Paradise Fought: Abel (10 page)

Thor was charged after the fight like I assumed he would be. His win was a natural sort of high, not induced by drugs. The thrill from the fight was contagious. A party was planned in celebration of his victory and his place was crammed with fans. Everyone wanted to touch him. Every guy wanted to clap him on the back like a long lost friend. Every girl wanted to hug him in congratulations. I needed to grab his attention. Playing the vixen, I sauntered up to him like I’d witnessed my mother do on several occasions. I didn’t even say a word, just slipped between another girl and him, letting his arm instinctively wrap around me. He pulled me close without even acknowledging who I was.

After a while, I turned to him. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

Without looking at me, he kissed my forehead and tugged me toward his room.

“Maybe we could step outside,” I suggested coyly. I didn’t want to get caught in his room again. I needed him to focus on my proposal. He smiled slowly and followed my lead out the front door. We walked down the staircase and stood just outside the entrance to his building.

“I have a proposition for you,” I began. He leaned in and his mouth crashed over mine. Startled, I didn’t kiss him back at first. His lips were large and wet, and I didn’t care for the way they engulfed mine. I pushed back gently, not wanting to upset him. I needed him.

“Yes,” he groaned on my mouth, before covering my lips again. His hand slipped up my side roughly and squeezed my breast like a desperate teenager. I started to giggle and he jerked back.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, a touch of edge in his tone.

“You didn’t even hear my proposal,” I giggled slightly, trying to keep the nervousness out of my voice.

“I like what you’re proposing already,” he said, as lips consumed mine again. My back hit the brick wall. We were near the entrance to the staircase, but not in the stairwell. The darkness of the corner hardly protected us, but someone would have to do a double take to see us.

“I…” I attempted to draw back a second time.

“Look, sweetheart,” he heaved as he began to kiss down my neck. “How about less talk and more action?” He tugged my hand to cover the bulge inside his track pants.

“I need you to fight someone for me,” I blurted. His lips stopped. He hesitated on the base of my neck for a moment, before he dragged back and looked at me.

“What?”

“I was wondering if you could arrange a fight between yourself and someone. Someone well known, outside the underground.”

“I don’t fight jealous boyfriends or ex-lovers, sweetheart,” he said sarcastically, before stepping away from me.

“No,” I pleaded, reaching out for him. “Not like that. This is legit. I need help to arrange a match with another fighter. You…you seem like you want to go places, and I thought you could help me.”

His eyes narrowed, despite the darkness. He gazed away for a second, then back at me.

“Why?” he asked.

“I…I have my reasons. You seem like you can take the person. You’re in the right weight class.”

He eyed me further, curious. His eyes then roamed my body.

“And what will you give me if I do this? If I arrange a fight?”

My hands touched his chest and caressed upward. I let them drag over his shoulders down to his biceps.

“What would you like?” I asked, in my best attempt at seduction.

His arm shot out and wrapped around my waist. I was tugged against him and his mouth came forward to overtake mine again. An inch from me, he paused to ask another question.

“Who’s the fighter?”

I was about to answer when we heard footsteps coming up the path toward the entryway. It was more than one person from the sound of laughter that echoed in the quiet night.

“Elma?” came a voice that was growing all too familiar, and continually annoying. Thor stepped in front of me, and I hid behind him. I didn’t respond.

“Get your own girl,” Thor repeated his signature line. There was a pregnant pause as the feral scent of male testosterone filled the distance between Thor and Abel. I kept my head down, refusing to acknowledge him. This was too important to me. After a longer moment, Abel gave up the silent showdown and walked away.

“Got somewhere we can go to discuss the details?” Thor asked seductively, addressing me over his shoulder. I nodded into his back. He spun for my hand and I led him across the complex grounds.

“I can’t believe she was with him,” I fumed, as I slammed the red cup on the counter. I’d downed the whole beer in one swallow.

“Relax, man,” Creed encouraged. “What is it with this girl for you? She’s a fucking tease.”

“Creed,” I growled, not wanting to take out my growing anger on my best friend, but itching to hit something.

“Look, I don’t know what she’s done to you, but she doesn’t belong to you. Every turn you take, she’s with him. You have to pick someone else.” He shrugged. His eyes scanned the place.

“Oh. My. God,” he hissed low. “She’s here.”

I turned to look in the direction my friend gazed, but all I saw were clumps of people. I wasn’t in the party mood, and this scene wasn’t for me. I skimmed over the crowd to realize he wasn’t talking about Elma, anyway.

“Who’s here?” I asked.

“Lindee Parks. She was at the fight, toward the back. Brown hair, almond colored eyes, five o’clock, dude,” Creed reported. I saw the girl. She wasn’t distinct to me, but I recognized her. There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t place it. She smiled shyly at Creed and looked away. We stood for several minutes by the counter, as Creed and his target played cat-and-mouse with one another. Creed stared then she glanced. Then they both turned away.

“This is ridiculous,” I said, stepping away from Creed, but his hand shot out to grab me.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to talk to her. She obviously wants to talk to you. I’ll introduce you,” I sighed.

“Dude, don’t be a dick,” Creed retorted. “I got this.” He turned in time to see the girl was watching our interchange.

“Hey,” I said loudly. I nodded like I’d seen my brother do. It wasn’t a greeting, but a weak acknowledgement. I raised my red cup to salute her. She smiled wider, but her eyes weren’t on me. They were on Creed. I noticed my friend had pointed at her then crooked his finger as if reeling her in. She laughed then walked the few steps to us.

