Lib Novel Page 116
Mathew inclines his head. “Why not?”
I don’t want to admit to him that my wolf is latent. It’s a vulnerability that I don’t think I should be sharing with humans.
“Just trust me. I cannot have another match with her.”
Mathew gives me a considering look. “She’s such a skilled fighter.”
My hands squeeze into fists in my lap, and I try not to show my emotions on my face. “Yes, but the kind of violence she exhibited is going to become a problem for you. You weren’t at the receiving end of her blows. She didn’t know what I was, but she was doing her utmost to kill me. You put a fighter like that in the cage, and you’re asking to be shut down. You always told me never to injure an opponent more than they can handle. You will not be able to restrain this particular shifter. She enjoys the violence.”
“Don’t all fighters taking part in this sport enjoy the violence?” Mathew spreads his hands. “They come here to feed their blood lust.”
I don’t understand what is going on in his head right now. Mathew has never been like this. There’s a disdainful edge to his words.
“No, the majority of us are in it for the money,” I correct him. “Like me.”
Mathew leans back in his seat at my words. “Yes. You’re saving up for a specific amount, aren’t you? How much have you managed to accumulate?”
I just smile at him, not answering. “Why did you want to see me, Mathew?”
He doesn’t seem too pleased by my evasion, but he doesn’t press the topic. Reaching for one of the files on his desk, he takes out some papers from it and slides them over to me. “Your contract is up for renegotiation. You need to sign a new one if you want to keep working together.”
He hands me a pen, flips the contract to the last page, and points at the bottom. “Just sign here.”
I gently remove his hand and pick up the contract. “Let me read it first.”
A muscle in his jaw twitches. “You don’t trust me?”
I give him a half smile. “Unlike me, you have sharks for lawyers. And there’s nothing wrong with me wanting to read a contract before signing it. Besides, I think I’m only going to work for another year or so.”
Before I came here today, I reassessed my finances. After the incident with the crazed shifter the other night, I feel a bit hesitant about continuing with cage fighting. I still need more money, though. If I can save enough through other means, I would like to put an end to this entire business.
If I pick up more shifts at the bar and do some odd jobs here and there, and completely cut down on any extra expenses, a year will be enough to get me to my goal. I won’t even buy meat at the grocer’s anymore. If need be, I’ll go hunt my own meat. I know how to use basic weapons. Catching a rabbit or two won’t be that hard.
“One year?” Mathew has an odd look in his eyes. “I thought you still had to work for a couple more to save up for whatever it is you want.”
I shake my head. “Not anymore. One year should be sufficient now. Besides, there’s a limit to how much damage my body can take.” Even with special abilities, a body can only sustain and constantly heal from so much. There is going to come a point when my wolf healing will slow down.
I look down at the first page of the contract, but Mathew suddenly snatches it back from me.
I gape at him. “What are you doing?”
“If it’s a one-year contract you want, then this is not it. I’ll revise the agreement, and then you can have a look at it. By the way, your next match is scheduled for late next week.”
I look at him in surprise. “Nothing before then?”
He shakes his head.
It’s obvious that he’s upset by my declaration of quitting within a year, but that’s not my problem. I’m sure Mathew will find other skilled fighters to help him fix the matches and make more money. He always knew this was a temporary arrangement.
I don’t want to upset Mathew any further, but I have to ask him something. “My opponent the other night, who was she?”
He gives me a sharp look. “I don’t know. She signed on as a temporary fighter. She didn’t even place a bet.”
I run my tongue over my teeth, observing Mathew’s expression. Why do I get the feeling that he’s lying?
His explanation is reasonable enough. There are a lot of people who come by and just sign on as a one-round fighter. It’s a way to make a quick buck if they’re successful. They don’t have to reveal their identities. However, if a fighter returns more than twice, then they have to reveal their identity to Mathew to continue.
I find it strange that Mathew did not approach her after she defeated me in the cage. When I first beat Mathew’s strongest fighter, he immediately tracked me down and convinced me to fight for him. So, his claim of ignorance about the identity of the woman who was able to pummel me into the ground is a little hard to believe. If he told me that he’s trying to make inquiries about who she is, or showed a little bit of interest in her, I would find it more plausible. But the way he’s acting makes me a little suspicious.