Chapter 68

Our starters arrived and the aroma immediately changed the atmosphere of our conversation. Changed topic we began to talk about the upcoming fight.

"So, this Vox fighter…" He sighed and took the wine.

"I don't know who he's wanting to put in the ring. But all his fighters in the top tear are tough… the newbies… not so much but he puts them in situations where they can gain experience quickly. If they don't, he puts them into a death match and gets rid of them." He smirked as he sipped his wine. "But his plans aren't going well as there are a few… hiccups…" I frowned.

"Hiccup's?" He nodded.

"Yes, what he's trying to do is bring back some old rules. But these are in direct conflict with the new rules put in place after the Plaza became more legalized. If he's successful there'll be more death matches and fights could go back to being a free for all…" He licked his lips as I remembered my first year at the Plaza.

Many matches were scheduled between two fighters but sometimes teams would show up. There was even one man who turned up for his fight to find his opponent had brought three trolls to fight with him. Because the fighting rules didn't exist in detail like they do now. The man was nearly tipped to pieces if it had been for Enoch getting involved and winning the match.

I shuddered. Rodger had never let me fight in situations like that. Once I had started fighting he always had a few backup fighters on standby for his fighters if they needed to take with them.

"I was doing some digging and… as you know, Rose was killed in a car crash." Rodger gave me a glance. "I know Vox put out a hit on the Banshee. Your popularity was something he wanted but all your matches were against green and blue fighters." He sighed. "If he got rid of you, took the name and put the new Banshee up against a brown or black level fighter… His reputation would go through the roof and he would have gotten large bounces. Now he wants the Banshee name, and there's bad blood." I nodded and he clasped his hands together and as he leaned forward placing his elbows onto the table.

"And you think this three-way fight will… be a trap?" He placed his mouth to his hands.

"He's eliminating strong fighters that don't join him…" I looked to him and frowned.

"Why?" He shrugged.

"No clue. But it now seems like it goes out of the ring… to matters occurring in the city." I nodded and stabbed my fork into my prawn cocktail.

"The hunter that was after me said the Banshee was a loose end…" He nodded slowly and began to fidget with his fork.

"Hunters... yeah..." He nodded to himself and stabbed into a garlic prawn.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He shrugged.

"The last I heard, hunters weren't meant to be in the city this month." I brandished my fork again.

"I heard that too. But you saw the hunters in the food court as they were trying to get the boys. What makes you say this?" He nodded.

"Because the counsel agreed to it and no hunters are in the city. I know we have come across them but… Something isn't right." He sighed and ate one of his shrimp. "I don't remember seeing their emblem."

"There what?" I chocked on my food.

"Basically, it's like a badge to say they're hunters… its like the police who wear badges on their belts to identify them. this means that those hunters in the food court are freelance... very dangerous with no regulations. They could start a war..." I nodded and he sighed. "Let's not talk too much about it and just enjoy dinner." I nodded but could see the worry in his eyes.

Rodger paid the bill and escorted me from the building. He walked with his hands in his pockets and his eyes intently scanning the road ahead.

"I have videos of the fights if you want to swing by my office tomorrow and get them." I smirked.

"Videos?" He shrugged.

"You know video files… But if you want a hard copy I can make you a DVD." I grinned.

"Yeah I can swing by tomorrow. Although I don't have a DVD player." He looked around.

"How are you getting home?" I shrugged.

"The bus." He frowned.

"Really?" He stopped and pointed to a black SUV. "I'm parked right here. If you want a ride?" I smirked.

"A ride?" He smiled.

"I have said I'm always available for you if you want that kind of attention." He unlocked the car. "Your choice." I nodded then stopped as a group of feral looking people approached.

"Company." Rodger looked up and sniffed.

"Werewolves…" the three men approached and we squared off.

"Keep your nose out of other people's affairs." The biggest growled at Rodger and he smirked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?" He sighed. "I think I hit a nerve…"

"We're warning you!" Rodger chuckled and leant on the car.

"Oh? And who's business am I sticking my nose into?" the second man took a step towards me.

"We'll take your lady friend with us if you don't back down." Rodger grinned.

"I'd love to see you try… but just so you know. She's my bodyguard… I don't see you winning." The men looked to me and frowned. The third man who had remained quiet sniffed and his eyes narrowed probably looking at my sent blocker. As the three spoke through mind link I sniffed and frowned. There was something familiar about their scent and it was bothering me.

Suddenly a flash went up and the third man placed his phone back into his pocket then left quickly.

"Hay!" I snarled and the remaining two shuddered and backed off. With a final glance they left and Rodger growled.

"They've only recently come to the area. Anyone who knows who I am wouldn't be so brazen about threatening me in public…" He glanced around. "I don't want to hang around too long. We better head out. I nodded and resisted the urge to chase the man that took my photo as I slipped into the passenger seat. I heard him growl in amusement as he walked to the driver's side and slipped in.

"So where too?" He smiled.

"Well, I know a penthouse that overlooks the bay or an office with ring side seats or a little two bed apartment somewhere across the city." I nodded as he started the engine.

"A penthouse?" I looked at him and he nodded.

"Yes, where else would I live. I've made money and have a good steady income. So I splashed out on some of the finer things." I nodded.

"Oh, I've got to see what you call finer things." He nodded again.

"Penthouse here we come." He pulled out into the street and turned away towards the river.