Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132582 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 530(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
The man takes a look over his shoulder before focusing on me. “He won’t like you. Too dark. Stop wasting your time.”
I swallow hard, working down the bile building up in my throat.
Get Rami’s attention, Caz says.
How the hell am I supposed to do that? I look to my right, at Rami—who is glancing my way. He’s talking to someone, but his eyes cut to me.
You’re gonna hate this. Push the guard.
“What?” I shriek, and I don’t mean to say it out loud.
“All right, off with you. Get out of here,” the guard snaps, shoving me hard on the shoulder and forcing me a step downward.
Did he just hit you?
“Yes!” I yell.
Good. Rami likes violence. Hit that fucker back.
Furious, I drop my drink and push the guard back on the chest, and when he stumbles, he glares at me. His large hand wraps around my upper arm, and I wince as he reels me inward.
“Who the fuck do you think you are, huh? You fucking darkie.”
“What’s going on here?” Another voice rises behind the guard, and the guard glares me down a second longer before giving the man his attention.
“She fucking pushed me,” he grumbles.
“He pushed me first,” I snap back.
The man steps around the guard to get a closer look at me. Rami. His eyes roam my face, my body, then he looks at the guard. “Well, why’d you push her first?” he asks, then breaks out in a laugh. “Right. Get over it. Let her go.”
The guard releases me, but not without continuing his stare down.
“Never seen you before. What’s a girl like you doing ‘round here?” Rami asks, grinning.
I tip my chin. “I came to see you.”
“To see me?” He licks his lips as he looks me from head to toe. “And what have I done to deserve the pleasure?”
I shrug. “You’re Rami. You deserve everything.” Lay it on thick, why don’t ya. I ignore the sarcasm in Caz’s voice, keeping my eyes on Rami, who only smiles harder at the compliment.
“I like her. Let her through.” He swats the guard away with an impatient hand, then reaches for me, clutching my wrist. “What’s your name?”
“Layla,” I lie, forcing a smile.
“Well, Layla, it’s your lucky night. You get to hang with the big boss. I was just on my way to watch one of the fights.” He drags me along with him, walking across the room until he’s reached another staircase. “Watch your step here.” He says it, but he’s the one dragging me and making it impossible to do so.
I take the steps down with him quickly, glad I don’t trip and fall flat on my face.
The floors are black, the walls painted a muddy brown. The music from the club fades into the background, and I look back. Two guards are following us. The one I pushed is still there, grimacing at me. I snatch my eyes away from him as Rami stops in front of a red door with a black handle.
When he opens the door, I’m relieved to see we’re in a quieter space. A wall of windows is ahead, and I can’t believe my eyes when I see the large fighting ring below. It’s bigger than the MGM Grand Arena down there. Spotlights beam down on the cage, a wild crowd surrounding it. Some of them are gripping the metal gates and rattling them, shouting as two large men inside the ring fight. One of them is very familiar.
I feel my mouth go bone dry as I whisper, “Killian.”
You see him? Which cave? There should be a number on one of the walls.
I look for a number. There’s a large 5 on the wall next to the exit.
Cave five, I think. Take the stairs down. Red door with a black handle. He has two guards standing outside it.
“What will you have?” I turn at the sound of Rami’s voice. He’s closed the door so it’s just us.
“Gold tonic, please.”
“Ah, don’t be a bore. Here.” He pours something from a slim silver bottle into a glass and brings it to me. “Drink this. It’ll loosen ya right up.”
I take it, but I don’t drink it right away, and as if that bothers him, Rami stares at me.
“Drink,” he commands.
I lift the glass to my lips and sip. The liquid is sour and acidic, but I swallow it and do my best not to make a face.
“That’s a good girl.” He smiles, pleased with himself. I avoid rolling my eyes. Men like him make me sick. “You know, I fancy the ones like you.”
“The ones like me?” I ask, as if confused.
“Believe it or not, I have a weakness for darkies. But shhh…don’t let anyone else find out.” He winks, like it’s our little secret. “Darkies know how to have a good time. Suck a good dick. They take it up the ass very well too, or at least pretend to.”