It was a few hours after I fell asleep in Karson's arms, and we were now fully clothed, in the gym Karson had been training in the past week. He let me sleep because he knew how exhausted I was, but he eventually had to wake me up because we both knew he needed to get one last session in before tomorrow.

I felt like I was walking weird when we walked into the building because Karson sure did a number on me. The area between my legs was so sore, and all he did was laugh at me every time I waddled to wherever I needed to go. I would flip him off every time, saying that this was his fault.

I eventually got used to the pain after being on my feet for some time, so it was easier to walk around with the soreness in between my legs. He even warned me as we were getting dressed that I would be a little bit sore because my body wasn't used to having something that big fully inside of me. Karson's words, not mine.

I gently shook my head, biting back a laugh as that memory replayed in my head. I was standing afar, leaning against a wall as I watched Karson's fist pound against the punching bag in front of him.

He only wore a blue pair of shorts, showcasing his toned body as sweat glistened his arms, back, and chest. Just the sight of him made me nervous. His hair was damp due to how much he was sweating and he had wireless headphones against his ears as his fists repeatedly pummeled into the punching bag.

I stood a little ways away from him to make sure he didn't get distracted. I wanted him to focus on everything he's been working hard for. I didn't want to be the one thing that distracted him from winning the fight against his father. I knew when to back off, and this was that time.

I let my mind wander to my siblings as my eyes trailed around the gym. There were many different machines scattered throughout one corner of the gym as the punching bags were hidden in the furthest corner of the gym. There was a boxing ring in the middle where professional boxers fight, to either practice or actually fight against their opponents.

I didn't even know how he found this gym because I've never seen any gym like this. It was almost perfectly made for underground fighters. There weren't many people in here, only Karson and I in this corner while three people occupied a few machines across the building, in the opposite corner.

As Karson and I were at the gym, my siblings were still at their friends house. Olivia was with her best friend Stacy, sleeping over so she didn't have to go to the fight tomorrow. Jace was going out to eat with some of his football friends, but he said he would be back before eleven tonight.

Karson and I eventually told my siblings, Colton, and Braxton about the fight against his father. To say the boys weren't too happy would be an understatement. They were enraged, but I reassured them and told them that as long as Karson focused, everything would be okay. I was like them at first, but I eventually calmed down and made sure Karson knew that I was going to be right by his side, supporting him no matter what.

I knew Colton and Braxton would be at the fight tomorrow, insisting that they needed to support their best friend. Jace also wanted to go even though I was a little hesitant at first. I didn't want anything to happen to him, but at the same time I knew that the guys would protect both Jace and myself if anything happened.

My thoughts were abruptly cut off when I heard the sound of the punching bag slam against the wall. My body flinched as my eyes shot up to see Karson viscously punching the bag in fury. His fists were wrapped up, but the force of those hits were definitely going to injure him. He was taking all his anger out on the bag in front of him, and if he didn't stop, he would seriously hurt himself.

I quickly made my way over to where he was as I watched his face contort with anger. He continued to pound against the bag as sweat profusely dripped down his tense back muscles. "Karson!"

His body immediately went rigid as he dropped his arms at his sides. The bag in front of him violently swung back and forth as I watched his chest rapidly rise up and down. He glanced at me for a quick second before he turned to the punching bag and landed one more punch on it. I could hear him grunt in frustration as he grabbed the punching bag, holding it still so it stopped moving back and forth.

When the bag stopped swinging, he leaned his forehead against the punching bag as he roughly pulled his headphones off his ears. They landed on the ground with a thud as he continued to take deep breaths, trying to gain control of his uneven breathing.

"Karson!" I huffed as I finally stopped a few feet away from him. "Are you okay?"

"Just peachy," he grunted as he never lifted his head off the bag.

"Talk to me, Ryder," I hesitantly offered as I crossed my arms over the other. I knew he was angry, so I didn't want to push him. He needed to calm down and I wasn't going to rush him into saying anything he didn't want to say.

