Free Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella by Rachelle Ayala Page A

Count Alucard.”
    The vampire shook his fists above his head. He stripped off his cape, exposing his muscular build to the gathering audience. The guy had to be over two-hundred-fifty pounds and was built like a truck with stout arms and legs.
    “I’m going to kill you,” he growled, loud enough to be heard without the mic. “Bet on me, Count Rockular, boys and girls. Zack Fairybutt’s going to be dead.”
    Jaden strutted toward the announcer and grabbed the megaphone. “Listen here everyone. I’m Jaden, and if I win, they free the girl. I don’t want any of your money. Ask the organizer to pay it back to you when I kick his sorry ass.”
    “Win it man, fight for your girl.” A line of Mexicans patted Jaden and rushed to bet on him. “We’re for you, vato loco.”
    “Fight’s starting,” the organizer’s voice boomed. “No stopping until one of them’s knocked out, dead, or dying.”
    “Whoohoo!” The crowd stomped their feet and screamed. “Hit it, kung fu man, show them your stuff.”
    “Rock, Rock, Rock,” the other side chanted. “Cut him up. Pound him. Send him back where he came from.”
    Jaden threw the first punch. It went wide, missing and putting him off balance. Rock took advantage and punched him in the gut. A fireball of pain clutched his belly and he almost threw up. Crazed, he bent forward and slammed his head on Rock’s jaw, knocking him down.
    The vampire’s friends picked him up and pushed him at Jaden. He charged, his arms out to tackle Jaden, who leaped forward as if blocking a kick. They crashed in midair and both tumbled to the ground.
    Arms and legs tangled, as the men grunted and huffed, punching and twisting.
    Onlookers jumped onto the loading dock and pulled them apart.
    “Fist fight and kicks only,” the announcer said. “We want to see a knock out.”
    Jaden circled the muscular Rock in fighting stance. He punched, Rock blocked, then spun around and landed a kick in Jaden’s face. Blood splattered in bright red droplets all over the concrete.
    Ella screamed through the gag. “Stop the fight. Stop. I’ll pay whatever you want.”
    No one heard her over the din. Jaden fell forward, holding his cheek, his hands on his knees.
    “Get up and fight like man,” the announcer jeered. “There’s no forfeit here. Come on, put your dukes up.”
    Rock locked onto Jaden’s head, turning his face toward Ella and said, “Maybe you need some motivation.”
    Two of Rock’s friends approached Ella and untied her. “Bitch, you’re getting a front row seat. Watch him die.”
    They slammed her on the hood of a full-sized pickup truck, oblivious that in their haste to loosen her from the fence, they’d also untied the sash around her wrists. Ella held her hands still behind her back and waited for a more opportune moment.
    “Get up, geekhead.” Rock shoved Jaden onto the ground. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt your pretty baby face?”
    “Look over here,” one of the men next to Ella yelled. “She wants a real man, not a dipshit Asian nerd.”
    Swiping the blood from his cheek, Jaden launched himself at Rock and ran right into an upper cut. Pow, his teeth snapped and bit his tongue as pain rocketed through his skull.
    Jaden staggered back, his arms windmilling, and crumpled to the ground. Breathing hard, his head spinning, he struggled to his hands and knees.
    “There’s no knockout yet, place your bets,” the organizer shouted. “Get up and fight.”
    Two bystanders propped him up and shoved him toward Rock.
    “No, no, let him go.” Ella jumped off the truck and climbed onto the loading dock.
    Rock lunged at her. With a snap of his wrist, he yanked her into a chokehold and stuck his slobbering tongue in her ear.
    Ewee … Ella cringed, her stomach turning loops of nausea.
    “Get away from her,” Jaden yelled.
    Out of the corner of her eye, Ella saw Jaden push off the bystanders and charge. He jumped and planted one foot. “Aaahhhhh!!!”
    Grabbing Rock’s head like