Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(53)

“All right, let’s get our champion in place,” Danny advised.

After Ryley put on his blue robe, we walked out of the room and made our way to the arena. My heart sped out of control because I knew at any moment we were going to see Camden, most likely with a sneer on his face. Thankfully, when we got to the entryway, Camden was nowhere to be seen.

“Do you know who’s being called out first?” I asked, whispering to Gabriella.

Her eyes darted around, most likely searching for Camden. “I think they’re calling Ryley first. I’m hoping they do it soon, before Cam shows up back here. We don’t need Ryley jumping ahead of himself and getting disqualified.”

No, we don’t. Which is what I was afraid would happen if they don’t hurry the f*ck up and call Ryley’s name. Gabriella and I hung back just a bit to give Ryley some room, but when he turned around and pulled me into his arms, I gasped.

“Promise me that whatever you see tonight it won’t scare you away from me. This fight will be different from any other you’ve ever seen.” His song started to play, but he grabbed my face, his eyes wild. “Promise me,” he ordered.

Swallowing hard, I nodded my head. “I promise.”

He kissed me long and hard and rested his forehead to mine, before Danny came to his side.

“It’s time to go, son.”

About that time, the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure to introduce tonight’s Middleweight fighters. We all know them as the Twins of Terror. Brothers, competing for the Middleweight Championship title. Let’s first hear it for Ryley . . . The Rampage . . . Jaaammmeeesssooonnn!”

Ryley breathed me in and then turned on his heel, lifting the hood of his robe. It was almost like everything moved in slow motion after that. The curtain opened, the music blared, and we walked out. The crowd screamed and shouted, but I couldn’t hear any of it. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart as I walked behind him to the ring. The announcer with his slicked back gray hair and suit, smiled wide as Ryley approached, knowing this was going to be the fight of the night.

Please let this be over quick.





THE CROWD CHEERED and shouted, but I didn’t care about the fame or the title tonight. In fact, the title was worthless to me right now. I only wanted to make sure Camden suffered. If I won the title in doing that, so be it. Ashleigh and Gabriella took their seats while I bounced on my feet, waiting for them to call my jackass brother out.

“Don’t lose focus, Ryley,” Danny instructed, taking my robe. “Do not let your anger get the best of you. This is an important fight in your career and I don’t want to see you blow it over something stupid.”

“I’m not,” I snapped, glaring at the curtain. “I’m ready to get this shit started.”

“And now,” the announcer called, “let’s get this party started. Are you ready for it? Let’s hear it for Camden . . . The Bone Crusher . . . Jaaammmeeesssooonnn!”

His song blared over the speakers, but all I focused on was my anger. My brother had f*cked with me one too many times. There came a point in time where it was enough. He couldn’t use excuses anymore. He was seriously one f*cked up human being. No one made him that way . . . he became that way on his own.

All right, Camden hurry the f*ck up. I’m ready for this to end. The seconds felt like hours as I waited on him. It was like everything moved in slow motion and I was on hyper speed. Another minute rolled by and still, nothing. Where the hell was he?

The announcer looked to the judges for a signal, but all they did was shrug their shoulders. They didn’t seem to know what was going on either. I grew more impatient with each passing second. “What’s the problem?” I asked the announcer.

He shrugged and turned the microphone away. “I don’t know yet. We have someone going to check on your brother. If he doesn’t show up in five, he forfeits and you win the title.”

What? I didn’t want to win the title like that.

Danny’s eyes went wide and he beckoned me closer. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t like it,” he mumbled low. “It’s not like your brother to miss a fight. He lives for this shit.”

Gabriella got up and rushed over. “Where is he?”

“We don’t know,” I growled. “If he doesn’t show up, I don’t know what the f*ck I’m going to do. I’ve been waiting to kick his ass for over a week.”

She searched around and held up her finger. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to see what I can find out.” Ashleigh’s eyes went wide when Gabriella went back to her, most likely telling her what was going on. I was going to go in-f*cking-sane if Camden didn’t show up. I had to have this fight, I needed this fight—there was no way around it. I couldn’t let go of what he did.

The crowd chanted his name over and over, hoping to get him out there. The minutes ticked by and once the final five were up, it was over. I watched the judges talk it over and call the announcer down to them to discuss the issue. What were they going to decide? My fate was in their hands.

The announcer came back into the ring and brought the microphone to his lips. “Ladies and gentlemen, it appears Camden Jameson has decided to forfeit the fight this evening.” The crowd grumbled and some of them booed. They paid for a fight and they weren’t getting it. I couldn’t blame them. My douchebag brother just f*cked everything up . . . again.