I needed to let off some steam.

I thought about it for a long time before finally deciding to go through with it.

After I told Mira about the little visit from her uncle, she was surprisingly okay with it. She didn't really want to go back to school, but I managed to persuade her. We made a deal: if she goes back and finishes eighth grade, I'll find a way to get her documents so we can leave the city. After that, she can continue school somewhere else.

Monday coming, she'll be going to school alongside Mark. I put a little trust in him, so I hope he won't let me down.

As for me, I was at a club, but not the kind people go to for music and drinks. I was underground, standing in a fighting ring, about to face my first opponent.

A man. About five and a half feet tall. Short hair. Well built. A champion.

But so was I, in my own world.

The ring was packed. Most of them were shouting his name, no surprise there. I wore a pair of black fleece shorts to the knees, sleeveless top, nothing fancy. Hair yanked back, out of the way. I didn't come to look pretty. I came to fuck shit up.

My opponent, wore a smirk on his face. The kind that said, 'Can't believe this chick thinks she can take me.'

I couldn't wait to wipe it off.

The bell rang and we circled. My eyes were peeled and body on full alert.

He came at me first, right hook, low kick. Testing me.

I blocked, stepped back. Watched his feet. Watched his eyes.

He smirked again.

I feinted left. Came in hard with a jab to the ribs and he grunted.

Good.

He swung wild. I ducked, came up with an elbow to his jaw. There was a crack. Now it was my turn to smirk.

The crowd roared, but it was just noise. I didn't hear them. Just the sound of breath, feet scraping the canvas and fists cutting through the air.

He looked pissed. And I didn't blame him. He was a champion, but he was no match for me.

He came at me like a bull, head down and fists flying.

I took one to the shoulder. Another to the side. I groaned in pain, but that didn't matter.

I waited for the opening. A gap. Anything!

Finally!

I stepped in. I did a combo move. Left jab, right cross. His head snapped back and he staggered.

I didn't hesitate, there was no need.

I gave him a knee to the gut and a hook to the temple.

He dropped. I expected him to move, but he didn't. He was out.

Then the bell rang. Followed by the screaming from the crowd.

I stood over him, my chest heaving. I felt good. I felt unstoppable.

The ref took my hand and raised it. "Winner!"

They cheered for me. I was the winner. This was just the release I needed.

I went another round. Then another. I won them all. The last one was almost too easy.

I let them strike first, always do. Let them feel confident. Then I hit back. Hard. That's how you win in the ring. You wait, you watch. Then you destroy.

The ref raised my hand, then let it drop. I didn't wait for the applause.

I slipped out of the ring, sweat cooling on my skin, and heart still pounding like crazy. I was thirsty, but not tired.

As I made my way through the crowd, I took a glance at the upstairs ring.

I froze.

Our eyes met, a smirk plastered on his face. I returned it, as he made his way downstairs.

I grabbed a bottle of water, popping the cap, then gulped it down.

Angel approached me, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He loved that stuff, more than most people loved breathing.

"I didn't expect to see you here," he said, taking a few steps closer.

I smirked. "Oh really? I didn't think fighting was your scene."

He groaned. "It's not. My brother's right hand wanted to blow off some steam. Said she needed a fight. Dragged me along."

I finished off the bottle and threw it in a bin. "They dragged you? Against your will? Didn't think that was possible."

He chuckled. "Well, only if it's them."

I nodded, understanding. He lifted the glass to his lips and took a long, deliberate sip.

Silence stretched between us, both of us searching for something neither could name. His eyes held me. They were mesmerizing, a bit impossible to look away from.

He finally spoke, voice calm and controlled. "How's Mira?"

I half smiled. "She's good. She's going back to school on Monday."

He was about to reply, when two persons appeared beside him. The guy was the same one who'd thought that I was a charity case.

The woman, though... we hadn't exchanged a single word. She was gorgeous. Long black hair catch neatly in a pony tail, deep brown eyes and alot of ink decorated her skin. She was well built, liked she worked out everyday.

"Angel, planning to join in on the fun?" the guy asked, a grin spreading across his lips.

His smile faltered the moment he saw me.

"Well, hello, gorgeous. Didn't expect to see you here," he said, shifting his attention to me.

He looked just like Angel, same hair color, eyes, jawline, tattoos. The whole package, just a little different.

I gave him a blank look. "Oh, just because I'm a charity case?"

A laugh erupted from his lips. Angel rolled his eyes, seemingly annoyed by the guy. The woman was still quiet, her gaze locked on mine.

"Skai, this idiot is Aydin, my brother," Angel said, which was not surprising.

