Chase’s hand on my back startles me.
He leans in, whispering in my ear, “You going to go in?”
Shaking his hand off, I take a couple steps into the room, looking around. Sounds of skin against skin reach my ears. Grunts can be heard amongst the cheering from the crowd.
Moving away from Chase, I push my way through the crowd to the front. I gasp when I realize what this is.
Carnage. Complete carnage.
Two men are inside the circle of people, dancing around one another.
No. Not dancing.
They are fighting. Dodging fists, knees, and feet. Blood coats the floor beneath them. Neither one is bleeding enough for that stain to be coming from them. No, this blood is from another. Probably many others.
One man comes hurling my way. Right before he can reach me, I’m jerked back.
I turn, looking for my savior.
Chase.No, not Chase. The look in his eye is different. Harder. More indifferent than normal.
This is what he meant by Rocky.
“Try not to get yourself hurt,” he huffs out, irritated.
“Yes, sir.”
His eyes spark with a flash of heat before narrowing.
“Come on. I have somewhere for you to sit and watch while I handle some things.”
“Running off on me again?”
“I told you, I have business to take care of. You wanted insight; well, I’m giving you some.”
He walks me over to a section along the wall, halfway between both rings.
“Willow, you’re here. I didn’t believe him when he said he was bringing you.”
“Whatever. What are you doing here, Nate?”
His eyes are amused. “Prior to my current assignment, I used to spend most of my nights here.”
“Doing what?” My face falls. “Don’t tell me you fight.”
He chuckles. “Nah. Not my thing. That’s more Rocky’s thing. Let me show you around.”
“He does what?”
I turn to see what Chase is doing but find he has already abandoned me.
When I glance back to Nate, he has a knowing look in his eye.
“He is handling some business, but you’re in excellent hands. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“I’m not afraid. Interested, sure, but not afraid.”
“Yeah? You want in on the action? You can place a bet or if you want, I can get you penciled into the next girl’s night.”
