Zander was a six foot-eight, two hundred and forty pound angry sack of pure muscled testosterone that didn’t mind ripping a man to shreds with his bare hands. He had earned my respect when he had almost bested me in this same cage several years ago.
I think Titus is just trying to make a name for himself, same as Zander did with you all those years ago. You remember how it was.
I lifted the Cognac to my lips and smiled before taking a sip, Yes I do.
Seth, Lynx, Miller, and I took our seats at the tables overlooking the steel ring. We made small talk and laughed at the memories of some of our more irresponsible and immature antics as the minor fighters went at each other. The warehouse slowly grew silent as the lights flickered three times, letting us know that we had one minute before the main event began.
Seth looked over at me, a serious look taking over as he spoke quietly, Word’s getting around that you’ve taken a girl, Boss.
I kept my face blank as I turned from looking over the gathered crowd and raised an eyebrow, fighting to keep my cool. If Seth had already heard about Lea, that means that what we had been suspecting for a while is true.
You know how gossip is though. He shrugged his shoulders and nodded toward the ring. Zander looked up from the center of the raised platform and tilted his head back. I raised my glass in acknowledgement and turned back to Seth.
What else had been said ?
Seth leaned forward so that only the three of us at his table could hear what he had to say. Just that you seem smitten by a witness that you couldn’t dispose of.
I picked up my phone and dialed Darrell.
Boss.
We have a mole. I watched Seth as I spoke, Make sure she has security.
I’m on it, Boss.
Let me know if you find out anything.
Will do. I heard Darrell’s slight chuckle, And by the way, thanks for the early morning wake up call.
Anytime. I slid my phone close and looked back to Seth.
I thought as much, Seth leaned back in his chair. I knew that you wouldn’t allow that kind of information to get out. I’ll keep my ears open and let you know if I hear anything else.
I nodded and turned my attention to the ring. Zander was bouncing on the balls of his feet as a figure robed in gold cloth was let in the the cage doors. The announcer joined the two fighters and grabbed the microphone as it was lowered from the warehouse ceiling., the room going silent as he began to speak.
And now, our main attraction and what all you drunken bastards have been waiting for. In the black trunks, undefeated reigning champion, Z A N D E R !
The crowd roared and started to place bets as Zander threw both fists in the air and bounced around in a circle.
Settle down, settle down. Now, in the gold trunks, the hot shot newcomer that has taken out four of our top six fighters in the last two weeks and the man crazy enough to challenge Zander….. T I T U S !
The roar of the crowd was deafening and I glanced eagerly between Lynx, Miller, and Seth, slow grins forming on all our faces. As a general rule of thumb, the louder and more rambunctious the crowd, the more money we would make.
Now, both of you know the rules.. the announcer paused as the crowd yelled back, THERE ARE NO RULES.
The announcer quickly exited the cage as the two guys started circling each other. Titus wasted no time tossing a left hook Zander’s way.
Zander blocked and countered with a spinning back kick.
After a few minutes of watching the two fighters I took a sip if the Cognac and tilted the glass toward the ring. They seem to be an even match.
Yea. The crowd is loving it. Seth looked over the shouting spectators. The last time we had a match like this, you almost got your ass kicked by Zander.
I smirked, Almost.
The two men had been holding their own against each other for almost thirty minutes when a sickening crack sounded through the warehouse. I raised an eyebrow and stood as Zander’s face twisted in agony and let out a blood curdling scream as he fell to the ring.
Damn, Miller let out a low whistle as Zander grabbed his leg, both lower bones showing through the skin.
As Titus advanced on the fallen fighter, Zander tapped the mat, ending the match and his reign as undefeated champion.
The crowd fell silent as medics rushed into the ring and worked to set Zander’s leg before they moved him. A primal scream tore through the air and the medic closest to Zander’s fist flew backwards, slamming into the steel cage before sliding down the metal wall and crumpling unconscious to the mat.
I sat back down and pinched the bridge of my nose, See that he gets the best.
Seth stood simply nodded before walking down to the ring and proceeded to speak with the medic.
As the medic nodded and turned to leave, Titus walked over and laid a hand on Seth’s shoulder leaning in close to Seth’s ear. Titus pulled back grinning as Seth looked up at me. He was shaking his head as he continued to talk to Titus.
I waved the two men up.
Titus slipped on his robe and followed Seth back to our table. I stood and held out my hand as Titus stepped to the table. Nice show.