ng behind only the stale scent of cigarettes and sweat. The underground

why Gummy hated her so much – this was exactly how Maya had always left her opponents: broken and battered. Every breath felt like fire in her

beneath her palms as she pushed herself to standing. Her eyes search

ppear before Maya woke up,

th, clutching her side as she limped toward the locker

boots – she loosened her hair and retied it properly, wincing as her fingers brushed aga

ound Blanco's eyes blazing with anger, the usual warm welcome replaced by a tension so thick it felt suffocating. Unlike the usua

resence, he refused to acknowledge it. The silent treatment cut deeper than she

y," Maya bit her inner

r drink on my turf?" Blanco asked, finally mee

lowed it back. Despite everything, she couldn't bring herself to sign her former friend's death warrant. Sh

exploited that trust perfectly. But what Maya couldn't un

g Maya to shudder and lower her gaze. "You're supposed to be vigilant, knowing your status here. But no, yo

e that far... would she? The memory of Vicky's tear

hint of concern in the older man's voice. However,

me lose tonight?" Blanco asked,

expected anything different? To Blanco, she was no

care anymore. She had enough on her plate without worrying about this old money-grubber who

ing?" Blanco hissed a

ing and resting isn't such a bad idea." Maya didn't bother

-

p wince. She'd momentarily forgotten about her split l

rrows at her favorite bar. And as she did so, she was

know what to think at all. Her entire situation was enough to bring tears to her eyes. And

of life

e never would have accepted the second part of the deal. Staying away from fights for six months was too freaking extreme with her cu

ly gambled with h

he blinked rapidly as tears formed, but her usual strength failed her. No,

ely. Even the toughest person would break after a day like this. The betrayal f

s times, at least to hear the reason

ken?" a deep voi

and handsome one at that with broad shoulders beneath a dark jean blazer, brown hair looking a

't in the mood for company, but something about the genuin

his hand. "E

, accepting the handshake.

ured to the empty c

with a cutting remark, but tonight, the thought of sitting alone with

her round. "What brings a woman like you to a place like this on a night like thi

of her beer. "Just trying to reli

wer without pushing. The bartender arrived with fres

out of courtesy than genuine inte

yours. Life gets heavy sometimes. This p

s. It was obvious neither of them wanted

her glass. "To... whatev

inked his glass against hers,

ith silence momentarily

them from somewhere across the street. Dark figures linger