Chapter 57 *

Chapter 57 Chapter 57
Angelina’s POV
I pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. The house was dark.
I pushed open the front door and flipped on the lights. Empty living room. Empty kitchen. Nobody home.
Leo was probably out somewhere doing whatever the fuck Leo does these days. He's been gone almost every night this week. Ethan was still at work—he's always at work now. Mom and Dad were dealing with their company stuff. Ever since they got that sponsorship money, they've been drowning in new business.
And Caelan? He wasn't family. Whatever he was doing, I didn't give a shit.
I went upstairs and changed into my black leather jacket. Time to go.
I was halfway out the door when I heard it—a car horn. Then headlights swept across the driveway.
A black BMW pulled up to the front of the house. I didn't need to guess who it was. That was Robert's car. BMW 7 Series. Same license plate as always.
The window rolled down. Robert's face appeared.
Something was coming. I could feel it.
"The boss wants to see you," Robert said. Straight to the point, no bullshit.
I raised an eyebrow.
Robert had promised not to tell the Luo family about me. But he never said anything about not telling other people. Like his boss. The head of the Blackwater Cartel.
Of course that guy knew what happened in those woods. A fifteen-year-old Omega taking down twenty rogues single-handedly? What underworld boss wouldn't be interested in that kind of firepower?
I wasn't pissed about it. Made sense, actually. I'd have done the same thing in his position.
But tonight wasn't good timing.
"Can't tonight," I said. "I've got plans."
I kept my voice steady, looked him right in the eye so he'd know I wasn't making excuses.
Robert studied me for a second. "I can give you a ride. If it's on the way, we can swing by there first, then go see the boss."
I thought about it. "Sovereign Ring."
I watched his face when I said the name.
There it was—that flicker of surprise, then something like satisfaction.
Called it. Sovereign Ring was Blackwater Cartel territory. That look on his face told me everything I needed to know.
"Well shit," Robert said, grinning now. "That makes things easy."
Yeah. It did.
Two birds, one stone. I'd handle my business, then deal with this mysterious boss. Had to meet him eventually anyway. Might as well get it over with tonight.
I pulled open the passenger door and slid in.
There was something almost funny about it. Like fate was fucking with me. But I was kind of excited too. Tonight definitely wasn't going to be boring.
Robert merged onto the main road, city lights streaming past the windows.
"Sovereign Ring's been around for decades," he said. "One of the oldest underground venues in Meadow Pack."
Underground fighting ring. Old school too. America was like that—everything shiny and perfect on the surface, complete chaos underneath.
"Rules are simple," Robert continued. "No killing. But you can beat someone half to death if you want. Break bones, knock them out, fuck them up permanently—all fair game."
Typical American rules. As long as nobody died, you were good. Permanent injury? That's on you for being weak.
I'd seen plenty of underground fight clubs in my past life. Same rules everywhere. People always needed somewhere to unleash their violence.
"It's mainly for the upper class," Robert said. "Rich people go there to gamble, blow off steam, watch the blood."
Upper class entertainment. Right. In my past life, all those high-ranking Alphas had their favorite fight clubs too. Where they could spend money, place bets, get their adrenaline fix.
Power and violence. Best drug there is.
I wasn't nervous. This was familiar territory. "No killing" sounded downright gentle compared to what I was used to.
My fingers flexed unconsciously. My body was already itching for a fight.
The moment I stepped into Sovereign Ring, the noise hit me like a wall.
Shouting. Cursing. Cheering. All of it mixing together into one chaotic roar. Underneath it all, I could hear the dull thud of fists hitting flesh, the sharp crack of bone on bone. People screaming about bets, money changing hands.
The lighting was shit—dim everywhere except for the spotlights over the ring. Smoke hung in the air. The whole place reeked of sweat, cigarettes, and cheap beer.
The crowd was packed tight. Almost all men. Some of them turned to look at me as I pushed through. A few whistles. Some asshole's eyes crawling over my body like he had any right.
Idiots.
Most of them were focused on the ring though. Something up there had their attention.
Then someone screamed.
"Fuck! Another one down! How many is that now?! That bitch is insane! Where the hell did she come from?!"
I shoved my way to the front. A couple guys tried to block me, but when they saw Robert behind me, they shut up and moved.
Finally got a clear view of the ring.
And there she was.
Red hair catching the light like flames. Tight tank top showing off every curve. Body built for speed and power. But it was her eyes that really got you—that look of pure contempt mixed with confidence. Like she was a lioness staring down prey.
She stood in the center of the ring, barely breathing hard. Completely in control.
Fuck, she was still exactly the same. That magnetic, dangerous energy. That personality that refused to be anything other than herself.
I felt something loosen in my chest. Almost like relief.
"Nineteen!" someone yelled. "That's nineteen men down tonight!"
"Where the fuck did this chick come from?!"
"Get your asses up there and take her down! You gonna let a woman embarrass us like this?!"
The woman in the ring smiled. Then she crooked her finger at the crowd—a clear taunt. Come on. Who's next?
I watched the men around me. Half of them looked ready to explode. Some were literally bleeding from the nose—either from getting punched or from pure testosterone overload. Their egos couldn't handle being dominated by her.
One of Robert's guys climbed onto the edge of the ring and started shouting.
"Rules are simple! You can shift! Free-for-all boxing! You win, you stay! Keep winning, keep fighting! This lady here has taken down nineteen challengers tonight! Who's man enough to put her in her place?!"
The crowd erupted. Guys started pushing forward, ready to try their luck.
A massive dude climbed into the ring. Had to be two hundred pounds, all muscle. He cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders, trying to look intimidating.
But I could already see how this would end.
His footwork was sloppy. Center of gravity too high. He was relying on brute strength, nothing else.
And the woman? She was already smiling. She'd spotted the same weaknesses I had.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the railing.
This was going to be good.