Chapter 47:Rooftop Reckoning
Jake wiped the blood from his lip as he stood up, chest heaving, fists clenched. The rooftop was silent, save for the distant echoes of chaos below. Kram smirked, circling him like a predator savoring the final kill.
"You like that?" Kram sneered, slamming a punch across Jake's face again, sending him stumbling back.
Jake staggered, eyes blurry, but found his footing.
Then boom—Jake's fist crashed into Kram's gut. Kram wheezed, the wind knocked out of him, doubling over.
Jake spat to the side. "You really need to work on your abs, Kram."
Kram let out a choked laugh, staggering backward, but quickly launched a spinning kick. It connected with Jake's jaw, knocking him down hard against the rooftop gravel.
"You're full of jokes, huh?" Kram growled, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let's see if those teeth of yours still smile after I break them."
Jake coughed, pushing himself up slowly, blood dripping from his mouth. "If you're this strong now… I wonder how weak your pride must be to need thirty people to back you up."
That hit Kram harder than any punch. His grin vanished. With a roar, he charged, fists flying. The two clashed again, punches and kicks flying wild under the moonlight. Jake blocked one jab, countered with an elbow. Kram ducked, spun, then slammed a knee into Jake's ribs.
Jake gasped, the pain flaring through his side.
"You're done, maggots," Kram hissed, grabbing Jake by the collar. "You think people like you can win? With your dumb gym, your broken past, your loser life?"
Jake gritted his teeth, fire blazing in his eyes. "Maybe I'm a loser. But I protect the people I care about. That's something you'll never understand."
Jake headbutted Kram, breaking his grip, then landed a solid uppercut to his chin. Kram stumbled backward, dazed.
"You think you've already won, huh?" Kram muttered, wiping blood from his mouth.
Jake took his stance. "No. I'm just getting started."
And then—they charged again, fists flying under the pale rooftop lights. A final, brutal showdown between two men with everything to prove—and everything to lose.