Bare Knuckled

Chapter Two- Opportunites Made From Desperation

The anger present in Candace’s husband’s gaze was enough to make Zane feel as if he was at a true risk of losing his job. Although it wasn’t one that gave benefits to brag about or a salary that he could retire on any day he wanted, it was the only job that worked for his current set of circumstances. Due to this, he would be forced to bite his lip as he watched Butch Grenon, husband to Candace, and owner of the arena itself, square off against Zane. Candance clenched her jaw as she knew she couldn’t defend Zane without revealing the way she felt about him, and so, she remained silent at the side of her husband, unless he would speak to her. 

“Do you care to tell me why my wife looks like she is taking a walk of shame?!” He asked Zane as his gaze immediately shifted to Candace. With a man who worked as a shadow for his profession, Zane had been able to watch everything that went on in and out of the arena. He knew that Candace was unhappy and unsatisfied in her marriage, but also knew he was in no position to do anything but admire her from afar. Up until now at least. “Answer to me, not her.” He commanded while Zane paused for a moment before clearing his throat to speak. 

“She was attacked going to her car-” Suddenly Candace interrupted him, wanting it to be made clear that Zane was innocent in everything but acting as her saving grace. “He stopped the two of them from making me a ragdoll.” She informed her husband, watching as his expression changed from possessive to intrigued. 

“Well if this is the case, certainly, it will be on footage...If it is true, than you have nothing to worry about-including your silly little job...otherwise...you will have a lot scarier things than prison to look forward to.” Butch spoke before making his way from the room and into the security room while Candace was forced at his side. With Zane being left alone with his thoughts, he wondered if the punks that ruined the highly orchestrated physical appearance of Candace were smart enough to even look for cameras, or if he would find himself in prison. He was left in an eternity of silence, leaving himself to speculate if he would be a free man or one with charges made against him by the end of this night. While he waited to hear the sound of the door come open or even the echoes of steps prior to that, he began to fidget with his fingers, recalling the way her gentle touch felt upon his wounds. In a way, it reminded him of his mother’s touch, a selfless desire to ease someone the person of aid cared for.

“It appears to be your lucky day…” Butch spoke while extending his hand into the form of a handshake. “I suppose I owe you a thank you…” With Zane taking hold of his hand, they introduced themselves before Butch then looked to Candace. “Go on home...I’ll have Lars escort you.” He ordered as Candace nodded, knew she could only agree to his demands or risk an even more in depth wrath than what he had shown to her savior. Because of this, she simply lingered in the doorway for a moment, her eyes locked with Zane’s, before disappearing from the building entirely. “I am sure you know by now that my wife is incredibly sexy.” Zane swallowed hard, nearly choking on his own saliva upon hearing these words. “Which is why this night happened...but I am thankful you were there...who knows what would have become of her if you weren’t...but anyway...I am not a man to use my words as thanks or regret...I am one to give an eye for an eye-but in this case, it’s in your favor.” As Butch went to move into his pocket towards his wallet, Zane immediately held his hands up. 

“I am glad I could be there too, but...I don’t need or want anything.”

Butch paused for a moment, seemingly thinking of what his next step would be, before he then moved them both out of the locker room and towards the main ring. 

“A noble man...huh?” Zane paused, trying to read the expression of the man who held the ability to change his life in a matter of a phone call or a small lump of cash. However, Zane would never be the type to take it. “Well then how about we speak of something that can help us both out?” He asked while placing his arm around Zane and showing him into the direction of the boxing ring. For a moment, he paused, trying to understand the mindset of this man, waiting for the moment he would be asked to clean the ring or rearrange the chairs somehow. “I wasn’t going to give you money, I only give cash to dancers and drug pushers…” He paused. “But I saw the way you took them out, without even missing a beat...they had a knife on you...on my wife, and you didn’t even flinch. So I’ll make a deal with you...you keep fighting like that, and I’ll promote your name.”

Zane’s eyes grew wide. One of his closest friends, Tariq, had been a boxer in this arena for the last decade, having shown Zane the literal and metaphorical ropes of his profession. Due to this, he knew what it meant to have a promoter. 

“But you would have to quit your job as a janitor of course...I can’t have one of my up and coming fighters sweeping the floor of his competition-not that way at least…” He smirked, proud of himself before extending his hand to Zane, waiting for this deal to be made official between a gentleman’s handshake. “Something is stopping you?” Butch asked when seeing the hesitation within Zane. 

“I’m grateful and am taken incredibly off guard, but...I have to make an income for my family.”

“Oh? You think this is something where you only get money if you win?” Butch scoffed. 

“I just know it takes time for a name to become known…”

“You fight like that, like you did tonight, you will be a household name overnight...Why don’t I show you a contract and then you can let me know if you decide.” For a moment, Zane was left alone in the main lobby, his head reeling from how his night and life had changed in the matter of seconds. By the time Butch had returned with the thick contract that outlined everything, he had enough time to process the ordeal that was about to become his life. He thought of what he would be able to do for his family, for his sister...even for himself; which was always a last thought, if ever one at all. “I’ll let you take that to review it, but just the bullet points; you will be given all the equipment you need, credit cards for food and protein powders or arm bands-whatever you need, an apartment close to a gym, transportation to and from matches if you need it, and your salary…” When Zane flipped to the third page of the contract, Butch summurized the amount by bringing his finger to the number. 

“That isn’t a phone number?” Zane asked in disbelief. 

“Just think, that is before you have your own trophies and banners...titles and victories...once you get those, you won’t ever have to think of being a janitor ever again.”

“I don’t know what to say…”

“Sometimes words aren’t needed…” Butch spoke while bringing a pen from his pocket and clicking it before setting it in Zane’s hand. “If you need time to look it over, take it, I’d rather have you read and know what you are getting yourself into...but just know that if you do sign, if you do commit to this, I promise that you will never have to want or need for anything.” For a moment, Zane was able to feel the charm that must have swindled Candace into marrying him in the first place. The same kind of charm that had him skimming the paperwork before reading the details, signing on the bottom line of each page. 

“Perfect...now how about you celebrate tonight, while I get everything arranged for you tomorrow. You will have an entirely new life…”

“Thank you...Mister-”

“Please NEVER call me that...It’s Butch…” He spoke with an extended hand, that was shook by Zane in appreciation. “And also reminded me to stop giving you handshakes.” He teased while shaking off his hand from the impressive firm shake that Zane had delivered. “Oh and uh...one more thing...you stay the hell away from my wife.” Zane was caught off guard by this before going to answer. 

“I wouldn’t-”

“I know she’s sexy...she’s blonde...skinny...gifted in the chest and ass...but...if I see you touch her again-if I see you alone with her again, all of this goes away…”

Zane nodded, knowing he would never be able to touch Candace, but he had spent the last four years admiring her from afar-how would this be any different?