Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

27

"Well. We never clarified what happened if we drew." Apex panted as we walked to the locker rooms.

"Well if you want to get technical. A tie means no one won. Which means we both lost. Therefore the other won. So-" I trailed off limping slightly as we finally got to the doors of the locker rooms.

"So how about I take you on a date and I'll tell you everything?" I snorted.

"Whoa, be careful there or I might think you have been planning that all along." He grinned winking at me. His hand rising to hold his swollen eye as the motion of the wink caused him pain. Dumbass.

"Whose to say I wasn't." I laughed, wincing as the pain in my rib stopped me.

"Yeah, yeah, alright Tough Cookie. You know where to find me." I gave him a wave before disappearing into the lonely locker room. I tossed my gloves into my duffel and moved to untie my shoes. My jaw clenched as I sat down carefully. I let a small chuckle slip past my lips fucker really did a number on my ribs.

"Ma is going to kill me."

I went slowly, getting undressed and popping in the shower before redressing and applying some bruising gel to my ribs. The inability to stretch my left hand higher than my head an issue however I was smart enough to bring a bikini top so I wouldn't have to slide into a sports bra or go braless. However, I did have to end up cutting the black one I was wearing.

I definitely fractured or broke a rib. I grunted, pulling my sweatpants on and raising my bandanna to cover my face. My black wig back on as I hid the wet red hair from sight. I had changed into a pair of slides to keep from having to bend over to put my shoes back on- another smart foresight I had.

When I walked out of the locker room I found my opponent also walking out. A hoodie on and smelling of sandlewood and teak. Definitely my enemy in a mafia universe.

"That body wash must be a lady killer." I comment as I tuck my left hand in my zip up hoodie pocket.

"Nah. Well, perhaps. But I wear it for me." I smiled walking away.

"As you should. Catch you around." I left before he could say anything, turning the corner to go to Maurice's office. His bodyguards expecting me as they let me in.

"That was certainly an interesting fight. How's your ribs?" I sighed, setting the envelope of cash in a small compartment of my duffel.

"I'll probably have to get them checked. I'll be out for a week or two. Good thing it isn't bikini season." I joked, earning a laugh from Maurice.

"You know, Delgado said you were a good kid and a good fighter. I believe you have the means to be even better. Of course, you help money flow so you're always welcome here- but I think you need to be trying to go further." Oh, if only you knew.

"I think about it. I'm looking at maybe putting a semipermanent pause altogether." I lied zipping my duffel closed. "And wait- what was the whole 'thought you said you were done' conversation earlier?" Maurice laughed.

"Couldn't seem like I was happy to see you now. Good luck with your future, Koroleva." I nodded rising from my chair.

"Stay out of trouble with the feds Maurice."

"I always do."

"For heavens sake gentlemen, I ain't trying to kill your boss!" I burst out, pointing at the men with their hands resting on their guns. The shout startling them as they looked from me to their boss.

"Have a safe night, Koroleva." Maurice spoke ushering me out the doors.

"You as well, Maurice."

Once again, I was leaving the warehouse, only this time I was heading to the back of the lot where I hid my bike just beyond the small break of trees between the warehouse and the neighborhood beyond.

Now I know, it isn't the safest location at night. And I'm just one girl, who could easily get grabbed as I unlock my bike. But I've got a secret weapon.

"Thanks again Ms. Chelsea." I said as I slowly began to pull out of the driveway.

"You take care of yourself, love. Thanks for fixing me gutters this evening." I waved flicking down my visor.

"Call me if you need anymore help." I shouted over the sound of my bike while I peeled off into the night.

Ms. Chelsea is one of the kindest people I know- she also knows a lot more than she will ever let on. I met her on the second fight. I had locked my bike in the trees and screamed shitless when the barrel of a shotgun was pressed to my chest.

Ms. Chelsea still laughs about it to this day. I struggle to find the humor in nearly dying but I can't help but laugh along with her.

She knows about the warehouse because her son used to fight there before he left for college six years ago. She insisted I leave my bike at her house so that she would know I was safe anytime I went to fight. She said, "if I still see your bike in the mornin' and you aren't sleepin' on me couch, I'll throw a bloody bomb in the warehouse and come get ya."

I'm not sure if she actually has explosives but I wouldn't be surprised.

I contemplated going home tonight. I knew I probably should, but I didn't want to wake my Ma up when I was supposed to be sleeping over at one of the Pogues houses. Kie and her family left to visit her great aunt. I knew Pope was at his house which was locked up tighter than Azkaban and John B and JJ were on a night trip. So the entire Pogue gang were out of the question.

It was also currently 0100 and no parties were going to be occurring three days before Christmas. So I did what any wanderer would do and went to the town square where the big Christmas tree was up and sat on a bench staring at the lights on the tree.

"And here I was thinking I'd be able to enjoy the lights on my own." I groaned as I recognize that voice.

"What the hell are you doing here at 1 in the morning?" I asked slowly turning to face the silhouette that approached me.

"I should ask you the same thing, Tallen."