Текст книги "The Bad Boy Arrangement"

Автор книги: Nora Flite

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Текущая страница: 15 (всего у книги 22 страниц)

“How much?” she asked.

Turning away, I willed my blood to cool. “How many fights will there be?”

She sighed and said, “I don't know. It used to be around two, three a month... Nehro asking for another the next day is weird. But I can't say no.”

My anger fled in the wake of her distress. Zoe sat up, hugging herself and folding over. I was tempted to reach down and embrace her. Instead I just cracked my knuckles. “You decide what to pay me,” I mumbled. “Whatever you can manage is alright.”

Wide-eyed, she gawked at me. Hope—a hope I hadn't seen on her before—glowed. “Really? You're serious?”

Chuckling, I smoothed my hair a few times. I was fidgeting, letting the arousal she'd poisoned me with fade. “Suddenly you're so willing to bargain. Yes, anything.”

“Even if it's just twenty bucks a pop?”

I arched an eyebrow. “That little?” I got paid hundreds to wrestle with women in the comfort of their own beds. Twenty bucks to risk a busted jaw was insulting.

But that flicker of defeat... it had returned, stealing her energy with my stupid fucking comment. Before she could speak again, I put my hand on her shoulder. “It's enough. I promise.”

Zoe flinched when I said 'promise.'

Again, I thought about how irrational I was acting. I had no reason to help this girl. She'd offered me nothing but attitude and blue-balls.

Some insane part of me was drawn to her. She had a strength and clearly her own demons. Eliza thought she was fragile, up-tight.

I thought she was a thunderstorm meant to be set free.

If I sat back, maybe I could see the edges of what pulled me so deep. Here was someone clearly suffering. She'd been dealt a cruel hand, and she still didn't want to tell me what game of cards she was even playing.

Why did she owe Nehro money... and how much was it?

Though I wanted to know, I wouldn't press. Not yet. Not now.

I knew what it was like to have nothing... to be in trouble.

No one had helped me. I'd always had to save myself.

I took what I wanted from the world. I was fine with fighting because it was what I knew. It was familiar.

And here was this crazy woman, battling me tooth and nail when all I offered was help.

For no fucking good reason I was ready to bust myself up for her.

And the odd thing was...

Nothing had ever felt so right.

– Chapter Six -

Zoe

He'd done it again—I'd done it again.

Against all odds, he'd gotten alone with me, this time in my own bed, and had me inches away from fucking him. From feeling that tauntingly perfect cock not just on my cunt but inside of it.

God fucking dammit.

Could humans go into heat? Was that it?

But there was another issue here. One beyond my off-the-wall hormones. Huck had said he'd help me. He'd poked his nose into my business, but ultimately said he would help me.

And I believed him.

That was the craziest part. I didn't want to get ahead of myself, because fuck, I'd been here before, but... it felt like he was serious. Twenty bucks a fight was petty cash. I'd give him more, but I couldn't. The funds from the fights were in Nehro's hands. Huck would have to take it up with him if he wanted any of it. But... maybe he should. It was only right.

Just because Reese had let me put all of it towards my debt, didn't meant Huck had to. I just wanted it to be over. The longer I was forced to attend the Dog House, the more risk I inherited. Each fight that rose up was a chance for me to fuck up, default, and let Nehro take what was left from my flesh.

Ten more years of this—and that was if things went smooth.

Nothing ever went smooth for me.

There was a good chance that once Huck got hurt, he'd come to his senses and walk away.

Don't get too attached. People break promises.

Hope was a liability.

Standing by my door, he leaned on the wall in his dark swim-shorts. If I'd been an artist, I would have asked if I could draw him. I figured it was only his ink that kept him from traditional modeling. Screw those people, though. Huxton was meant to be seen.

Though, if I listened to my gut when we'd been by the pool, I didn't want anyone to see him but me. It had soothed me, learning Eliza was just his friend. I didn't feel great about my envy, and less great about my contentment.

Grabbing my phone, I checked the time. “It's only one-thirty. The match won't be until nine.”

