Fighting for Flight by JB Salsbury (best books for students to read .txt) 📗

linger in the air from the earlier fights. As the main event draws near, the arena comes alive, chanting.

“Assassin, Assassin, Assassin . . .” Over and over, ratcheting my tension.

I wonder if Jonah can hear this from his dressing room. I wish so badly I was with him now, allowing the warmth of his skin and soothing words to comfort me. My arms wrap around my body. He’d hold me close. Probably tell me to breathe and relax. He’d tell me everything is okay and he’s going to take me home tonight as his, for good.

Jonah’s corner is empty. No familiar faces in sight. I look up the aisle. They must all be in the back with him. The thought brings my heart rate down and the muscles in my shoulders ease up their grip. We’ll be together soon enough, but for now it’s good he’s surrounded by his team. I’d probably only make him worry.

Eight minutes, four seconds.

“Hey, Raven. This seat taken?”

My back stiffens at the grating voice. Candy. Swift air brushes my arm as she sits in the seat to my right. I turn to look at her, certain my face conveys my shock. My jaw falls slack as I take in her clothes. Not clothes, more like a modest bikini.

I’m speechless.

“Hello. Are you Raven’s friend?” Katherine reaches her hand across my lap towards Candy. “I’m Katherine Slade.”

Candy leans in, pressing her hard, fake boob into my arm, making me cringe and recoil. I stare in amazement as an angel and the devil shake hands. In my lap.

“Yes, I am.” Candy’s tone nauseates me. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Slade. I’m also friends with your son. We’re very close.” Her words are said to Katherine, but the way her eyes slide to mine, they’re meant for me. Bitch.

“Oh, really, you know Joey?”

“Yes, I do. We’ve been close for a while now.” Her saccharine smile and overly painted face lean towards Katherine. “As a matter of fact, I just left him backstage.”

My heart cramps violently. I lock my narrow eyes on her. She was with him?

“I don’t understand. You were with him just now?” Katherine sounds as confused as I feel.

A wicked smile stretches across Candy’s face, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had fangs. “Yes. He’s doing great. A little tense, so I rubbed his shoulders forever.” She draws out the last word as she rubs her hands and flexes her fingers. “My hands are killing me.”

Fucking bitch!

Shocked, I meet Katherine’s eyes. She looks . . . disappointed. She believes Candy. Well, I don’t.

With my elbows resting on my knees, I drop my head into my hands, rubbing my temples. This is not happening. If I get into it with Candy, that will only upset Katherine. But if I don’t call her out, then Katherine will think her son is a low-down, dirty dog. What do I do?

I love Jonah and I trust him more than anyone. Candy is lying. I bet she wasn’t even back there with him. For the first time, the familiar creeping doubt that normally seeps in is absent. He’s putting everything on the line for me tonight. Putting everything he’s worked for aside for me and our future. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let Candy make him out to be anything less than the hero he is.

My shoulders relax and I sit up straight. I turn into Candy’s face as she forces an innocent expression, and fails.

“You know what, Candy?” I’m ready to unleash on the evil slut.

“So, Raven, what are you doing here anyway?” Candy starts talking as if I hadn’t even opened my mouth. “Jonah told me you weren’t able to come. Something about, hm, what was it?” She snaps her fingers. “Oh, yeah, something about getting a new job with your father? Dominick?”

Katherine gasps, and my jaw locks down, making my teeth ache.

How does she know about Dominick? Jonah and Blake are the only two people who know. My head spins. How else would she know that unless she was back there? Talking about me. They would never do that.

None of this makes sense.

Unless?

She’s working for Dominick.

My heart pounds and I want to scream. Adrenaline fists my hands. I can’t lose it here. Not in front of her. I won’t give her the satisfaction. But one thing’s certain: I need to get out of here.

“Excuse me,” I mumble and stand to leave.

“Raven?” Katherine stands next to me, her eyebrows pinched together.

“I’m fine, Katherine. I’ll just be a minute.”

I scoot past Candy into the aisle, grasping my hands together to keep from backhanding her. She coughs to cover her snicker. I whirl to face her, giving up my restraint. One slap. Then I’m out of here.

The lights go dark. The room explodes in a fan-crazed roar. I’m frozen in place, unable to see in front of me. A spotlight cuts through the darkness. The top of the stairs illuminates a group of very large men. A man wearing a black shirt that says “Crew” in yellow across his chest ushers me back, telling me to take my seat. Back in place, Katherine grabs my hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to UFL one-ninety-eight.” The announcer’s voice fills the room.

The crowd roars and my shoulders tighten with tension.

“Six-time Heavyweight Champion, Victor ‘The Bull’ Del Toro, will defend his title against the undefeated Jonah ‘The Assassin’ Slade.”

A mix of boos and cheers ring in my ears. Katherine’s grip tightens. The driving bass of Jay-Z’s song “Niggas in Paris” fills the dome-shaped arena, sending the fans into a frenzy. The air electrifies my skin, every hair standing on end.

“Let’s welcome our challenger. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Jonah ‘The Assassin’ Slade.” The announcer’s voice draws out his name and my body breaks out in goose bumps.

A bright light flashes to the top of the stairs. My eyes squint and burn trying to make out a familiar face. Out in front of the group are Rex and Caleb, but