Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

RORY

“Again.”

I flinch at the harsh barking tone of Viper’s voice on the side of the ring where Aries is sparring with Wolf and Kevlar both. He is facing off with the both of them, one arm tied behind his back. I didn’t like it, not in the least. I hated what he was doing. But I didn’t question it.

Last night, Aries was both sweet and gentle, but he also took me hard and rough. I enjoyed every minute of it. Aries had even given me a massage to help with my sore muscles. This involved the lotion Cordelia bought for me. It was heavenly.

Aries didn’t speak further on the whole fight thing. Actually, no words were said that weren’t sexual, and that was okay with me. The entire experience with him was unlike anything else. Truly, it was beautiful in every way. I hadn’t wanted it to end.

But all good things come to an end.

This morning, Aries woke me up as he got out of bed. He told me to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t. My mind immediately went to the matter at hand . . . his fight. I struggled to keep myself together. I wanted to break down. Give in and plead with him not to do this, but I’d bitten my lip.

Aries went to start training, and since I couldn’t sleep, I’d gone to get coffee. I’d barely gotten the first sip before Kevlar came and got me. He told me I needed to come with him. I followed him to the back of the clubhouse and through some doors that opened up to their gym.

Kevlar motioned for me to sit off to the side, and that’s where I’ve stayed throughout Aries training. I think the only time I left the room was when they were on a break, and that was to go to the bathroom real quick.

Cyprus joined me a bit ago and explained the reason I need to be in the training room. Aries needs to be able to focus through any distractions. Me being in there can be seen as a distraction, and he can’t afford to lose.

I watch as Aries makes another jab at Kevlar, following it up with a kick at Wolf. The way Aries moves is remarkable. Fast and swift, never the same move twice.

I draw my knees up to my chest and wrap both arms around them. It’s hard to keep myself from thinking of what he’s doing this for. If there was any other way to handle this situation. If only I could think of something to save them all from this, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

“You know he’s doing this because you’re his woman, don’t you?” Cyprus speaks quietly. He’d been silent for a while now after explaining things. He let me just absorb what he told me and gave me time to accept it.

But have I fully accepted it?

I don’t think so. I feel like something else could have happened.

However, if I were to go against him on this . . . fight him, he’ll turn it into a battle. Deep down, I know this. We only just reconnected. More, I finally accepted all the way to my soul that I was his. And I didn’t want to battle him.

“I don’t get why he’s doing it because of me,” I admit. After everything I’ve put him through, he still wants to save me.

“Because to him, you’ve always been his, even when he was pissed at you. He never actually hated you. He hated what you’d done. Didn’t understand it,” Cyprus remarks, jerking his chin toward the ring. “I know what it’s like to feel what he felt. Noelle’s brother was my best friend, and I blamed her for years for shit that wasn’t her fault. Didn’t talk to her for years, and when fate brought her back to me, I learned quickly that everything happens for a reason. The truth always has a way of finding its way to the surface, and that’s what’s happening here.”

Blinking at the other man, his words sink in, and slowly I nod. “I’m not going to get in the way or stop him from doing what he needs to do.”

I hate it, but I won’t get in the way.

“Good, because with you being there, he’s gotta know you’re backing him and aren’t going to look at him differently when it’s all said and done with.”

I nod and release a heavy breath before looking back to Cyprus for a brief moment. “Everything I ever wanted was for him to be happy.” It was the truth. Returning my gaze to the ring, I let out a sigh. “I wish things had been different, but none of us can change the past. I’d never look at him differently. Not even with what’s going to happen in that ring.”

Aries takes another jab, this time going for Wolf, and ends with a roundhouse to Kevlar. I remember he’d been trained to fight however he wanted. His family lived off grid so his dad taught him and his siblings to defend themselves. He taught them to follow what they wanted to do in life and never look back.

“I won’t look at him differently. It’s not possible to look at him as anything but the one person who has always held my heart,” I murmur, more to myself than anyone else.

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Aries. He’s all that matters to me.

What scares me, though, is what Roger might do to him while in that ring. He’s a cheat. God knows what he’ll end up trying to do.

“Exactly why is Aries sparring with both Kevlar and Wolf?” I finally manage to ask.

“Because the stipulations of this fight are that not only is Aries going against Roger, but he’s also fighting two other men beforehand.”

Right there is the kicker. Roger won’t go up against him in a fair fight. He’s got to have the upper hand.

My heart skips a beat as I nod, understanding more now than ever.

“Aries will still win,” I murmur. He has to.

But if he doesn’t, I have to be ready to run because I won’t go back to Roger. He will never get his hands on me again.