Paradise Fought: Abel by L. B. Dunbar Page B

my shoulder. The skin was definitely broken. Thor’s teeth were sharp. The move was illegal. Two other officials were behind me. Words were being shouted, but I wasn’t listening. My body ached in places that had been continually worked, and yet still not prepared for a contender like Thor. Over Shepherd’s shoulder, I saw her. Her eyes were filled with concern as I stood panting. Blood was being wiped off my chest. Thor’s voice registered.
    Without thinking, I spun, fist raised and ready to fight again. The crowd erupted. Officials were holding Thor and I back from continuing to destroy one another. The boos outweighed the cheers, but the steady combination almost cancelled each cry out by the equal enthusiasm on both sides. I didn’t care. My body was on a natural high, despite the loss. Shepherd and a guard eventually pulled me away.
    In the locker room, I threw my gloves at the wall. My chest stung.
    “That fucker probably gave me rabies,” I cursed.
    Shepherd didn’t think that humorous as something was poured over the wound that only made me hiss in pain. I needed to have the bite examined. I’d had a tetanus shot, but I’d need something else since he’d broken the skin. While I waited for a medic in the makeshift locker room, I heard her voice again.
    “Betta?” she questioned. “Abel,” she said softer. I kept my back to her. Shepherd looked me in the eyes. I shook my head once. She wasn’t going to come to me now. I couldn’t handle Elma tonight.
    “Look, sweetheart,” Shepherd began coldly, “You’ll need to step outside. Betta needs some tending to.”
    “That’s why I’m here. I wanted to make sure you were okay,” she replied, addressing me around Shepherd. Coach had been staring at her over my shoulder, but glanced back at me again. Concern crossed my trainer’s face.
    I shook my head infinitesimally. Get her out , I tried to express with my cold glare.
    “He’s going to be okay. Step out now, please,” Coach bit with suppressed edginess. This was new territory for both of us. We hadn’t had to deal with women yet.
    “Abel, please. I’m…I’m concerned.”
    With that I stood and spun to face her.
    “Why, Elma? Why now?”
    She blinked rapidly, and I knew I’d be damned if she cried. She wasn’t that soft, though, which is why her tears the other night had surprised me.
    “I…you haven’t spoken to me all week. I wanted to talk to you. And tonight…he bit you,” she said, stating the obvious and stepping toward me. The space was small so when I stepped back, not wanting her to touch me, I bumped into my coach.
    “I’m going to go check for that medic,” Shepherd said hastily, then walked around me and closed the door to the tight confines. My best guess was this was an old janitor’s closet. The walls were closing in on me. I felt trapped with Elma blocking the door. I didn’t want to be in here with her.
    “What do you want, Elma?” I snapped. It clearly wasn’t me.
    “I want to know why you’re avoiding me.” Her fingers twisted back and forth between her clasped hands. She had on tight jeans and a revealing shirt. It was some kind of sheer material and she had a black bra underneath it. I had to look away. My body was already jacked. A certain part of me was ready for further release.
    “I think we’re through, Elma. Don’t worry about the money. I got it figured out.”
    She stared at me.
    “I got the job. Thank you for that,” she said sheepishly.
    I nodded once. I hadn’t really gotten her the job. Cain had somehow.
    She stepped closer to me, and I was backed into the wall. My mind began to race. I didn’t like to be cornered. My body was at odds with itself, as the energy of the fight was slowing down, and the fear of her touching me was picking up. While I had craved her hands on me in my nightly dreams, the actual physical connection would be torture. I couldn’t play games with her any longer.
    Too late, her hands came to my bare chest. My