“Hey,” she said shyly.

“Hi,” Creed replied. I was ready to gag. This was painful.

“Creed McAllister,” I said pointing at Creed. “Abel Callahan.”

Her head shot in my direction.

“Abel Callahan?” she asked. “Are you related to Cain Callahan, by chance?”

“Who wants to know?” I deflected, to which Creed hissed my name in warning and the girl’s bright smile fell.

“I want to know,” she replied, defiantly.

“Why?”

“Abel, dude,” Creed warned again. To my surprise, he wasn’t offering the answer either, though.

“Do you know him?” There were many women who did, some more disgruntled at knowing him than others. I didn’t need some girl going all ape-shit on me because my brother was a fuck-‘em-and-leave-‘em lover. Lover was even too nice of a word for Cain and his exploits. It reminded me suddenly that I hadn’t searched for that girl he requested I find on campus. I couldn’t remember the girl’s name off the top of my head, or I would have asked outright if this Lindee was the one Cain wanted.

“I know
of
him,” she replied. “If that counts.”

“Counts for what?”

“Never mind,” she sighed and took a sip of her drink. An awkward silence fell between us.

“So….” Creed attempted. “You were at the fight tonight, right?”

“Yes,” she said quietly. Her voice was suddenly sad, and I looked at my friend who was watching her. His eyebrows pinched as her eyes averted his.

“You didn’t like the fight?” Creed questioned.

“It was fine.” She shrugged in disinterest.

“Have a favorite fighter? Besides Cain Callahan.”

“Cain Callahan is
not
my favorite fighter,” she snapped. It was evident that she could be one of the bitter castaways of Cain’s. I decided I would definitely not be mentioning my relation to him. I didn’t need the negative connection.

“Well…” Creed tried again. “Did you have a favorite tonight?”

“The fights aren’t really for me, but that Betta guy seemed like one to watch.”

“Interesting,” Creed stated, purposely avoiding eye contact with me.

“What about that Thor guy?” I added. I was convinced I’d seen Elma outside the apartment entrance with him. She refused to answer me when I called her name. My blood was slowly starting to cool in all things Elma related. I’d made a mistake in my judgment of her. I cursed myself as I’d obviously built a fantasy of who she was, or what I wanted, and Elma wasn’t either.

“Thor Thurston? He has good moves but he seems lazy to me. He tires easily. He’s also a bit egotistical for my taste, but I know others like him. In and out of the ring.”

Creed had raised an eyebrow in surprise at Lindee’s assessment of Thor’s skills in the cage.

“He definitely has his favorites, out of the ring,” I huffed sarcastically then winked. Lindee was staring at me.

“Does he have a girlfriend?” It was a strange question to ask, but her inquiry seemed more concern than personal interest.

“Not that I know of. He’s more of a one-time customer,” I replied. How ironic, he was just like Cain.

“Oh.” Her tone was definitely concerned.

“Why?” I asked, curious at the expression on her face.

“Well. My friend is sort of interested in him, and she left with him a few minutes ago. Now, I’m a little anxious she might be over her head if he’s that kind of guy.”

“You probably don’t have much to worry about,” Creed said, then raised his pinky in the air before letting it fall limp. Lindee giggled.

“Gosh, I hope she doesn’t get that close.” Her smile brightened her whole face and made her almond colored eyes sparkle. My friend hadn’t taken his gaze from her.

“Who’s your friend?” Creed asked.

“Elma Montgomery.”

I sprinted across the complex after Lindee told me she lived in building six of the campus apartments. I could only hope her place was where Elma disappeared with Thor. It was Elma outside the building with that asshole, I was certain, and other than taking her to his car, or dragging her to the woods behind the buildings, I assumed Elma led Thor to her friend’s apartment. To say I was disheartened was an understatement. She had a strange obsession with him, but I didn’t think he was safe. Lindee seemed convinced that the apartment was Elma’s destination. When I reached B6, I banged on the door.

“Elma,” I called out, as the door rattled under my pounding. It wasn’t a solid thing and it shook from the hammering of my palm. I thought I heard a muffled noise from within, and I braced my shoulder against the wood. Pushing with all my might, the door sprang open. It wasn’t dead-bolted and the unlatched chain swung against the door. Thor blanketed Elma on the couch. Her clothes were askew, but thankfully intact. Her hair was a mess. The position of his lower body was between her thighs.

“Abel,” she squeaked.

Thor twisted only slightly to look at me over his shoulder but it was enough. I stepped close enough to pummel him in the face as my right fist lashed forward. He fell off of Elma onto the rug. She screamed, but Thor jumped up with his catlike reflexes. He lunged for me over the couch with no regard for Elma on it. I was too quick. My body did slam into a desk behind me in my haste, however, and Thor pinned me to it. I looked up in time to see Thor’s fist coming for me, but I ducked. Not fast enough, his other fist connected with my sore abs. Pushing past the pain, I shoved him away from me. He collided with the couch, jostling it enough that Elma almost fell off it. She screamed again.

“Elma,” I called out in fear that Thor would inadvertently hurt her. His fist connected with my face in my distraction. I fell back against the wall.

“Thor,” she sobbed. “Stop it. You’ll hurt him.”

Similar words flooded my mind from a distant past and a weaker female voice. I shook my head to concentrate. Thor froze at Elma’s concerned cry. I remained against the wall, clenching fists and breathing heavily. I couldn’t risk a fight. My intention wasn’t to display weakness, as I wanted to kill him, but I had too much at stake.