"What do you mean you don't know who I'm fighting?" Karmin demanded as Maddox, Rhys, and she crossed the street to the Watkin's Manor.

"Ezra didn't give me a name," he replied, gripping on to his gym bag tightly. "I don't even know who I'm fighting."

That didn't do anything to help her nerves. At least when she knew who she was fighting, Maddox was there to give her some tips. This time, she was going in blind, and the anxiety and doubt coursing through her mind were causing her hands to tremor.

"Is that normal?"

"No, not really," he retorted casually.

"Well then, why aren't you freaking out?" she exclaimed, widening her strides to catch up to him.

He shrugged, not answering. Maddox was so nonchalant about the entire situation while Karmin was having a mini breakdown.

"Don't worry," Rhys said coolly. "You'll be fine."

She exhaled sharply, her breathing becoming more uneven as they reached the gates of the mansion. Murry was lounging in his seat, but he promptly stood up when he saw the three of them.

"How are all of you doing this fine night?" he asked happily.

"Like I'm about to vomit," Karmin groaned, shuffling in her spot nervously.

Murry looked at her questioningly, but his attention deviated to Maddox, who handed him a pile of comic books. A large grin made its way on his face as he thankfully grabbed them, flipping through the pages.

"I picked some up from Joe's bookstore," Maddox said quietly.

"Aw man, you didn't have to do this," Murry said as his eyes flickered over the glossy material.

"It's not a problem. Hope you like them."

Murry nodded excitedly. "I can't wait to read them."

Rhys leaned down to Karmin and murmured through the side of his mouth. "See, I told you Maddox is a giver."

Karmin rolled her eyes, nudging him in the ribs. It was a nice thing for Maddox to do. Every time she was around him, she learned a bit more about him. Although he didn't speak much, his actions were loud and clear.

"Good luck with your fights," Murry encouraged, opening the gates to reveal the cobblestone path.

"I'm gonna need it," she remarked, offering him a meek smile as the three of them walked through the gates.

Her shoes crunched against the path as she followed Rhys and Maddox. The cool breeze tickled her bare legs, goosebumps rising all across her limbs. She had changed into her gym clothes beforehand, needing to do something with the unease she was feeling.

Ever since she had talked to Maddox about her need for extra fights, an unsettled feeling had settled within her. He got her fight a couple of days later, but when he didn't know who it was, the apprehension had skyrocketed. With the jitters, she had turned to baking and studying, but it only helped so much.

The number of cookies and muffins tucked away into her refrigerator was beginning to become a little ridiculous.

Her mind was beginning to fill up with worrisome thoughts, so she quickly snapped out of it, paying attention to the interior of the home that had just entered. Karmin followed the same path as she did several times before. Although it was her fifth time here, she still couldn't get rid of the awe.

The marble floors, diamond chandleries, and priceless paintings called her poor in so many languages.

Once they reached the ballroom, Maddox and Karmin presented the man playing the piano their chips. She had tried to make conversation with him before, but he just drowned out her voice by playing a tune on the instrument.

This time around, the song was light and playful, the complete opposite from the whirlwind of emotions fluttering in her body. It was high-pitched with an underlying tone of sweetness adding to the harmonies. As he played with ease, the painting swung open, and the three of them walked through the entrance.

Karmin's heart sped up the closer they got to the end of the stairwell. It felt like it was going to jump out of her chest once they reached the bottom as they pushed themselves through the usual crowd of people.

"I'm going to go get changed," shouted Maddox, grabbing Karmin's backpack from her. He left Rhys and Karmin standing by the changing rooms, but while Rhys looked calm, she kept tapping her foot on the ground, gazing at anyone that might be her competitor for the night.

She saw a woman with a scar running down her slim arm, sipping beer. It couldn't be her since she was drinking, but then again, maybe getting drunk would help with the pain.

Karmin was going to have to look into that.

There was a man holding an ice pack to his head and another who was wrapping tape around his knuckles. It could've been anyone.

"Don't stress out," said Rhys, waving his hand dismissively.

Karmin scoffed. "All I do is stress out."

"Maddox will be here if you need help," he soothed. "I'll be the one screaming."

A light laugh escaped her lips. Yeah, she would be fine. If she needed help, Maddox was right there at the end of the ring. He had given her advice for the past few fights, all of them proving useful.

"I'm good to go," interjected Maddox, back to his shirtless self.

She nodded, and like last time, they headed to the front of the ring. He entered through the ropes and stood in his respective corner, but his competitor was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's the other fighter?" she asked Rhys.

"No clue," and from his tone, Karmin could tell he was getting a little anxious as well.

Maddox glanced back at them confused, but he didn't show any sign of nervousness on his face. However, that all changed when the referee announced the fight for tonight.

"Tonight," he boomed, "we have our returning champion, Maddox Knight." The crowd went wild, clapping, and shouting eagerly. "Now some of you may be thinking where his opponent is. Well, tonight, things will be a little different. Maddox will be fighting..." he halted dramatically, his eyes gazing the crowd until his eyes landed on the target.

Karmin's heart dropped to her chest, and beside her, Rhys stiffened, glancing at her nervously. There was no way this was happening.

"Karmin Desai!" the referee cheered. "You may now enter the ring."

She caught the shocked expression on Maddox's face as she slowly stumbled inside the ring. The roaring of the mob got even louder once she was inside. Karmin gulped nervously, gazing at him helplessly.

"This young couple will be fighting tonight, so go place your bets if you haven't already. It's going to be quite the fight," he announced.

"What the fuck is this?" demanded Maddox to the referee. "We're not a couple."

