blade. I am paralyzed, my throat is in spasm. I think I shouted something, but I could hardly think.

Matthew

I feel as if glass has been poured into my eyes. There is a pounding in my temples. Blood rushes noisily through my veins.

I glance sideways at the asshole who grins back at me. He's stretching his neck, satisfied that he'd managed to bring me to my knees with a blow to the head. Except I've been in this sport too long not to realize it wasn't with his fist.

I only have a few seconds to get up, because if I hesitate, the bastard will seize the moment and knock me out. I push my elbow on my knee and pull myself upright with a jerk. I don't know what's under his glove, but I'll find out when I get him down and make him cough up blood.

The people are yelling, sending support and shouting my nickname. As I make a hell of an effort to piece together the blurry picture, I catch a glimpse of Lana covering her mouth in horror, and Red confidently saying something in her ear. Better get her the fuck out of here, talker. I knew she didn't belong here, but Reenah assured me she'd keep an eye on her. Since when did I start listening to chicks? And by the way, where the hell is my savage?

I can't search the room for her again, because the referee whistles practically in my ear, forcing me to pull myself together. I exhale and get closer.

Hook right, low-kick with my left foot. My head is buzzing, but I'm drawing in my reserves.

"Come on, asshole, don't bend in half. You wanted to put me down" I yell in the guy's face, trying to get him to rage.

The blackness in his eyes flashes as expected.

Yeah, come on, forget technique, be emotional, dumbass.

The jerk throws his fist forward, but I instantly punch a right cross into his jaw.

To the squeal of chicks, the lanky body staggers and nearly falls over, giving me a few seconds of advantage. Without wasting any energy, I snap his arm behind his back until it crunches and drop him to the mat. I use an elbow lock on his neck.

The adrenaline flows through my veins, igniting my inner demon and giving him the long-awaited victory. Almost a victory... because the asshole twisted and kicked me in the head with all his might. The pain pierces my skull and I find myself lying under my opponent for a moment, disoriented.

Fuck!

He wastes no time and starts methodically hitting me first in the chest, then in the face. My block doesn't help. Through the shroud of spreading infernal pain, I realize that this must be it.