Tyler's Undoing (Gloves Off #1)(75)

“You got that right. Now let’s tear this shit up.”

Over the speakers, Had Enough by Breaking Benjamin exploded into the crowd and they went wild, cheering and screaming my name. It was my turn.

“And the next fighter competing for the Heavyweight title is none other than your local bad boy, Tyler ‘The Terror’ Russhhiiinngg! This is sure to be one hell of a fight tonight.”

The sounds surrounding me felt like thunder booming overhead, the whole arena vibrating in anticipation. It spiked my adrenaline, pushing it through my veins. Cole and Ryley separated the black curtain and I marched out, keeping my head down as I walked toward the ring. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the seats where the girls should be sitting were vacant.

Inside, I smiled. I was going to get my wish, to see Kyle’s face when he saw his sister in my corner. Looking up into the ring, Kyle grinned wide and bounced in place as I made my way up onto the mat. I kept my face blank, psyching him out. His cockiness would be his downfall.

Sliding out of my robe, I handed it to Matt and smiled at him, Cole, and Ryley. They were all in my corner tonight.

“Was your dad too ashamed to come?” Kyle sneered behind my back.

Turning around, I met him in the center of the ring and got into position. I wasn’t going to let him make me lose focus. “No, he’s been a little busy taking out the trash.”

Kyle scoffed, but then I purposely tore my attention away to the empty seats in his section, furrowing my brows. I wanted to make him think I was looking for Kacey.

Smirking, Kyle looked down at his seats then back to me. “Looking for my sister? It’s a shame you’re still hard up for her. Especially now that she’s f*cking someone else.”

“You’re lying,” I snapped. “Where is she?”

“Not here with you, that’s for damn sure. She said it made her sick when you touched her.” Kyle leered at me, taunting me. “How does it feel to know we played you?”

You’ll find out.

The announcer stepped in between us pushing us apart. “That’s enough, gentlemen. Save it for the fight.”

“With pleasure,” Kyle sneered, taking a step back.

Ding, ding, ding.

The announcer quickly stepped out of the way and it was time. Just as I expected, Kyle charged first and tried to psych me out with a left hook, but ended up going for my middle. Darting out of the way, I lowered my body and swept my leg across the mat, tripping him. He recovered by rolling and getting right back to his feet.

“I’m impressed, Rushing. You’re quick on your feet today.”

“Yeah, well, a lot’s changed in the past month.”

Ever since I’d met Kacey, she made me better—more focused on my goals. I had what it took to win. I glanced down and noticed Bree and Gabriella walking to their seats, followed by Kacey and Paxton. Kacey pointed to her tank top and smiled up at me.

Kyle hadn’t seen her yet. He did, however, land a hard kick to my shin, which I immediately reciprocated with a right hook to his face. His head snapped to the side and blood spewed over the mat from his broken nose; I felt the bones crunch when I hit him.

“You’re so f*cking dead,” he growled, swiping the blood away with his hand. It was then I could see in his eyes that he realized I wasn’t broken like he’d planned. If I hadn’t gotten to Kacey in time, I would’ve been . . . but thankfully, I did.

Beaming, I grinned wide and beckoned him closer. “Bring it on, cocksucker.”

Charging again, Kyle grabbed a hold of my waist and took me down to the mat. He punched me one good time in the jaw and the pain exploded through my skull. Then, I tasted blood. In return, I elbowed him in the side and shoved him away with my foot.

Ding, ding, ding.

We both got to our feet and Kyle spat on the mat, glaring at me. “Round two, it’s all going to be over.”

He went to his corner and I backed up to mine, only to have someone there I wasn’t expecting. “What are you doing here?”

My father smiled and opened up a bottle of water, handing it to me. “Believe me, I didn’t think I’d make it, but the detective knew this was a big night for you, and he didn’t want me to miss it. I just have to go to the station afterward.”

“What about Liam? What’s going to happen to that f*cker?”

My father looked down at Kacey then back to me. “He’s going to be charged for attempted rape and kidnapping, among other things. I’m not going to let him get away with what he did to Kacey.” Neither was I.

Ding, ding, ding. It was time for round two . . . the end.

“Go get him, son. You can do this.”

Not wasting any more time, I let my smile fade and went straight on the offensive, jabbing left and right, not stopping. My muscles burned like fire but I kept going, ignoring the pain exploding through every inch of my body as my fists connected with Kyle’s body. All of the hate, all of the anger, I let it pour out of me and didn’t hold anything back. I felt blood splatter on my face and my chest, but I didn’t let it stop me.

The next thing I knew, I was on the mat with Kyle’s arm locked in an arm bar. I wanted to keep pulling, to break it in two before he could tap out . . . but he was too stubborn to do it.

“Tap out,” I growled.

Kyle snarled and continued to fight me off with no effect because I had him locked down. “Fuck you.”