When Hallie King tries to leave the gang life, they're not willing to let her go. As their clutches tighten, her last job goes terribly awry and she's determined to save her mark. However, Ellis Gray seems to be a much higher-level target than she t...
With a nod from Lars, the girls anxiously awaiting it rush to their fallen compatriot. Her arms keep falling off of their shoulders, but they eventually hold her in place and scurry out of sight-- to their quarters, where they'll be responsible for patching her up with only the help of a first-aid kit. His prized fighters, the winners, are escorted to the infirmary, a shoddy room with one bed and a second-rate nurse.
Lars' dark green eyes find me from across the room. He easily weaves through the crowd to my side, embracing me in a tight hug. "Hallie King, my prized fighter returned!"
I return the embrace. Even though there are plenty of reasons to hate him, I can't. He's providing me with stability and safety when I need it most, and that overshadows everything he's done in the past. He's the only person that has ever been there for me.
He pulls back, running a hand through his silver hair, when he spots Ellis, still quiet next to me. "And you brought a male fighter...?"
I quickly interject. "No, he's a friend of mine. I need a space for him too, but I'll pick up extra fights to make up for it. He's not a fighter."
Seeing Ellis' pale face, I know I made the right call.
"It takes resources to protect this place," he explains. "You know I work closely with the White Wolves in most areas; guns, soldiers, drugs. You also know we interact solely on my terms. I agreed to let you seek refuge here, but that's going to bring added heat. I need an influx of cash. I'm afraid he either fights or you participate in championship rounds."
Out of my peripheral, I can see Ellis trembling. I think back to when I started here; a warm girl, a girl who suffered but thought her soul could persist through her struggles. Then I recall how the fights started to take a toll on me, how I had to adapt in order to survive. How the only way to stay alive was to stoke the fire inside until it engulfed me.
But exactly how far am I willing to go to protect his stardust?
I already know the answer. I'd do anything to save myself back then, so I'll save him now, at any cost.
"I'll take up championship rounds."
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Ellis and I are in our shared room, each in our own bed, mirroring the other's position; we're on our backs, legs straight out, arms relaxed and hands resting on our stomachs.
After Lars led us to the room he was letting us stay in, he dropped a bomb: there's a championship round tonight, and he expects me to participate. I feel heavy with the knowledge of what I'll have to do in about an hour.
"I'm sorry," he says softly, breaking the silence. "I should have offered to fight. I don't know what a championship round is, but I know that you shouldn't have to do it because of me."
I shake my head, even though he can't see it. "No, Ellis, it was my choice and I'd do it again. I'm the one who literally burned down your house and forced you into this life."
