Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

26

"I thought you said you were done after your last fight?" I held back the snarl that wanted to escape me as I gripped my black duffel.

"Look. You know that I rope in more money than any of your fighters. And I'm only going to offer once more. Take it or I leave."

"Well, Koroleva, it appears you have a deal. Let me speak with the rest and we will figure something out." I smirked beneath the bandanna and nodded my head. My eyes turned to the other men in the room, Maurice's bodyguards. Each one had a hand on their side hovering above their pistols.

I rolled my eyes. Typical.

"Ease up, gentlemen. I have no desire to be shot. I know my limits." My eyes flashed playfully as I leaned back in the sofa chair my red Converse propped on Maurice's desk. The guards seemed to ease up, roughly half of them brought their hands to rest in front of them instead of at their sides. But some didn't bother to change.

I couldn't help but chuckle. If I were in a Mafia story I would hope that I had more weapons training than just my fists. I mean I could do a spin kick, but that was to the extent of me being fancy.

"Koroleva, this is Ape-"

"Shit crazy?" I mocked rising to turn to face a young looking fighter. My eyes widening as he looked roughly two years older than myself. I was not expecting that.

"No. I go by Apex." I nodded not trusting my voice as I was still shocked to see the male standing in front of me. His voice silky and low. Definitely a salesman in his daily life. I moved around the couch and stuck my hand out.

"Pleasure. I'm Ko-"

"I know who you are, Koroleva." His hand locked in mine just as a shiver went down my spine at the way he said my name. His brown eyes piercing mine as a smirk grew on his lips. If this was a mafia story he and I would be enemies. But this is just an underground fight club-- still illegal I guess.

"Well, to what do I owe this introduction?" I subtly ripped my hand free from his grasp as I looked back at Maurice who had a vicious smirk himself.

"Apex has offered to accept your fight request." My bandanna hid a lot, however, I swear Apex was able to see me gulp.

"Very well. What place do we have?" I spoke my fingers grasping onto my duffel I still had over my shoulder.

"We'll be fifth. Last of the night." I looked Apex in the eyes, mine hardening as I began to understand his ploy.

"Very well. Until then." I gave a curt nod and confidently strode away from the office. The door closing behind me giving me the chance to breath as I moved to take a walk outside to shake my mind free from only seeing Apex's image. The bastard had a black suit on too!

"If there is a God, I hope you have a front row seat to this." I murmured knowing that whatever may occur would certainly be a show.

"I actually had requested a front seat be saved for this." I turned, my hands up as my heart rate increased. His mocking laugh making me seethe as he walked forward, his hand in his pockets. "Don't worry, Koroleva, I don't intend on fighting you out here."

"Must you say it like that?" I asked out loud, panic crossing my features as I realized I hadn't just thought it. Apparently Apex found it hilarious.

"Does it bother you? I'm afraid my accent makes it sound so..." he trailed off, thinking. I however wasn't and blurted the word without shame.

"Seductive? " His smirk told me everything. He wanted me to say it. "That was clever, Apex." I nodded to myself as I turned and started walking towards the warehouse doors.

"You know, when my uncle told me Koroleva was back to fight, I just had to come see. My surprise that she needed an opponent." I turned blinking as I scanned the attractive male's face.

"Maurice is your uncle?" He nodded. I laughed shaking my head. "How the hell is that related to this?" I must have taken something that caused me to say stuff out loud versus just in my head.

"My mother asks herself the same thing. She claims she got all the good genes."

"I'd agree with her, sounds like a woman who knows her stuff. Well, I need to step out and get some air. I'll see you in the ring, Apex."

"I look forward to it, Kor-"

"Don't finish that sentence." I shouted as I left the warehouse entrance, disappearing into the night. I didn't miss how his husky chuckle filled the air after me. Oh we definitely would be enemies in a mafia alternate universe.

_______>*>*>*>*>*>--------

"How the hell did you somehow get more attractive?" I shouted over the chants of the crowd as we circled around one another.

"Well, I do have my shirt off." I rolled my eyes as I held my fist ready to block.

"No shit. I think everyone in here can see that. In fact, about three people have passed out already." I mocked as I scanned his body language to find any weak points. I would have to throw a few challenging hits to see how he handled them.

"I'm surprised we are still dancing, Koroleva. Normally you would have thrown a punch by now." I rose an eyebrow as I flicked my black ponytail braid behind me.

"Exactly how many matches have you seen?" I waited for his answer, my fist tightening in my glove as I prepared for the first strike.

"That depends Koroleva, which matches are you referring too?" I pulled the punch at his words, stopping mid swing as he sends his own punch my way. Only, he doesn't stop. I barely blocked it in time, my feet moving back to give me some breathing room.

What the hell did this guy know.

I rolled my shoulders, bit down harder on my mouth guard before bouncing on my toes. I raised my arms back up and approached the male again.

"So this is how it's going to go." I started circling the arrogant yet handsome man, "I'm gonna give you a few testers, you're going to tell me what you know. Then I'm going to bury you in the mat." He laughed.

"Very bold to sell your strategy. Even bolder to assume I'll talk. But I guess that's the red in you?" I felt my smirk grow. I guess the cats out of the bag.

"Fine. How about we set a bet on the fight." I talked as I threw him a testing jab cross combo. His body flawlessly handling the semi fast paced.

"Very well. Obviously if you win I'll tell you what I know. But if I do win," he paused thinking for a moment, his eyes lighting up, "I get to take you on a date. And I don't mean Koroleva."

"Hmm. Deal." Then I swung.