"What if I lose the fight tomorrow?" He asked, his voice low as his fists tightened by his sides. He finally lifted his head off the punching bag to look in my direction. A small frown pulled at my lips when I stared into his green eyes and realized how much pain was swimming in his eyes. He looked hurt.

"Don't say that, Ryder," I grunted, my voice confident as I took a few steps forward. "You've been working so hard the past week and it's all going to pay off tomorrow. You'll be free."

"I'm scared, Dak," he whispered, his voice faltering a bit as his eyebrows furrowed together in uncertainty. I felt my heart clench in sorrow when I saw how much pain he was in. I wish I could take all his pain away.

"You are going to beat his ass tomorrow. I've seen the way you fight, Ryder. You're fucking brilliant," I breathed as his vulnerable eyes connected with mine. "Why don't you get some water and take a break for a few minutes. Let yourself calm down, okay?"

He nodded his head, clenching his jaw as he trudged towards the men's locker room to get some water. I watched his retreating figure until he disappeared around the corner, heading straight into the locker room where they had a water fountain.

I let out a long breath, my heart heavy as the pain in his eyes stayed in my head. He was scared to go against his father. He was scared of facing him for the first time in months. I knew he didn't want to see him again, because that was the reason they left in the first place. To get away from him.

I shook my head, turning on my heel as I walked back to where I was before. As I made my way to the nearest wall, I felt someone roughly grab my wrist as their other calloused hand covered my mouth. Fear immediately shot throughout my body as I felt the person roughly push me up against the wall.

I could hear my pulse pound in my ears as panic welled up in my chest. My eyes darted around to see if anyone could see, but the three people that were on the machines were too far away. The boxing ring was also in the way, so the only way they would know I'm in trouble is if I screamed.

"You little bitch," the voice growled into my ear as my body went rigid. I knew who this voice belonged to.

I immediately took matters into my own hand and bit down on his flesh as hard as I could. He cursed under his breath, releasing his dirty hand from off my mouth as I glared at the man in front of me. Before he could say anything, I spat in his face as it flew into his eyes.

I quickly stomped on his foot as he groaned in pain. I was finally able to slip through as I ran from behind the corner to see if Karson was out of the locker room yet. "Goddamnit!"

My eyes darted around the gym to see if anything could help me, but before I knew it, I felt a force slam against my back, sending me to the floor. My body slammed against the floor, my head bouncing off the ground as I groaned in pain. My head began to spin as my eyes couldn't focus on anything in front of me.

"You're going to pay for that, bitch," he growled as he roughly grabbed my wrist once more, definitely leaving a bruise as he yanked me off the ground. My body was limp due to the pounding in my head, so I couldn't stand up straight. My body slammed into his chest as he kept a rough hand around my waist to keep me held up.

"Please, Jason," I pleaded, my voice small as I whimpered in pain. My legs felt weak, barely able to hold myself up as he tightly gripped my waist. I was leaning my full body weight on him because my head was spinning. I couldn't think straight.

He grunted, dragging me back into the corner as he leaned my body up against the wall once more. My surroundings weren't spinning anymore and I was finally able to lock my knees and stand on my own. When I focused on Jason in front of me, I narrowed my eyes at the spit he didn't wipe off. He got most of it off, but not all of it.

"Your boyfriend isn't here to save you, huh?" He whispered against my ear as an evil smirk tugged at his lips. "I've been wanting to do this ever since you left me."

My eyes widened in fear as I watched his eyes fill with amusement. I didn't even see his arm wind back until his fist connected with my abdomen. My body flinched back into the wall as I heaved. I tried clawing at my stomach to release the pain, but my arms were stuck underneath his body.

I whimpered in pain as his body fully pressed against me. I wasn't able to move. "Which one is worse? Me or your mother?"

I felt anger course through my veins when he mentioned the abuse my mother put me through. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't even know who Jason was and my life would be so much better.

"Fuck you," I wheezed, trying to catch my breath. I've never been hit this hard before. My mother had a good arm, but Jason was much stronger. I was in so much pain.

"Tsk, tsk," Jason whispered, his voice low as he discreetly looked around the gym to make sure we weren't visible to anyone. "Wrong answer."

