"I still think you're making a huge mistake. You're jeopardizing everything by fighting at Bedevils! And to fight BK the Tiger? You're out of your fucking mind!" Neron yelled while pacing back and forth.

I continued lifting the dumbbells', ignoring him. I'm not doing this because I want to. I'm doing this because I have to. So my message to The Tormentor is to fight in the underground, letting him know I'm not afraid of him. If anyone should feel frightened, it's him. And because he's acting the way he's been. I think he should think about changing his name to PSP; Panic-Stricken Pussy.

I don't care what kind of fight it will take for him to face me finally. By fighting BK the Tiger will show him; I'm a willing participant to fight any way he's willing to do so. He's had six years to prepare himself; I'm not waiting any longer.

I want justice.

I need justice.

They need justice.

We all need fucking justice.

I haven't forgotten what he did. I refuse to forget. And I will never forget until he pays for what he did to my father and fiancée.

"Gunner... are you fucking listening to me?"

"I hear what you're saying. But that also doesn't mean I'm listening," I groaned, setting the dumbbells on the floor. I got down on my hands and knees, stretched out my legs, pressed the palms of my hands on the floor, then began doing pushups that Neron ordered me to do. Instead of doing my usual fifty, Neron's punishing me by upping the pushups to one hundred. I wanted to laugh. He calls it punishment; I call it satisfaction.

"I need you to fucking listen to me. You're playing with fire. I can't let you do this. I just can't allow you to go up against a man who's twice the size of you. One who doesn't abide by the rules and one of the dirtiest fighters around."

"He's my kind of guy," I smirked with delight. "He's just who I need to prove; I'm not fucking around anymore. Can't you get that through your moronic fucking head of yours? I'm fighting Saturday night, whether you like it or not."

"You're going to land yourself in the hospital; that's what you'll do. If not the hospital, it'll be the fucking morgue."

"Have faith," I pleaded, pushing myself up. I stood, then started bouncing up and down, swinging my arms inward and outward across my chest. "I won't give up, and I refuse to go into submission with him. BK the Tiger isn't that tough. Why do you think he fights as dirty as he does? The only way he knows he can win is by using those brass knuckles or the other objects he uses. I just need to be smarter than him and up my game. Besides, you'll be there keeping your eyes focused on him, warning me where his objects are." I said, showing him how white my teeth are.

He furrowed his brows, raised his arm up high, then quickly swung his arm down, pissed. "Get on that fucking ass of yours and give me a hundred sit-ups. Now..."

I laughed. This isn't exactly the punishment I was expecting. Because what Neron has me doing right now was nothing, and if anyone were to ask, I'd tell them how much I was enjoying this type of punishment.

"That new gal of yours..."

"Yeah, what about her?" I said while mentally counting my sit-up.

"Is she going to be there?"

"I doubt it. I haven't asked Aria to be there for me. Preferably, I'd rather her not be there. She hates fights, and if she saw the Neanderthal fighting dirty, she'd lose it."

"Maybe she should be there," he groaned, "She's exactly who I need to talk you out of this fight."

"Not fucking happening, Neron."

"Where are you at on the sit-ups?"

"Eighty-five," I exhaled while pressing my elbows to my knees.

"Good. When you're done with those, I want you to go to the push press."

I chuckled. Another pussy punishment.

I guzzled a bottle of water on my way over to the push press, and as my trainers were placing the barbells on the weight bar, Neron demanded they up the weights from four-hundred and three to four-hundred fifty-five. Then he looked at me. "I saw how you were gloating back there. Little did you know I was only preparing you for the real punishment. You want punishment? Here's your fucking punishment. Instead of doing your normal five sets of five reps, you're now doing five sets of twenty fucking reps."

I didn't think that would be a problem and grinned. "No problem."

It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. My arms and shoulders burned after each push into the air, and after my third rep of twenty, I thought my arms would give out.

Neron laughed.

"You like breaking the rules? Here's my version of breaking the fucking rules, asshole. Hope you're enjoying this because it's only going to get worse," he threatened with no hint of sympathy.

I can do this.

I know I can.

I'm not giving up, and it's precisely what he wants me to do—give up.

I groaned and yelled as I got to the last set of twenty reps, and once I completed that, Neron demanded I go to the bench press.

