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Kenji’s hold on him loosened, and he shot me a questioning glance. Zabit chuckled at the exchange.

“That answers my next question. She hasn’t shown you her takedowns yet. Since she snitched inside info on me, here’s some on her: She’s shit at getting out of heel hooks,” Zabit said, amusement in his eyes.

“Hey.” It was true, but damn, he didn’t need to say anything, especially with what was about to happen next. My eyes cut to Kenji, who still stood there wearing a look of confusion.

The announcer’s voice boomed over the chatter once more. “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s a special night indeed. Not only does your new champion already have to defend his title, but he gets to do it against a familiar face. Don’t let the fact that she’s a woman fool you. She’s a killer.”

Understanding followed by horror spread to Kenji’s face. If he wasn’t already red and sweaty from the fight, I was sure that announcement would’ve done the trick.

“No,” he stated firmly, his head shaking.

“No?” I asked, fixing my hair into a tight braid that landed slightly past my shoulders. “Don’t you want to meet with Magomed? We both have to fight for that to happen.”

Color faded from his face, and his throat bobbed, as if swallowing was difficult. My heart fluttered while a fire raged in my veins. Sure, it was sweet that he cared, but I wasn’t a fragile fucking flower.

“That’s how this works here, Kenji. If you want to meet the boss, you have to fight. That night.” I walked up the steps of the cage. “Hit me like you mean it, Kenji. Where’s the man who had the balls slice my skin and then lap it up?”

Fire and chaos.

The reaction he’d denied me a moment ago flashed in his eyes. The tendons in his neck flexed as he stretched his muscles from side to side, beginning to bounce in place. The crowd roared at the obvious change in demeanor. They’d probably been scared they’d get denied a bloodbath.

We made our way to the center as the announcer ordered.

“You want me to make you bleed, little one?” He looked impossibly arrogant, and it caused moisture to pool at my core. Blood whooshed in my ears, drowning out the crowd. My sole focus was on the man in front of me.

A demon personified with his blood-spattered body and split lip leaking crimson that I longed to lap up the same way he had with the cut on my thigh.

I leveled a gaze in his direction as we touched hands, mine not yet torn and bruised.

“I want you to make me feel, Kenji.”

My words struck a nerve with him. He understood what I meant. The rush of violence was something no drug could recreate, and I had a feeling violence with Kenji was about to become my favorite high.

Before I could move to my corner, his hand wrapped around my throat, and his lips pressed against mine as he spoke. Heat licked at the areas he touched, sizzling like a hot poker.

“Mine. You’re mine, Scar.”

Pain radiated from the spot he’d sunk his teeth into while a jolt of electric pleasure shot straight to my clit. The crowd went wild at the violently sexual energy coursing in the ring.

“You know,” I called out as I backed into my corner, “I’m pretty sure they have videos like this where the winner fucks the loser in the ring after,” I said, bouncing on my toes.

A cheeky grin appeared on his face. “You want me to fuck you here in front of everyone, Scar?”

“Bold of you to assume it’s not going to be me who fucks you,” I threw back right as fight was called out.

We circled one another, each throwing out feints. I’d have to wait him out, look for the opening, and then strike hard and fast. He had a longer reach and was bigger than me in height and weight. I flung a leg out, connecting with his thigh in the same spot I saw Zabit connect with earlier. He let out an audible grunt at the hit, and I smirked at his flash of surprise.

I loved when they underestimated me.

I caught his right hook when I made my way to his inside. I could feel the bruise that would bloom there, but the risk paid off, and I landed a hit to the gut, dancing away before he could catch me with anything else.

“You’re playing with fire, little one,” he taunted as his leg snapped out, aimed for my head in the same move he’d dropped Zabit with. This one caught my forearm as I blocked it, hitting me so hard my teeth rattled in my head.

It didn’t matter that the kick hurt like a bitch. I could feel the goofy smile on my face. It was the same one Kenji gave me when I landed an uppercut to his jaw. His cut from earlier opened up even more.

“You’re so hot covered in blood, Kenji,” I said, licking my lips as he walked me down.

“Are you going to lick it off me?” he asked while circling around, looking for a chink in my armor.