The Gang Lords Florist

CH.3 Back to the Fight

Chapter 3 Back to the Fight

Gabriella P.O.V.

That Sunday after the club use my friend’s hangover and make them a wonderful breakfast. I then kick them out so I can enjoy my extra day off. I go into my garage and get into my red mustang. I just want to spend the day driving around and going shopping. As long as I got my groceries for the week today, I could pay a visit to my dad on Monday or Tuesday. I drive through downtown to the mall and park in the parking lot. I am wearing my black high waisted skinny jeans a stripped black and white t whist with my classic chuck tailor’s. I walk around the mall mindlessly as I walk in and out of stores. I end up finding a few sundresses that I like and would look good on me for client meetings. When I was satisfied with my shopping I head back to my car. I could not help but feel like I was being watched. I look around not seeing anything out of the ordinary. I brush it off and put my bags in the trunk. I get in and drive to Pikes Market. I loved coming here for their fresh seafood and specialty items. I always find something new that I want to try to cook. I get that feeling again that someone is watching me. I decide not to buy anything and just leave. Having that feeling once is understandable but feeling it a second time is not a coincidence. I stop next to a sunglass shop pretending to try on some mirrored aviator. I look in the mirror and I see a sketchy looking man glance my way observing my every movement. Gotcha! I think to myself. I purchase the sunglasses and head back to my car.

I am driving aimlessly around downtown and notice a black SUV following me. Great I am still being followed. I decide that enough was enough and get into the free way heading east. I speed through traffic dodging cars zig zagging through traffic. I notice that the SUV is having difficulty keeping up. I just smirk and speed faster and making a last second exit at the next turn off. Poor fella did not stand a chance with me.

I decided to just get back to my place and have a quiet night. I hear my cell ring and I go to pick it up.

“Hello?”

“Hey Red, how have you been girl?”

“Dan you know that I retired, if this is not a friend chit chat I am hanging up.” Dan was my handler during my street fighting career.

“Red I am desperate right now. I have no more fighters left and I have a family to provide for. I need your help. Please come back for a few fights.”

“I don’t know…”

“I would be able to get you double the amount per fight. Possible more after your debut return. Please! I am begging on my knees if you could see me right now.”

“If you need the money so much, I can give you some.”

“Its not that… I owe to the wrong people and my day job doesn’t quite cut it.” He says and I sigh hesitantly weighing out my options.

“Your killing me you know that” I take a deep breath.

“You know I love you Red. So… you in?”

“Fine! But you owe me big time.” I said as I am rolling my eyes. I guess I could use the extra release, it has been five years and I miss the adrenaline.

“Sweet! I let you know when your first fight is. Thanks love!” He hangs up. I better get back to training again and not just workout.

I decide to go visit my father on Monday and spend the afternoon at the shop with him. We chat as I assist him fixing some of the cars. He was showing me his new restoration project. A black 68’ barracuda. It was a sexy piece of machine. After we had lunch, I head back home enjoying my time with my father. I feel bad leaving him alone, but he insisted that I be independent, Last thing he wanted was for him to be extra baggage for me to carry around. I cannot argue with his stubbornness and pride, but at least he is proud of me. My cell rings and I put it on speak.

“Talk to me?” I answer.

“Red you free tonight for a fight?” Dan askes

“That’s pretty soon, but sure, just text me when and where and I will be there.” Then hang up.

I put my black spandex shorts a black Nike sports bra and black Nike trainers on. I tie my hair back in a French braid and apply my signature red lipstick. I get to the garage and pull the sheet off my Ducati motorcycle. I never really use my motorcycle so its perfect for keeping my identity a secret. I climb on, put my helmet on and start her up. I drive to an abandoned warehouse and make my way inside. I stop Dan at the entrance, and I give him my helmet to hold as he leads me to the main room where the ring is. I enter and hear the announcer.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very special treat for you for our final fight of the night. On the right corner we have cyclone...” A tall buff man in basketball shorts enters and raises his hands in the air taking in the cheers.

“In on the left corner, coming out of retirement, we have the undefeated Red.” I enter the ring with a dead face. I hear the crowd cheer loader for me. I glance at my opponent sizing him up.

“Hey sexy, maybe when we are done here, I can take you out sometime.” He says with a smirk on his face. I just raise my eyebrow not reacting.

We both get into our fighting stance and hear the bell go off. We circle each other. I see his right arm twitch, indicating he is about to punch. I dodge it and jab him in the ribs. He staggers back to keep his balance. He comes at me with his left I block and elbow his face. He turns to give me a roundhouse kick, I duck and kick my leg out tripping him falling hard on his back. I mount him and through punch after punch to his face and ribs. He finally taps out.

“And the winner is Red!” The announcer declares. My arm is hoisted in the air by the referee as we turn and face the crowd. I look through the crowd and see a familiar person in the stands, Drake. I get off the ring and Dan is awaiting me. He hands me my money with my helmet, and I rush off. Why was Drake there? I kept wondering to myself. I just hope he did not recognize me.

I get back to my garage and cover my motorcycle. I head upstairs and go take a shower before I head to bed. I feel the softness of my dark side subside. I did miss the fight, it’s dangerous but thrilling. At least I had a great start to the week, now to get back to my normal life.

Drake P.O.V.

I heard that an old fighter is coming out of retirement as we get ready for the fights tonight. I had a man that owed me money and guaranteed me a third of his debt that night. My men and I go to take our seats that had a perfect view of the ring. We watch the first couple of fights which were boring. Then we hear the announcer announce the last fight and my eyes go wide hearing that Red is back. I used to love watching her fight a few years ago. She was sexy and fierce. I was always wondering where she disappeared to. I look down and see Dan escorting Red to the ring. I watch in amazement. She took down a guy twice her size in a matter of minutes. She was fearless. After her win, she glances over the crowd I catcher her looking straight at me. I look at her in shock. Was she the chick I met at the club? I was already having my men try to discover who she was and follow her. Now I can understand how my men were able to lose her in the freeway. One of my men goes to retrieve Dan. They both approach us and stand in front of me.

“Dan, do you have my money?” I say coldly.

“Yes sir, just like I promised.” He tries to hand me a stake of cash but one of my men took it from him and put it in a bag.

“Dan, let me make you a new deal…” I begin to say. “I will forgive all your debts is you get me a meeting with Red” He swallows hard and starts to sweat.

“Sir, I am afraid that she is a very quiet person and demands her privacy. As much as I fear you, I fear her more. I will gladly keep paying you back every penny plus interest, but please don’t ask me to introduce you to her.” He said almost shaking. I scold him because this was not the answer I wanted. “However, sir, I will gladly inform you of her next fights so you can try to meet her yourself.”

“Very well if you can delay her for a while after her fight then I think I can forgive a percentage of what you owe.”

“Thank you sir.” He bows his head.

“You may go now.” I shoo him off.

“Miles, have you found out which flower shop Gabriella works at yet?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good I might schedule a meeting with her soon.” I smirk.