“What do we do until then?”

I blinked. “Huh?”

Laughing, he hooked his thumbs in his shorts. “I know how to fill seven hours. Do you?”

My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth. “Is sex all you think about?”

“Around certain people, yes.”

Fuck. My heart was too big for my chest. Sliding off the bed, I considered how close he was to my door. Moving around him would bring us within inches. “Eliza wanted to do some shopping. I'll take care of that. Meanwhile, I guess you should prepare.”

Huck cocked his head, some odd mix of bird and mythical beast. Wasn't there an Egyptian god like that? I couldn't recall the name, he was stealing my thoughts. “Prepare in what way?”

“I know you won last night, but you weren't ready. I don't want you getting hurt.”

He showed me his teeth and said, “I like when you worry about me.”

Stumbling on my tongue, I puffed out air. “I'm not—that's—you...” He just stood taller, pleased by my reaction. Palming my forehead, then tugging my hair, I sighed. “Huck, look. Okay. Yeah, I don't want you to get injured. I'm not that terrible of a person.” I'm pretty awful, I reminded myself.

“I'm just flattered. Let me be flattered, love. It feels good. Nice and warm.” Caressing his own stomach, he hovered over the muscular V that led between his strong thighs.

No question, he knew what he was doing to me.

Inhaling till my ribs creaked, I shoved around him. I didn't breathe, I couldn't. The fear that a single whiff of his musk and leather would melt my resolve kept me moving through the house.

He's going to destroy me.

I had to remind myself why I was holding back. Fighting Huxton took everything I had. I filled my mind with images; That awful phone call, Reese's panicked voice.

Coaxing me into meeting Nehro.

Promising me everything would be fine.

Him, sweaty and panting on the girl in his bed—our bed.

Those teeth in a snarl, hand held high as he threatened me.

Cold words that demanded I owed him everything.

Oxygen rushed into my lungs when I pushed outside into the sun. Eliza blinked, sitting up, reading my pale face. “Zoe? What happened?”

“Nothing. Work called, I have to go in tonight.”

“Oh, yuck.” She made a face. “Is that why you're so... you look a little off.”

“Just weak from hunger.” Forcing a smile, I motioned behind me. “Speaking of which; shopping, groceries, wanna go?”

Wrapping her long hair up off her neck, she frowned. “What about Huck?”

I shrugged violently. “He left.”

Eliza looked over my head, lifting her eyebrows.

Twisting, I glared at Huck. Of course he'd followed me. “I meant he's leaving.”

“What? No, let him come with us. Errands are so boring.” Pushing out of her seat, she arched her back and yawned. “I'll drive, seems like I'm the only one who owns a car these days.”

Huck smiled, watching me curiously. “I'd love to come.”

“Of course you would,” I mumbled.

Leaning close, he whispered in my ear, “As if you're different.”

Shit, my blush went all the way to my scalp.

He wasn't wrong. No matter what I'd done in the privacy of my own bedroom last night, my heat wasn't sated. Not with him so close to me, teasing and taunting and getting me high on lust.

Huxton Blake was one hell of a dangerous addiction.

Too bad I was growing to love it.

The ride was extremely fucking uncomfortable.

Huxton sat in the front seat, chatting with Eliza, or just listening as she rambled on. I listened, too; the back and forth was exposing some of their history. But through it all, Huck was messing with me.

Between the seat and the door, he'd reach back, stroking my knee. When I'd slide my leg away, he'd watch me in the side-mirror, grin, and wait until I let my guard down to do it again.

Bastard.

“...Was so hot that day,” Eliza laughed, leading us down the freeway. “Remember, Huck? We'd bought these ice pops for the beach, but by the time we got there and parked, they'd all melted!”

“I remember,” he sighed. “I also remember how angry your—” He stopped himself, rethinking what he'd been about to say. “How angry your friend was that you'd stained the backseat of his car you were borrowing.”

My roommate eyed me in the mirror, smile flickering. “Uh, right. Well it wasn't like I did it on purpose.”

