Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Eraser gestures for me to slide around to the other side where I can put my back against the wall and sit next to Ella.
“Boy, he really wants us trapped back here, huh?” I say to her.
“Nah. If anything goes down, we flip the table, brace it against the wall, and have ourselves a nice little fort to hide out in.” She curls her fingers around the edge of the table as if she’s about to demonstrate her plan.
“Uh, wow. You’ve put a lot of thought into that.”
“We grab the cash box too, of course.” She bends over and drags a small black backpack over. “And I’ve got a few tricks in here.” Her hand disappears inside the bag and returns with a can of pepper spray.
“I thought that wasn’t legal?”
She chuckles. “Look around you, Molly. None of this is legal. The pepper spray is the least of it.”
Why’d I have to say something so good-girlish? Maybe I really don’t belong here. “Uh, yeah. Good point.”
“Anyway, I’ve never had to flip the table, but just in case, that’s the plan.” Her expression turns softer as her gaze lands on her husband. “He makes me run through a drill every time I come with him.”
“You two are the cutest deranged couple ever,” I tease.
“I know, right?” She grins.
“Hey, can I place a bet?” a guy on the other side of the table interrupts us.
Ella stands to help him.
While they’re busy talking, I let my gaze wander the massive space. A lot of concrete and institutional tile. Maybe this was the cafeteria when this place was a correctional facility? Or a gymnasium? The big metal cage in the center makes it hard to tell.
“You with Stonewall?” a gruff voice from my left asks.
I tear my gaze away from the cage and glance up at the dark-haired man towering over the table. Something about his curly hair and bulky frame seems familiar but I can’t place him. I glance at Ella for guidance on how to answer this stranger but she’s still busy.
Good grief. I’m a big girl. I don’t need Ella to protect me. I stand and cross my arms over my chest. “Who’s asking?”
“Can I help you?” Ella turns and scowls at the intruder.
He flicks his dark brown gaze over her in an appreciative way. One corner of his mouth curls into a seductive smirk. “You her mama bear or somethin’?”
Ella lifts her chin and glares. Even though she’s probably a foot and a half shorter than him, he holds his hands in the air. “Easy, mama bear. Just wanna talk to your friend.”
“So, talk.” Ella shrugs, then crosses her arms over her chest, making it clear she’ll also be part of the conversation.
“What do you need?” I ask, stepping around the table to stand next to Ella.
Dark Hair refocuses his attention on me. “I want to set up a re-match with your man.”
Recognition slams into me. Rico. The guy who kicked Griff in the head, the night I went to see him fight in Ironworks. “I’m not his manager. Go ask him.” I wave my hand toward Griff who’s weaving through the people crowded around the cage.
Rico follows my line of sight. “He seems busy.”
“Then talk to Ruthless,” Ella says.
But Rico keeps staring at me like she didn’t say a word. “Ruthless is your brother, right?”
“Don’t worry about who she’s related to. She’s just here to watch the fights tonight and help me out,” Ella says. “Talk to my husband. He’ll get your message to Stonewall.”
“Ah, you’re Eraser’s ol’ lady, right?” Rico finally takes his intense gaze off me and shifts it to Ella.
“Yup.”
The buzzer sounds and my brother shouts something into his bullhorn. My heart’s pounding in my ears so loud, I can’t make out the words.
Eraser muscles up to Rico. “We got a problem here?”
“Not at all, bro.” Rico smiles wide. “Just looking to have a conversation with Stonewall.”
“Well, he’s in the opposite direction.” Eraser points toward the cage.
Griff notices the gesture and lifts his chin. His gaze narrows and a frown creases his forehead. He climbs up the side of the cage and says something to Remy, then jumps into the crowd and hurries toward us.
“What’s going on?” Griff inserts himself between Rico and me but reaches back to pat my hip. Eraser moves Ella toward the table.
Griff and Rico talk in low tones I can’t make out. Griff’s hand still rests on my hip. Tired of staring at his back, I curl my fingers around his and step next to him. The corner of Rico’s mouth twitches as I reappear at Griff’s side.
“You should’ve reached out sooner,” Griff says, a low thrum of irritation running through his voice. “I can’t tonight.”
“Why not?” Rico smiles at me. “She was your good luck charm at our last match. I’m sure she’ll bring you luck again.”