Midnight Toxicity

27.

It would have been epic for a bell to sound to kick off this beat-down, but sadly, I started the fight by dodging Malik's right hook. I have already decided not to drag this out.

I had stuff to do.

Men often considered me weak, and I was to a certain degree. But I also had an awesome best friend who practiced chokehold maneuvers with me since we were fifteen. Jack became obsessed with martial arts that summer, but neither of us had the money for classes, so we watched online videos, hurting one another until Ian made us promise to practice on others so that we didn't kill ourselves. The girls who cut off my hair freshman year learned the hard way I don't care who you are — if you threaten me or those I adore — I won't stop. I fight with determination. My dedication turns stone-cold when terrorized.

I turned off my emotions, ignoring the throbbing pain as I focused on taking Malik down as fast as possible. Ding-ding! I sang in my head.

He swung with purpose, hoping to knock me off my feet again. I watched him step forward using his right foot, and when he shuffled on his left, I scuttled backward, jogging a half-circle to his backside.

Malik followed, and as I predicted, he left his left foot unprotected, leaving the perfect opportunity to kick the back of his knee so hard he had to lean forward or lose his balance completely. I jumped on his back, wrapping an arm under his chin until I felt his trachea. Enveloping my free arm around my bicep until my elbows touched, my thighs also circled his knees until my shins met. I wrapped myself around him like a pretty python, grinning when he stopped dead in his tracks, shocked I managed to put him in a hold that would render him unconscious in less than a minute.

"This is what happens when you don't pay attention." I purred in his ear, laughing when he tried and failed to throw me off his backside. "There's a reason Golding brought me here. Plus, don't ever tell me to get on my knees. Understand that? Huh? If I see you lay one hand on the other women outside of training, I will tell everyone it took me less than two minutes to subdue you. Now, be a good boy and go to sleep."

He gasped one last breath when I finished my little speech, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. We landed on the forest floor hard when the blood flow to his brain shut off and he fainted. I held on, even when his weight made my spine crack.

When I was certain he would not get back up, I unlatched my frame from his, rising to my feet to celebrate over his unconscious form. Although it was petty, I preferred doing a victory dance over kicking him until his brains leaked onto my sneakers.

After the adrenaline faded a bit, I walked over to the area I had been investigating before being rudely interrupted. If everyone made their way back to Motley Hall, it signified that the money remained in contention.

Could I get so lucky on my first day?

A twig snapped under someone's foot, and I immediately knew who lurked in the shadows. Chace would have followed me to make certain his partner did not die before our first mission. At least, that's the vibe he put off earlier. He did not like these people, and I didn't blame him.

"You can come out," I drawled, yanking weeds aside to grab a small square box from the earth. "He won't wake up for another minute or so."

I straightened, turning around to catch Chace storming out of the woods with a lust-filled expression. Violence turned some men on and watching me take down Malik probably gave him a massive woody. We are alike in that way. My whole body strummed with energy.

"That was awesome," Chace growled, stomping right up to me until our chests touched. "Where did you learn to do that?"

I cleared my throat, my face burning from the intensity of his eyes. "Apologize."

He blinked behind his glasses. "What? Why?"

"You didn't believe me when I said I could take care of myself."

"Sorry, but you aren't the poster girl for physical fitness. More like shopping until some guy notices his bank account is empty."

"I'm still waiting," I huffed, amused by his analogy.

He smirked, placing his hands on my hips. "Sorry, hellcat. You can punish me by letting me eat your ass until you come on my tongue."

Despite the endorphin rush I had from fighting, I wasn't in the mood to lay down on sticks and expose my tush to bugs. Sure, he was handsome, and his dick print was impressive, but I had too much going on to risk him becoming attached and asking too many questions.

Conflicted emotions rattled my confidence as I pressed the metal box between us. "Look what I found! Does it count even after everyone leaves?"

He frowned, stepping away from me when it became clear we weren't making out. "It's allowed. Are you alright?"

I nodded, tucking the box under my arm as I avoided his piercing stare and Malik's unmoving body. Time to shower and eat breakfast. My belly growled, causing Chace to shake his head in understanding. Now wasn't the time to get his dick worshiped by a goddess.

"Mr. Golding knows how to keep things interesting." Chace mused. "He helped you, didn't he?"

"What do you mean?" I tucked my chin rather than answer.

"This isn't the only game he likes to play." Chace sighed, our arms brushing against each other as we backtracked to Motley Hall. "Do not take what he says lightly. There may be hidden motives."

"Head games?"

"For instance, don't push his buttons, or Gary's."

I laughed. "Gary? He's odd. What's his deal?"

"He's Mr. Golding's bodyguard. He won't hesitate to put you in a grave if he thinks you're a threat."

"But I'm just a girl," I giggled, jabbing his side with a finger. "Right?"

He offered me a genuine smile, softening his features. "You've proven yourself capable. I will have your back instead of pushing you out of danger."

"My backside is kind of hot," I teased with a wink.

He licked his lips. "I noticed...while you choked the shit out of Malik. How did you learn to hook someone like that?"

"Past life," I shrugged. "Want to discuss yours?"

He shook his head, walking ahead of me. "No."

No one seemed in a rush to explain why they moved into an ancient house and worked for a man who was up to no good. Kacen sent me, but Andy Golding was lucky to have us.

I hummed, reflecting on the conversation I had with our boss. "Does Golding believe he really will take over TC with this small crew? It's impossible! Are you familiar with the other gangs ruling the city?"

"There are plenty of degenerates for Mr. Golding to pluck out of their unfortunate circumstances. People are money. Why would he stop at us?" He snapped, his good mood vanishing. "We have a lot to do today. Hurry up."

That meant Golding organized other gangs. How many socks were out there waiting for their match to come along because Golding blackmailed them? Did he promise them a ruling spot as well? "The others... where are they?"

"Calm down, he is not organized outside of TC and Alabama. His family doesn't want to be involved, but he insists on their collusion. To him, we might as well be wearing numbers on our chest."

"Oh... What are our numbers? Twenty? Fifty?"

"Don't jump ahead; you're still new here."

"That didn't stop me from kicking Malik and Tiana's asses! Accept it, my fighting skills are on point!" I squealed, scaring the birds above our heads.

"Yeah, you really know how to make a mess. Time to go. Get back to the house!" He griped, breaking into a jog, leaving me behind.

Although I had many more questions, I turned my attention to the one bright spot from this morning. The bragging rights for winning Five Over Five on my first try made me grin from ear to ear. I couldn't wait to rub it in.

As I lifted the pot lid, hundred-dollar bills gleamed in my eyes. Time to put those new credit cards to use.