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I wanted to bolt in the other direction. I didn't enjoy the role he played in my father's world, and what I hated even more was sharing the air between us. “Yeah look who, and look who's still going.” Lengthening my leg, I attempted to keep my pace.

A mangled hand stretched out, gripping my upper arm. “Whoa... Where is your little friend?” he asked, glancing around behind me as if looking for someone.

Narrowing my eyes, my insides burned with hatred. “Don't touch me!” I snapped, yanking myself from his fingers. “Goodbye, Nico.” Rolling my eyes, I shifted away.

“Quinn, where's Quinn? I understand you guys have gotten close, does daddy know about that?” Pitching his words, he talked to me as if I was a child.

“What I do is none of your fucking business.” My hands clenched by my side, nails digging into the palms. I wanted to slap him, and watch his cheek burst with my handprint across it.

“Ooo, sassy little bitch, aren't you? I wonder what daddy would say if he heard his daughter talking to me like that.” A thin, slippery smile pulled up to his eyes.

“Go fuck yourself, Nico. Oh, wait... You already do that, because you're a dirty bastard that no woman would ever touch.” Staring at him with slitting lids, the muscles tensed across my shoulders. “Maybe its time you think about switching sides.”

A soft bell jingled from my purse.That's probably Mia, wondering where I am.Glancing at the bag hanging close to my shoulder, the bell sounded again.

His beady eyes glared at me, grin turning down, lip twisting with anger. “Maybe I should just make a trip to tell your dad right now that you guys had a little play date the other day.” A cold sweat trickled over my ribs, tongue sticking to the back of my throat. “Yeah, that's right. I watched him come strolling out of your place. So tell me, Cadence, do you think the way he fucked you was worth it?”

Cocking my hand back, it flew forward, the loud smack whipping off his skin. I couldn't stop myself, it happened before I even had time to think about it. The sting radiated through my palm, and up my arm.

Nico's face was hard, his head barely twitching from my slap, like a bull being blind sided by a bird. His eyes popped open, brows dipping angrily as his hands balled tightly by his sides.

Bringing his hand up swiftly, I winced on impulse. Reaching for his cheek, he rubbed the flushing area.

If we had been anywhere else other than the crowded street, I think he would have struck me back. I hardly expected he was the type of guy who would hold the standard—men don't hit women—But here, out in the open, with hoards of people eyeing us now, he knew better.

“Bitch.” The only word he mustered out.

I wanted to hit him again, it felt good. I've wanted to do that for a long time. I hated the way he talked down to me all the time, treating me like a piece of shit, just because he knew he was my father's top fighter.

“You had that coming, Asshole.” Noting the bruising still reflecting under his eyes, a twinkle of delight filled my tone. “Nice eye make up you got there.”

“Fuck you, he got lucky.” Shifting his eyes away, he rubbed his jaw.

“Are you just pissed because Quinn might be taking your place?” I asked. I knew that would go up his ass, even though it was a bold-faced lie. Watching Nico's shoulders arch up, eyes wildly searching the air, the thought sinking in he might be getting replaced; it was worth it.

“Fuck you, Cadence.” Raising his finger, he pointed at my face. “I'll be seeing you, you can be sure of that.” He turned and walked away, muscles stiff, stride rigid as he pushed his hair from his face.

I knew I had just really pissed him off.

Was he going to say anything to my father?Maybe.

And for a brief instant, fear settled and knotted its way around my stomach.

Then, Quinn's face emerged behind my eyes, his smooth smile, even smoother skin. The map of ink that drew paths down his flesh, guiding my fingers where to go.

When I thought about the way he touched me, the feeling of safety that he blankets me with, it soothed my insides.

He was more than I had thought, he had secrets that spanned a lifetime.

Secrets that I wanted to learn, wanted to hear.

Secrets I wanted to feel again deep inside.

Looking over my shoulder, I watched Nico fade away into the distance, blending in with the crowd till he was invisible.

Finding my phone, Mia had texted me several times.

Shit, I hope she's still there.