"You're killing me," I groaned while giving my muscles a rest.

"You think I'm killing you? What do you think Tiger will do to you this weekend? I'd rather kill you first. Just think if your old man were here. He'd be telling you exactly what I've been saying. He'd also tell you how much of an idiot you are."

I stormed over to him, pointing my finger in his face. "Don't talk about my father like that! If he were here, he wouldn't be calling me an idiot. Instead, he'd push me to work harder," I raved.

"You're wrong, and you know it," he seethed through his teeth, pushing my hand away from his face. "Now get your damn ass on that fucking bench press."

He upped the weights again and continued pushing me. Neron's wrong. My father was constantly pushing me—pushing me to be the best. And that's what I'm trying to do. I'm not backing down from this. Not from Neron, not the UFC, not BK the Tiger, and I'm definitely not backing down from The Tormentor.

While laying on my back and pushing up the weight bar, Aria's face flashed in my mind. If something were to happen to me this weekend, I feel she'll walk away. And since we've only just started hanging out, it'll be much easier for her to do.

I can't let anything happen to me.

I need to win this fight.

I really like Aria, so I refuse to allow anything terrible to happen that will make her walk away.

Never will I ever let that happen.

Neron leaned over me just before I pushed up on the last of my reps and pressed down on the weight bar. "Lift the weights with me on this," he demanded.

"I can't," I groaned, trying to lift the weights, while Neron pressed his entire body weight down on the bar.

He laughed, pissing me off more than I already am.

"You can, and you will. Now lift me, you fuck!" Neron yelled.

I tried lifting all the weight he insisted I do with all my might. "Arghhh! Get the fuck off!" I yelled, still lifting him and the weights. And if I were to guess his weight on top of what's on the bar, he's having me lift well over six hundred pounds.

Fucker...

"I'm not getting off. This is what you wanted. Now lift me, damn it!"

"Fuck you!"

"No. Fuck you!" he yelled, spit spraying my entire face. "You're the one who wants to fight that fucking piece of shit. So you're going to pay for it! If you can't lift the weights with me on them, you're not ready to fight him," he angrily pointed out. "You must remember, he's twice the size of you."

"Yes, I know..."

He smirked. And I knew what that meant. He's about to say something that'll piss me off. "If you don't lift me, I'll go find that beautiful gal of yours and tell her what you've got going on Saturday night."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me, asswipe..."

He's definitely punishing me, and he's testing my fucking patience with him.

I can do this.

"Arghhh." I groaned loudly, pushing and holding him up in the air until my arms could no longer hold him up the way I was. Then I started lowering him towards me until he began barking orders.

"Don't you dare lower me!" he fumed, steam coming out of his ears by the looks of it.

Hell...

Not only is there steam coming out of his ears. I think there's steam coming out of my fucking ears as well.

"That's enough, Neron," Xavier called out as he neared us. "If you continue doing what you're doing, his muscles will tear, and he wouldn't be able to fight this weekend or his next big fight that's coming up."

The two argued back and forth until Neron gave up and looked down at me, looking like the devil himself. "Fucking lower me down."

I lowered Neron down with Xavier and Maxwell, grabbing the weight bar from me and securing it onto the bar holder. My arms dropped, and then they fell to the ground.

Neron fucking kicked my ass.

"I need an ice bath," I breathed.

"Go cool down and take your damn ice bath. We're done for the day," Neron snapped as he headed out. "You thought today was a punishment? Wait until tomorrow!"

I sat up, then took the water bottle from Xavier's hand. "What's tomorrow?"

"Ring time," he said, looking at Maxwell.

"And?"

"And he's got something up his sleeve..." Xavier sighed.

"Like what?"

"Be prepared to act like you're fighting Tiger," Maxwell said. "I'll go get your ice bath ready."

***

Me: What are you doing after work?

After ten minutes, she finally replied.

Aria: Going out to dinner with Justin and Nikki. Would you like to join us?

Me: What are you doing after dinner?

Aria: I have no plans afterward. You?

Me: Snuggling somewhere with you.

I replied, grinning from ear to ear.

Aria: Your place or mine?

Me: Yours?

Aria: I'd like that. Does that mean you're coming to dinner with us?

I'd love to, but tonight is not a good night.

