Fierce Protector: Hard to Handle trilogy, Book 1 by Janine Kane Page B

welter of noise.
    Only now, as they stood still, flanking the referee, could Eva see the cost of these eight minutes of warfare. Brandon had a cut above his right eye which had wetly reddened the whole side of his face, while Zack’s torso showed the bright, painful abrasions caused by the urgent grappling and shifting hand-holds which had marked their second round. The referee was handed his microphone and made an announcement.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, due to the submission of his opponent, Zachary Norcross is the winner of this fight.” Whistles and cheers filled the hall. “However, owing to medical conditions stemming from his recent combat tour to Afghanistan, Mr. Norcross is not physically able to commit the second round of fighting, a bout which could, as you know, last up to twenty-five minutes. Therefore, by default and by post-fight withdrawal, I announce that Brandon Hillman will proceed to the second round.”
    A new tone of applause greeted this news, a polite and respectful clapping like none Eva had heard that evening. This was neither the herd mentality of horny women nor the baying for blood which had marked the crowd’s reactions to his arrival. This was unadorned, unabridged respect .
    Applauding with the others, Eva found herself very confused. “What’s going on, guys?”
    “He fights only once ,” said Trish. “Win or lose, his opponent goes on to the next round.”
    “That’s allowed?” Eva asked, surprised. “The others go along with it?”
    “Well, let’s just say they make some special allowances for him around here.
    The referee was not quite finished, it seemed, and now read from a prepared card. “I’d like to announce that Mr. Norcross would like to dedicate his de facto victory this evening to the memory of Senior Chief Petty Officer Nicholas Vines who, like so many of our brave men and women, lost his life in the service of our country. We will honor their memories.” Sustained applause accompanied Zack’s withdrawal from the ring and his whole journey back to the relatively secluded locker rooms. He was calm, focused on his own decorum and posture, almost marching. A single wave to the crowd was as much formal acknowledgment as he gave. Within moments, the next fight was being prepared and Zack’s crowd returned to murmured discussion.
    The GI rounds were ferocious and not a little bloody. Amid loud applause and encouragement, Brandon went on to compete in the final, but found himself up against a huge, highly-experienced Marine who delivered a swift knockout with the bout only forty seconds old. Gradually able to pick himself up, he congratulated his opponent and emerged from the locker rooms a little while later, side by side with Zack. Mitch and Flynn hugged their friend, and the group walked together to the parking lot.
    “You ain’t never danced like that before, Zack. Way to go, buddy.” This was Mitch’s interpretation of the fight, which found the agreement of all. “Next time you’ll go all the way, I know it.”
    Zack placed his bag on the roof of his car and ushered Mitch, Flynn and Brandon inside. “I’ll go all the way when the doctors tell me I can,” he cautioned, more than a hint of frustration in his voice.
    “Very impressive,” said Trish. “Thanks for inviting us.”
    “Yeah, I had a great time, man,” agreed Tyler. “We’ll have to do this again.”
    “Well, why don’t you follow us back to my place? The boys tell me there’s plenty of booze and I asked Cheryl to make her special Sutherland Salsa.” Trish and Tyler exchanged a look and then asked Eva for her opinion.
    “I’d love to come,” she said.
    “Great. See you over there.” Zack smiled slightly and then jumped into the passenger’s seat and yanked the door closed just before Mitch took the ageing Mercedes at speed out of the parking lot.
    “Yeah, Eva, I’m sure what you say is true,” Tyler quipped, “but what about going over to his place?” Trish had whacked his