Huck snorted. “You made him pay to clean it.”

“He still let me borrow his new one months later, too.” Grinning so wide her eyes crinkled on the corners, Eliza turned into a parking lot of the nearby grocery store.

I wondered which friend would be foolish enough to not only pay for the damage, but loan another car out. Maybe 'friend' had meant boyfriend. That would be a little understandable.

“Alright kids, let's get this over with.” Eliza hopped out, adjusting her sunglasses and the dress she'd thrown on. She was the epitome of Californian.

Huck looked like he'd stepped off the pages of a motorcycle magazine. He'd replaced his swim-trunks with rich, midnight jeans and a tight tank-top. The leather jacket that I'd appreciated last night now looked too warm on him.

I wondered if he was from here, like me.

A guy like him was just... out of place. A constant outlaw.

He caught me looking. Without turning his head, giving me a delicious view of his strong profile, he just smiled. The hard nob of his Adam's apple rippled. Impossibly, I swear his green eyes were looking through me.

Terrified of what he'd find, I spun so fast I was disoriented. Tagging after Eliza, I listened to Huck's boots crunching over the pavement. Everything he did had a gritty feel, shadow and fire and smoke.

Cologne companies would make millions if they could bottle his essence.

“Okay,” Eliza chirped, shoving a cart through the automatic doors. In true LA spirit, even with the Christmas trees littered outside, the building was air-conditioned. “We need a lot of stuff. Let's make this efficient.”

Nodding, I zipped my jacket tighter. At least I'd changed into jeans. I hated the cold, and the store was chilly. “I can take half the list, hand it over.” Eliza was one of the few people I knew who actually made lists, and didn't just shop based on her mood or appetite. I appreciated her organizational skills.

She passed a sheet of yellow paper to me, saying, “Okay, sounds good. Huck, you can come with me.”

A massive wave of relief went down to my toes.

Huck didn't react, he just tossed me one quick look, then followed after Eliza down the aisle. I could hear her voice, cheerful and bright, all the way until they vanished behind the boxes of cereal.

Fanning myself with the paper, I grabbed a cart and pushed it along. Here was respite, here was a break from the black hole that was Huxton. His existence tugged at me, whispering for me to come closer; promising excitement, throaty moans, and so much more.

It would be fun, at first, I told myself, strolling past the vegetables. He's sexy, no denying that. The way he talks, how he says things... it ties me up inside. Sighing, I grabbed a bag of salad and tossed it in the cart.

He'll break me as easily as these tomatoes.

Huck will take what he wants from me.

Then he'll leave me behind.

Would he, though? Increasingly—temptingly—he was making me question my vow. Were guys like him that thrilled me guaranteed to always wreck me?

All of them have. Remember that.

Pushing a cool bag of broccoli to my forehead, I ignored the stares of other shoppers. I hated the cold, but right then, I needed something refreshing on my warm skin.

Imagining him standing in my bedroom, his hands brushing my cheeks—then lower, I laughed at myself. I need a sponsor. Someone I can call and say, 'Help! I want to fuck another bad boy! Save me!'

There was someone getting paid for everything out here. Surely, a cock-blocker on demand existed.

Muscle for hire.

I needed anti-muscle for hire.

Finishing the list Eliza had given me, I was almost done. There was one last item I needed to grab. It was for me, not something Eliza had asked for or required.

In the quiet aisle, I scanned the rows of colorful candy. Thumbing the items, I found what I was after. Beaming, I hefted the little bag of hazelnut truffles, jiggling them by my ear. Yes, this would do perfectly.

“You have a sweet tooth?”

My spine became a lightning rod, hit by the pure energy that was Huck's voice. Turning, I found him hovering just a foot away. I hadn't heard him approaching.

My stripper-fighter was also a ninja, apparently. “W—what are you doing here?” I asked, glancing side to side. “Where's Eliza?”

Pointing, he indicated the other cart of groceries nearby. “She ran to use the restroom, told me to come find you and meet her upfront.”

