Free Me (Caged Hearts Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

fighter, he was still just a man whose bones could break, whose skin could split.
     
    Kait glanced at the clock. She had over eight hours until the fight. The thought of seeing Jasper in the flesh made her stomach churn uneasily. She considered calling Anna and begging her to join her at the event, but she didn’t want her friend to witness her shame if Jasper did just turn her away. She just had to hope that he’d at least be willing to see her.
     

Chapter 10
     
    Kait’s heart was pounding as she walked towards the venue of the fight that evening. Crowds of people swarmed around her. There were couples, groups of men, and some people seemingly alone like she was. All the while she kept thinking about seeing Jasper again. But before she'd be able to see him, she’d have to sit through an entire match. She’d have to watch him take punches and kicks. The thought made her feel sick.
     
    When Kait was eventually settled in her seat, which was blissfully quite far back from the main stage in the centre of the arena, she pulled out her phone with a shaking hand. This was it. Jasper’s image was everywhere inside, covering countless promotional posters. It was reasonable for her to pretend that she’d attended with a friend and seen he was fighting purely by coincidence.
     
    Taking a deep breath Kait sent the Tweet.
     
    Joined a friend to watch a fight and wow, you’re here @J_Duboix #smallworld
     
    Biting her nails, Kait waited. People settled in to their seats around her, and soon the entire venue was full with expectant spectators. Checking her watch, she saw that it was quarter to eight. Just fifteen minutes until the fight began. Jasper might not even check his Twitter account before a fight, instead needing to remain completely focused on the task ahead.
     
    Ripples of excitement bounced through the crowd. The air was electric, and everyone was perched on the edge of their seats, Kait included. Though she wasn’t holding her breath for the fight, she was waiting to see if the man she couldn’t stop thinking about would actually get back to her.
     
    Ten to eight.
     
    Her phone chirped in her pocket, and Kait thought her heart might stop. Frantically, she reached for it and saw that she had several Twitter notifications.
     
    @J_Duboix was now following her and had sent her a direct message. With a swift swipe of her finger, Kait was reading it.
     
    Wow, small world indeed :) Fancy coming back stage after the fight? Just you x
     
    Kait exhaled and laughed at the same time. He wanted to see her. She felt so giddy, she thought she might float up out of her seat. But her jubilation was eclipsed by the lights which suddenly dimmed. The sounds of the crowd became thunderous as an announcer declared that the fight was about to start. Checking her phone, Kait realised that Jasper must have messaged her with just seconds to spare before he was about to enter the ring. Did that mean that his thoughts would be of her while he was out there?
     
    When Jasper’s was name was called and he sauntered in to the ring, the crowd erupted in to wild whoops and cheers. He was clearly very popular and had his fair share of fans. Men and women alike shouted out his name in an encouraging fashion. Jasper nodded courteously in recognition of their calls, but then his face hardened, just as his opponent was heralded and also entered the ring.
     
    Kait didn’t want to watch. She wanted to tear her eyes away, to get up and leave, but instead she forced herself to be a spectator. This was what Jasper clearly lived for: the thrill of the fight. The bell for the first round rang out, and the two men sprung in to action. Kicks were expertly executed as were several punches. Most of the time they were dodging one another and bouncing around the large mat beneath their feet, but occasionally a blow inevitably landed. Despite the cries of the jeering crowd you could hear bones crunch and blood splatter. Kait clenched her jaw and