They did look like brothers.

"I'm not an idiot. Also, what time are we planning to leave tomorrow?" Aydin said, catching my interest.

"You're leaving?" I cut in, eyes flickering to angel.

He nodded. "Just a little job to handle. Quick and clean."

I smirked. "And you're leaving me out of the fun?"

"I didn't think to ask, don't you work alone?" Angel stated.

I rolled my eyes, a small smile playing on my lips. "That doesn't mean I can't try a little teamwork."

He took another sip before he continued. "Well, it's settled then. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

I grinned. That electric pull, the part of us that lived for the sting of a clean kill or the heat of a fight. I'll definitely be blowing off steam tomorrow.

Angel turned to the woman, who was too quiet. "Vaira, aren't you taking on another opponent?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "The one I want to take on is right here."

I raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

She nodded, a smirk appearing on her lips. "You're good in the ring, but those opponents were amateurs."

My face went still.

She was pushing my buttons, but I wasn't biting. I knew her type too well. The ones who poked and prodded, just to see how far your sanity would stretch before it snapped.

"Don't underestimate Skai, she's a badass," Angel cut in, coming to my defense I guess.

Vaira scoffed. "And I'm a bad bitch."

With that, she turned and walked away. Aydin muttered out something before going in the opposite direction.

"Don't mind her," Angel said. "She used to be an MMA fighter. High confidence."

I rolled my eyes. "More like high ego."

She use to fight in cages, now she just think in circles. I've seen tougher attitudes on rookies with a week of training.

Angel stepped closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "Be ready tomorrow. Things might go down fast."

I swallowed. It was just a simple brush against my ear, but it made my entire body shiver.

"I-I will."

Did I... just fucking stutter?

Angels gaze was locked on mine, almost unreadable. Probably thinking of why I just stuttered or if that was even possible.

The referee's voice cut through the noise. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final match of the night!"

I glanced at the ring.

My jaw tightened.

Vaira was already inside, pacing like a predator while the crowd roared her name.

Then she grabbed the mic. "Who wants a shot at a retired MMA fighter?"

No one stepped up.

"You can take her, you know," Angel said calmly, his eyes still locked on mine.

I smirked. "I know. I just don't feel like feeding her ego."

He finished off his whiskey in one slow sip.
"But you winning," he said, setting the glass down, "would crush it."

With those final words, Angel turned and walked away.

Vaira was still pacing around as if she had the world at her feet.

I exhaled.

I walked towards the cage, every step slicing through the noise.

I passed Angel on the way, as if he knew I wouldn't back down. He winked at me, and I swore my stomach did a swirly thing.

I shook it off, eyes focused on the target.

One of the security guys at the gate hesitated, then opened it. The metal clanged shut behind me as I stepped inside.

Vaira stopped pacing.

Her smirk widened like she'd been waiting all night for this.

I just rolled my shoulders, eyes locked on hers.

I didn't come to play. I came to wipe that fucking smirk off her face.

The noise of the crowd faded, and it felt like it was just us. Just me and the egotistical bitch! Looking as if she had already won.

She didn't and she wasn't going to.

The ref looked at the both of us. My fists were up and my heart was beating away in my chest. I was ready.

"Fight!"

She came in fast. A jab. Then another. I slipped the second and fired back with a straight right. It hit, her eyes widening in suprise.

I moved in and threw a hook. I missed. I threw a kick, and it landed perfectly. Her leg buckled for a second, but she recovered quickly.

Fuck! I thought when she caught me with an uppercut. My head snapped back. For a second, everything went white and my legs felt loose.

I clenched my jaw and rushed her. We crashed into each other like wild animals. My forehead pressed to her stomach, I felt her ribs rise and fall, fast.

She kneed me in the side and I grunted. I returned the favor, very hard.

She tried to pull away, but I wasn't done.

Fuck no!

I grabbed her arm and twisted, pushing her into the cage. She hit hard, and I heard the breath left her lungs. I rolled my shoulders, fist up.

I went hard and fast. Left and right, hitting her non-stop. She blocked the first two. The third one wasn't having it.

She swung back and I ducked. Her fist brushed my hair slightly.

I finally saw it, her guard was now low. I stepped in and twisted my hips. I threw everything I had into one punch.

Crack!

It hit her clean. Her head snapped sideways. I watched as her knees folded and she hit the mat.

She fell limp.

I stood over her, my breathing shallow. But I couldn't contain the smirk.

My arms were shaking and my fists hurt.

I didn't care. I came to fuck shit up.

And I did.

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