Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76559 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
We couldn’t be more different in demeanor and temperament, but with matching shitty childhoods, we were more alike in the ways that counted.
“I need to talk to Ravager,” he said and walked away calmly, broad shoulders leaving no doubt that he could and would kick ass if he needed to, despite his soft-spoken words and almost shy personality.
I watched Emmett go, hoping he was all right, because as shitty as it sounded, I didn’t have the time to worry about him, too. Savannah Rhymer was in the wind, and Lance’s death was on her fucking head as far as I was concerned.
The front door opened to the testosterone-fueled training center for up and coming fighters, and in walked Kat Ashby. She acted as though she was completely unaware of the effect she had on people as she strode across the floor, finishing up a phone call.
Her gaze was focused on some spot in front of her, but she was oblivious to the stares her fitted black dress caused or the dicks rising at the sight of those fire-engine red, fuck-me heels.
I was convinced she knew precisely the effect she had on men. Still, as I watched Kat walk toward the practice ring where Emmett and Rob spoke in hushed tones, I could admit there was no extra swing in her hips, no pouty lips to tease the boys. Or the girls.
Nope, that was Kat’s style. Instead, she managed to sidestep or skip over every fighter and trainer she encountered as if oblivious to them at the same time. It was quite a talent, one only someone like the Ashby Princess could master so easily. With her phone call finished, she began to swipe across the screen. Always working.
I watched, amused as her steps slowed about five feet from me, her eyes still focused on her phone screen until she practically ran me over.
“Whoa sweetheart, if you want a piece all you have to do is ask.”
I regretted the move instantly because putting my hands on her shoulders, her bare shoulders, sent a thunderbolt of want right through me, which was something I couldn’t afford. Not now.
Not ever.
My words or maybe it was my proximity, brought those sexy red heels to a screeching halt. She looked up slowly until her gaze met mine. “Terry. Fancy running into you here.”
“Stopped by to have coffee with Emmett. Good morning.”
“Busy morning is more like it,” she said with a sigh that seemed a mix of annoyed and enthused. I could never tell if she was irritated by me or if that was simply her default setting.
“How are you, Terry?” she asked in a tone that sent a chill up my spine and a flash of heat to my dick.
I blinked, surprised at her words though I shouldn’t be. Kat was nothing if not nice to everyone. Sure, she gave me shit but it was all good natured. “Good, I suppose. Still fucking pissed off about Lance.”
“Yeah,” she sighed. “I’ll sleep a lot easier when that Rhymer cunt is no longer breathing.”
Kat’s words shouldn’t have shocked me, but they did. She wasn’t the foul-mouthed little girl she’d pretended to be when we were younger, and she didn’t seem to have the same bloodlust that drove Jasper and Virgil.
“No shit,” was all I could manage in reply before Emmett joined us, wariness swimming in his eyes.
“Hey Kat, how’s it going?” he said with a smile finally breaking out.
I envied the effortless way Emmett and Kat could talk to each other, without the snark and sarcasm—or the bickering. Or maybe I didn’t? Getting Kat riled up was one of my guilty pleasures, and she always made it worth it. Always.
“It’s nonstop busy until after this fight, which brings me to why I’m here,” she said with a sheepish smile. “I mean, I’m good, Emmett. How are you?”
His lips twitched, and I outright laughed, earning me a sapphire-colored glare that widened my smile. “I’m good, Kat. What brings you by?”
Kat smiled and shook her head. “I need you to do some press leading into fight night. I know you don’t like to do it, but the people of Glitz and Vegas love you and your story,” she said with a smile. “A vet and a fighter turned coach, you’re practically a unicorn. Besides all that, you show up and talk technical fight shit and you’ll solidify your role as a top trainer in the league.”
Emmett rubbed a hand over his thick brown hair and grinned. “Shouldn’t you let me give you a few objections first?” His lips twitched in amusement, and I was glad Kat’s gaze was on him because my big ass grin would have pissed her off but good.
Kat’s smile dimmed, replaced by what I liked to call her uptight corporate chick personality. Like a Stepford, only hotter. Way fucking hotter. She smoothed the nonexistent wrinkles from her black dress and put one hand on her hip while the other held the tablet in a white-knuckle grip.