Breathing through pursed lips, I nodded and said, “Okay. Well, then...” His eyes went back to the candy I held. Anxiously, I set it in the top basket. “What's wrong? Am I not allowed to buy candy?”

One step, and he was towering over me. “It's not that. I was just making sure I remembered the brand you liked.”

Tiny sparks went off in my head. “Why?”

“To buy you some, obviously.”

I didn't know what to do with my hands anymore. Grabbing the cart, I let it go, then grabbed it again. “That's nice, but... I'm actually allergic to hazelnuts.”

His eyes narrowed. “Then why buy those truffles?”

Fuck, I should have just lied. “Forget about it. You don't need to know why I do everything, Huck.”

In that tight aisle with no one around, he bent close to me. So close I backed up, plastic rattling. Bags of candy shifted, jostled by the pressure of my spine.

I should have smelled sugar everywhere.

Huck overpowered it all.

Half-closing his eyes, he reached for my cheek—stopped the last second. “Need is a funny word. Zoe, I want to know why you do everything. I want to know what drives you, what goes on in that lovely head of yours.”

Those strong fingers finally came down, resting on the space between my neck and shoulder. I jumped so violently that a candy bar toppled free, sliding across the floor. How could he do this to me? Saying things like that, acting so invested... it was fucking with my head.

With my poor, tired heart.

“Huck,” I whispered. Only air came out, so I began again. “Huck, listen. You're wasting your time with me.”

“I can't imagine anytime with you would be wasted, babe.”

Blush was my new favorite color, apparently. “Why are you doing this?”

His voice rolled, liquid silk. “Isn't it obvious? You excite me, Zoe.”

I excite HIM? Huck is the one wrapping me up in HIS energy. I'm innocent, I'm not doing anything to excite him!

Prickles ran down my veins. I silenced my internal thoughts, distracted by the warmth of his palm gliding over my skin. “You literally just met me yesterday.”

“All the more reason to want to get to know you,” he chuckled.

“Believe me, there's nothing about me that you want to know.”

Lowering his head, his eyes were cast in shadows. “Let me be the judge of that. Any woman who can get my blood pumping like you is worth learning about.”

Moisture left my mouth. This was too much. There was a thread forming between us, tying us closer and strangling the part of me that was scared of what Huck might do. Another trouble-maker meant to leave scars in my life.

Another person to betray me and leave me shredded.

But then... if I was so used to it, why did it matter? My future, my present, it was all on the precipice of falling apart.

One more wound in the heart of a corpse would do very little.

Closing my eyes, I let myself sink into the caress of his hand. It was as if he was touching each individual freckle, creating a galaxy on my flesh. I wanted him to discover all of my constellations.

Part of me... part of me wanted him to learn how right I was. That my expectation of him chucking me aside would be made real.

I was Zoe Lillith, and I was not worth knowing.

I was worth forgetting.

Let him learn, I told myself. Temptation made giving in so easy. I could justify all of it. With him blowing air on my skin, whispering in my ear, I could do it. I could shrug off responsibility and let him be the one who felt the burden.

I could say, I told you so.

What a bitter satisfaction that would bring.

Opening my eyes, I stared at Huck and imagined him seeing me for what I was. If he learned all my flaws, would he still smile so much, would he still want me? Was he strong enough?

Was anyone?

The person I'd been wasn't worth loving. The many damaged men who had promised me sweet things while they took what they wanted from me had shown me that.

What I needed wasn't pretty words, it was someone to help me. Help me for real.

And it wasn't going to be him, no matter what he promised.

But giving in... god, it would feel so fucking good.

Maybe... just for a little bit...

Another bag of candy fell, jolting me from my reverie. Looking down, I spotted the truffles in my cart. They were as good as a punch to my gut. What am I doing? Shaking my head, I gently pushed Huck away.

He resisted, challenging me... but finally, he stepped back. “What did I do?” he asked.

You didn't do anything. Not yet. You're paying for the mistakes of everyone before you.

