Come here, you filthy outsider. Sorry. I need a body, and you’ve got the honor of being chosen. Conrad Hartwell, 6’7, skull shaved, tattoos down both arms, ripped the mop from...
Tucker Brennan blocked her path. “Look who just walked in.” “Excuse me, I’m here to…” “To pole dance, huh? Anderson hired you?” “I’m the new self-defense instructor.” The three black belts...
“Get off my bench, old man.” “I’m just sitting here, son.” “Don’t call me son.” Brad grabbed Byron’s collar and yanked him forward. “Who the hell are you to think you’re...
Kendra Williams wheeled herself down the hallway of Cedar Ridge High School. 6 months after the car accident that had upended her entire life. As the new black girl at an overwhelmingly...
The first time Hannah Pierce stepped onto the mat at Southpoint Combat Club, she had no intention of proving anything. She had paid for a month because the gym was close...
At 5:42 every morning, before the first class at Iron Harbor Fight Academy, Samuel Cole unlocked the rear service door and listened to the building breathe. The old warehouse always made noise...
By the time Nia Carter stepped through the glass doors of East Ridge Dojo, the evening class had already begun. The room was bright, clean, and louder than she expected. Gloves...
By the time the last evening class ended at East River Combat, most people had already stopped noticing Maya Brooks. She arrived before the first amateur team session and stayed until...
“Is there anything else I can get you, sir?” Victor Callahan looked up from his drink and smiled without warmth. “Yeah. A waitress who doesn’t stink like the gutter.” Maya Brooks froze...
By the time Lena Mercer walked into Harborline Martial Arts on a Thursday evening, most of the people on the mat had already decided what kind of person she was. Not...