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For a dead , I achievedhappy Never had been Never would be Not with the shit living inarea Nestled between the MMA cage and Muay Thai ring, it gleahts hung froht on all platfor around the perin to uess at what burned in my chest, I would say survival

Survival to become more than what I was To create a life where I could hide in plain sight

My back creaked as I leanedI hadn’t yet hit thirty, et with a life full of violence

Most major bones had been broken at least once; I’d shed h my veins; I’d been trained in a skillset that only a few elite ever learned

I had a past that made all of this possible A past that would never leave lint of silver flashed just before a punch landed on the jaw of a well-builthair tied in a knot

The y floor, and the referee blew his shrill whistle, signalling the end of the fight

My body switched fro in a second flat Goddaned his death warrant" My ht of violence It’d been a full week since soht sootistical bastard to think he could cohts raced, shading everything with bloodlust

You’re going to pay tonight, and I’ you scream

"Death warrant? Nah, you’re mistaken, mate He had the crap beat out of him He’s just a little pussy Can’t take a real man’s punch" Oscar, ht and reached to pat my shoulder

The second his hand landed on my blazer, he stiffened then wrenched his touch away "Shit"

Yes, shit I grittedcontrol Locking eyes with him, I said, "You’ve worked with me for a full year and yet you still haven’t learned Maybe I should throw you in the ring tonight" Anger rippled through es of pain and power For a ain, then I’d have an excuse I could break one of ive in

He dropped his ar "Sorry It’s hard not to when it’s second bloody nature Everybody touches, oing to re-join the hu you on the back or shaking your hand"

My hands curled, wanting so much to punch someone I needed a victier had to live with it I ht have escaped ht it was second nature to touch--not for raht

I may be human on the outside, but inside…inside I had no control

"You’re heading into the shut up or get fucked territory again, Oz Don’t say I didn’t warn you Do it again, and I’ll make sure you damn well remember to keep your hands to yourself"

Oscar rolled his eyes, , "You’re such a drama queen God knohy I put up with your theatrics"

A full year and I still hadn’t gotten used to his lack of fear around me It wasn’t natural--not where I was from It hy I kept him around to help maintain the illusion that I was like everybody else

I forced the black thoughts away "And you’re a cocky bastard who thinks he’s above harm"

When I re-entered society, I did so on my own terms I wasn’t there to make friends I wasn’t there to take a wife or breed My life path was one I’d tra to deviate

Not that I wanted any of those things The only thing I craved was the thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of the hunt And that’s why I could never be free

Oscar shrugged "I’ve told you tiain Go for a surf, mate All that shit inside your pretty little head will disappear"

Too fucking bad I didn’t kno to swi around, I refocused on the floor of Obsidian Spread at my feet, housed in a cavernous room of the residence I’d built based on a childhood location, sat a ten million dollar investment

I’d learned pretty early on that men were basic creatures

Take away their suits and wives and jobs and responsibilities, and you’re left with a beast A beast anted to spar and e

I offered rebellion and a chance to find theht

The day I opened to exclusive members, I’d been prepared for a few interested parties But I hadn’t been prepared for the overnight success or the worship of so s:

Obedience

Discipline

Utmost secrecy