My mistakes, too.

The smile was hard to force. “Nothing. It's fine, I just think we should head upfront before Eliza wonders where we are.”

“We could let her wonder,” he teased.

I'd love that so much. I didn't dare speak the words. Making my attraction real was a spell waiting to petrify me.

I pushed my cart down the aisle. My speed was fast, I didn't slow down; didn't risk looking back. Huxton was too good at breaking down my walls. When I had space, I could rebuild them.

But if what had happened back there was any measure, I was growing weaker by the minute.

By the fucking second.

Spending more time with this man was the worst thing I could do.

But right then?

Time spent with Huxton Blake was my only hope.

– Chapter Seven -

Huxton

The sun crumbled and fell. It weighed too much, my mind alone couldn't will it to stay high in the sky. I wanted to guarantee that I could sit here for hours, enjoying the laughter and warmth of a dinner with friends. It was so... normal. I didn't remember the last time I'd done something like this.

Eliza had cooked us food, plied me with beer and funny stories.

Of course, my attention—even when I wasn't looking—was forever on Zoe. She fidgeted with her meal, sometimes meeting my stare before skittering away to look down at her plate.

I was trying to make sense of her. It was proving difficult.

In the store, I'd come close to kissing her with the smell of chocolate and candy-canes surrounding us. It would have been easy, she'd given all the right signs. All the way up until she'd opened her eyes and looked at those truffles...

Then it was done.

Zoe had closed off to me.

If she was trying to manipulate me into wanting her, she was doing a fucking good job. She'd become this ethereal creature, a wish just out of my reach.

I'd never had to be so patient before. She was testing my limits. The sensual woman who had peeked through at her party was in there somewhere. The distrust coating her surface was confusing, but it was just that; a coating.

The real Zoe—the Zoe that had grabbed my back and rolled her curves against my hips—she wasn't afraid of me. She wanted me.

And I wanted her.

Once I figured out what was pressing between us, what her castle walls were made of, I would crush them to dust and look at the wild, wicked girl behind those crystal eyes.

Eliza said something, I caught the end of it. I'd been drifting in my head.

“...still free. Okay?”

She was staring at me, so was Zoe. I sat up and winced. “Sorry, what?”

Rolling her eyes, Eliza waved her glass of wine at me threateningly. “I said, we can watch a movie if you want. Zoe has to leave in a few minutes, but I'm still free.”

Zoe wasn't great about hiding her flash of nerves. Did she think I was going to abandon her for a movie? “Actually,” I sighed. “I kind of have to go. I've got work tonight, too.”

Crinkling her nose, Eliza scrutinized me. “Huh. I didn't realize. Fine, fine. I'll just enjoy a night alone, there's worse things.”

Wiping my hands on a napkin, I pushed my chair back. “I'll come by again soon, it's fine. Thanks for hanging out with me all day, Eliza.”

Beaming, she rushed to give me a fierce hug. “It's great to get back together like this. Call me anytime.”

Sliding my jacket on, I half-turned, catching Zoe's tiny smile. She had to think my ploy was hilarious. I wasn't really leaving, and she understood that; it was our little secret. “Handshake or a hug?” I asked.

“A hug,” she chuckled. “Handshakes are so impersonal.”

“True. We've gone far beyond personal, haven't we?” Grinning, I pulled Zoe in for a quick, but firm hug. She was too baffled to react. Holding her close, I bent to her shell of an ear and whispered, “Meet you at the end of the street.”

With that, I said a few more 'goodbyes' and hurried out the door. It was dark, inky-blue punctuated by the twinkling holiday lights on most of the houses.

It really was a nice area.

Humming softly, I drove my bike around the corner. In the shade of a dark building, one less joyful than Eliza's, I parked my Harley and waited.

Thinking about the coming fight, my blood started to ripple. I didn't know who it would be against, and I assumed Zoe didn't know either—or didn't have the time to tell me, yet. It didn't matter. I was excited.

