The Sixth Round

The lights of Madison Square Garden seared into Pierce Jensen’s skin, sweat pooling beneath his gloves. The arena buzzed with restless energy, the crowd roaring for blood. Across the ring, the reigning heavyweight champion of the world loomed—a mountain of muscle and confidence. But Pierce wasn’t afraid of him. Evan Lakely, like all world champions, had been cashing in for longer than he’d been fighting well—propped up by fights with guys carefully selected by his managers—fights he was sure to win—and get paid for.

Pierce was different. He knew it. Evan Lakely knew it. Everyone knew it.

But Pierce and the smirking man seated ringside knew about Pierce’s gambling addiction. And they knew what the stakes were if Evan Lakely lost this fight.

Vincent Romano sat in his custom-tailored suit, looking out of place amid the chaos. His calm demeanor chilled Pierce more than the champ’s glare. Romano held his fate—and that of Ivy Norman, Pierce’s best friend and anchor since childhood. Her seat was three rows behind the mob boss, her eyes wide with worry. She didn’t know what was at stake.

But Pierce did.

The deal started out simple.