Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(54)
“With a unanimous decision, the judges have awarded Ryley Jameson the Middleweight Champion title. I think we can all say he deserves it.” He lifted my arm in the air and the crowd went wild, jumping to their feet. I wanted to smile, to run around the ring in celebration, but there wasn’t anything to celebrate. There was no victory.
And just like clockwork, Sarah Wilder stormed up into the ring with her camera crew, talking excitedly into the camera. “Good evening, I’m here live with Ryley Jameson, where he was set to fight for the Middleweight title against his own twin brother, Camden Jameson. Under unanimous decision, Ryley was awarded the championship due to an unusual forfeit by his brother.” She turned to me. “Ryley, what on earth would possess your brother to give up the title so easily?”
Even though I was raging inside, I knew I couldn’t show it. Danny accentuated his smile and mouthed the words ‘breathe’ when I glanced over at him. “Actually, I have no clue what’s going on with my brother right now,” I said, looking straight into the camera.
“Do you think he was afraid of fighting you? Afraid he would lose?” Her eyes gleamed with delight. She wanted a story, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to give her one.
“As much as I’d like to think that’s true, no, I don’t think that’s it at all. I’m sure he has a reason for not showing up. But I would like to thank the judges for giving me this honor, and more importantly, to thank the fans here tonight. I know they wanted to see a fight. Trust me, I wanted to give ‘em one.” Nodding to the camera, I smiled quickly and rushed out of the ring.
Ashleigh bolted up to me and put her arm around my waist. Her touch was all that kept me grounded this past week. Without it, I probably would’ve done something stupid. “Oh my God, this is insane. I told you something was going to happen. I don’t like it, Ryley.”
“Neither do I,” I admitted. “Come on, let’s see if we can find out what’s going on.”
I nodded to Tyler for him and Kacey to follow us to the back. The whole way there everyone congratulated me on the title, patting me on the back, and shouting their delight. If only I could enjoy it. Danny made it to the room first and held it open while we all filed in. Gabriella was already in there, her head down, body stiff.
“Gabby, what are you doing?”
When she turned around, her hand shook as she passed me what she had in her hand. “I saw this when I came in here. As much as I wanted to rip it apart, I think you need to see it. We both know what it means.”
Opening the letter, there wasn’t much to it . . . but I knew what it meant.
Brother,
This ends tonight. No titles, no rules. Just you and me. Someone will be by to get you.
~C
“Ryley, what does it say?” Ashleigh demanded, coming to my side. I handed her the letter and walked away. She wasn’t going to like it.
“What’s going on, bro?” Tyler asked.
Tyler knew about the whole underground fighting fiasco because one of his friends from the Labyrinth was a part of it. Now he was rotting in jail. “Do you remember what Wade was involved in last year?”
Tyler tensed. “Please tell me Camden’s not involved in that shit? Fighters were murdered, Ryley. What does he want you to do?”
“I’ll give you one guess.”
“YOU CAN’T DO this,” I blurted out. Everyone turned to me as I stalked up to Ryley and grabbed his arm, turning him to face me. “It’s one thing to fight where there are rules and judges, but it’s quite another to fight where there’s none. You could get seriously hurt . . . or killed.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks and I looked down at the letter again. I didn’t want everyone to see me break down, but the thought of him leaving to fight in some underground battle where anything goes, was just too damn much to handle.
Ryley glanced over his shoulder at everyone, but they averted their heads, giving us some semblance of privacy. “Angel, I have to go,” he murmured regretfully. “Please tell me you understand.”
“No, I don’t understand. You don’t have to go,” I begged, holding onto him. It wasn’t like I could physically stop him, but I could at least try. “Let your vengeance go and stay here with me. It’s not worth it, Ryley. I don’t want to give you a guilt trip and tell you stay for the sake of our family, but I’m begging you. Please . . . stay.”
He stared down at me, anguish in his clear blue gaze, but I could tell it wasn’t going to work. He wasn’t going to rest until he made his brother pay. A part of me understood, but I wanted to be selfish and hold onto him.
“Why do you have to go?” Tyler asked. “What do you have to prove?”
Ryley looked at me and brushed his thumb over my cheek and down my lips, keeping his heated stare on mine. “He needs to know that he can’t touch what’s mine and get away with it. I’m sure you know how that feels.”
Over Ryley’s shoulder, I peered up at Tyler and he bristled, jaw clenched. He recently went through a whole ordeal with Kacey, where she’d almost been raped. I couldn’t imagine how scared she must’ve been. Luckily, he was there to save her. But who would save Ryley if he needed help? Before another word was spoken, a knock sounded on the door. We all looked at it, but no one moved except Ryley.