It'd been some time since I'd been thrown into such violence. Shrapnel had gone down quick last night, but the waves of destruction coming off of him had been intoxicating.

Vibrations coursed through my upper thigh. Digging my cellphone out, I was ready to see a message from Zoe, perhaps telling me she was on her way. In the black air, my screen glowed like a diamond.

Kaley: Huck, I need a house call. I've got a problem, it requires a big man to fix it.

How soon can you come over?

-Your Favorite Dish

Shit. Kaley.

Long legs, a body that could chew you up and spit you out... Kaley was beautiful. She also had a preference for rough hands and stamina. I owned both, and proudly. It helped that she tipped better than any of my other clients.

Lifting my eyes, dots of light spun as I adjusted back to the darkness. Searching down the road, I watched for Zoe. She still hadn't appeared. What was she doing?

What was I doing?

I loved fighting, that was a fact. In the past, it had been a great way to make money. But now... Zoe's twenty bucks wouldn't stretch far.

When I'd been younger, fighting on the streets had been common. People wanted to take what you had. If you weren't willing to shove back, you were a goner. Naturally, I found myself getting sucked into the sordid world of underground combat.

I'd told Zoe the truth; last night wasn't my first fight.

By age sixteen, I'd made a name for myself. People saw what I could do with my fists. Each new tattoo I added crafted an image that was raw. Tough. Not to be messed with.

New job opportunities blossomed before me.

Guarding my first hooker was simple, uneventful. She'd been the on again, off again girlfriend of a fellow fighter.

With time, I made more acquaintances. Fun women, perverse hobbies, they tempted me with it all. I fell into strip clubs and private parties. It had been a blinding rush of drugs and money and fun.

Things didn't change much until the night I played muscle for a high-end escort. She'd been beautiful, other-worldly. Once her client had left, she'd pulled me into the motel room, whispering to me that she needed someone to finish her off.

I'd been surprised...

But more than keen to help.

From there, the word spread. Women called me for reasons beyond protecting them. My body was sought for pleasure, and I was ready to indulge. Fighting was great, fucking was better.

Throw all the money I could need into the mix?

I was in heaven.

Lifting my phone, I stared at the text message again. Kaley would slide me a cool six hundred for an hour or so of my time. I usually gave extra, stretching the minutes out. It was nice to hear a woman telling me I was too much. Any form of begging turned me on.

It was a fun cycle.

Her, claiming she couldn't handle more. Me, getting rock-hard at her whimpers and pleas. Both of us always left happy. I had a reputation to keep.

Sighing, I scrunched my eyes shut. I promised Zoe already. It wasn't about the money. It was about my word.

With regret, I tapped the keys and stared at my message.

Huck: Sorry doll, but I'm booked for the night.

We'll get in touch soon.

Not wanting to see her response, I hit send and clicked the phone off, shoving it back in my jacket.

My ears caught the scratch of footsteps on dirt. Looking up, I spotted Zoe. In her green jacket, she jogged my way. The night stole the color from her eyes, but it deposited crimson in her cheeks. She was a woman on fire, that long hair streaming behind like a comet's trail.

My fingers cramped, eager to open up and embrace her.

Falling stars aren't meant to be held, though.

As she slowed beside me, clouds dancing around her perfect lips... she dared me to try.

Dared me to cradle her combustible existence.

Zoe held the power to burn me into ashes. All I had to do was touch her.

A death like this?

It would be fucking worth it.

“Sorry,” she said, catching her breath. “I hope you didn't wait long for me.”

“Not too long.” My smile went ear to ear. “Only an eternity.”

She'd been reaching for the back of my bike. Now, she pulled her arm away, a creature of doubt and suspicion. “Why would you say something like that?”

Guilt drove down into my guts. It was a tiny splinter, but sharp as a nail. Why had I said that?

To get a rise out of her.

Was that the real reason? She certainly thought so. I couldn't be sure, and dwelling on it was making me uncomfortable. “Easy now,” I mumbled. “I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

Weaving her fingers through her hair, Zoe offered me a tiny smile. “It's alright. I'm just a little tense. I really wish you'd gone and practiced today. I don't even know who you're up against tonight.”

