Say you love me

Eight

POV KAIDEN

Chapter Name: Kaiden vs. Monty

I rapidly throw my fists at the punching bag, taking out my anger as sweat glides down my body.

"Monty is a pretty strong fighter." Case tells me, watching me with intensity. "No shit," I respond with irritation laced in my voice.

"You can beat him." Grey smacks Case in the arm. I pull my sweaty shirt over my head, throwing it on the floor beside them, "I have to," thoughts of my mom and sisters flutter through my head.

This fight has to end fast so I can get back to Reece. I forced Jayce to watch her until I got out of here.

"You actually showed this time." Boss stood behind me, placing a calloused hand on my back. I tense up before shaking his hand off me and turning around.

"Not like I wanted to be," I respond, walking towards the bench where my friends sit to grab my water bottle.

I open the water, placing it on my lips, and immediately start chugging as if my life depends on it. "That's fine if you don't want to be. There are no hard feelings. A lot of fighters get tired of this lifestyle." He places a cigarette in his mouth and brings a lighter out.

I ignore his words before throwing the water back down. I know he's here to call me to the floor. My fight should start any minute now. We have been here for three hours. I've been training the whole time—all to beat Monty.

"You're up, kid." He finally says after watching a guy come out with a bruised and battered face. I nod, stepping away from them, making my way to the door that leads to the fighting ring.

I step through the door, immediately eyeing Monty. The crowd below the large cement block we stand on excitedly squawks as they see us.

"It's been a long time, Kaiden." My old friend smirks as he pops his knuckles. I scowl at the man who got me wrapped up in a gang and my sister in prostitution. 

"Shut the fuck up, Monty. There's no need for us to speak." I throw my fist at him, punching the air as he ducks away.

He comes from behind me, kicking me behind my kneecaps, making my legs buckle. I quickly catch my balance, stumbling as I face him. "This will be easy." He smirks, punching my lip. I am taken aback as I can taste blood leaking into my mouth.

I look into the wailing crowd, spotting Boss as Case and Grey move towards the front. He shakes his head, letting me know ill be done for if I lose. 

My sisters' and mother's faces flash before my eyes as I lunge for Monty, knocking him onto the ground as my fists fly in his face. Blood splatters on my fists and the cement ground as I pull my fists away, breathing roughly.

He pushes me off him without warning, punching my eye as he assaults my body, creating future bruises everywhere.

He wraps his hands around my neck, squeezing until I can't breathe. I bring my hands up to his neck, slightly panicking from not being able to get out of his hold.

I grab his neck, pulling him down as I bring my head up, headbutting him. He rolls off me holding his head as I stand up, adrenaline blocking out the forming wound on my head.

I fall to my knees beside him, hammering his already bloody face with my fists. Violent tendencies I'm used to runs through my veins, fueling my rage.

As soon as he stops moving, I stop, sitting back as I look at the crows, cheering for me as Monty's blood paints my arms. 

I desperately catch my breath as sweat drops onto the ground around me.

I look at Monty, his chest slowly moving up and down, signaling he's alive. Maybe I should feel guilt, remorse. Even if that's the humane thing to feel, I can't afford to think that way.

I have my family to think about. I have myself to think about. You only win and get the money if the person gives up or passes out. Luckily I didn't give Monty a chance to surrender, my fists faster than his words. He deserved every punch.

I bring myself to my feet, raising my hands in the air claiming my victory, showing that I beat the bastard that lays unconsciously. 

I scan the crowd, stopping when I find the boss. He nods at me as my head starts to ache. Now I know the money and my family are secure.

"Good job out there!" Grey hands me a clean shirt he got from a locker.

"Rivera." Boss calls my name as he stands in the doorway of his office. I make my way towards him, putting my shirt on in the process. He closes the door behind me. 

"Money?" I demand, taking a sip of water. He slaps $400 in my hand, tucking an extra hundred I earned into his pocket.

"Your debt is almost paid. I'd say you need to give me $5,000 more out of your earnings from your fights. Saving your life and getting your family out of that shit hole you were in... I say I deserve that."

"I've given you thousands throughout the year. Why can't it just be paid off already?" $500 is what I usually earn for each fight on a good night. Each time I win, I give Boss $100-$200 off of my winning. That would be fifty more agonizing fights.

"You owe me." He states. 

"You guys are going to fucking kill me with all these fights you make me do," I respond angrily. He snaps his fingers, and two men immediately bust into the room, grabbing me by each arm, walking me out.

I'm thrown out into the alleyway with Case and Grey right behind me.  "What was that about?" Case asks, looking at the dried blood on my bruised knuckles.

"I owe him $5,000 fucking more." I grit my teeth, starting to walk towards my car. 

I unlock my door, swinging it open to reveal Jayce and Reece watching the new Beauty and the Beast together. "Kaid!" Reece looks over the couch, smiling happily as she stands up to hug me.

"How did the fight go?" Jayce asks, pausing the movie as Case turned on the living room lights. "I won," I respond as Reece looks at my bloody hands.

"It's not my blood," I assure her. She ignores me, staying silent as she walks to the kitchen.

"Well, you don't seem too happy." Jayce states. "His boss wants more money from him," Grey responds.

"That's some bullshit." 

"Here." Reece hands me a warm washrag and a bag of ice, "Wipe off the blood and put the ice wherever it hurts."

It hurts everywhere.

I thank her and wipe the blood off of my hands and arms. "Got some revenge on Monty?" Jayce asks. 

"Of course. That's what he deserves."