The referee smirked. "I know, but we get a lot more money this way. Everyone wants to see a couple beat the shit out of each other. Also, more the revenue means more money for the winner. You in or out?"

"I'm out," replied Maddox angrily.

No, she couldn't afford to leave this fight, even if it meant hurting Maddox. She needed that money, especially this one. She wasn't sure if she could win, but even the smallest amount of cash meant a step closer to her goal. Karmin was desperate, and desperation made people do crazy things.

"How much?" she questioned.

Maddox jolted back, giving her an are-you-crazy kind of look.

"Roughly 3,000 dollars," he said smugly.

"Karmin, no," Maddox denied, shaking his head. "I'll get you another fight."

Karmin was going to feel bad, but might as well feel bad being a three thousand dollars richer, right? She wasn't sure if she could beat him, but she had to try. She ignored him and stared the referee dead in the eye. "I'm in."

Maddox's rejections were drowned from the bell ringing loudly, erupting the crowd into flurries of shouts and screams.

"I'm not going to fight you," Maddox yelled, not even bothering to put his hands up.

Karmin got into her stance, carefully eyeing him. "Well, too bad," she shouted, getting ready, "because I am!"

She swung her arm, attempting to punch Maddox in the face, but he swiftly dodged it, staring at her in disbelief. Karmin went for another hit and another one, but he sidestepped each one. He didn't try to fight her back.

"I don't want to hurt you," he reasoned, delicately eluding another jab from her.

"That's cute," she retaliated. "But don't give yourself too much importance."

The lively crowd was beginning to grow sick and tired from the lack of blood and shattered limbs. Maddox wouldn't give in, and as much as Karmin tried to hurt him, she missed every single time.

"Punch her in the face!" screamed the man from the arena.

Gee thanks. At least I knew who he was rooting for.

Her breathing was starting to get heavier from the offensive attacks, while Maddox looked perfectly fine. He still had the worrisome expression etched onto his face, and his body language was stiff.

Gathering her energy, she kicked her leg forward, trying to aim for his head. However, he caught it with ease, but he didn't do anything. Her eyes flickered between her leg and his eyes, attempting to get a sense of what he was going to do next.

"Listen to me," Maddox urged.

She cancelled out his voice and jumped, using her other leg to strike him in the abdomen. Karmin fell to the floor on a thud, and from the strength of her kick, Maddox stumbled back, clutching his stomach.

He gazed at her in shock as he caught his breath. A sense of remorse washed over her, but she ignored it as the roar from onlookers hyped her up.

Karmin wanted to finish this fight as quickly as possible, so she lunged to him, her fists ready. With all the momentum she could gain, she veered it back and swung. She thought she had him this time, but he seized her fist.

Before she could react, he spun her around swiftly, her back hitting his chest. His arms kept her hands locked to her abdomen. She struggled against his grip, unable to move, and he just tightened his grasp. But even then, he was gentle.

"I can't believe you just kicked me," he whispered, his breath fanning her ear.

Her chest rose heavily, and it just wasn't from the fatigue. She turned her head to the side, capturing his green eyes. His skin felt warm against the material of her shirt, and her brain was buzzing from the close contact.

"Let me go," she said through gritted teeth. She thought about head butting him, but with his height, it wouldn't work.

"How about you tap out?" he asked. "Both of us can leave the ring unscathed."

Karmin laughed at the idea. Her competitive side would never let herself forfeit or intentionally lose a fight. "That's not happening."

As soon as she said that, Karmin jolted her leg forward and brought it back with a mighty force. Her heel made brutal contact with his shin, and almost immediately, his arms around her loosened. Maddox grunted in pain, but more was to come as she hooked her foot around the back of his leg and seized his shoulder. She brought her weight forward, dragging him to the front until his back hit the mat.

She wiped the sweat off her forehead, pushing back the guilt that slowly made its way in her.

This was a fight. Maddox would understand.

The mat felt rough underneath her bare feet as she moved forward, ready to end the fight, but he had other plans when he lifted his legs to wrap them around her waist. He pulled her to him, flipping them so her back was on the ground, and he was on top. Maddox pinned her arms to her side as he murmured, "Please tap out."

"Take her out!" screamed someone from the crowd.

Maddox didn't take his eyes off her. She wished he would actually fight back. It seemed like she was going to lose, but she had one more play. From the time they spent, she realized he wasn't big on affection or touch, so she could use that to her advantage.

"Don't do this, Mads," she whispered, lifting her head until it was mere inches away from his.

Not only did his eyes widen from the nickname, but his grip loosened around her. He moved back, trying to put some distance between them, and that was exactly what Karmin wanted.

She slipped her leg from underneath him, hooking it on to his back. She swung them around until his stomach was flat on the mat, and she was straddling his back. Karmin grasped his arm, contorting it around his back to his shoulder blades.

Maddox groaned as pain ran through his arm. He shifted underneath her, his other arm trying to get her off him, but it was useless. Karmin just bent his arm further up his back until the agony became too much.

She leaned down until her lips were close to his ears, and mockingly asked, "How about you tap out?"

"I hate you," he grumbled, his fine features contorted into pain.

Her lips quirked into a smile and a sense of pride washed over her when he grudgingly lifted his free hand. Maddox hesitated for a moment but kissed his teeth and tapped out.

That small motion screamed volumes.

***

Author's Note:

Hi everyone!!

So, what did you think of this chapter! I was so excited for this one!

Did you guys like how the fight went down?

I'm also excited for Chapter 15 too lol, since it's going to give you all some more perspective on Maddox! See you, Monday