CHAPTER 47
**ZION**
Before my brain could process what was happening, I was already sprinting across the ring.
I vaulted over the ropes and into the crowd, which thankfully parted for me. The exhaustion I felt from fighting Ethan vanished, replaced by a surge of adrenaline.
As soon as I got within reach of Winter, I would unleash everything I had on her for thinking she had any right to be here without my permission. The moment I saw her face, an anger I’d never felt before ignited within me.
It only got worse when I noticed the way other men were turning to look at her—smirking, their eyes raking over her like she was some prize on display.
Each glance they threw her way made my blood boil hotter. She had no idea what kind of trouble she’d walked into by coming here, and now, she was about to find out.
I stormed through the crowd, my eyes fixed on Winter. She stood there, wide-eyed and startled. The moment I reached her, I grabbed her hand with a grip that made her wince.
"Hey, w-what are you—" she started to protest.
"Shh... not a word," I hissed, silencing her.
Clark moved in, trying to step between us.
"Zion, let me explain—" he began, but I shot him a deadly glare that made him stop in his tracks.
“Why the hell did you bring her here?” I snarled. “You were supposed to take her home!”
Clark opened his mouth to respond, but I didn’t give him the chance. I yanked Winter’s hand, pulling her roughly through the crowd.
The cool night air hit us as we emerged from the pit, but it did nothing to quell the fire burning inside me. The noise of the crowd faded, replaced by the pounding of my heart and the sound of our footsteps echoing in the night.
Winter stumbled, trying to keep up with my furious pace. She tried to protest, but I wasn’t having any of it. My anger was a live wire, crackling with every step we took away from the chaos.
As we reached a quieter area, I stopped and turned to her, my grip still tight on her wrist. Her eyes were wide, filled with confusion and a hint of fear. My breathing was heavy, each inhale and exhale a struggle to contain the rage boiling inside me.
“What the hell were you thinking, showing up here without my say-so? This is my territory, and you have no business being here," I snarled, my voice sharp and threatening.
"It wasn’t enough that you’ve already taken over my house—you had to push your luck and come here too?”
Winter’s eyes flashed with defiance as she pulled her hand away from mine, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I heard you and Ethan were going to fight, and I couldn’t—”
“Couldn’t mind your fucking business,” I finished for her, my voice dripping with frustration.
Her glare hardened, and she stood her ground.
"Well, pardon me for giving a damn," she snapped, then hesitated before continuing.
"Not that it matters to me if you get your face smashed in, but have you thought about how Jenny would feel if something happened to you?"
"That's not your concern," I shot back.
Winter’s eyes narrowed, her defiance flaring. "Whatever. And who do you think you are, telling me what to do? I can go wherever I want, whenever I want. You don’t own me, and you sure as hell don’t own this place, the Pit or whatever it’s called."
She glanced at Clark, searching for some backup. "He doesn't, right?"
Before I could respond, Claire stepped in, her voice cutting through the tension. "Yes, Zion, she can do whatever she wants. Why are you being such an asshole to Winter?"
I turned to Claire, my anger barely held in check. “Oh, great, the voice of reason,” I said sarcastically. "How about you fucking stay out of this, Claire?"
Then I turned my glare to Clark, who was standing there looking guilty. "And you," I snapped, "this was supposed to be a fight, not a fucking picnic. You were supposed to take her home, not bring her here like we’re having some kind of family gathering."
Clark sighed, looking regretful. “Zion, I get it, and I’m sorry. But try handling two girls who team up against you. I was taking her home, I swear, but then Ronald called about you fighting Ethan. The call was on speaker, and they heard every word. After that, there was no convincing them otherwise. They insisted on coming here. I tried to talk Winter out of it, but you know how stubborn your sister can be.”
“She’s not my fucking sister!” I snapped, cutting him off.
Winter's face contorted with confusion and anger. "What the hell is wrong with you, Zion? Why are you mad at Clark? He didn’t do anything wrong. And what was that with Ethan? You were so brutal with him....!"
Her eyes suddenly widened in alarm. "Oh my God, I hope he’s alright," she said, casting a worried glance back at the pit building.
I stepped closer, looming over her.
"Why do you fucking care if he's okay or not? Do you like him?” I asked, my jaw tightening.
“No, but—”
“Glad to fucking hear that! You just don’t get it, Snowflake? This isn’t some game. Ethan’s a lowlife. If you knew even a fraction of the disgusting things he was saying about you, you’d have knocked him out yourself.”
“I can handle guys like Ethan on my own. I don’t need some knight in shining armor,” she snapped, defiance in her tone.
I leaned in closer, my grip on her arms tightening as I growled, “You’re wrong, Snowflake. I’m no knight in shining armor, but I sure as hell can be your worst nightmare. When I tell you to go home, you go. No questions. Got it?”
“No, I don’t understand. I don’t understand you at all, Zion,” Winter said, looking at me with a strange mixture of anger and hurt.
Claire stepped closer to Winter, her eyes locked on mine with determination. “Zion, stop being such a bully.”
My fists tightened, the anger bubbling just beneath my skin. “Claire, not now!” I warned, my voice low and edged with frustration.
Clark stepped closer, his face etched with concern and urgency, his voice low but firm.
“Zion, calm down, man. You’re bleeding, and those injuries aren’t just going to fix themselves. Let me handle this—I'll take the girls home, and you can get someone to patch you up before things get even more out of hand.” He glanced at Winter and Claire, his worry evident as he tried to defuse the tension between us.
I tightened my grip on Winter’s arms, my frustration bubbling over. “No, I don’t need to be looked at. I’m fine, and I’ll take Winter home.” I began dragging Winter toward my car.
Winter wriggled violently against my grip, her eyes flashing with anger. “Let go of me, Zion! I’m not going anywhere with you. I’m going with Clark.” Her tone softened just a touch as she added, “And Clark’s right—you need to get those injuries checked out.”
My grip tightened, and I could feel my anger rising. “You’re coming with me, Winter. End of discussion.”
“Why are you always so controlling?” Winter spat, trying to wrench free. “You don’t get to dictate what I do.”
“Zion, you’re really hurting her,” Claire’s voice was thick with concern. “I don’t know why you’re so mad at her, but I’m not letting Winter leave with you like this. She’s staying with us tonight, and she’ll can sleep with me, in my room.”
I yanked Winter closer, pulling her against my chest and holding her firmly. My voice was a menacing growl as I spoke.
I shot a furious glare at Claire, my grip tightening on Winter's arm despite knowing I was hurting her. I couldn’t stop myself. Winter wasn’t staying anywhere but with me.
“She’s coming with me. End of discussion! And Clark, take your annoying twin and get out of here.” I tightened my grip on Winter, making it clear that there was no room for argument.
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