But you love me

R. Greyhound

Raelyn's POV:

After Adrienne fell, a rush of anger and pain ran through me. I shot blindly at Max, until I heard a hollow thud.
Ignoring his pleas, I dropped to my knees and carefully examined my precious girl.

'I'm sorry baby, I'm so so sorry.' I panicked.

She had a bullet hole on her left thigh, with no exit wound, but was otherwise healthy. I lifted her gently and cradled her warm and shivering body into my chest. I passed Max, glaring at him scornfully. He could die right here for all I cared. But Adrienne wouldn't want that. I quickly pulled the fire alarm as I left the building.
Reaching my car, I bundled Adrienne up and placed her on the backseat, making sure to fasten both seatbelts around her. Giving her one last glance, I turned the car on and sped off towards my men.

Upon arriving, I was greeted by Henry. I pushed him away and rushed to the backseat. I carried Adrienne out, and laid her down.

'Uh, R?' Henry's grating voice nudged at me.

'Get the first aid kit. Now Henry.' I ordered, running my hand through Adrienne's silky hair. She was pale, and had lost too much blood.

She also seemed to be coming around.

'R-Rae.' She mumbled tiredly.

'Yes darling. I'm right here.' I held her hand, and surprisingly, I didn't feel stupid. I felt like it was where my fingers were meant to be, entwined with hers.

Henry arrived with the box, and I lifted Adrienne's leg carefully, resting in on my thigh.

'This is going to hurt. I promise it will all be okay. Just squeeze my hand if you want.' I gave her a concerned look, but she just nodded and rambled on about something incoherent.

I took some tweezers, and a deep breath.

Then I quickly retrieved the bullet. Blood stained my suit pants, but I didn't care about them, I cared about the beautiful, injured creature on my leg.

'All done baby girl.' I whispered, bandaging up the wound.

She nodded, nestling into me.

'Henry, go fetch the others. I'm ready.'

'Yes boss.'

———————-

I'd left sleeping Adrienne safe and sound in my apartment. I'd left a note, giving a simple yet believable excuse.

Then I'd rushed back to the grounds where my men were finishing checking out the venue.

'If all goes to plan, we get rich at midnight.' I smiled, relieved.

'And if not?'

'You're all dead.'

———————————
Adrienne's POV:

As I came about, I began to remember what had happened earlier. Not all of it, just snippets here and there. I remember that Max had attacked me, but Raelyn was there to protect me. And she made my leg better. My leg. Shoot.
I sat up and immediately regretted it.

Looking down, I saw a white cast. At least it's been dealt with I guess. I winced in pain, trying to move my leg. It worked, but only slightly.

On my bedside table, I saw a note addressed to me, from Raelyn.

'Dear Adrienne.

I'm sorry that I didn't arrive sooner. There are some meds in the drawer.
I have some business to attend.
Make yourself comfortable.

-Rae'

No. Absolutely not. She is not going to pull that again. I tossed the paper to one side indignantly.

I got out of bed, ignoring the pain, and hobbled out of her room. I found my phone, and called Amelia. She didn't answer, so I tried Matt. He answered on the third ring.

'Adrienne! How are you?'

'Not the best. I need a ride, you free?'

'Yep, where are you headed?'

'To find your idiot of a sister.'

Matt chuckled on the other end.

'Are you sure about that, Adrienne?'

'Yes.' I hung up. I didn't care what Adrienne was doing. I just wanted to be close to her, because that was the only place I felt safe.

A couple of minutes later, a horn went off outside of the house. I grabbed a random umbrella and made my way out, leaning on it.

'Good gracious, what happened to you?' Matt asked in surprise, taking the umbrella and giving me his arm instead.

'My best friend's ex shot me.' I said, rather proudly if I'm honest.

'Wow.' He looked thoughtful for a minute, but then without a word, he lead me to the car, and we drove off.

'I'm warning you, I don't know exactly what Rae does for work, but I do know it's not your cup of tea.'

I nodded. As we approached, I was getting more and more nervous. What if she hated me for intruding, or what if she just didn't care?

I swallowed my anxiety, and several of Matt's cough sweets. We arrived at the location, and he looked over at me.

'Sure about this?'

'Positive.'

As I got out of the car, I heard a commotion coming from a large building to the east of where we had parked. A large, dark building.

Matt sighed and gave me his arm.

I took it and followed him towards the noise.

We got to the front door, and what looked like a bouncer stopped us.

'Matt Greyhound. R's brother.'

The bouncer nodded.

'Who's the missus?'

'My plus one.'

'Very well.'

Matt ushered me inside, and I took in my surroundings.

We were standing amongst a huge, roaring crowd, in a massive area.

There was barely any light, except for the torches held by the shouting people around us.

They were boisterous, and Matt had to shield me, and practically carry me to bring me closer.

In the middle of the area, was a raised circle. It was quite big, but I had no idea what it was for.

'Matt- I, what is all of this?'

Matt silently pointed up at the scoreboard.

BATTLE ARENA
A. Mallory - •
R. Greyhound - •
N. Silver - •
T. Ceraius - •

Match 1: A. Mallory; N. Silver
Match 2: R, Greyhound; T. Ceraius
Match 3: survivor 1; survivor 2

'Matt? What does it mean by survivor?'

'It's a fight to the death, princess.'