I struggled underneath his hold, trying to slip out, but I couldn't. Old memories began to resurface as my heart started racing. I felt myself begin to panic as I squirmed against his body. I didn't like it. I needed Karson.

"Karson!" I yelled, my voice as loud as it could be. I was breathing heavily as I watched anger dance across his eyes. I've never seen him this livid. He tightly gripped my jaw, turning my head to where I was fully facing him. His rough grip was definitely going to leave a bruise.

"You're infuriating," he growled as he released my chin. I let out a breath, hoping Karson heard me and would come out of the locker room.

"Then why are you so infatuated with me?" I hissed, finding the courage to stand up to him. What did I have to lose? I've already been through so much pain, so what's just a few more seconds of hell? "Why can't you just admit you're fucking insane and try to fuck someone who isn't a minor?! Sorry your fuck buddy is in jail, but that's not my problem!"

His cheeks grew a deeper shade of red as his nostrils flared. He took a step back as I glanced at his clenched fists. His hands were shaking by his sides before he pulled his arm back and connected it with the side of my jaw. The force of his hit knocked me to the ground as my body sprawled out on the mat.

I felt myself going in and out of consciousness as I could only hear the throbbing in my head. The sound of my breathing was enhanced, the sound of shallow breaths filling my ears. My eyes couldn't focus on anything. His punch was filled with so much anger that it almost completely knocked me out. At this point, I wish he did.

I whimpered in pain as I felt blood trickle down my nose and onto the mat below me. I couldn't move. My stomach and jaw hurt too much. I physically couldn't push myself to get up. Please, Karson.

"Now Dakota," Jason began, even though his voice was fuzzy. I heard him crouch down beside my unmoving body as I squeezed my eyes shut. "See what happens when you push me the wrong way? It doesn't end well, right?"

"Go," I croaked as I tried to swallow the saliva in the back of my throat. "Fuck yourself."

"If only you weren't such a fighter. Then this would've been so much easier for you," he clicked his tongue in disappointment as he abruptly stood up. I groaned, finally gaining enough strength to move my head up.

I blinked until my vision was no longer blurry as I glanced at Jason. It hurt to breathe and my head was still spinning. I usually wasn't this weak. I should've got up by now, but I can't.

"Dakota?" I heard a loud voice ask from afar. I could feel tears well up in the corner of my eyes in relief when I heard Karson's voice.

"For a second I didn't think you would show up, dear nephew," Jason chuckled as he leaned down to wrap his filthy hand wrap around my wrist.

I was jerked up again, but this time, black dots began to cover the corner of my vision. He was handling me like a goddamn rag-doll. He had both of his hands wrapped around my waist as my back pressed against his chest. My head lazily fell against his chest as I tried to focus on my breathing.

I squinted my eyes, trying to keep them open as I fought against the dizziness that swarmed in my head. When I was finally able to focus on my surroundings, my eyes immediately landed on a pair of familiar green eyes.

His body visibly tensed as his eyes scanned my bruised face. I probably looked better than I felt. Jason only punched me twice, and yet it was more painful than the beatings my mother put me through.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" I heard Karson growl, his voice the deepest I've ever heard it as I noticed he was now wearing a shirt. His knuckles were turning white from how hard he was clenching his fists at his sides.

"I taught her a lesson," Jason chuckled. "You know, the usual."

"Jason, I swear to God," Karson snarled as he took a step closer to us. Jason moved my body to where his arms were purposely pressing on my abdomen, leaving me whimpering in pain. "If you don't let her go, you'll be fucking dead when I get my hands on you."

"Is that a threat?" Jason challenged as his voice sounded playful. He thought this was a game.

"It's a fucking promise," Karson cursed as I watched his eyes go viciously dark when he watched me groan in pain due to the pressure on my stomach.

"I'll be there tomorrow, so you won't be able to put your hands on me," Jason said from behind me. His logic made no sense. Was Damon going to protect his ass? "This was just payback from when you beat me up. I'll see you tomorrow, Karsy."

I cringed at the nickname Jason gave Karson as he chuckled to himself. He's fucking insane.

