Wild Bastard by Ella Savitskaya (most popular ebook readers .txt) 📗

"Reenah, don't do this!" Sergio squeezes my shoulders tightly as I tighten the worn black gloves around my wrists.

My inner nervousness threatens to break through, but I'm not going to show him or the spectators demanding circuses that I'm easily broken.

"Let me pay for you"

I shake my head negatively and pull away. I'm really nervous. I've been dared to bet on Matt today. If only it had been a small amount. What a fool I am. I dreamed I could make easy money. There's no such thing in my case. I chew everything out with my teeth and toil. And now I'll have to use my fists.

I was warned in advance that if the bet didn't work, I would have to take part in the fight, thus working it off. The organizers only get more money from this kind of thing. And the worst thing was that the fight had to be with a guy.

With girls I had experience of fights. It's easier with them. But with a professional fighter it was clear that I would be knocked out in the first minute.

Sticky fear trickles down my nerve endings, but I block it out. There's still no way out. I'm not going to take money from Lopez. I won't get that kind of money back, so I'll have to pay some other way. Such an option is in no way part of my plans.

From behind the door I can hear the screams of the audience. Sergio is pacing from corner to corner of the dressing room. Though I don't know what he's more worried about. Me or the loss of a round sum, lost because of Matthew. When I remember the threatening look of blue eyes there in the ring, it makes me uncomfortable. Sergio and his huddling were annoying.

Except, after what happened last night, I had to convince Lana's brother that I really didn't care about him, and in order to do that, I had to let the guy grop me.

A nervous chuckle almost escapes my lips. Yeah, didn't care. I couldn't sleep the rest of the night. My skin stung and burned from the kisses and bites I'd experienced. My insides burned when I remembered our frenzied caresses and hoarse whispers. And the desire to do it all over again, at least one more time, was insurmountable.

My self-consciousness is interrupted by the eerie rattle of the door against the wall. He, who I'd been trying very hard not to think about all day, cremates first me, then Lopez. I swallow, getting ready for Matt's attack, aimed not at me, as it turns out.

With heavy steps, Matthew crosses the distance to Sergio and with one clear blow to the face, makes the guy mumble in pain.

"Why the fuck did you let her bet on credit?"

Matt

The asshole whines, straightening up and holding his nose.

"She didn't want to take the money"

"Really, or did you decide to play by your own rules? You knew she'd have to come out and fight"

He knew for sure. Everyone is aware of this kind of outcome for debtors. The bastard, apparently, hoped that Reenah would get scared and let him pay for himself, and then he would take advantage of the opportunity and demand appreciative sex. The thought that they might be asleep for a while makes me cringe with renewed vigor. The back of my head aching and throbbing from the force of the kick Mitch gave me, but as soon as Red told me about Reenah having to take part in the fight, everything else faded into the background. Anger at the arrogant fool was overwhelming.

"Matt, I really didn't want to. Sergio told me it was dangerous!"

Rie's voice infiltrates my consciousness and draws my vibrating attention to itself.

"Get the hell out of here!" I say to that jerk. 

Lopez twitches and leaves the locker room in a hurry.

Instead of blood, sulfuric acid passes through my heart at the sight of the savage. She now looks like a mad cat, ready to leap. She looks at me with a look of defiance. Her chin raised, her fists clenched nervously.

I step toward her and grab her by the neck. I pull her to the locker, trying to control my strength. But control has always been my weakness.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

I growl into a face that doesn't even flinch. Reenah clenches her teeth. As always, impenetrable and unyielding.

"I need the money. Who knew you'd decide to give up your positions today?"

"Give up my positions? I wouldn't have given them up if you hadn't let some asshole lick you. Do you even realize that your internal organs may suffer, including your uterus, stupid?"

Reenah's emotional blockade briefly breaks, and a barely discernible shadow passes over her face. I feel her trembling, but she doesn't look away. Stubborn bitch!

"What am I to do? You want me to go out the window and escape? Or are you going to pay for me, too?"

The savage exudes venom from puffy lips which I want to devour.

"To begin with, you should have avoided betting on debt. Were the rules explained to you?"

"Yes! But you're always so proud of your victories, I thought I'd take my chances!"

Fuck!

I growl and almost yell in her face at the position she's put me and myself in.

Reenah bites her lip and hastily exhales, scorching my face with her cold breath. She's worried. I'm on edge myself.

"You slept with him?"

I ask the only question that matters now. My future actions depend on her answer.

Her green eyes sparkle with incomprehension.

"With whom?"

I have no strength to repeat, and I can barely keep from squeezing my fingers tighter around her neck. I bury my nose in the tense cheekbone and run along it, sucking in the scent that hasn't left my lungs in almost twenty-four hours.

 Waiting rips into my veins from the inside.

Say “no”. Say fucking “no”!