Me: How about you call me when you're done? Neron kicked my ass in training today, and then he filled me up on a ton of protein afterward. As a result, I feel a bit full, and I'm unsure I can eat again in another hour.

Aria: You can still join us.

She replied with a smiling, winking emoji at the end of her message.

Me: I guess I can sit there and drink water. Would you like me to pick you up?

Aria: I didn't bring the proper clothing attire.

Me: I wasn't planning on picking you up on the bike.

Aria: Okay, I'll let Justin know not to pick me up. I'll see you at five.

I threw my phone onto the passenger seat, then raked my fingers through my hair. I knew Neron planned on punishing me today. But never did I think he would punish me the way he did. That was harsh, and now he's got plans for tomorrow?

I can only imagine what he's got planned for me this time.

Sigh...

I drove home to clean and change. Then before leaving to pick up Aria, I sat on my bed staring at my father's picture, telling him how badly I wanted to kill his best friend today, mentioning if he didn't chill out, Neron would be joining him soon.

I lifted my father's picture higher. "Damn, I really miss you today, dad. Hopefully, you'll be there with me on Saturday, helping and protecting me. And as much as I hate to admit this. I think Neron's right. I think I can hear you telling me how much of an idiot I am for wanting to fight this piece of shit. But I want you to know that this is something I must do. And how I'm only doing this is for you and Shelby."

***

I leaned against my car, with my arms crossed along my chest, while looking up to the sky, thinking about Saturday and wondering if I should invite Aria to the fight. It might give me more incentive to fight harder if she was there, even though it's worth fighting harder for my father and Shelby.

Rumor is BK the Tiger has ties to The Tormentor and if he were to go down, bludgeoned, bloody, and hurt, The Tormentor would come out of hiding.

And that's what I need to happen.

So, I have to win this fight.

I looked down from the sky, and when I saw Aria walking toward me, a smile crossed my face.

"I didn't think you owned a car," she said as she approached.

I chuckled. "Why wouldn't I?"

Her eyes shot over to the car for a second; then, she looked back at me. "Because all I've seen you with is a motorcycle and an Escalade that you have a driver for."

"Well, this is mine as well. Shall we?" I stepped to the side, opened the door, and then waved for her to get in.

"Nice car. I like Mustangs," she smiled in awe as she slid in. "But I've never been in one before."

I bent down, leaned my head towards her, and smiled while cupping her chin. "Maybe I'll let you drive it someday."

She must have liked that. Her pretty blue eyes brightened even brighter, and then they sparkled. I leaned closer and pressed my lips to hers just as she spoke. "I'd love that," she mumbled while kissing me.

If I didn't stop the kiss, I'd want to skip the dinner and have her all to myself by bringing her home and doing more than kissing because her lips pressing against mine had me and my dick thinking dirty thoughts.

So I better get back to reality.

"We better get going," I said, parting from her mouth.

I walked around the car, got in, and as I started the car, Aria said, "I'm surprised you aren't on your bike today. It's beautiful out."

"It is, but my body feels quite sore tonight after today's intense workout. And I didn't feel like trying to hold up the bike, especially with two people on it," I said, lowering my sunglasses.

"Oh," she said, her brows lowering—looking like she's pondering about asking another question. "Aren't your workouts always intense? So why would today be any different? Plus, I didn't think you had another fight for another month."

She's loaded full of questions. I looked away from her, put the car into drive, and then stepped on the gas while enlightening her. "Neron decided he needed to punish me."

"Punish you? For what?"

Fuck...

"I'll explain later."

Now I have to tell her the reason and then hope like hell she won't want to be there. I want her there for moral support, but I also don't. For her reasons, but then I have reasons too. I fear her being there because I can't risk anybody finding out who Aria is to me, either.

Do I ask her to come to watch me? Or don't I?

If she comes, I'll need security around her at all times.

She may not like that.

I sat quietly at the table, listening to Aria and Nikki talk about what they were doing this weekend. And it relieved me hearing they would be going to a party this Saturday night. Good, now I don't have to ask her to come along. But then my stomach dropped when Nikki looked at me and asked, "Did Aria invite you to the party?"

"No," I said, looking at Aria. "I wouldn't be able to make it, anyway."

"Oh, how come?" Aria asked.

"I have a previous engagement to attend to."