"I'll be back for you tomorrow, be ready darling," Jason mumbled into my ear, only loud enough for me to hear before he roughly released his hands off my waist and pressed them against my back.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion before he roughly pushed me forward. I shrieked, surprised by the sudden movement as I stumbled over my feet. I quickly felt another pair of arms gently wrap around me, but these arms were more warm and familiar. Karson.

"I got you," Karson whispered as he protectively wrapped his arms around my waist. He was holding me as if I was going to be gone forever. He was holding me as if it was the last time he would ever see me.

I let my head rest against his broad chest as I gripped a handful of his shirt. I whimpered in pain, the pounding in my head getting to be too much as tears finally began to stream down my cheeks. I tried to fight back. I tried to stay strong. But I couldn't.

Jason and Karson didn't say another word to each other as I heard Jason finally walk away. He was finally gone.

Karson carefully placed one of his hands against the back of my head as he held me against his chest, letting me cry before he asked any questions. When he heard my sniffles, he gently pulled me back and cupped both of my cheeks.

"Princess," he whispered, his voice breaking at the end of his sentence as my eyes lazily met his. I watched him as tears began to well up in his eyes before he hesitantly shook his head. I shakily raised one of my hands to his face, gently cupping his cheek as my thumb trailed along his jaw. He leaned into my touch as his nostrils flared in frustration. I knew how much seeing me like this hurt him. I hated it.

"I'm okay," I reassured, my voice small as I tried to give him a genuine smile. I couldn't. It hurt too much.

"Jesus, Dakota," his voice broke as he bit his lower lip in uncertainty. "I-I don't even know what to say. I'm so sorry. So fucking sorry. Seeing you like this physically breaks my heart and I can't stand it."

"It's not your fault," I reassured as I could feel myself gain control of my body. My head was still spinning, but my vision was clearer than before. My stomach was throbbing, but my breathing had finally calmed down.

"If I didn't go in the locker room, he wouldn't have hurt you," he croaked as his eyes lingered on my bloody nose. He gently raised one of his hands and wiped away the fresh blood with the pad of his thumb. "God, you're jaw. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, Ryder. I've had worse," I snorted, even though this was one of the worst. "And my jaw? It's a bruise. It'll go away in a few days, okay? I'll be okay."

He shook his head as my knees felt weak. I couldn't tell if I was in pain or I was just nervous being around him. He carefully cupped my cheeks as his eyes scanned my entire face. He let out a huge breath when his eyes lingered on one specific side of my face.

"Did he hit you anywhere else?" He carefully asked as his jaw clenched. It was obvious he wasn't having an easy time with this.

"My stomach," I faltered as I slowly met his emerald eyes. They swarmed with a glint of pure hatred as he glanced down to my covered abdomen. I slowly moved away from his arms and gently lifted the hem of my shirt to show him the damage Jason had done as his eyes flickered down to see the bruised flesh.

"Fuck, Dakota," he whispered as I felt the warmth of his finger gently trace over the more sensitive spot. "I'm going to kill that motherfucker tomorrow."

"Absolutely not," I hissed as I swatted his hand away. He raised one of his eyebrows at me as the hem of my shirt fell back down. "This is just the beginning, Karson. He said he'd be back for me tomorrow. This was just a warning."

"Don't say that," Karson sternly said as he carefully wiped the remaining blood from underneath my nose.

"Please, Karson," I began as we only stood merely inches away from each other. I still couldn't believe that the other people in the gym didn't hear anything. "I know it's something you don't want to hear, but it's the truth."

My eyes flickered to his fists as they were clenched by his sides. His veins were visible down his arm from the pressure of how hard he was clenching his fists. My eyes quickly met his once more as I slowly walked up to him to give him a light peck on his lips.

He breathed out a sigh of frustration as he roughly ran his fingers through his hair. "I won't kill him now, but if he tries something on you tomorrow, I swear to God I won't be able to hold back."

My eyes widened in surprise as my mouth was slightly ajar. "I'll have my brother, Braxton, and Colton tomorrow beside me when you're fighting. I'll be okay."