Crash and Burn (Back Down Devil MC #2)(30)

“Yes,” Avery said.

“Good.”

Landon backed up and was then surrounded by his MC. They were patting his shoulders and chest. They were calling out to him, getting fired up about the fights. Someone ordered drinks, which seemed to be floating around everywhere. Soon, everyone had a beer, including Emily and Avery.

“Here, come with me,” Emily said. “So we can hang out and talk.”

Before Avery could say anything, someone came charging at them.

“That’s Shay,” Emily whispered. “He was the one who supposed to be killed in the bombing.”

“Hey, loves,” Shay said. “Where the f*ck are you going?”

“Getting a better view,” Emily pointed to a ladder and a ledge.

“Christ,” Shay said. “You’re like walking targets up there.”

“Then come with us,” Emily said.

“Fuck no,” Shay said. “I’m here for the fights. Stay put.”

Shay ran back to the MC and a few seconds later another man came forward. He was a massive chunk of muscle and wore a leather cut with the Back Down Devil MC logo on it but nothing else.

“Protection,” Emily said. “Let’s go.”

Emily took Avery’s hand and they climbed up a ladder and sat on a platform made of steel. The vantage point was perfect to see the fights. The chunk of muscle that came up the ladder next, but he kept a distance and never stopped looking. Avery just hoped the man wouldn’t have to use the gun.

“This is crazy,” Avery said.

“This is normal,” Emily said. “I met Gaige at one of these.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Emily said. A look of sadness spread across her face. “There was a shootout though and my best friend was shot and killed.”

“Oh, shit,” Avery said. “I’m sorry.”

“Me too. But it brought me and Gaige together. Taught me a lot about things. I’ve never felt like I belonged to something so much before. I know that probably sounds strange…”

“It doesn’t,” Avery said. “But I still don’t know why I’m here. I have no purpose.”

Emily laughed. “Trust me, if you didn’t have purpose, you wouldn’t be here. Landon would have thrown you out. Or killed you.”

Hearing the words from Emily had a different sound to it for some reason. When Landon spoke of killing, Avery took it for what it was worth - he was a badass biker who wasn’t afraid to kill anyone. But hearing Emily say it, it was scary. That made it so much more real.

The fights began a few minutes later.

Two men entered the circle and a third shouted off a few rules. When that man backed away, the two men left in the circle attacked each other. They threw punch after punch, grappling to the ground, trying to get to their feet, anything to stay up and maybe alive. One of the men slid on the dirt. His right leg bent and he turned his head for a split second. The other man saw and took advantage with a fist to his face, knocking the other man out cold.

The fight was done.

Just like that.

And that’s how it continued. Some fights lasted less than a minute. Some were weighted in favor of a certain MC with big guys versus little guys. Other fights lasted what felt like forever. The men were beaten and bloody, their eyes so swollen shut they couldn't find each other. One thing Avery picked up on was that there was always a winner. The fight continued until someone tapped out or fell down and stayed down.

Then it came time for Landon’s first fight.

Avery stood up when she saw him in the middle of the MC. He took his rings off. Then he took the chains off his jeans. Gaige stripped him of his leather cut and Landon took his shirt off. The sight of his bare body made Avery gush instantly. He turned and pushed through the crowd into the circle.

“Don’t get too worked up,” Emily said. “Your heart will explode.”

Avery nodded, but she couldn’t help how her body felt right then. Not after seeing all those other fights. She trusted in Landon, but all it took was one good swing from the other guy and Landon could be on his ass.

The other guy came into the circle and walked right up to Landon. He had a white t-shirt on and bounced himself against Landon. Landon stepped back and made fists.

“If he hits him, he’s disqualified,” Emily said. “That’s why that guy is taunting him. They all know there’s money on the line.”

Landon kept his composure, even when the other guy spit in his face.

“What a f*cking *,” Avery said.

“They all are,” Emily said. “Even the ones we like.”

Those were certainly true words.

The fight began and Avery expected Landon to go after the guy. But he didn’t, he just stood there. The other guy spit at Landon again. He laughed. He threw wild punches, purposely missing Landon. But Landon was like a statue. He was waiting. He was patient. He was beautiful.

When the man threw another wild punch, Landon made his move. He slid to the side and when the man stumbled by, Landon punched the middle of his back, sending him to his knees. He was on his hands and knees, so Landon lifted his foot.

“Oh, f*ck,” Avery said.

“Shit,” Emily said.

Landon came down with a heavy boot, driving the guy’s face right into one of the cinder blocks along the edge of the circle. Landon then reached down with one hand. He lifted the guy’s head and smashed it again into the same cinder block.