Waving her onto the bike, I kicked it into gear. “I'll be fine. I'm actually excited.”

“You are?”

“Sure, it's been some time since I've had an excuse to shake the rust off of these muscles.”

Adjusting behind me, her jean-clad legs rubbed along my hips. “Not much call for combat when you strip your clothes off, huh?”

I chuckled and said, “The opposite. I fight off the hands of too-eager women all the damn time.”

Zoe laughed, and fuck, I ached to hear that sound forever.

Guiding us down the road, I took my time. I wanted to speak before the engine drowned us both out. “You seem happier tonight. I like that.”

I was ready for her to loosen her grip. Amazingly, she pressed her chest on me and didn't run. She mumbled, “For some reason, I feel... optimistic.”

Twisting, I tried to stare at her. I could see nothing but her red hair. “Optimistic?”

“Yeah.” Zoe's long, silky strands slid over my shoulder and rustled my cheek. “I don't know. For once, going to the fights tonight, things feel like they might be okay.” Her voice flitted, drifting in the wind and fading with my growing speed. “I'm probably just crazy.”

Crazy. Yes.

I could relate.

The alley was silent.

The basement was not.

Together, Zoe and I descended into the sweltering madness that was the underground fighting ring. “Does this place have a name?” I asked, eyeing the cracked, grey walls and faded paint dubiously.

“The Dog House,” Zoe said, not looking at me.

“Wonderful.” I grinned full force. “Does that make me your dog?”

She didn't respond, reaching out to stop me when we were halfway down the steps.

I pulled back, watching her while she scanned the crowd. “What's up?”

Those pretty pink lips scrunched together, copying her eyebrows. Finally, she let her hand fall away. “It's nothing. I was just looking for someone.”

Gently, I asked, “Was it Nehro?”

Taking me by the wrist, she pulled me towards the whiteboard across the room. “Yes and no. I always look for him, but right now I'm watching for Reese—my ex.” She added the last part as an uncomfortable afterthought. Tension ruled her eyes. “I don't know if he'll be here tonight. I'm hoping he won't.”

Battery acid filled my mouth. Even now, the shit-bag who had cheated on her was making her fret. I was burning with disgust.

Scanning the board, the sourness on my tongue grew sharper. Reaching out, I tapped my finger next to Reese's name. “Looks like he already fought. Half an hour ago, if this is right.”

“Whatever,” she grumbled. “Good. Fine. Guess he decided he was going to get back in the ring, just not for me. He can keep all the money for himself. I don't care what he does anymore. I don't need him.”

Gingerly, I set my hand on her shoulder. Zoe was shaking, the tremors making her eyelashes twitch. “You're right,” I said flatly. “You don't need him anymore. I'm here.”

I could see myself in her blue eyes, that was how wide they grew. “You're really sure that twenty bucks is fine?”

“It's more than enough.” Though, I admit, I was curious what she meant about Reese taking all the money now. “When he fought for you, he really got paid nothing? None of your payment to Nehro?”

Zoe sighed and said, “It was his idea. I wanted to give him some of it, he told me he was willing to make the sacrifice. I was grateful, really... it let me pay Nehro off faster.”

So many questions bubbled. “You've got me curious. How much are you making per fight, and how much do you owe that Nehro guy?”

Pointedly, she slid my hand off of her. “I don't want to tell you about my debt. It's personal stuff.”

Shrugging, I allowed myself to smile, even if it was forced. “All these secrets. You do know I'm here because I want to help you, right?”

I expected her to tighten up, to get flustered or bite at me with her words. In front of me, Zoe hung her head. I could never predict this fucking girl. “A thousand dollars,” she whispered.

“What?”

“That's how much Nehro takes off my debt after each fight.” Digging her toe into the ground, she watched me from under the fringe of her lashes. “Now you know. I suppose you'll want some of it after all, right? I can tell Nehro. He'll probably—”