"So," she coughed, the awkward silence killing her, "how was everyone's dinner?"

Crickets. They just stared at her.

"Mine was great. I had tandoori pizza. The chicken was on the dry side, but nothing ranch can't fix. Am I right, folks?" she laughed stiffly. "What did you have for dinner?" Karmin asked, nudging Maddox in the side roughly.

He glared at her, nudging her back, but quietly said, "A sandwich."

"What kind of sandwich?" called out a man in a Rangers beanie.

"Um, a bologna one," Maddox answered uncomfortably.

"I love bologna sandwiches," he said thoughtfully. "All I had was some mac n cheese with pie."

"Oh, what kind of pie?" Karmin piped in. "Apple? Key lime?"

"Pecan," he smiled.

"That's the best kind," she commented, quirking her lips.

"I'm more of a pot pie kind of guy," chimed in another man. A mutter of agreement was heard within the group.

"What's your favourite, bologna boy?" someone wondered from the pack.

"I don't really like pie," Maddox said cautiously as if he feared being attacked.

"Outrageous!"

"That's messed up!"

"Your boy over here doesn't like pie?" asked the Rangers man. "That's crazy."

Karmin shrugged. "I never know with him. He's really confusing with the things he likes. One second, you think he likes it and the next, you're wrong," she said sharply as she scrutinized him.

Maddox scrunched his brows in puzzlement as he peered down at her.

"Why do I feel like we're not talking about pie anymore?" whistled the man with the beanie.

She exhaled roughly, the puffs of air slightly visible. It was unusually cold for a spring night, and a part of her wished she could stand closer to Maddox. The warmth radiated off him and his arms seemed welcoming, but her pride stopped her.

There was a faint rustling audible and immediately the group of men stumbled to their feet. "Boss is here!" someone yelled.

Karmin quickly stopped scrambling, standing up straight as another set of people walked over. She had to stop herself from backing away when Ares sauntered over to her with Lance, another past opponent of hers. His signature ruby ring was still clear in the dark. It was easier talking to him over the phone. It was just his threatening voice and none of his intense stares. She was hoping she would never have to see him again, but there he stood in his power and glory.

Ares smirked at her, only for Maddox to step forward with his head high and blocking her slightly. The gang, including their leader, couldn't help but smile a bit. It was hard being threatening whilst wearing Rudolph pajamas.

"Are those reindeers on your pants?" asked Ares with a grin.

"Rudolph to be specific," answered Maddox spitefully.

Ares hummed. "It's a bit early for Christmas."

"I like to prepare in advance," he commented with a shrug.

"7 months in advance?" Ares wondered with a raise of a brow.

"Yes, you got a problem with that?" remarked Maddox annoyedly.

Karmin jolted in surprise at his bravado. He was no coward, but he always chose to stay quiet with a few words here and there. She was usually the one doing all the talking.

Ares's lips quirked into a frown, upset by the disrespect. A few of My Brother's Keepers members shuffled towards Maddox, their hands inching towards their concealed guns. Karmin could tell they've been hoping to do some damage tonight.

She quickly raised her hands protectively, taking a few steps between everyone. "Now that we all know Maddox here takes the holidays very seriously, I think we can move on to why we're really here. Unless you all want to buy matching pajama sets for Christmas, which I think would be really cute. You guys could take pictures and use them for holiday cards," she babbled aimlessly until Maddox poked her in the side. "But anywho, let's move on, shall we?"

Ares glanced over at her, a smirk hanging from his lips once again. He put a hand up, halting the others from attacking Maddox. They slowly moved back to their original positions, but their eyes never left him.

"Thank you for meeting me tonight," said Ares.

"Well, I didn't really have a choice, huh," retorted Karmin with a stiff smile. "It was either this or death. The second option doesn't sound very fun."

"Keep talking and the second option might happen," drawled Lance with his deadly glare.

Karmin put her hand on her chest, deeply offended. She wanted to be put in a ring with him once more just so she could destroy his ego. She knew she could take him.

"Hey, only I'm allowed to complain about her talking," interjected Maddox. "And threaten her again and maybe that option will apply to you."

"Bologna boy's just asking for it," laughed a man.

A smile quirked at her lips but disappeared when Lance moved forward, his nostrils flaring. Ares stopped him, shaking his head. "Now, now gentlemen. Let's all be civil here." He turned back to Karmin, his face now dead serious, and the words he said next made her bones turn to steel and her blood still.

"I want you to work for me."

"Excuse me?" she spluttered, her heart rate rising dangerously.

Ares walked forward menacingly. "I want you to work for me," he repeated in a low voice.

"But why? You clearly have a load of people that work for you," she exclaimed.

"But none of them have almost defeated me in the ring," he commented. "I could use your skill sets. You fight for me at the club and give me 80% of the earnings."

I only get 20 percent? What a scam.

"Take me instead," interrupted Maddox desperately. "I'm a good fighter. I'll do it."

She didn't want him to fight her fights. She was perfectly capable of doing it herself, but she knew he cared for her. Karmin knew what Ares's answer would be, anyway.

Ares shook his head. "I want her."

"What if I say no?" she questioned, but she was terrified of what he would say.

"Then you'll die. Right here, right now," Ares said simply, reaching out his hand to Lance, who placed a gun into his palm. "After I make you watch Maddox die."

"Why is it always this and death?" she muttered to herself.

"So, what's your answer?" he demanded, clicking off the safety of the gun. "Is it a yes or will I be dumping two dead bodies into the river?"

"It's a yes," she agreed through gritted teeth.

"Perfect," Ares grinned, handing the gun back to Lance. "Judas will be overseeing all your fights from here on out." He took a few steps to her, sticking out his arm. Karmin shook his hand as she held in her breath. "I suggest you try and win all your fights. If I ever find out you threw them or you tapped out, there will be consequences."

Karmin gulped nervously. "Understood."

Ares clapped his hands contently, turning around to leave. "Have a goodnight, you two." With those words, the entire group followed him out, their silhouettes blending into the night.

She couldn't see an end to this. There was no longer a light at the end of the tunnel. She was stuck with Ares for who knows how long.

"You know, none of this would have happened if you had just listened to when I said the fight club was bad news," said Maddox in an I-told-you-so tone.

Karmin balled her hands into a fist. "Oh no, Mr. Reign, let me fight for her behalf," she mocked, dropping her voice to a lower octave. "I promise I'm a better fighter. Let me save her."

"Maybe I should lock you and Ares in a room together so you can drive him insane with your talking," commented Maddox frustratedly.

"You sure got a lot of shit to say tonight, bologna boy," hissed Karmin.

"We're at an abandoned train station in the middle of the night with gang members who shoot people for fun. I think I have every right," he fired back, running a hand through his hair.

They needed a strategy to get out of this. They couldn't do anything by themselves. They didn't have the numbers or the skills to take on a man as big as Ares. But she knew someone who did.

Karmin gazed up at him, her eyes softening. He was in this mess because of her. Maddox could have left and separated himself from her whenever, but he stayed. He never once left her. He never once made her feel like he hated her for getting him into this chaos.

She was going to keep him safe.

She was going to save herself.

"Don't worry. I got a plan."

***

Author's Note:

Hi!!

So, what do you guys think her plan is?

And let's add bologna boy to Maddox's long list of nicknames lol. So far, we go Mads, Maddy and babe!

Also, I made a shit load of covers since I'm kind of beginning to get sick of the current one. I would love it if you guys could comment on which cover you like best

Until next time – m.k.t