‘Cole its Harvey.’
‘What’s up bro why are you calling and where the fuck is Ariel? She should be home by now. Jae was going to take care of her whilst I was fighting tonight.’
‘Change if plans.’
‘What the fuck do you mean, change of plans? Bring her home now!’
‘Spider said she can stop and watch the fight.’
‘Over my dead fucking body put that fucker in he phone now!’
‘Sure.’
‘Cole.’
‘Spider when the funk do you make the rules? She abides by my rules and mine alone, are we clear?’
‘What’s the harm Cole? She’s seen Harvey fight. What's the dif?’
‘There’s a lot Spider you fucking know that get her home.’
‘Sorry Cole no can do Harvey is up next and no one can bring her back.’
‘What about you?’
‘I am not a taxi service bye Cole.’ He said hanging up.
‘Fucker.’ He said, slamming his phone on the table.’
‘What’s Spider done now?’
‘He fucking hand up fucker.’
‘Is Ariel coming home?’
‘He wants her to watch the fight.’
‘Is that wise Cole?’
‘No, but he has it in his thick skull it is.’
‘So I’m not babysitting?’
‘Not tonight unless you can drag her out of there.’
‘I don’t think that will please Spider.’
‘He went against me Jay he’s lucky it’s not him I’m fighting tonight cause he wouldn’t be left alive.’
He nodded knowing only too well Cole meant what he said.
‘Come on let’s go I don’t want to be late.’
Jay pulled himself up off the sofa they all followed Cole outside where the car was waiting for them they all got in and it pulled away.
‘I don’t think this is a good idea.’
Spider looked at Ariel running his finger down her face pushing strands of fallen hair behind it. ‘Don’t worry angel he doesn’t scare me and he shouldn’t scare you either. This is my domain not his. He may act like an almighty god, but he is not. I can calm that little fucker down so chill and enjoy okay.’
‘Okay.’
He smiled, pecking her cheek. He moved away looking at her god she was pretty how he wished he’d met her before Cole had gotten his hands in her, but he knew he couldn’t do anything she was still in school and she wouldn’t be leaving Til next July so until then he’d bide his time and when the time was right he’d take her away and hide her from all the evil that was Cole.
He inched forward.she stood nervously. ‘Spider!’ Cole’s voice shook the room angrily. His hand dropped off her face and he stepped back.
He looked up. ‘Cole on time I see.’
‘What the fuck do you think you’re fucking playing at?’
‘Nought.’
‘She was her to work not play!’
‘I thought she might like the entertainment tonight so I invited her to stay and watch.’
‘She’s not ready!’
‘Well I think she is.’
‘She’s not.’
‘Too late she’s here you’re hers sort yourself out you're up next then your friends.’
‘You’ll wait.’
He nodded unfazed.
Cole looked at Ariel.’ I hope you're up for this.’
‘I am I’ve seen Harvey how different could it possibly be?’
‘A lot, but you’ll see. I hope you can stomach blood Ariel cause I don’t take no mercy and neither do the guys.’
‘I’ll be fine.’ He nodded kissing her cheek walking away so they could all get ready for their fights.
She stood watching he was so different than she had expected him to be he was ruthless with his kicks, punches and blows to wherever he could land them he was bloody but his opponent was worse he had taken more blows than Cole and was staggering around the cage helpless as Cole gave him a few more blows and kicks making his opponent disoriented and bloody mouthed as he fell to the floor of the cage. Everyone cheered as Cole was declared as the winner.
His friends were in the next three following fights all as brutal all as bloody. And all declared the winners the final fight was four on four she’d never seen anything as brutal and bloody even wrestlemania had nothing in these guys she wondered where they had learned to fight. ‘I can teach you to fight if cole allows you to. I taught all of them.’
She looked at Spider and nodded. He smiled. He hoped Cole would allow her to be in his presence for an extra day or two depending how quick she picked it up. She needed to learn how to defend and protect herself.
Once they were all showered and changed and had a drink in hand. I was thinking.’
‘Oh his spider has his brain back!’ Jay said, smirking.
‘Shut the fuck up!’
‘What now Spider? I hope you have no more stupid ideas about Ariel watching the fights in here?’
‘No, I want to train her.’
‘No flicking chance.’
‘Listen to him Cole he has a good point she needs to be prepared for anything we foaled the others in that aspect, maybe Spider can help her she lacks confidence Cole this can be the first step to building that.’
‘Fine I’m listening .’
‘Like I said I’d like to train her like I trained all of you. She need to know how to protect herself and I can help her with that, a few days a week as well as her working here on a Saturday. What do you say?’
‘One day and I’ll help her the other with Jay. He knows the ins and outs of self defence.’
‘Deal.’
They shook hands. ‘We start tomorrow, bring her to my home so I can train her in my gym.’
‘Deal then I’ll help her in the week we can learn outside until it gets too cold then we'll go down to the Fitness room.’
They both nodded Ariel wasn’t sure about this but stated her silence. ‘Come Ariel it’s getting late.’
She nodded.
‘Night angel.’
‘Night spider.’
‘I’ll see you at ten in the morning we train all day.’
‘Who out a break?’
‘You’ll have a break angel.’ He chuckled.
‘Don't forget our deal Cole.’
‘Oh I won’t. Come Ariel it’s getting late.
He led her out of the club Harvey looked at Spider and they fistedeach other before he left the club. Spider grinned he’d just gained more time with her he didn’t think it would be that easy with Cole watching her every move.
They all got into the cars. ‘Are you sure that was wise Cole?’
‘Yes she needs to learn.’
‘But with Spider?’
‘If he touches her he’ll know where he’ll end up.’
‘I hope he remembers.’
‘Well I’ll just have to remind him won’t I?’
Harvey looked ariel. ‘Are you sure you should be spending more time with Spider?’
‘Why?’
‘Just say he’s not like us.’
‘Oh.’
‘He’s a little crazy Ariel so try and be careful.’
‘I will.’
‘Whose idea was it for you to learn how to fight?”
‘His.’
‘I thought so. Just tread carefully he isn’t much different than Cole.’
‘I will I promise.’
He smiled as he continued driving.
The cars pulled up outside the house they all got out and went inside. Harvey got some bottles of beer out passing them around. Ariel shook her head. ‘Just one.’
She looked at him and he smiled. She took the bottle off him and he sat down. ‘I’ll v]be dropping you off to Oreos Ariel so he knows his place and what will happen if he crosses the line.’
‘Do you think he will?’
‘I’m not sure he’s never offered to help anyone before. So I’ll be making sure he knows his place.’
She nodded and he stretched his arm over the back of the sofa. ‘We have business after school Monday.’
‘Oh.’
‘Nothing big Ariel we just have to get rid of the stash to do that we have to sell it on, we’ll all be there. You’re just there to observe okay.’
‘Okay.’ She said nervously.
‘Don't be nervous. We’ll all be there. If shitgets down Harvey wil get you out and get you to safety okay.’
She nodded nervously; she did not like the sound of that one bit.