"That's too bad," Nikki said. "Well, Aria? It looks like it's just you, me, and Melinda. Justin's going to a fight this weekend with Dan," Nikki chirped as she looked at Aria.

"What fight is that?" Aria asked, looking at her brother.

I looked at Justin, too. Because the only fight I know about this weekend. Is the fight that I'll be in... hopefully whatever fight he's attending is not at Bedevils.

"Dan and I got an invitation from Jake to go to Bedevils."

My eyes closed, my head lowered, and I couldn't help but sigh.

Fuck... this isn't good. I wanted to tell Aria I had plans with Neron, which isn't a lie, but now I know I have to tell her where I'll be Saturday night.

"What's that place?" Aria asked, looking curious as ever. "I've never even heard of it before. Is it around here?"

I lifted my head, turned towards Aria, and just as I was about to tell her it was not a place where she should be, Justin opened his mouth.

"It's an underground fight club. And the only way to get in is by invitation. So Jake invited Dan and me, saying we needed to come with him. He claimed there'd be some awesome fights that we didn't want to miss and said there would also be a surprise guest fighting one of the most baddest known fighters in the underground club," Justin said excitedly. Then he grinned from ear to ear as he looked around the table at everyone.

It's me...

I'm their surprise guest.

I'm the fighter fighting that fucking Neanderthal.

Ugh...

Do I tell them now, or do I tell Aria when I bring her home?

I looked at Aria. "Bedevils is not where you should be," I emphasized greatly.

I had to say it.

She looked at Justin, then at me with her brows drawn together, scowling. "Fighting is fighting. How can that place be different from where I last watched you fight?"

"It's different," I sighed. "Way different."

"Why is this guy the baddest fighter? Does he suck? Or is he one of those guys that can kick everyone's ass?"

"He's a cheater," I groaned, earning a strange look from Justin.

Justin looked at Aria, excitement in his eyes. "BK the Tiger is tough. He wins all his fights, and he never backs down. He's huge, and he has a fucked-up face. He's creepy looking if you were to ask me. And because of how he looks, I've always called him The Incredible Hulk. I just wish I knew who was fighting him."

"Why?" Aria asked.

"Because I feel sorry for the one who'll be fighting him. That guy has no clue what he's gotten himself into. I'll bet you anything; he'll end up in the hospital," Justin implied. "Mark my words."

"Not a chance," I disagreed, lifting my glass of water.

Justin's eyes widened. Then he leaned towards me. "Do you know who he's fighting? I'd like to know who that poor bastard is who decided to take him on. Because whoever it is has some big ass balls."

I looked away from Justin and over to Aria, nervously scratching the back of my head.

Fuck it.

Aria needs to know.

I'm not going to be that guy who hides anything and everything from her. Since we met, I've been telling her to trust me and to keep earning her trust. I need to tell her I'm the one fighting this buffoon.

With my eyes on Aria, I admitted. "I know who's fighting him."

"Who?" Justin asked.

"Don't tell me it's you," Aria said, looking worried. "Is it you?"

I took a deep breath, looked away from her, and over to Justin, pointing my finger at him. "What I'm about to say does not leave this table. You got it?"

"That's why Neron punished you today, isn't it?" Aria asked. "And that's why he stormed in on us yesterday? He found out you were fighting this BK guy. Didn't he?"

She's very smart.

And I'm a dumbass.

My hand found its home on Aria's leg, then I squeezed it. "Yes, Aria. You're right. And Justin?" I said, looking his way. "I'm that special guest who's fighting that idiot. So I'm going to ask that you keep your mouth shut. If anyone were to find out. I'm out. They'll kick me off the UFC. And I'm not ready to leave them just yet. I've got unfinished business," I added.

Aria removed my hand from her leg, pushed her plate away, and then looked at Nikki before looking at me. "I'm not going to the party. I'm going to that fight."

No way.

I've changed my mind.

Aria's not coming. "I can't let you be there. You already had plans. So go to that party with your friend Nikki."

Her eyes grew serious. "The party has been canceled, so I'm going."

"No, it hasn't," Justin said. "Besides, you have to be invited to be allowed inside."

Aria looked at me with desperation in her eyes and her finger pointing directly at my face. "You're inviting Nikki and me," she said firmly. "And if you don't? I'll never talk to you again."

Ugh...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!🤞🤞